Gene Therapy Restores Missing Cone-Mediated Vision in the CNGA3−/− Mouse Model of Achromatopsia

S Michalakis, R Mühlfriedel, N Tanimoto… - Retinal Degenerative …, 2012 - Springer
S Michalakis, R Mühlfriedel, N Tanimoto, V Krishnamoorthy, S Koch, MD Fischer, E Becirovic
Retinal Degenerative Diseases, 2012Springer
The absence of cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels in cone photoreceptor outer
segments leads to achromatopsia, a severely disabling disease associated with the
complete lack of cone photoreceptor function. In a common form, loss of the CNGA3 subunit
disrupts visual transduction in cones and causes progressive degeneration. Here, we show
that adeno-associated viral vector-mediated gene replacement therapy added the lacking
sensual quality, cone-mediated vision, in the CNGA3−/− mouse model of the human …
Abstract
The absence of cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels in cone photoreceptor outer segments leads to achromatopsia, a severely disabling disease associated with the complete lack of cone photoreceptor function. In a common form, loss of the CNGA3 subunit disrupts visual transduction in cones and causes progressive degeneration. Here, we show that adeno-associated viral vector-mediated gene replacement therapy added the lacking sensual quality, cone-mediated vision, in the CNGA3−/− mouse model of the human disease. The functional rescue of cone vision was assessed at different sites along the visual pathway. In particular, we show electrophysiologically that treated CNGA3−/− mice became able to generate cone-mediated responses and to transfer these signals to bipolar and finally ganglion cells. In support, we found morphologically that expression of CNGA3 delayed cone cell death. Finally, we show in a behavioral test that treated mice acquired photopic vision suggesting that achromatopsia patients may as well benefit from gene replacement therapy.
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