Long-term expression of melanopsin and channelrhodopsin causes no gross alterations in the dystrophic dog retina

Gene Ther. 2017 Nov;24(11):735-741. doi: 10.1038/gt.2017.63. Epub 2017 Sep 7.

Abstract

Several preclinical studies have investigated the potential of algal channelrhodopsin and human melanopsin as optogenetic tools for vision restoration. In the present study, we assessed the potentially deleterious effects of long-term expression of these optogenes on the diseased retina in a large animal model of retinal degeneration, the RPE65-deficient Briard dog model of Leber congenital amaurosis. Intravitreal injection of adeno-associated virus vectors expressing channelrhodopsin and melanopsin had no effect on retinal thickness over a 16-month period post injection. Our data support the safety of the optogenetic approach for the treatment of blindness.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Channelrhodopsins / genetics
  • Channelrhodopsins / metabolism
  • Channelrhodopsins / physiology*
  • Dependovirus / genetics
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dogs
  • Electroretinography / methods
  • Eye Proteins / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation / genetics
  • Gene Transfer Techniques
  • Genetic Therapy / methods
  • Genetic Vectors / genetics
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Leber Congenital Amaurosis / therapy
  • Retina / metabolism*
  • Retina / physiology
  • Retinal Degeneration / therapy*
  • Rod Opsins / genetics
  • Rod Opsins / metabolism
  • Rod Opsins / physiology*
  • Vision, Ocular / physiology

Substances

  • Channelrhodopsins
  • Eye Proteins
  • Rod Opsins
  • melanopsin