Retention of function without normal disc morphogenesis occurs in cone but not rod photoreceptors.

It is commonly assumed that photoreceptor (PR) outer segment (OS) morphogenesis is reliant upon the presence of peripherin/rds, hereafter termed Rds. In this study, we demonstrate a differential requirement of Rds during rod and cone OS morphogenesis. In the absence of this PR-specific protein, rods do not form OSs and enter apoptosis, whereas cone PRs develop atypical OSs and are viable. Such OSs consist of dysmorphic membranous structures devoid of lamellae. These tubular OSs lack any stacked lamellae and have reduced phototransduction efficiency. The loss of Rds only appears to affect the shape of the OS, as the inner segment and connecting cilium remain intact. Furthermore, these structures fail to associate with the specialized extracellular matrix that surrounds cones, suggesting that Rds itself or normal OS formation is required for this interaction. This study provides novel insight into the distinct role of Rds in the OS development of rods and cones.

Molecular pathogenesis of achromatopsia associated with mutations in the cone cyclic nucleotide-gated channel CNGA3 subunit.

Cone photoreceptor cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channel is essential for central and color vision and visual acuity. Mutations in the cone channel subunits CNGA3 and CNGB3 are linked to achromatopsia and progressive cone dystrophy in humans. Over 50 mutations have been identified in the CNGA3 subunit. The R277C and R283W substitutions are among the most frequently occurring mutations. This study investigated the defects of these two mutations using a heterologous expression system. The wild type and mutant CNGA3 were expressed in HEK293 cells, the channel's expression and cellular localization were examined by immunoblotting and immunofluorecences labeling, and activity of the channel was evaluated by ratiometric [Ca(2+)](i) measurements and by electrophysiological recordings. By using this model system we observed dysfunction of the mutant channels. Co-expression of the mutant channel with the wild type subunit did not affect the wild type channel's activity. Immunoflurescence labeling showed apparent cytosol aggregation of the immunoreactivity in cells expressing the mutants. Thus these disease-causing mutations appear to induce loss of function by impairing the channel cellular trafficking and plasma membrane targeting. Therapeutic supplementation of the wild type transgene may help correct the visual disorders caused by these two mutations.

Neuroprotective effects of PPARα in retinopathy of type 1 diabetes.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common neurovascular complication of type 1 diabetes. Current therapeutics target neovascularization characteristic of end-stage disease, but are associated with significant adverse effects. Targeting early events of DR such as neurodegeneration may lead to safer and more effective approaches to treatment. Two independent prospective clinical trials unexpectedly identified that the PPARα agonist fenofibrate had unprecedented therapeutic effects in DR, but gave little insight into the physiological and molecular mechanisms of action. The objective of the present study was to evaluate potential neuroprotective effects of PPARα in DR, and subsequently to identify the responsible mechanism of action. Here we reveal that activation of PPARα had a robust protective effect on retinal function as shown by Optokinetic tracking in a rat model of type 1 diabetes, and also decreased retinal cell death, as demonstrated by a DNA fragmentation ELISA. Further, PPARα ablation exacerbated diabetes-induced decline of visual function as demonstrated by ERG analysis. We further found that PPARα improved mitochondrial efficiency in DR, and decreased ROS production and cell death in cultured retinal neurons. Oxidative stress biomarkers were elevated in diabetic Pparα-/- mice, suggesting increased oxidative stress. Mitochondrially mediated apoptosis and oxidative stress secondary to mitochondrial dysfunction contribute to neurodegeneration in DR. Taken together, these findings identify a robust neuroprotective effect for PPARα in DR, which may be due to improved mitochondrial function and subsequent alleviation of energetic deficits, oxidative stress and mitochondrially mediated apoptosis.

Native cone photoreceptor cyclic nucleotide-gated channel is a heterotetrameric complex comprising both CNGA3 and CNGB3: a study using the cone-dominant retina of Nrl-/- mice.

