scholarly journals ROM1 contributes to phenotypic heterogeneity in PRPH2-associated retinal disease

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (16) ◽  
pp. 2708-2722
Author(s):  
Daniel Strayve ◽  
Mustafa S Makia ◽  
Mashal Kakakhel ◽  
Haarthi Sakthivel ◽  
Shannon M Conley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Retinal Degeneration ◽  
Phenotypic Variability ◽  
Retinal Disease ◽  
Phenotypic Heterogeneity ◽  
Transgenic Mouse Models ◽  
Photoreceptor Outer Segments ◽  
Binding Partner ◽  
Biochemical Effects ◽  
Cone Function ◽  
Retinal Structure

Abstract Peripherin 2 (PRPH2) is a retina-specific tetraspanin protein essential for the formation of rod and cone photoreceptor outer segments (OS). Patients with mutations in PRPH2 exhibit severe retinal degeneration characterized by vast inter- and intra-familial phenotypic heterogeneity. To help understand contributors to this within-mutation disease variability, we asked whether the PRPH2 binding partner rod OS membrane protein 1 (ROM1) could serve as a phenotypic modifier. We utilized knockin and transgenic mouse models to evaluate the structural, functional and biochemical effects of eliminating one allele of Rom1 (Rom1+/−) in three different Prph2 models which mimic human disease: C213Y Prph2 (Prph2C/+), K153Del Prph2 (Prph2K/+) and R172W (Prph2R172W). Reducing Rom1 in the absence of Prph2 mutations (Rom1+/−) had no effect on retinal structure or function. However, the effects of reducing Rom1 in the presence of Prph2 mutations were highly variable. Prph2K/+/Rom1+/− mice had improved rod and cone function compared with Prph2K/+ as well as amelioration of K153Del-associated defects in PRPH2/ROM1 oligomerization. In contrast, Prph2R172W/Rom1+/− animals had worsened rod and cone function and exacerbated retinal degeneration compared with Prph2R172W animals. Removing one allele of Rom1 had no effect in Prph2C/+. Combined, our findings support a role for non-pathogenic ROM1 null variants in contributing to phenotypic variability in mutant PRPH2-associated retinal degeneration. Since the effects of Rom1 reduction are variable, our data suggest that this contribution is specific to the type of Prph2 mutation.

scholarly journals Rab28 is localised to photoreceptor outer segments, regulates outer segment shedding but is not linked to retinal degeneration in zebrafish

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen P. Carter ◽  
Ailís L. Moran ◽  
David Matallanas ◽  
Gavin J. McManus ◽  
Oliver E. Blacque ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Retinal Degeneration ◽  
Outer Segment ◽  
Membrane Surface ◽  
Photoreceptor Outer Segment ◽  
Membrane Surface Area ◽  
Photoreceptor Outer Segments ◽  
Outer Segments ◽  
Retinal Structure ◽  
Phototransduction Cascade ◽  
Shed Light

AbstractThe photoreceptor outer segment is the canonical example of a modified and highly specialised cilium, with an expanded membrane surface area in the form of discs or lamellae for efficient light detection. Many ciliary proteins are essential for normal photoreceptor function and cilium dysfunction often results in retinal degeneration leading to impaired vision. Herein, we investigate the function and localisation of the ciliary G-protein RAB28 in zebrafish cone photoreceptors. CRISPR-Cas9 generated rab28 mutant zebrafish display a reduction in shed outer segment material in the RPE at 1 month post fertilisation (mpf), but otherwise normal retinal structure and visual function up to 12 mpf. Cone photoreceptor-specific transgenic reporter lines show Rab28 localises almost exclusively to outer segments, independently of nucleotide binding. Co-immunoprecipitation analysis demonstrates tagged Rab28 interacts with components of the phototransduction cascade, including opsins, Phosphodiesterase 6C and Guanylate Cyclase 2D. Our data shed light on RAB28 function in cones and provide a model for RAB28-associated cone-rod dystrophy.

scholarly journals Loss of melanoregulin (MREG) enhances cathepsin-D secretion by the retinal pigment epithelium

