Journal Article

Retinal organoids with X-linked retinoschisis RS1 (E72K) mutation exhibit a photoreceptor developmental delay and are rescued by gene augmentation therapy

Liang, Yuqin, Liu, Xinyu, Ding, Chengcheng, Ding, Xiaoyan, Tang, Shibo, Mao, Shengru, Duan, Chunwen, Sun, Xihao, Chen, Jiansu

2024

Overview

Background X-linked juvenile retinoschisis (XLRS) is an inherited disease caused by RS1 gene mutation, which leads to retinal splitting and visual impairment. The mechanism of RS1 -associated retinal degeneration is not fully understood. Besides, animal models of XLRS have limitations in the study of XLRS. Here, we used human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived retinal organoids (ROs) to investigate the disease mechanisms and potential treatments for XLRS. Methods hiPSCs reprogrammed from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of two RS1 mutant (E72K) XLRS patients were differentiated into ROs. Subsequently, we explored whether RS1 mutation could affect RO development and explore the effectiveness of RS1 gene augmentation therapy. Results ROs derived from RS1 (E72K) mutation hiPSCs exhibited a developmental delay in the photoreceptor, retinoschisin (RS1) deficiency, and altered spontaneous activity compared with control ROs. Furthermore, the delays in development were associated with decreased expression of rod-specific precursor markers (NRL) and photoreceptor-specific markers (RCVRN). Adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated gene augmentation with RS1 at the photoreceptor immature stage rescued the rod photoreceptor developmental delay in ROs with the RS1 (E72K) mutation. Conclusions The RS1 (E72K) mutation results in the photoreceptor development delay in ROs and can be partially rescued by the RS1 gene augmentation therapy.

• Publisher: BioMed Central,BioMed Central Ltd,BMC
• Subject: Biomedical and Life Sciences / Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering / Cell Biology / Cell Differentiation / Diagnostic reagents industry / Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid / Eye Proteins - genetics / Eye Proteins - metabolism / Gene augmentation therapy / Gene mutations / Genes / Genetic aspects / Genetic Therapy - methods / Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) / Humans / Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells - metabolism / Life Sciences / Male / Medical research / Medicine, Experimental / Mutation / Organoids - metabolism / Photoreceptor / Photoreceptor Cells, Vertebrate - metabolism / Photoreceptor Cells, Vertebrate - pathology / Regenerative Medicine/Tissue Engineering / Retina - metabolism / Retina - pathology / Retinal organoids (ROs) / Retinoschisis - genetics / Retinoschisis - metabolism / Retinoschisis - pathology / Retinoschisis - therapy / Stem Cells / Transplantation / X-linked retinoschisis (XLRS)