Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science Cover Image for Volume 58, Issue 8
June 2017
Volume 58, Issue 8
Open Access
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   June 2017
A human iPSc-derived RPE model of Retinitis Punctata Albescens
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • Krishna Damodar
    Inserm U1051, Montpellier, France
  • Nejla Erkilic
    Inserm U1051, Montpellier, France
  • Laurent GUILLOU
    Inserm U1051, Montpellier, France
  • Daria Mamaeva
    Inserm U1051, Montpellier, France
  • Marie Pequignot
    Inserm U1051, Montpellier, France
  • Aude Conscience
    Inserm U1051, Montpellier, France
  • Lorenne Robert
    Inserm U1051, Montpellier, France
  • Philippe Brabet
    Inserm U1051, Montpellier, France
  • Christian P Hamel
    Inserm U1051, Montpellier, France
  • Vasiliki Kalatzis
    Inserm U1051, Montpellier, France
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships   Krishna Damodar, None; Nejla Erkilic, None; Laurent GUILLOU, None; Daria Mamaeva, None; Marie Pequignot, None; Aude Conscience, None; Lorenne Robert, None; Philippe Brabet, None; Christian Hamel, None; Vasiliki Kalatzis, None
  • Footnotes
    Support  None
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science June 2017, Vol.58, 625. doi:
  • Views
  • Share
  • Tools
    • Alerts
      ×
      This feature is available to authenticated users only.
      Sign In or Create an Account ×
    • Get Citation

      Krishna Damodar, Nejla Erkilic, Laurent GUILLOU, Daria Mamaeva, Marie Pequignot, Aude Conscience, Lorenne Robert, Philippe Brabet, Christian P Hamel, Vasiliki Kalatzis; A human iPSc-derived RPE model of Retinitis Punctata Albescens. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2017;58(8):625.

      Download citation file:


      © ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)

      ×
  • Supplements
Abstract

Purpose : Retinitis Punctata Albescens (RPA) is caused by mutations in the RLBP1 gene, which codes for the visual cycle protein CRALBP. A CRALBP-deficiency results in a dysfunction of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) that leads to RPE and eventually photoreceptor death. An Rlbp1-deficient mouse model has been previously generated but it does not fully reproduce the disease course. As a complement to this in vivo model, we generated a human retinal model for RPA via the intermediate of patient induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSc).

Methods : We performed punch skin biopsies of three RPA patients carrying different mutations in the RLBP1 gene. The CRALBP-deficient fibroblasts were reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSc) using initially, retroviral and, subsequently, sendai viral vectors, carrying the Yamanaka transcription factor cocktail. The RPA iPSc were then differentiated into RPE using a spontaneous differentiation protocol.

Results : We obtained iPSc from the 3 RPA patients. We determined their pluripotency by qPCR analysis for the expression of Nanog, Sox-2, Lin 28 and Oct3-4 and by their ability to produce teratomas. We determined their genetic stability by karyotype analysis and confirmed the presence of the original RLBP1 mutations by sequencing. The iPSc-derived RPE from RPA patients expresses characteristic RPE markers but lacks CRALBP. We mimicked the visual cycle by incubating the cells with vitamin A and showed that the RPA iPSc-derived RPE contains an accumulation of all-transretinyl esters within the cells and a decrease in the production of 11 cis-retinal in the supernatant, as compared to control cells. In addition, transmission electron microscopy studies detected morphological differences between patient and control RPE.

Conclusions : This is the first iPSc-derived RPE model described for RPA. This model is a unique tool, as it will allow i) the direct study of disease pathophysiology and ii) the testing of novel therapies on the tissue actually affected in patients.

This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2017 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Baltimore, MD, May 7-11, 2017.

×
×

This PDF is available to Subscribers Only

Sign in or purchase a subscription to access this content. ×

You must be signed into an individual account to use this feature.

×