Expanding the genetic landscape of Usher syndrome type IV caused by pathogenic ARSG variants.

Usher syndrome (USH) is the most common cause of deafblindness. USH is autosomal recessively inherited and characterized by rod-cone dystrophy or retinitis pigmentosa (RP), often accompanied by sensorineural hearing loss. Variants in >15 genes have been identified as causative for clinically and genetically distinct subtypes. Among the ultra-rare and recently discovered genes is ARSG, coding for the lysosomal sulfatase Arylsulfatase G. This subtype was assigned as "USH IV" with a late onset of RP and usually late-onset progressive SNHL without vestibular involvement. Here, we describe nine new subjects and the clinical description of four cases with the USH IV phenotype bearing seven novel and two known pathogenic variants. Functional experiments indicated the complete loss of sulfatase enzymatic activity upon ectopic expression of mutated ARSG cDNA. Interestingly, we identified a homozygous missense variant, p.(Arg99His), previously described in dogs with neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis. Our study expands the genetic landscape of ARSG-USH IV and the number of known subjects by more than 30%. These findings highlight that USH IV likely has been underdiagnosed and emphasize the need to test molecularly unresolved subjects with deafblindness syndrome. Finally, testing of ARSG should be considered for the genetic work-up of apparent isolated inherited retinal diseases.

RDH5 and RLBP1-Associated Inherited Retinal Diseases: Refining the Spectrum of Stationary and Progressive Phenotypes.

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical, functional, and imaging characteristics in patients affected by inherited retinal diseases associated with RDH5 and RLBP1 gene variants, and to report novel genotype-phenotype correlations. DESIGN: Retrospective single-center cohort study. METHODS: Twenty-two patients with molecularly confirmed RLBP1-associated retinopathy and 5 with RDH5-associated retinopathy. Medical records were reviewed to obtain data on family history and ophthalmologic examinations, including retinal imaging and full-field electroretinography (ffERG). Genotype was determined by targeted next-generation sequencing followed by confirmation and familial segregation by Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: The median (interquartile ranges) age at baseline for the RDH5 and RLBP1 cohort was 44.6 (38.2-67.9) years and 36.9 (23.1-45.2) years, respectively. Macular atrophy (MA) was found in approximately 80% of eyes from both cohorts. The RLBP1 genotype was associated with a lower macular volume by 0.28 mm3 (95% CI, -0.46 to -0.11; P = .005) compared to the RDH5 genotype. In both genotypic cohorts, we found a significant annual rate of macular volume loss, estimated at -0.007 mm3/y (95% CI, -0.012 to -0.001; P = .02), without any significant difference between the two genotypes. Three unrelated patients homozygous for the c.361C>T p.(Arg121Trp) RLBP1 variant showed minimal impairment of both the rod and cone systems function on ffERG and absence of MA. CONCLUSIONS: Progressive MA in addition to congenital night blindness can be identified in adult patients with RDH5-associated retinopathy. Vice versa, hypomorphic RLBP1 variants may cause milder retinal phenotypes rather than the typical severe rod-cone dystrophy with MA. These findings could prove beneficial to improve the prognostication of patients and help in designing future interventional trials.

Extensive Macular Atrophy with Pseudodrusen-like appearance: Progression Kinetics and Late-Stage Findings.

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical outcome and late-stage findings of extensive macular atrophy with pseudodrusen-like appearance (EMAP). DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-eight patients (156 eyes) affected by EMAP. METHODS: We collected data on best-corrected visual acuity, kinetic perimetry, OCT, short-wavelength autofluorescence, and near-infrared autofluorescence findings. Genetic testing for the TIMP3 and C1QTNF5 genes was performed via Sanger sequencing for 58 patients, with no pathogenic variants identified. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcomes were best-corrected visual acuity at the last examination, visual field at the last examination, and incidence rates and time-to-event curves for blindness with the United States Social Security Administration and World Health Organization (WHO) criteria, foveal involvement, and atrophy enlargement beyond the 30° and 55° field of view. Imaging findings at the last examination were secondary outcomes. RESULTS: At the most recent visit, mean age was 70.9 ± 5.2 years. Using United States criteria, 58.1% of the patients were blind, and 25.8% were blind according to WHO criteria. All eyes showed large central scotomas, which were associated with visual field constriction in 22.2% of eyes. We detected focal openings or large dehiscences of Bruch's membrane (BM) in 25.4% of eyes. Near-infrared autofluorescence showed increased visibility of the choroidal vessels beyond the atrophy in 87.2% of eyes. The incidence rates for blindness were 3.95 per 100 patient-years with United States criteria and 1.54 per 100 patient-years according to WHO criteria. The incidence rates were 22.8 per 100 eye-years for foveal involvement, 12.0 per 100 eye-years for atrophy enlargement beyond 30°, and 6.6 per 100 eye-years for atrophy enlargement beyond 55°. The estimates were not influenced by the age at onset. CONCLUSIONS: We identified characteristic imaging findings, including BM ruptures, in elder patients with EMAP and calculated incidence rates for different functional and anatomic outcomes. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

