| First Author | Mitra RN | Year | 2018 |
| Journal | Biomaterials | Volume | 157 |
| Pages | 26-39 | PubMed ID | 29232624 |
| Mgi Jnum | J:280440 | Mgi Id | MGI:6368240 |
| Doi | 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2017.12.004 | Citation | Mitra RN, et al. (2018) Genomic form of rhodopsin DNA nanoparticles rescued autosomal dominant Retinitis pigmentosa in the P23H knock-in mouse model. Biomaterials 157:26-39 |
| abstractText | Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of inherited retinal degenerative conditions and a leading cause of irreversible blindness. 25%-30% of RP cases are caused by inherited autosomal dominant (ad) mutations in the rhodopsin (Rho) protein of the retina, which impose a barrier for developing therapeutic treatments for this genetically heterogeneous disorder, as simple gene replacement is not sufficient to overcome dominant disease alleles. Previously, we have explored using the genomic short-form of Rho (sgRho) for gene augmentation therapy of RP in a Rho knockout mouse model. We have shown improved gene expression and fewer epigenetic modifications compared with the use of a Rho cDNA expression construct. In the current study, we altered our strategy by delivering a codon-optimized genomic form of Rho (co-sgRho) (for gene replacement) in combination with an RNAi-based inactivation of endogenous Rho alleles (gene suppression of both mutant Rho alleles, but mismatched with the co-sgRho) into a homozygous Rho(P23H/P23H) knock-in (KI) RP mouse model, which has a severe phenotype of adRP. In addition, we have conjugated a cell penetrating TAT peptide sequence to our previously established CK30PEG10 diblock co-polymer. The DNAs were compacted with CK30PEG10-TAT diblock co-polymer to form DNA nanoparticles (NPs). These NPs were injected into the sub-retinal space of the KI mouse eyes. As a proof of concept, we demonstrated the efficiency of this strategy in the partial improvement of visual function in the Rho(P23H/P23H) KI mouse model. |