Our long-term goal is to design a rational gene therapeutic approach to treat CEP290-LCA (Leber congenital amaurosis), one of the most severe and frequent causes of autosomal recessive retinal degenerative diseases that result in childhood blindness. The large size of the CEP290 gene has limited the development of successful gene delivery using conventional Adeno-associated Virus (AAV) vectors. Use of genome editing (such as CRISPR/Cas9 approach) and antisense oligonucleotide to correct a common deep intronic mutation is promising; however, these approaches are applicable to only one type of CEP290 mutation.
Our aim i s to develop a mutation-independent generic approach to treat CEP290-LCA. We propose to design shorter CEP290 (miniCEP290s) that are optimally functional and can be delivered using conventional AAV vectors. We have strong preliminary data that shows the development of a surrogate assay system that led to the identification of miniCEP290s. AAV-mediated delivery of these miniCEP290s improved the function and survival of the degenerating retina of mice carrying a mutation in the Cep290 gene (Cep290rd16). However, the effect was short-lived. In this application, we have proposed to improve the therapeutic response by generating better miniCEP290s and identifying the optimal dose, vectors and disease stage of intervention. The AAV-mediated delivery approach has been utilized successfully in several gene therapy studies and the promoters for photoreceptor-specific expression have been optimized. Thus, success obtained using the miniCEP290s can readily lead us to clinical trials. Our approach will also impact the development of similar strategies for other diseases, including Stargardt disease and Usher Syndrome, which are caused by mutations in large genes that are not amenable to delivery using conventional AAVs.

Public Health Relevance

The proposed research is relevant to public health because these studies are expected to develop novel therapeutic paradigms for CEP290-associated LCA. Thus, the proposed research is relevant to the part of NIH?s mission that pertains to developing translational approaches that will help reduce the burdens of human disability. !

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
5R21EY029050-02
Application #
9672494
Study Section
Diseases and Pathophysiology of the Visual System Study Section (DPVS)
Program Officer
Shen, Grace L
Project Start
2018-04-01
Project End
2020-09-30
Budget Start
2019-04-01
Budget End
2020-09-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2019
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester
Department
Ophthalmology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
603847393
City
Worcester
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
01655