Coding and non-coding variants in the ciliopathy gene CFAP410 cause early-onset non-syndromic retinal degeneration.

Inherited retinal degenerations are blinding genetic disorders characterized by high genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity. The implementation of next-generation sequencing in routine diagnostics, together with advanced clinical phenotyping including multimodal retinal imaging, have contributed to the increase of reports describing novel genotype-phenotype associations and phenotypic expansions. In this study, we describe sixteen families with early-onset non-syndromic retinal degenerations in which affected probands carried rare bi-allelic variants in CFAP410, a ciliary gene previously associated with syndromic recessive Jeune syndrome. The most common retinal phenotypes were cone-rod and rod-cone dystrophies, but the clinical presentations were unified by their early onset as well as the severe impact on central visual function. Twelve variants were detected (three pathogenic, seven likely pathogenic, two of uncertain significance), eight of which were novel. One deep intronic change, c.373+91A>G, led to the creation of a cryptic splice acceptor site in intron four, followed by the inclusion of a 200- base pair pseudoexon and subsequent premature stop codon formation. To our knowledge this is the first likely pathogenic deep-intronic variant identified in this gene. Meta-analysis of all published and novel CFAP410 variants revealed no clear correlation between the severity of the CFAP410-associated phenotypes and the identified causal variants. This is supported by the fact that the frequently encountered missense variant p.(Arg73Pro), often found in syndromic cases, was also associated with non-syndromic retinal degeneration. This study expands the current knowledge of CFAP410-associated ciliopathy by enriching its mutational landscape and supports its association with non-syndromic retinal degeneration.

Variants in UBAP1L lead to autosomal recessive rod-cone and cone-rod dystrophy.

PURPOSE: Progressive inherited retinal degenerations (IRDs) affecting rods and cones are clinically and genetically heterogeneous and can lead to blindness with limited therapeutic options. The major gene defects have been identified in subjects of European and Asian descent with only few reports of North African descent. METHODS: Genome, targeted next-generation, and Sanger sequencing was applied to cohort of ∼4000 IRDs cases. Expression analyses were performed including Chip-seq database analyses, on human-derived retinal organoids (ROs), retinal pigment epithelium cells, and zebrafish. Variants' pathogenicity was accessed using 3D-modeling and/or ROs. RESULTS: Here, we identified a novel gene defect with three distinct pathogenic variants in UBAP1L in 4 independent autosomal recessive IRD cases from Tunisia. UBAP1L is expressed in the retinal pigment epithelium and retina, specifically in rods and cones, in line with the phenotype. It encodes Ubiquitin-associated protein 1-like, containing a solenoid of overlapping ubiquitin-associated domain, predicted to interact with ubiquitin. In silico and in vitro studies, including 3D-modeling and ROs revealed that the solenoid of overlapping ubiquitin-associated domain is truncated and thus ubiquitin binding most likely abolished secondary to all variants identified herein. CONCLUSION: Biallelic UBAP1L variants are a novel cause of IRDs, most likely enriched in the North African population.

Association of Missense Variants in VSX2 With a Peculiar Form of Congenital Stationary Night Blindness Affecting All Bipolar Cells.

