New GJA8 variants and phenotypes highlight its critical role in a broad spectrum of eye anomalies.

GJA8 encodes connexin 50 (Cx50), a transmembrane protein involved in the formation of lens gap junctions. GJA8 mutations have been linked to early onset cataracts in humans and animal models. In mice, missense mutations and homozygous Gja8 deletions lead to smaller lenses and microphthalmia in addition to cataract, suggesting that Gja8 may play a role in both lens development and ocular growth. Following screening of GJA8 in a cohort of 426 individuals with severe congenital eye anomalies, primarily anophthalmia, microphthalmia and coloboma, we identified four known [p.(Thr39Arg), p.(Trp45Leu), p.(Asp51Asn), and p.(Gly94Arg)] and two novel [p.(Phe70Leu) and p.(Val97Gly)] likely pathogenic variants in seven families. Five of these co-segregated with cataracts and microphthalmia, whereas the variant p.(Gly94Arg) was identified in an individual with congenital aphakia, sclerocornea, microphthalmia and coloboma. Four missense variants of unknown or unlikely clinical significance were also identified. Furthermore, the screening of GJA8 structural variants in a subgroup of 188 individuals identified heterozygous 1q21 microdeletions in five families with coloboma and other ocular and/or extraocular findings. However, the exact genotype-phenotype correlation of these structural variants remains to be established. Our data expand the spectrum of GJA8 variants and associated phenotypes, confirming the importance of this gene in early eye development.

The deployment of adenovirus-containing gene activated matrices onto severed axons after central nervous system injury leads to transgene expression in target neuronal cell bodies.

BACKGROUND: In previous studies, we showed that gene activated matrices (GAMs) containing nonviral vectors successfully deliver genes to neurons after optic nerve and spinal cord injury. In the present study, we evaluated whether adenoviral vectors delivered within a GAM increase the efficiency of local gene delivery to injured CNS neurons. Lyophilized GAMs containing collagen and adenoviral vectors were assessed in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: We evaluated viral vector stability, release kinetics and efficiency of transduction for this GAM formulation in vitro using the quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. Using PCR, reverse transcriptase-PCR and confocal microscopy, we assessed viral DNA retrograde axonal transport, green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) after GAM implantation into the wound of the rat transected optic nerve. RESULTS: qPCR analyses demonstrated that 100% of viral particles were retained within the collagen after lyophilization. In vitro studies demonstrated that 60% of the particles within the GAM were infective and not released from the collagen matrix when placed in water. By 24 h, GFP expression was detected within cells that have invaded the GAM. In vivo studies demonstrated that adenoviral particles were retrogradely transported in axons from the GAM implanted at the lesion site to the RGC in the retina where the corresponding mRNA was expressed. Analysis of the efficiency of cell transduction indicated that 69% of RGC express GFP. CONCLUSIONS: These studies demonstrate that lyophilized GAMs containing adenoviral particles within collagen are stable, retain a significant proportion of their infectivity and successfully and efficiently deliver genes to neurons after central nervous system injury.

In vitro evaluation of a 'stealth' adenoviral vector for targeted gene delivery to adult mammalian neurones.

BACKGROUND: Polymer coating of adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) particles produces a 'stealth' Ad5 (sAd5) that confers protection from immune recognition, blocks receptor-mediated uptake, and favours uptake into pinocytic cells. METHODS: In mixed cultures of primary adult rat dorsal root ganglion neurones (DRGN), rat C6 glioma cells, A9 non-Coxsackie and Ad Receptor (CAR)- and CAR-expressing fibroblasts, reporter gene expression after sAd5 pinocytotic uptake was monitored using the green fluorescent protein (gfp) gene, and viral particle trafficking and polymer coat dismantling was followed using Yoyo-1 tagged Ad5 DNA and Texas Red (TR) to label the coat. RESULTS: sAd5.gfp was pinocytosed by significantly higher proportions of neurones, than other cells, but GFP was not expressed. The TR-labelled coat remained co-localised with tagged viral DNA within transfected DRGN, showing that sAd5 did not uncoat and viral DNA did not traffic to the nucleus. Noncoated Ad5 transduced non-neuronal DRG cells more efficiently than DRGN, whereas A9(CAR) cells were more significantly transduced than any other cell type. Retargeting of the sAd5.gfp with either fibroblast growth factor-2 or nerve growth factor (NGF) enhanced internalisation by DRGN into endocytic vesicles allowing uncoating and thus GFP expression. Retargeting with NGF resulted in significantly higher numbers of DRGN expressing GFP than non-neuronal DRG cells. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that DRGN pinocytose atropic genetic particles at higher levels than non-neuronal DRG cells and the environment of pinocytic vesicles is not conducive to sAd5 uncoating and capsid dismantling, requiring reformulation of sAd5 with either a neurone specific ligand or a self-dismantling coat to target sAd5 transgene expression to neurones.

Targeting adenoviral transgene expression to neurons.

Adenovirus (Ad) is an efficient and safe vector for CNS gene delivery since it infects non-replicating neurons and does not cause insertional mutagenesis of host cell genomes. However, the promiscuous Ad CAR receptor targets cells non-specifically and activates a host immune response. Using Ad5 containing an expression cassette encoding the gene for green fluorescent protein, gfp, regulated by the neuron specific promoter synapsin-1 and the woodchuck post-transcriptional regulatory element (WPRE), we demonstrate efficient, prolonged and promoter-restricted gfp expression in neurons of mixed primary adult rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and retinal cell cultures. We also demonstrate restricted gfp expression in DRG neurons after direct injections of Ad5 containing the synapsin-1(gfp)/WPRE construct into L4 DRG in vivo, while Ad5 CMV(gfp) transfected both DRG glia and neurons. Moreover, since the effective titres of delivered Ad5 are reduced with this neuron specific promoter/WPRE expression cassette, the viral immune challenge should be attenuated when used in vivo.

Translocation breakpoint at 7q31 associated with tics: further evidence for IMMP2L as a candidate gene for Tourette syndrome.

Gilles de la Tourette syndrome is a complex neuropsychiatric disorder with a strong genetic basis. We identified a male patient with Tourette syndrome-like tics and an apparently balanced de novo translocation [46,XY,t(2;7)(p24.2;q31)]. Further analysis using array comparative genomic hybridisation (CGH) revealed a cryptic deletion at 7q31.1-7q31.2. Breakpoints disrupting this region have been reported in one isolated and one familial case of Tourette syndrome. In our case, IMMP2L, a gene coding for a human homologue of the yeast inner mitochondrial membrane peptidase subunit 2, was disrupted by the breakpoint on 7q31.1, with deletion of exons 1-3 of the gene. The IMMP2L gene has previously been proposed as a candidate gene for Tourette syndrome, and our case provides further evidence of its possible role in the pathogenesis. The deleted region (7q31.1-7q31.2) of 7.2 Mb of genomic DNA also encompasses numerous genes, including FOXP2, associated with verbal dyspraxia, and the CFTR gene.