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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2020.09.17.301523

High-sensitivity vision restoration via ectopic expression of chimeric rhodopsin in mice

Katada, Y.·Yoshida, K.·Kobayashi, K.·Hideyuki, O.·Kandori, H.·Tsubota, K.·Kurihara, T.
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Abstract

Photoreception requires amplification by mammalian rhodopsin through G protein activation, which requires a visual cycle. To achieve this in retinal gene therapy, we incorporated human rhodopsin cytoplasmic loops into Gloeobacter rhodopsin, thereby generating Gloeobacter and human chimeric rhodopsin (GHCR). In a murine model of inherited retinal degeneration, we induced retinal GHCR expression by intravitreal injection of a recombinant adeno-associated virus vector. Retinal explant and visual thalamus electrophysiological recordings, behavioral tests, and histological analysis showed that GHCR restored dim-environment vision and prevented the progression of retinal degeneration. Thus, GHCR may be a potent clinical tool for the treatment of retinal disorders. One Sentence SummaryOptogenetic therapy with Gloeobacter and human chimeric rhodopsin resulted in highly sensitive visual restoration and protection effects.

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Katada, Y., Yoshida, K., Kobayashi, K., Hideyuki, O., Kandori, H., Tsubota, K., Kurihara, T.. 2020-09-18. High-sensitivity vision restoration via ectopic expression of chimeric rhodopsin in mice. https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.09.17.301523

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