Importance: Congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB) is an inherited stationary retinal disorder that is clinically and genetically heterogeneous. To date, the genetic association between some cases with CSNB and an unusual complex clinical picture is unclear. Objective: To describe an unreported CSNB phenotype and the associated gene defect in 3 patients from 2 unrelated families. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective case series was conducted in 2021 and 2022 at a national referral center for rare ocular diseases. Data for 3 patients from a cohort of 140 genetically unsolved CSNB cases were analyzed clinically and genetically. Exposures: Complete ocular examination including full-field electroretinography and multimodal fundus imaging (spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, color, infrared reflectance, and short-wavelength autofluorescence photographs) were performed. The gene defect was identified by exome sequencing and confirmed by Sanger sequencing and co-segregation analysis in 1 family. Screening was performed for genetically unsolved CSNB cases for VSX2 variants by direct Sanger sequencing. Main Outcomes and Measures: Ocular and molecular biology findings. Results: The series included 3 patients whose clinical investigations occurred at ages in the early 30s, younger than 12 years, and in the mid 40s. They had nystagmus, low stable visual acuity, and myopia from birth and experienced night blindness. Two older patients had bilateral lens luxation and underwent lens extraction. Full-field electroretinography revealed an electronegative Schubert-Bornschein appearance, combining characteristics of incomplete and complete CSNB, affecting the function of rod and cone ON- and OFF-bipolar cells. Exome sequencing and co-segregation analysis in a consanguineous family with 2 affected members identified a homozygous variant in VSX2. Subsequently, screening of the CSNB cohort identified another unrelated patient harboring a distinct VSX2 variant. Conclusions and Relevance: This case series revealed a peculiar pan-bipolar cell retinopathy with lens luxation associated with variants in VSX2. Clinicians should be aware of this association and VSX2 added to CSNB diagnostic gene panels.

Retrospective Natural History Study of RPGR-Related Cone- and Cone-Rod Dystrophies While Expanding the Mutation Spectrum of the Disease.

Variants in the X-linked retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator gene (RPGR) and, specifically, in its retinal opening reading frame-15 isoform (RPGRORF15) may cause rod-cone (RCD), cone, and cone-rod dystrophies (CDs and CRDs). While RPGR-related RCDs have been frequently evaluated, the characteristics and progression of RPGR-related CD/CRDs are largely unknown. Therefore, the goal of our work was to perform genotype-phenotype correlations specifically in RPGRORF15-related CD/CRDs. This retrospective longitudinal study included 34 index patients and two affected relatives with a molecular diagnosis of RPGR-related CD/CRDs. Patients were recruited at the "Quinze-Vingts" Hospital, Paris, France and screened for mutations in RPGRORF15 at the Institut de la Vision, Paris, France. We identified 29 distinct variants, of which 27 were truncating. All were located in the 3' half of the RPGRORF15 transcript. Twenty of them were novel. Fifteen subjects were affected by CD, the remaining had CRD. When analyzing the longitudinal data, a progressive decline in visual acuity (VA) was noted, with more than 60% of the patients reaching VA ≥ 1 LogMar in the best eye after the fifth decade of life. To our knowledge, this is the largest described study of a cohort of CD/CRD patients affected by RPGRORF15 variants. Longitudinal data showed a rapidly progressive disease, possibly locating an optimal window of intervention for future therapies in younger ages.

Large Benefit from Simple Things: High-Dose Vitamin A Improves RBP4-Related Retinal Dystrophy.

Inherited retinal diseases (IRD) are a group of heterogeneous disorders, most of which lead to blindness with limited therapeutic options. Pathogenic variants in RBP4, coding for a major blood carrier of retinol, retinol-binding protein 4, are responsible for a peculiar form of IRD. The aim of this study was to investigate if retinal function of an RBP4-related IRD patient can be improved by retinol administration. Our patient presented a peculiar white-dot retinopathy, reminiscent of vitamin A deficient retinopathy. Using a customized next generation sequencing (NGS) IRD panel we discovered a novel loss-of-function homozygous pathogenic variant in RBP4: c.255G >A, p.(Trp85*). Western blotting revealed the absence of RBP4 protein in the patient's serum. Blood retinol levels were undetectable. The patient was put on a high-dose oral retinol regimen (50,000 UI twice a week). Subjective symptoms and retinal function markedly and sustainably improved at 5-months and 1-year follow-up. Here we show that this novel IRD case can be treated by oral retinol administration.