2013 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 55-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
LAURA S. FROST ◽  
VANDA S. LOPES ◽  
FRANK P. STEFANO ◽  
ALVINA BRAGIN ◽  
DAVID S. WILLIAMS ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Retinal Pigment Epithelium ◽  
Cathepsin D ◽  
Pigment Epithelium ◽  
Retinal Pigment ◽  
Retinal Disease ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
Phagocytic Cells ◽  
Phagocytic Capacity ◽  
Photoreceptor Outer Segments ◽  
Age Dependent

AbstractCathepsin-D (Cat-D) is a major proteolytic enzyme in phagocytic cells. In the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), it is responsible for the daily degradation of photoreceptor outer segments (POSs) to maintain retinal homeostasis. Melanoregulin (MREG)-mediated loss of phagocytic capacity has been linked to diminished intracellular Cat-D activity. Here, we demonstrate that loss of MREG enhances the secretion of intermediate Cat-D (48 kDa), resulting in a net enhancement of extracellular Cat-D activity. These results suggest that MREG is required to maintain Cat-D homeostasis in the RPE and likely plays a protective role in retinal health. In this regard, in the Mregdsu/dsu mouse, we observe increased basal laminin. Loss of the Mregdsu allele is not lethal and therefore leads to slow age-dependent changes in the RPE. Thus, we propose that this model will allow us to study potential dysregulatory functions of Cat-D in retinal disease.

scholarly journals Antisense oligonucleotides targeting mutant Ataxin-7 restore visual function in a mouse model of spinocerebellar ataxia type 7

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (465) ◽  
pp. eaap8677 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chenchen Niu ◽  
Thazah P. Prakash ◽  
Aneeza Kim ◽  
John L. Quach ◽  
Laryssa A. Huryn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Retinal Degeneration ◽  
Spinocerebellar Ataxia ◽  
Visual Function ◽  
Antisense Oligonucleotides ◽  
Neurodegenerative Disorder ◽  
Retinal Disease ◽  
Fundus Photography ◽  
Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type ◽  
Autofluorescence Imaging ◽  
Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 7

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 (SCA7) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cerebellar and retinal degeneration, and is caused by a CAG-polyglutamine repeat expansion in the ATAXIN-7 gene. Patients with SCA7 develop progressive cone-rod dystrophy, typically resulting in blindness. Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) are single-stranded chemically modified nucleic acids designed to mediate the destruction, prevent the translation, or modify the processing of targeted RNAs. Here, we evaluated ASOs as treatments for SCA7 retinal degeneration in representative mouse models of the disease after injection into the vitreous humor of the eye. Using Ataxin-7 aggregation, visual function, retinal histopathology, gene expression, and epigenetic dysregulation as outcome measures, we found that ASO-mediated Ataxin-7 knockdown yielded improvements in treated SCA7 mice. In SCA7 mice with retinal disease, intravitreal injection of Ataxin-7 ASOs also improved visual function despite initiating treatment after symptom onset. Using color fundus photography and autofluorescence imaging, we also determined the nature of retinal degeneration in human SCA7 patients. We observed variable disease severity and cataloged rapidly progressive retinal degeneration. Given the accessibility of neural retina, availability of objective, quantitative readouts for monitoring therapeutic response, and the rapid disease progression in SCA7, ASOs targeting ATAXIN-7 might represent a viable treatment for SCA7 retinal degeneration.

scholarly journals Functionally rodless mice: transgenic models for the investigation of cone function in retinal disease and therapy

2002 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 401-415 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.L Lyubarsky ◽  
J Lem ◽  
J Chen ◽  
B Falsini ◽  
A Iannaccone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Retinal Disease ◽  
Transgenic Models ◽  
Cone Function

scholarly journals Microglia dynamics in retinitis pigmentosa model: formation of fundus whitening and autofluorescence as an indicator of activity of retinal degeneration

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenichi Makabe ◽  
Sunao Sugita ◽  
Michiko Mandai ◽  
Yoko Futatsugi ◽  
Masayo Takahashi
Keyword(s):  
Retinitis Pigmentosa ◽  
Retinal Degeneration ◽  
Outer Nuclear Layer ◽  
Fundus Autofluorescence ◽  
Fundus Photography ◽  
Photoreceptor Outer Segments ◽  
Diagnostic Interpretation ◽  
Model Formation ◽  
Thinning Rate