Cone vision mediated by photoreceptor cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channel activation is essential for central and color vision and visual acuity. Mutations in genes encoding the cone CNG channel subunits, CNGA3 and CNGB3, have been linked to various forms of achromatopsia and progressive cone dystrophy in humans. This study investigates the biochemical components of native cone CNG channels, using the cone-dominant retina in mice deficient in the transcription factor neural retina leucine zipper (Nrl). Abundant expression of CNGA3 and CNGB3 but no rod CNG channel expression was detected in Nrl-/- retina by western blotting and immunolabeling. Localization of cone CNG channel in both blue (S)- and red/green (M)-cones was shown by double immunolabeling using antibodies against the channel subunits and against the S- and M-opsins. Immunolabeling also showed co-localization of CNGA3 and CNGB3 in the mouse retina. Co-immunoprecipitation demonstrated the direct interaction between CNGA3 and CNGB3. Chemical cross-linking readily generated products at sizes consistent with oligomers of the channel complexes ranging from dimeric to tetrameric complexes, in a concentration- and time-dependent pattern. Thus this work provides the first biochemical evidence showing the inter-subunit interaction between CNGA3 and CNGB3 and the presence of heterotetrameric complexes of the native cone CNG channel in retina. No association between CNGA3 and the cone Na(+)/Ca(2+)-K(+) exchanger (NCKX2) was shown by co-immunoprecipitation and chemical cross-linking. This may implicate a distinct modulatory mechanism for Ca(2+) homeostasis in cones compared to rods.

Once-Daily Cyclosporine-A-MiDROPS for Treatment of Dry Eye Disease.

PURPOSE: To determine if a Microemulsion Drug Ocular Penetration System (MiDROPS) formulation of cyclosporine A (CsA) delivers more drug and is more efficacious for treatment of dry eye disease (DED) than the current clinical formulation. METHODS: Tissue distribution of CsA was quantified by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). To assess tolerability, CsA-MiDROPS (0.1%) was applied to the eyes of rabbits twice per day for 14 days and assessed using ophthalmoscopic examinations. Mice were exposed to desiccating stress for 10 days and received daily topical instillation of the vehicle or test agent. Cornea staining was done to quantify corneal permeability. Histologic quantification of goblet cell (GC) density and CD4+ T-cell infiltration in the conjunctiva was performed. RESULTS: Ophthalmic distribution studies indicate significantly increased drug concentration with CsA-MiDROPS compared with Restasis. CsA-MiDROPS is well tolerated with little toxicity in a 2-week tolerability study. In the DED model, both 0.05% and 0.1% CsA-MiDROPS conferred a significant effect and were more effective than Restasis for treating experimental DED when dosed twice per day. As compared with Restasis dosed twice per day, 0.1% CsA-MiDROPS dosed once per day demonstrated superiority. CONCLUSIONS: CsA-MiDROPS showed superior drug delivery and efficacy compared with other clinical formulations. As this product is simple to produce and needs to be only applied once daily, the clinical development of CsA-MiDROPS will help to reduce societal and patient burdens by lowering drug costs and accelerating/improving the activity of CsA. TRANSLATIONAL RELEVANCE: MiDROPS has broad application concerning the ophthalmic development of lipophilic small molecule therapeutics.

Inhibition of Stat3 by a Small Molecule Inhibitor Slows Vision Loss in a Rat Model of Diabetic Retinopathy.