Mutated CCDC51 Coding for a Mitochondrial Protein, MITOK Is a Candidate Gene Defect for Autosomal Recessive Rod-Cone Dystrophy.

The purpose of this work was to identify the gene defect underlying a relatively mild rod-cone dystrophy (RCD), lacking disease-causing variants in known genes implicated in inherited retinal disorders (IRD), and provide transcriptomic and immunolocalization data to highlight the best candidate. The DNA of the female patient originating from a consanguineous family revealed no large duplication or deletion, but several large homozygous regions. In one of these, a homozygous frameshift variant, c.244_246delins17 p.(Trp82Valfs*4); predicted to lead to a nonfunctional protein, was identified in CCDC51. CCDC51 encodes the mitochondrial coiled-coil domain containing 51 protein, also called MITOK. MITOK ablation causes mitochondrial dysfunction. Here we show for the first time that CCDC51/MITOK localizes in the retina and more specifically in the inner segments of the photoreceptors, well known to contain mitochondria. Mitochondrial proteins have previously been implicated in IRD, although usually in association with syndromic disease, unlike our present case. Together, our findings add another ultra-rare mutation implicated in non-syndromic IRD, whose pathogenic mechanism in the retina needs to be further elucidated.

A New Mouse Model for Complete Congenital Stationary Night Blindness Due to Gpr179 Deficiency.

Mutations in GPR179 lead to autosomal recessive complete congenital stationary night blindness (cCSNB). This condition represents a signal transmission defect from the photoreceptors to the ON-bipolar cells. To confirm the phenotype, better understand the pathogenic mechanism in vivo, and provide a model for therapeutic approaches, a Gpr179 knock-out mouse model was genetically and functionally characterized. We confirmed that the insertion of a neo/lac Z cassette in intron 1 of Gpr179 disrupts the same gene. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography reveals no obvious retinal structure abnormalities. Gpr179 knock-out mice exhibit a so-called no-b-wave (nob) phenotype with severely reduced b-wave amplitudes in the electroretinogram. Optomotor tests reveal decreased optomotor responses under scotopic conditions. Consistent with the genetic disruption of Gpr179, GPR179 is absent at the dendritic tips of ON-bipolar cells. While proteins of the same signal transmission cascade (GRM6, LRIT3, and TRPM1) are correctly localized, other proteins (RGS7, RGS11, and GNB5) known to regulate GRM6 are absent at the dendritic tips of ON-bipolar cells. These results add a new model of cCSNB, which is important to better understand the role of GPR179, its implication in patients with cCSNB, and its use for the development of therapies.

CNGB1-related rod-cone dystrophy: A mutation review and update.

Cyclic nucleotide-gated channel ß1 (CNGB1) encodes the 240-kDa ß subunit of the rod photoreceptor cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channel. Disease-causing sequence variants in CNGB1 lead to autosomal recessive rod-cone dystrophy/retinitis pigmentosa (RP). We herein present a comprehensive review and analysis of all previously reported CNGB1 sequence variants, and add 22 novel variants, thereby enlarging the spectrum to 84 variants in total, including 24 missense variants (two of which may also affect splicing), 21 nonsense, 19 splicing defects (7 at noncanonical positions), 10 small deletions, 1 small insertion, 1 small insertion-deletion, 7 small duplications, and 1 gross deletion. According to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics classification criteria, 59 variants were considered pathogenic or likely pathogenic and 25 were variants of uncertain significance. In addition, we provide further phenotypic data from 34 CNGB1-related RP cases, which, overall, are in line with previous findings suggesting that this form of RP has long-term retention of useful central vision despite the early onset of night blindness, which is valuable for patient counseling, but also has implications for it being considered a priority target for gene therapy trials.

Near-infrared fundus autofluorescence alterations correlate with swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography findings in patients with retinitis pigmentosa.