Abstract In patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), color fundus photography and fundus autofluorescence (FAF) have been used to estimate the disease progression. To understand the origin and the diagnostic interpretation of the fundus color and FAF, we performed in vivo imaging of fundus color and FAF together with histological analyses of the retinal degeneration process using the RP model mice, rd10. FAF partly represented the accumulation of microglia in the photoreceptor outer segments. Fundus whitening suggested the presence of apoptotic cells, which spatiotemporally preceded increase in FAF. We observed two patterns of FAF localization, arcuate and diffuse, each indicating different pattern of apoptosis, wavy and diffuse, respectively. Diffuse pattern of apoptosis was suppressed in dark-raised rd10 mice, in which outer nuclear layer (ONL) loss was significantly suppressed. The occupancy of FAF correlated with the thinning rate of the ONL. Fractalkine, a microglia chemotactic factor, was detected in apoptotic photoreceptors, suggesting chemokine-induced recruitment of microglia into the ONL, which paralleled with accelerated ONL loss and increased FAF occupancy. Thus, we propose that the degree of photoreceptor apoptosis and the rate of ONL thinning in RP patients might be read from the fundus color and the FAF.

PRCD is Concentrated at the Base of Photoreceptor Outer Segments and is Involved in Outer Segment Disc Formation

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gilad Allon ◽  
Irit Mann ◽  
Lital Remez ◽  
Elisabeth Sehn ◽  
Leah Rizel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Retinal Degeneration ◽  
Knockout Mice ◽  
Outer Segment ◽  
Mouse Retina ◽  
Cone Photoreceptors ◽  
Photoreceptor Outer Segment ◽  
Photoreceptor Outer Segments ◽  
Outer Segments ◽  
Rod And Cone Photoreceptors ◽  
Disc Formation

Abstract Mutations of the PRCD gene are associated with rod-cone degeneration in both dogs and humans. Prcd is expressed in the mouse eye as early as embryonic day 14. In the adult mouse retina PRCD is expressed in the outer segments of both rod and cone photoreceptors. Immunoelectron microscopy revealed that PRCD is located at the outer segment rim, and that it is highly concentrated at the base of the outer segment. Prcd-knockout mice present with progressive retinal degeneration, starting at 20 weeks of age and onwards. This process is reflected by a significant and progressive reduction of both scotopic and photopic electroretinographic responses, and by thinning of the retina, and specifically of the outer nuclear layer, indicating photoreceptor loss. Electron microscopy revealed severe damage to photoreceptor outer segments, which is associated with immigration of microglia cells to the Prcd-knockout retina, and accumulation of vesicles in the inter-photoreceptor space. Phagocytosis of photoreceptor outer segment discs by the retinal pigmented epithelium is severely reduced. Our data show that Prcd-knockout mice serve as a good model for retinal degeneration caused by PRCD mutations in humans. Our findings in these mice support the involvement of PRCD in outer segment disc formation of both rod and cone photoreceptors. Furthermore, they suggest a feedback mechanism which coordinates the rate of photoreceptor outer segment disc formation, shedding and phagocytosis. This study has important implications for understanding the function of PRCD in the retina, as well as for future development of treatment modalities for PRCD-deficiency in humans.

scholarly journals A demonstration of cone function plasticity after gene therapy in achromatopsia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahtab Farahbakhsh ◽  
Elaine J. Anderson ◽  
Andy Rider ◽  
John A. Greenwood ◽  
Nashila Hirji ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Therapy ◽  
Visual Cortex ◽  
Neural Plasticity ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Retinal Disease ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Gene Therapies ◽  
Cone Function ◽  
Child Friendly

AbstractAchromatopsia (ACHM) is an inherited retinal disease characterised by complete loss of cone photoreceptor function from birth. In recent years, gene therapies have successfully been used to induce signal processing in dormant cones in animal models of ACHM, with greater functional benefits for younger animals. With several completed or on-going clinical trials of gene therapy for ACHM, preliminary evidence suggests that effects on visual function in adults with ACHM may be subtle. Given the known constraints of age on neural plasticity, it is possible that gene therapy earlier in life will have a greater impact. Sensitive, child-friendly tests of cone function are therefore needed to facilitate the optimisation of these treatment strategies. Here, we present a new method that leverages a multimodal approach, linking psychophysical estimates of cone function to cone-mediated signals in visual cortex, measured using fMRI. In a case study of two children with ACHM undergoing gene therapy, we find individual differences in recovery of cone function over time, with one child demonstrating strong concurrent evidence of improved cone function, and retinotopically organised responses in visual cortex to cone-selective stimuli. Integrated fMRI and psychophysical measures may provide insight into the utility of new sight-rescuing therapies at different stages of human development.