Purpose: Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of vision loss. Previous studies have shown signaling pathways mediated by Stat3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3) play a primary role in diabetic retinopathy progression. This study tested CLT-005, a small molecule inhibitor of Stat3, for its dose-dependent therapeutic effects on vision loss in a rat model of diabetic retinopathy. Methods: Brown Norway rats were administered streptozotocin (STZ) to induce diabetes. CLT-005 was administered daily by oral gavage for 16 weeks at concentrations of 125, 250, or 500 mg/kg, respectively, beginning 4 days post streptozotocin administration. Systemic and ocular drug concentration was quantified with mass spectrometry. Visual function was monitored at 2-week intervals from 6 to 16 weeks using optokinetic tracking to measure visual acuity and contrast sensitivity. The presence and severity of cataracts was visually monitored and correlated to visual acuity. The transcription and translation of multiple angiogenic factors and inflammatory cytokines were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Multiplex immunoassay. Results: Streptozotocin-diabetic rats sustain progressive vision loss over 16 weeks, and this loss in visual function is rescued in a dose-dependent manner by CLT-005. This positive therapeutic effect correlates to the positive effects of CLT-005 on vascular leakage and the presence of inflammatory cytokines in the retina. Conclusions: The present study indicates that Stat3 inhibition has strong therapeutic potential for the treatment of vision loss in diabetic retinopathy.

Absence of functional and structural abnormalities associated with expression of EGFP in the retina.

PURPOSE: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of uniform EGFP expression on retinal morphology and function. METHODS: Electroretinography (ERG) was used to evaluate the recovery of scotopic a- and b-wave amplitudes after a single 137-cd.sec/m2 flash exposure. The cellular distribution of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) in the retina and its effect on retinal morphology were evaluated by fluorescence microscopy and histology, respectively. To evaluate its effect on retinal sensitivity to light, EGFP-expressing and control mice were exposed to constant light for 76 hours (3500 lux), and eyes were assessed functionally and structurally at 3 weeks after light exposure. RESULTS: Fluorescence microscopy showed a pronounced EGFP expression in the photoreceptor cell bodies and inner segments. ERG analysis revealed no significant differences in either a- or b-wave amplitudes or recovery between EGFP(+/-) and control mice under dark- or light-adapted conditions. Histologic assessment at as late as 4 months of age showed no difference in retinal morphology or photoreceptor nuclei count in EGFP(+/-) mice when compared with nontransgenic littermates. In addition, evaluation of animals, 3 weeks after constant light exposure, showed no difference between ERG amplitudes, recovery of the scotopic ERG response, or retinal morphology between EGFP(+/-) mice and control animals. CONCLUSIONS: Functional and morphologic evidence shows that long-term, high, uniform levels of EGFP expression have no deleterious effect on the mouse retina. This data demonstrates the safety of EGFP use as an indicator of viral transduction in retinal gene therapy.

P2Y(2) receptor agonist INS37217 enhances functional recovery after detachment caused by subretinal injection in normal and rds mice.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of INS37217 on the recovery of retinal function after experimental retinal detachment induced by subretinal injection. METHODS: Subretinal injections of 1 micro L of fluorescent microbeads, saline, or INS37217 (1-200 micro M) were made by the transvitreal method in normal (C57BL/6) mice and in mice heterozygous for the retinal degeneration slow (rds) gene. Control, mock-injected animals underwent corneal puncture without injection. Histologic and ERG evaluations were made at 0 to 1 and 8 hours, and 1, 3, 7, 10, 14, and 60 days post injection (PI). DNA fragmentation was evaluated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated uridine 5'-triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL). RESULTS: A single subretinal injection of saline solution containing fluorescent beads caused a histologically evident retinal detachment and distributed the microbeads to almost all the subretinal space. Spontaneous reattachment occurred within 24 hours after injection and was accompanied by evident retinal folding that appeared largely resolved by 6 days later. Relative to controls, injection of saline resulted in approximately 40% recovery of dark-adapted a-wave amplitude at 24 hours PI and gradually improved to approximately 90% of controls at 2 months PI. Subretinal injection of saline containing INS37217 (10 micro M) significantly increased rod and cone ERG of normal and rds(+/-) mice at 1 and 10 days PI, when compared with injection of saline alone. Additionally, INS37217 reduced the number of TUNEL-positive photoreceptors and the enhanced rate of reattachment. CONCLUSIONS: Enhancement of ERG recovery by INS37217 is likely due to reduced retinal folding and cell death associated with detachment. These results support the use of INS37217 to help restore function after therapies that involve subretinal administration of drugs in animal models of retinal diseases.

