Document Type
Journal Article
Date of this Version
3-20-2018
Publication Source
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Volume
115
Issue
12
Start Page
E2839
Last Page
E2848
DOI
10.1073/pnas.1720662115
Abstract
Mutations in the BEST1 gene cause detachment of the retina and degeneration of photoreceptor (PR) cells due to a primary channelopathy in the neighboring retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. The pathophysiology of the interaction between RPE and PR cells preceding the formation of retinal detachment remains not well-understood. Our studies of molecular pathology in the canine BEST1 disease model revealed retina-wide abnormalities at the RPE-PR interface associated with defects in the RPE microvillar ensheathment and a cone PR-associated insoluble interphotoreceptor matrix. In vivo imaging demonstrated a retina-wide RPE-PR microdetachment, which contracted with dark adaptation and expanded upon exposure to a moderate intensity of light. Subretinal BEST1 gene augmentation therapy using adeno-associated virus 2 reversed not only clinically detectable subretinal lesions but also the diffuse microdetachments. Immunohistochemical analyses showed correction of the structural alterations at the RPE-PR interface in areas with BEST1 transgene expression. Successful treatment effects were demonstrated in three different canine BEST1 genotypes with vector titers in the 0.1-to-5E11 vector genomes per mL range. Patients with biallelic BEST1 mutations exhibited large regions of retinal lamination defects, severe PR sensitivity loss, and slowing of the retinoid cycle. Human translation of canine BEST1 gene therapy success in reversal of macro- and microdetachments through restoration of cytoarchitecture at the RPE-PR interface has promise to result in improved visual function and prevent disease progression in patients affected with bestrophinopathies.
Copyright/Permission Statement
This open access article is distributed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercialNoDerivatives License 4.0 (CC BY-NC-ND).
Keywords
AAV BEST1 gene therapy, RPE bestrophinopathy, microvilli, photoreceptors
Recommended Citation
Guziewicz, K. E., Cideciyan, A. V., Beltran, W. A., Komáromy, A. M., Dufour, V. L., Swider, M., Iwabe, S., Sumaroka, A., Kendrick, B. T., Ruthel, G., Chiodo, V. A., Heon, E., Hauswirth, W. W., Jacobson, S. G., & Aguirre, G. D. (2018). BEST1 Gene Therapy Corrects a Diffuse Retina-Wide Microdetachment Modulated by Light Exposure. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 115 (12), E2839-E2848. http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1720662115
Date Posted:19 April 2018
This document has been peer reviewed.