Retinal degeneration is one of the most genetically heterogeneous groups of disorders known, involving over 184 loci. Several ocular gene therapy clinical trials have remarkably demonstrated that gene therapy is a valid approach to treat retinal diseases. Each of these clinical trials and almost every preclinical gene therapy study thus far have utilized viruses as the gene transfer vector. Viruses have significant advantages as gene transfer vectors- primarily their ability to efficiently deliver genes to post-mitotic retinal cells in vivo. However, viruses also have some disadvantages, including induction of host immune responses, a limited transgene capacity, insertional mutagenesis and difficulty in production. Despite these disadvantages, viruses are the current vector of choice in almost all ocular gene therapy studies because of a lack of alternatives. If the above disadvantages could be resolved by the development of non-viral gene transfer vectors that could deliver genes to post-mitotic tissues such as adult retina, it would have substantial impact on the field of preclinical and clinical ocular gene therapy. Unfortunately, non-viral vectors only work efficiently in cell culture or in neonatal retina where mitosis is ongoing. Hence, unlike viruses, non-viral vectors generally fail to rescue animal models of retinal degeneration unless applied in neonatal murine retina - results from which cannot be directly translated to post-mitotic human retina. Recently, we developed a 3.5 Kd peptide (POD) that can form nanoparticles resembling viruses in size (136nm) when complexed with DNA and enable transgene expression in post-mitotic retina. Although gene transfer with POD nanoparticles was not as efficient as with viruses, it was sufficient to enable a short-term delay in retinal degeneration in vivo. This is only one of two studies thus far demonstrating a delay in retinal degeneration in an adult mouse using a non-viral vector. The major limitation of our study was that of short-term transgene expression from POD nanoparticles. The primary objective of this study is to prolong transgene expression from POD nanoparticles by use of nuclear DNA integration or DNA retention elements. The second objective of this study is to improve the efficiency of gene transfer of POD such that it could be more potent and the third objective is to validate the improvements in POD in two relevant animal models of retinal degeneration. The high level of genetic heterogeneity observed in retinal degeneration hampers the timely availability of therapies for patients as each gene and virus combination needs to be developed through a lengthy process. Such approaches are not economically feasible for the >184 loci. Hence, we propose to use POD nanoparticles not to deliver individual genes but instead, genes encoding neurotrophic factors such as to develop a non-viral, non gene-specific approach to treat retinal degeneration. Upon completion of these studies we will have a novel non-viral vector ready for use in clinical trials pending toxicology studies. If successful, these studies would be a paradigm shift in ocular gene therapy.

Public Health Relevance

According to public opinion polls, blindness is the second most feared condition amongst Americans after cancer. Gene therapy for blindness requires the application of viruses that can cause serious adverse events in patients. The objective of this proposal is to develop a non-viral approach to gene therapy. Upon completion, this study will be ready to advance a non-viral gene therapy approach to clinical trials, pending standard toxicology studies as required by the FDA.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01EY021805-02
Application #
8318583
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-BDPE-J (09))
Program Officer
Shen, Grace L
Project Start
2011-09-01
Project End
2015-08-31
Budget Start
2012-09-01
Budget End
2013-08-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$412,500
Indirect Cost
$162,500
Name
Tufts University
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
039318308
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02111
Dasari, Bhanu Chandar; Cashman, Siobhan M; Kumar-Singh, Rajendra (2017) Reducible PEG-POD/DNA Nanoparticles for Gene Transfer In Vitro and In Vivo: Application in a Mouse Model of Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Mol Ther Nucleic Acids 8:77-89
Leaderer, Derek; Cashman, Siobhan M; Kumar-Singh, Rajendra (2016) G-quartet oligonucleotide mediated delivery of proteins into photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium via intravitreal injection. Exp Eye Res 145:380-392
Leaderer, Derek; Cashman, Siobhan M; Kumar-Singh, Rajendra (2015) Topical application of a G-Quartet aptamer targeting nucleolin attenuates choroidal neovascularization in a model of age-related macular degeneration. Exp Eye Res 140:171-178
Leaderer, Derek; Cashman, Siobhan M; Kumar-Singh, Rajendra (2015) Adeno-associated virus mediated delivery of an engineered protein that combines the complement inhibitory properties of CD46, CD55 and CD59. J Gene Med 17:101-15
Cashman, Siobhan M; Gracias, Jessica; Adhi, Mehreen et al. (2015) Adenovirus-mediated delivery of Factor H attenuates complement C3 induced pathology in the murine retina: a potential gene therapy for age-related macular degeneration. J Gene Med 17:229-43
Birke, M T; Lipo, E; Adhi, M et al. (2014) AAV-mediated expression of human PRELP inhibits complement activation, choroidal neovascularization and deposition of membrane attack complex in mice. Gene Ther 21:507-13
Lipo, Erion; Cashman, Siobhan M; Kumar-Singh, Rajendra (2013) Aurintricarboxylic acid inhibits complement activation, membrane attack complex, and choroidal neovascularization in a model of macular degeneration. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 54:7107-14
Birke, Kerstin; Lipo, Erion; Birke, Marco T et al. (2013) Topical application of PPADS inhibits complement activation and choroidal neovascularization in a model of age-related macular degeneration. PLoS One 8:e76766
Binder, Christina; Cashman, Siobhan M; Kumar-Singh, Rajendra (2013) Extended duration of transgene expression from pegylated POD nanoparticles enables attenuation of photoreceptor degeneration. PLoS One 8:e82295
Greenwald, D L; Cashman, S M; Kumar-Singh, R (2013) Mutation-independent rescue of a novel mouse model of Retinitis Pigmentosa. Gene Ther 20:425-34

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