Ocular delivery of compacted DNA-nanoparticles does not elicit toxicity in the mouse retina.

Subretinal delivery of polyethylene glycol-substituted lysine peptide (CK30PEG)-compacted DNA nanoparticles results in efficient gene expression in retinal cells. This work evaluates the ocular safety of compacted DNA nanoparticles. CK30PEG-compacted nanoparticles containing an EGFP expression plasmid were subretinally injected in adult mice (1 microl at 0.3, 1.0 and 3.0 microg/microl). Retinas were examined for signs of inflammation at 1, 2, 4 and 7 days post-injection. Neither infiltration of polymorphonuclear neutrophils or lymphocytes was detected in retinas. In addition, elevation of macrophage marker F4/80 or myeloid marker myeloperoxidase was not detected in the injected eyes. The chemokine KC mRNA increased 3-4 fold in eyes injected with either nanoparticles or saline at 1 day post-injection, but returned to control levels at 2 days post-injection. No elevation of KC protein was observed in these mice. The monocyte chemotactic protein-1, increased 3-4 fold at 1 day post-injection for both nanoparticle and saline injected eyes, but also returned to control levels at 2 days. No elevations of tumor necrosis factor alpha mRNA or protein were detected. These investigations show no signs of local inflammatory responses associated with subretinal injection of compacted DNA nanoparticles, indicating that the retina may be a suitable target for clinical nanoparticle-based interventions.

Efficient non-viral ocular gene transfer with compacted DNA nanoparticles.

BACKGROUND: The eye is an excellent candidate for gene therapy as it is immune privileged and much of the disease-causing genetics are well understood. Towards this goal, we evaluated the efficiency of compacted DNA nanoparticles as a system for non-viral gene transfer to ocular tissues. The compacted DNA nanoparticles examined here have been shown to be safe and effective in a human clinical trial, have no theoretical limitation on plasmid size, do not provoke immune responses, and can be highly concentrated. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Here we show that these nanoparticles can be targeted to different tissues within the eye by varying the site of injection. Almost all cell types of the eye were capable of transfection by the nanoparticle and produced robust levels of gene expression that were dose-dependent. Most impressively, subretinal delivery of these nanoparticles transfected nearly all of the photoreceptor population and produced expression levels almost equal to that of rod opsin, the highest expressed gene in the retina. CONCLUSIONS: As no deleterious effects on retinal function were observed, this treatment strategy appears to be clinically viable and provides a highly efficient non-viral technology to safely deliver and express nucleic acids in the retina and other ocular tissues.

Loss of bipolar cells resulting from the expression of bcl-2 directed by the IRBP promoter.

We have recently noted marked reductions in the electroretinographic (ERG) b-wave in HIBA transgenic mice expressing bcl-2 under control of the human IRBP promoter. These electrophysiological results are unexpected as this promoter has been shown to specifically target transgene expression to the rod and cone photoreceptors. Here, we have carried out a series of studies to better understand this result. ERGs were recorded from three lines of HIBA transgenic mice. Mice with higher levels of transgene expression developed progressive photoreceptor degeneration, and an associated reduction in the ERG a-wave. These higher-expressing lines also exhibited a severe reduction in the ERG b-wave that affected both rod- and cone-mediated responses. These mice were mated to L7 transgenic mice, which express beta-galactosidase in bipolar cells. In double transgenic mice, the ERG b-wave reduction was associated with a decrease in the number of bipolar cells in the inner retina. These results indicate that bcl-2, targeted to photoreceptors, can induce bipolar cell degeneration, and indicate that the potential benefit for bcl-2 in treating hereditary retinal disease appears limited.