Thirty-eight patients from 37 families with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) underwent macular 6 × 6-mm swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA) and 30° near-infrared fundus autofluorescence (NIR-FAF) acquisitions in one eye. Superficial vascular complex (SVC), deep capillary complex (DCC) and choriocapillaris (CC) angiograms were registered with NIR-FAF acquisitions to comparatively assess subjects with and without central area of preserved NIR-FAF (APA). On the subset of patients showing an APA, the vessel densities for SVC and DCC and flow deficits for CC were assessed in three directions (superior, inferior and temporal) from the fovea and compared to healthy 1:1 age-matched controls. Nine patients with no APA had evidence of severe central OCTA alterations at all levels, especially in the DCC. In the other 29 subjects presenting APA, all OCTA parameters were similar to healthy eyes within the APA, where the retina preserves its structural integrity. Outside the APA, both the DCC and CC were significantly reduced in all directions. These alterations are probably related to the outer retinal atrophy outside the APA. Comparing OCTA to other imaging modalities is helpful to determine the potential interest of OCTA findings as an outcome measure for disease status and progression.

CHM mutation spectrum and disease: An update at the time of human therapeutic trials.

Choroideremia is an X-linked inherited retinal disorder (IRD) characterized by the degeneration of retinal pigment epithelium, photoreceptors, choriocapillaris and choroid affecting males with variable phenotypes in female carriers. Unlike other IRD, characterized by a large clinical and genetic heterogeneity, choroideremia shows a specific phenotype with causative mutations in only one gene, CHM. Ongoing gene replacement trials raise further interests in this disorder. We describe here the clinical and genetic data from a French cohort of 45 families, 25 of which carry novel variants, in the context of 822 previously reported choroideremia families. Most of the variants represent loss-of-function mutations with eleven families having large (i.e. ≥6 kb) genomic deletions, 18 small insertions, deletions or insertion deletions, six showing nonsense variants, eight splice site variants and two missense variants likely to affect splicing. Similarly, 822 previously published families carry mostly loss-of-function variants. Recurrent variants are observed worldwide, some of which linked to a common ancestor, others arisen independently in specific CHM regions prone to mutations. Since all exons of CHM may harbor variants, Sanger sequencing combined with quantitative polymerase chain reaction or multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification experiments are efficient to achieve the molecular diagnosis in patients with typical choroideremia features.

Retinal Phenotype of Patients With Isolated Retinal Degeneration Due to CLN3 Pathogenic Variants in a French Retinitis Pigmentosa Cohort.

Importance: Biallelic variants in CLN3 lead to a spectrum of diseases, ranging from severe neurodegeneration with retinal involvement (juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis) to retina-restricted conditions. Objective: To provide a detailed description of the retinal phenotype of patients with isolated retinal degeneration harboring biallelic CLN3 pathogenic variants and to attempt a phenotype-genotype correlation associated with this gene defect. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective cohort study included patients carrying biallelic CLN3 variants extracted from a cohort of patients with inherited retinal disorders (IRDs) investigated at the National Reference Center for Rare Ocular Diseases of the Centre Hospitalier National d'Ophtalmologie des Quinze-Vingts from December 2007 to August 2020. Data were analyzed from October 2019 to August 2020. Main Outcome and Measures: Functional (best-corrected visual acuity, visual field, color vision, and full-field electroretinogram), morphological (multimodal retinal imaging), and clinical data from patients were collected and analyzed. Gene defect was identified by either next-generation sequencing or whole-exome sequencing and confirmed by Sanger sequencing, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and cosegregation analysis. Results: Of 1533 included patients, 843 (55.0%) were women and 690 (45.0%) were men. A total of 15 cases from 11 unrelated families harboring biallelic CLN3 variants were identified. All patients presented with nonsyndromic IRD. Two distinct patterns of retinal disease could be identified: a mild rod-cone degeneration of middle-age onset (n = 6; legal blindness threshold reached by 70s) and a severe retinal degeneration with early macular atrophic changes (n = 9; legal blindness threshold reached by 40s). Eleven distinct pathogenic variants were detected, of which 4 were novel. All but 1, p.(Arg405Trp), CLN3 point variants and their genotypic associations were clearly distinct between juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis and retina-restricted disease. Mild and severe forms of retina-restricted CLN3-linked IRDs also had different genetic background. Conclusions and Relevance: These findings suggest CLN3 should be included in next-generation sequencing panels when investigating patients with nonsyndromic rod-cone dystrophy. These results document phenotype-genotype correlations associated with specific variants in CLN3. However, caution seems warranted regarding the potential neurological outcome if a pathogenic variant in CLN3 is detected in a case of presumed isolated IRD for the onset of neurological symptoms could be delayed.

