Department of Ophthalmology, University of Utah Health Science Center, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2011 Nov 8;108(45):18476-81. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1112758108. Epub 2011 Oct 31.
RNA interference (RNAi) gene silencing is a potential therapeutic strategy for dominant retinal degeneration disorders. We used self-complementary (sc) AAV2/8 vector to develop an RNAi-based gene therapy in a dominant retinal degeneration mouse model expressing bovine GCAP1(Y99C). We established an in vitro shRNA screening assay based on EGFP-tagged bovine GCAP1, and identified a shRNA that effectively silenced the bovine GCAP1 transgene with ∼80% efficiency. Subretinal injection of scAAV2/8 carrying shRNA expression cassette showed robust expression as early as 1 wk after injection. The gene silencing significantly improved photoreceptor survival, delayed disease onset, and increased visual function. Our results provide a promising strategy toward effective RNAi-based gene therapy by scAAV2/8 delivery for dominant retinal diseases.
RNA 干扰 (RNAi) 基因沉默是治疗显性视网膜退行性疾病的一种有潜力的治疗策略。我们使用自我互补 (sc) AAV2/8 载体,在表达牛 GCAP1(Y99C)的显性视网膜退行性小鼠模型中开发了一种基于 RNAi 的基因治疗方法。我们建立了一种基于 EGFP 标记的牛 GCAP1 的体外 shRNA 筛选检测方法,并鉴定出一种能够有效沉默牛 GCAP1 转基因的 shRNA,效率约为 80%。携带 shRNA 表达盒的 scAAV2/8 经视网膜下注射后,在注射后 1 周即可观察到强烈的表达。基因沉默显著提高了感光细胞的存活率,延缓了疾病的发作,并增强了视觉功能。我们的研究结果为通过 scAAV2/8 递送来实现有效的基于 RNAi 的显性视网膜疾病基因治疗提供了一种很有前途的策略。