scholarly journals The splicing regulator Prp31 prevents retinal degeneration in Drosophila by regulating Rhodopsin levels

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malte Lehmann ◽  
Sarita Hebbar ◽  
Behrens Sarah ◽  
Weihua Leng ◽  
Michaela Yuan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Retinitis Pigmentosa ◽  
Retinal Degeneration ◽  
Human Disease ◽  
Dietary Intervention ◽  
Phenotypic Variability ◽  
Light Stress ◽  
Splicing Factor ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Induced Mutations ◽  
Eye Color

AbstractRetinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a clinically heterogeneous disease affecting 1.6 million people worldwide. The second-largest group of genes causing autosomal dominant RP in human encodes regulators of the splicing machinery, but the molecular consequences that link defects in splicing factor genes to the aetiology of the disease remain to be elucidated. Mutations in PRPF31, one of the splicing factors, are linked to RP11. To get insight into the mechanisms by which mutations in this gene lead to retinal degeneration, we induced mutations in the Drosophila orthologue Prp31. Flies heterozygous mutant for Prp31 are viable and develop normal eyes and retina. However, photoreceptors degenerate under light stress, thus resembling the human disease phenotype. Prp31 mutant flies show a high degree of phenotypic variability, similar as reported for human RP11 patients. Degeneration is associated with increased accumulation of rhodopsin 1, both in the rhabdomere and in the cell body. In fact, reducing rhodopsin levels by raising animals in a carotenoid-free medium not only suppressed rhodopsin accumulation, but also retinal degeneration. In addition, our results underscore the relevance of eye color mutations on phenotypic traits, in particular whilst studying a complex process such as retinal degeneration.Article SummaryRetinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a human disease affecting 1.6 million people worldwide. So far >50 genes have been identified that are causally related to RP. Mutations in the splicing factor PRPF31 are linked to RP11. We induced mutations in the Drosophila orthologue Prp31 and show that flies heterozygous for Prp31 undergo light-dependent retinal degeneration. Degeneration is associated with increased accumulation of the light-sensitive molecule, rhodopsin 1. In fact, reducing rhodopsin levels by dietary intervention suppressed retinal degeneration. We believe that this model will help to better understand the aetiology of the human disease.

scholarly journals Short-Wavelength Sensitive Cone (S-cone) Testing as an Outcome Measure for NR2E3 Clinical Treatment Trials

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (10) ◽  
pp. 2497 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alejandro J. Roman ◽  
Christian A. Powers ◽  
Evelyn P. Semenov ◽  
Rebecca Sheplock ◽  
Valeryia Aksianiuk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Retinal Degeneration ◽  
Disease Severity ◽  
Short Wavelength ◽  
Outcome Measure ◽  
Gene Mutations ◽  
Normal Subjects ◽  
Efficacy Outcome ◽  
Cone Function ◽  
Enhanced S Cone Syndrome

Recessively-inherited NR2E3 gene mutations cause an unusual retinopathy with abnormally-increased short-wavelength sensitive cone (S-cone) function, in addition to reduced rod and long/middle-wavelength sensitive cone (L/M-cone) function. Progress toward clinical trials to treat patients with this otherwise incurable retinal degeneration prompted the need to determine efficacy outcome measures. Comparisons were made between three computerized perimeters available in the clinic. These perimeters could deliver short-wavelength stimuli on longer-wavelength adapting backgrounds to measure whether S-cone vision can be quantified. Results from a cohort of normal subjects were compared across the three perimeters to determine S-cone isolation and test-retest variability. S-cone perimetry data from NR2E3-ESCS (enhanced S-cone syndrome) patients were examined and determined to have five stages of disease severity. Using these stages, strategies were proposed for monitoring efficacy of either a focal or retina-wide intervention. This work sets the stage for clinical trials.

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