WDR34, a candidate gene for non-syndromic rod-cone dystrophy.

Rod-cone dystrophy (RCD), also called retinitis pigmentosa, is characterized by rod followed by cone photoreceptor degeneration, leading to gradual visual loss. Mutations in over 65 genes have been associated with non-syndromic RCD explaining 60% to 70% of cases, with novel gene defects possibly accounting for the unsolved cases. Homozygosity mapping and whole-exome sequencing applied to a case of autosomal recessive non-syndromic RCD from a consanguineous union identified a homozygous variant in WDR34. Mutations in WDR34 have been previously associated with severe ciliopathy syndromes possibly associated with a retinal dystrophy. This is the first report of a homozygous mutation in WDR34 associated with non-syndromic RCD.

PHENOTYPIC CHARACTERISTICS OF ROD-CONE DYSTROPHY ASSOCIATED WITH MYO7A MUTATIONS IN A LARGE FRENCH COHORT.

PURPOSE: To document the rod-cone dystrophy phenotype of patients with Usher syndrome type 1 (USH1) harboring MYO7A mutations. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of 53 patients (42 families) with biallelic MYO7A mutations who underwent comprehensive examination, including functional visual tests and multimodal retinal imaging. Genetic analysis was performed either using a multiplex amplicon panel or through direct sequencing. Data were analyzed with IBM SPSS Statistics software v. 21.0. RESULTS: Fifty different genetic variations including 4 novel were identified. Most patients showed a typical rod-cone dystrophy phenotype, with best-corrected visual acuity and central visual field deteriorating linearly with age. At age 29, binocular visual field demonstrated an average preservation of 50 central degrees, constricting by 50% within 5 years. Structural changes based on spectral domain optical coherence tomography, short wavelength autofluorescence, and near-infrared autofluorescence measurements did not however correlate with age. Our study revealed a higher percentage of epiretinal membranes and cystoid macular edema in patients with MYO7A mutations compared with rod-cone dystrophy patients with other mutations. Subgroup analyses did not reveal substantial genotype-phenotype correlations. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest French cohort of patients with MYO7A mutations reported to date. Functional visual characteristics of this subset of patients followed a linear decline as in other typical rod-cone dystrophy, but structural changes were variable indicating the need for a case-by-case evaluation for prognostic prediction and choice of potential therapies.

Bufotenine, a tryptophan-derived alkaloid, suppresses the symptoms and increases the survival rate of rabies-infected mice: the development of a pharmacological approach for rabies treatment

Background: Between 40,000-70,000 people die yearly of rabies, an incurable disease. Besides post-bite vaccination, no treatment is available for it. Methods: First, virus dilution for antiviral effects in mice was determined. Then, animals were treated as follows: control (NaCl 250 µL/animal/day); bufotenine (0.63, 1.05 and 2.1 mg in 250 µL of NaCl/animal/day); rabies (10-6,82CVS dilution); and test (10-6,82 CVS dilution and bufotenine, in the above-mentioned doses). Animals were observed daily for 21 days or until the 3rd stage of rabies infection. Twitch-tension and liposome studies were applied to understand the possible interaction of bufotenine with receptors, particularly acetylcholine. Results: Bufotenine was able to increase the survival rate of intracerebrally virus-infected mice from 15 to 40%. Bufotenine did not seem to interfere with the acetylcholine response in the skeletal muscle, indicating that its mechanism of action is not blocking the virus entrance due to nAChR antagonism. By analyzing liposomes, we could observe that bufotenine did not passively penetrates cell membranes, indicating the necessity of complementary structures to cell penetration. Conclusions: Bufotenine is a promising candidate for drug development. After further chemical modification, it might be possible to dissociate minor side effects, increase efficiency, efficacy and pharmacokinetics, yielding a true anti-rabies drug.

