May 2008
Volume 49, Issue 13
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   May 2008
Long-Term Rescue of Cone Function in a Canine Model of Achromatopsia by rAAV-Mediated Gene Therapy
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • A. M. Komaromy
    Clinical Studies, University of Pennsylvania, School of Vet Med, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • J. J. Alexander
    Pathology,
    University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
  • V. A. Chiodo
    Ophthalmology,
    University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
  • M. M. Garcia
    Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • J. C. Tanaka
    Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • C. M. Craft
    Mary D. Allen Lab, Doheny Eye Inst., Dept. Ophthalmology & Cell & Neurobiology, Keck School of Medicine, Univ of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
  • G. M. Acland
    Baker Institute, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
  • W. W. Hauswirth
    Ophthalmology,
    Molecular Genetics and Microbiology,
    University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
  • G. D. Aguirre
    Clinical Studies, University of Pennsylvania, School of Vet Med, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships  A.M. Komaromy, None; J.J. Alexander, None; V.A. Chiodo, None; M.M. Garcia, None; J.C. Tanaka, None; C.M. Craft, None; G.M. Acland, None; W.W. Hauswirth, AGTC, P; G.D. Aguirre, None.
  • Footnotes
    Support  EY13132, 06855, 01583, 07132, 08571, 11123, 13729, 15398, 017549, 015851, 03040, FFB, RPB, MVRF, McCabe Fund, The ONCE Int'l. Prize, Mary D. Allen Endowment
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science May 2008, Vol.49, 1131. doi:
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    • Get Citation

      A. M. Komaromy, J. J. Alexander, V. A. Chiodo, M. M. Garcia, J. C. Tanaka, C. M. Craft, G. M. Acland, W. W. Hauswirth, G. D. Aguirre; Long-Term Rescue of Cone Function in a Canine Model of Achromatopsia by rAAV-Mediated Gene Therapy. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2008;49(13):1131.

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Abstract

Purpose: : To evaluate long-term rescue of cone function following rAAV-mediated gene therapy in two canine models of achromatopsia as a function of age at treatment and gene promoter.

Methods: : rAAV5 containing human CNGB3 cDNA was injected unilaterally into the subretinal space of dogs affected by either a null or missense mutation (D262N) of CNGB3. The dogs were 3 to 81 weeks old at the time of treatment. The transgene was under control of a truncated human red cone opsin promoter [three variations: PR0.5 (a short proximal promoter), 3LCR-PR0.5 (PR0.5 plus 3 copies of the 35bp LCR), and PR2.1 (PR0.5 plus about 1.5kbp surrounding the LCR)], or the human cone arrestin promoter (hCAR900). Depending on the size of the dog, the total volume injected varied between 50 and 180 µl containing between 3.73 and 16.5 x 1012 genome containing particles/ml. At least 4 weeks after treatment, cone function was evaluated behaviorally and by electroretinography (ERG) under photopic conditions.

Results: : Successful restoration of cone function was achieved in 10 dogs with either CNGB3 null or missense mutation. While positive results were seen with all 4 promoters, the longest version of the human red cone opsin promoter (PR2.1) led to the most robust restoration of cone function as assessed by ERG amplitudes and duration of rescue effect. Two dogs treated with PR2.1 were monitored for over 14 months, and no deterioration of the rescue effect was observed. Based on previous data with a GFP reporter gene, the human red cone opsin promoters drive expression only in the canine L/M-cones, while the human cone arrestin promoter drives expression in both L/M- and S-cones. The amplitude of the rescued cone function decreased with age at injection, with the best results achieved at 3 weeks and no detectable rescue when the injection occurred at 1 year of age.

Conclusions: : Robust, long-term rescue of cone function could be achieved in 2 canine models of achromatopsia. The best outcome was observed when animals were treated at a young age. Our results are promising for future gene therapy in human patients with achromatopsia, or other diseases that affect cones.

Keywords: gene transfer/gene therapy • retinal degenerations: hereditary • degenerations/dystrophies 
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