Long-term retinal function and structure rescue using capsid mutant AAV8 vector in the rd10 mouse, a model of recessive retinitis pigmentosa.

ABSTRACT: The retinal degeneration 10 (rd10) mouse is a well-characterized model of autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa (RP), which carries a spontaneous mutation in the ? subunit of rod cGMP-phosphodiesterase (PDE?). Rd10 mouse exhibits photoreceptor dysfunction and rapid rod photoreceptor degeneration followed by cone degeneration and remodeling of the inner retina. Here, we evaluate whether gene replacement using the fast-acting tyrosine-capsid mutant AAV8 (Y733F) can provide long-term therapy in this model. AAV8 (Y733F)-smCBA-PDE? was subretinally delivered to postnatal day 14 (P14) rd10 mice in one eye only. Six months after injection, spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), electroretinogram (ERG), optomotor behavior tests, and immunohistochemistry showed that AAV8 (Y733F)-mediated PDE? expression restored retinal function and visual behavior and preserved retinal structure in treated rd10 eyes for at least 6 months. This is the first demonstration of long-term phenotypic rescue by gene therapy in an animal model of PDE?-RP. It is also the first example of tyrosine-capsid mutant AAV8 (Y733F)-mediated correction of a retinal phenotype. These results lay the groundwork for the development of PDE?-RP gene therapy trial and suggest that tyrosine-capsid mutant AAV vectors may be effective for treating other rapidly degenerating models of retinal degeneration.

SUBMITTER: Pang JJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3034861 | biostudies-other | 2011 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other