Bufotenine, a tryptophan-derived alkaloid, suppresses the symptoms and increases the survival rate of rabies-infected mice: the development of a pharmacological approach for rabies treatment

Background: Between 40,000-70,000 people die yearly of rabies, an incurable disease. Besides post-bite vaccination, no treatment is available for it. Methods: First, virus dilution for antiviral effects in mice was determined. Then, animals were treated as follows: control (NaCl 250 µL/animal/day); bufotenine (0.63, 1.05 and 2.1 mg in 250 µL of NaCl/animal/day); rabies (10-6,82CVS dilution); and test (10-6,82 CVS dilution and bufotenine, in the above-mentioned doses). Animals were observed daily for 21 days or until the 3rd stage of rabies infection. Twitch-tension and liposome studies were applied to understand the possible interaction of bufotenine with receptors, particularly acetylcholine. Results: Bufotenine was able to increase the survival rate of intracerebrally virus-infected mice from 15 to 40%. Bufotenine did not seem to interfere with the acetylcholine response in the skeletal muscle, indicating that its mechanism of action is not blocking the virus entrance due to nAChR antagonism. By analyzing liposomes, we could observe that bufotenine did not passively penetrates cell membranes, indicating the necessity of complementary structures to cell penetration. Conclusions: Bufotenine is a promising candidate for drug development. After further chemical modification, it might be possible to dissociate minor side effects, increase efficiency, efficacy and pharmacokinetics, yielding a true anti-rabies drug.

Peripapillary Sparing With Near Infrared Autofluorescence Correlates With Electroretinographic Findings in Patients With Stargardt Disease.

Purpose: To evaluate the correlation between the quantification of peripapillary sparing and electroretinogram (ERG) outcomes in autosomal recessive Stargardt disease (STGD1). Methods: Near infrared fundus autofluorescence (NIR-FAF) images of 101 eyes of 101 patients were retrospectively reviewed. Peripapillary sparing was assessed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The area of spared tissue (AST) was calculated in a 1-mm-wide ring around the optic disc after binarization of the 55° NIR-FAF. These measurements were correlated with the presence of normal ERG (group I), abnormal photopic responses (group II), or abnormal photopic and scotopic responses (group III). Results: AST showed significant correlations with ERG groups (R = -0.802, P < 0.001). While qualitative assessment of peripapillary sparing (i.e., present or not) also showed a significant correlation with ERG groups (R = -0.435, P < 0.001), it was weaker than by AST quantification. The ordinal regression analysis showed that the increase in AST was associated with a decrease in the odds of belonging to ERG groups II and III, with an odds ratio of 0.82 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.78-0.87), P < 0.001. Conclusions: The AST around the optic disc in eyes with STGD1 correlates with the impairment of photoreceptors as shown in the ERG. If replicated in future longitudinal studies, the quantification of peripapillary sparing may prove to be a useful parameter for evaluating the visual prognosis of these eyes.

Prevalence of ABCA4 Deep-Intronic Variants and Related Phenotype in An Unsolved "One-Hit" Cohort with Stargardt Disease.

We investigated the prevalence of reported deep-intronic variants in a French cohort of 70 patients with Stargardt disease harboring a monoallelic pathogenic variant on the exonic regions of ABCA4. Direct Sanger sequencing of selected intronic regions of ABCA4 was conducted. Complete phenotypic analysis and correlation with the genotype was performed in case a known intronic pathogenic variant was identified. All other variants found on the analyzed sequences were queried for minor allele frequency and possible pathogenicity by in silico predictions. The second mutated allele was found in 14 (20%) subjects. The three known deep-intronic variants found were c.5196+1137G>A in intron 36 (6 subjects), c.4539+2064C>T in intron 30 (4 subjects) and c.4253+43G>A in intron 28 (4 subjects). Even though the phenotype depends on the compound effect of the biallelic variants, a genotype-phenotype correlation suggests that the c.5196+1137G>A was mostly associated with a mild phenotype and the c.4539+2064C>T with a more severe one. A variable effect was instead associated with the variant c.4253+43G>A. In addition, two novel variants, c.768+508A>G and c.859-245_859-243delinsTGA never associated with Stargardt disease before, were identified and a possible splice defect was predicted in silico. Our study calls for a larger cohort analysis including targeted locus sequencing and 3D protein modeling to better understand phenotype-genotype correlations associated with deep-intronic changes and patients' selection for clinical trials.