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Mirtron-mediated RNA knockdown/replacement therapy for the treatment of dominant retinitis pigmentosa

Abstract:
Rhodopsin (RHO) gene mutations are a common cause of autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (ADRP). The need to suppress toxic protein expression together with mutational heterogeneity pose challenges for treatment development. Mirtrons are atypical RNA interference effectors that are spliced from transcripts as short introns. Here, we develop a novel mirtron-based knockdown/replacement gene therapy for the mutation-independent treatment of RHO-related ADRP, and demonstrate efficacy in a relevant mammalian model. Splicing and potency of rhodopsin-targeting candidate mirtrons are initially determined, and a mirtron-resistant codon-modified version of the rhodopsin coding sequence is validated in vitro. These elements are then combined within a single adeno-associated virus (AAV) and delivered subretinally in a Rho<sup>P23H</sup> knock-in mouse model of ADRP. This results in significant mouse-to-human rhodopsin RNA replacement and is associated with a slowing of retinal degeneration. This provides proof of principle that synthetic mirtrons delivered by AAV are capable of reducing disease severity in vivo.
Publication status:
Published
Peer review status:
Peer reviewed

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Publisher copy:
10.1038/s41467-021-25204-3

Authors


More by this author
Role:
Author
ORCID:
0000-0002-9770-6303
More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MSD
Sub department:
Clinical Neurosciences
Role:
Author
ORCID:
0000-0002-2941-4464
More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MSD
Department:
Clinical Neurosciences
Research group:
Clinical Ophthalmology Research Group
Role:
Author
ORCID:
0000-0002-0662-1073
More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MSD
Sub department:
Clinical Neurosciences
Role:
Author
ORCID:
0000-0002-6612-6162
More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MSD
Department:
Clinical Neurosciences
Research group:
Clinical Ophthalmology Research Group
Oxford college:
Merton College
Role:
Author
ORCID:
0000-0002-3096-4682


Publisher:
Springer Nature
Journal:
Nature Communications More from this journal
Volume:
12
Issue:
1
Article number:
4934
Place of publication:
England
Publication date:
2021-08-16
Acceptance date:
2021-07-26
DOI:
EISSN:
2041-1723
Pmid:
34400638

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