Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Retinal function improved for 3 years after gene therapy in RPE65-/
By Narfström, Kristina et al.·Published in Documenta ophthalmologica. Advances in ophthalmology·2005·College of Veterinary Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Assessment of structure and function over a 3-year period after gene transfer in RPE65-/- dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of five dogs with a genetic condition affecting their eyesight underwent a special treatment called gene transfer to improve their vision. About four weeks after the procedure, the dogs showed significant improvement in their retinal function, with the best results seen three months later. While some changes in the eye's structure were noted, the treatment successfully enhanced their vision for at least three years. This suggests that gene therapy can be a promising option for dogs with this specific genetic eye disorder.
People also search for: dog vision problems · RPE65 gene therapy for dogs · improving dog eyesight treatment
Abstract
AIM: To assess retinal structure and function over a 3-year period in a group of five RPE65-/- dogs treated by unilateral rAAV- mediated subretinal gene transfer. METHODS: Post-operative functional follow-ups were performed using simultaneous, bilateral, full-field ERGs. Structure was evaluated by SLO using FL and ICG angiography and by EM. RESULTS: Significant improvement of retinal function was observed through ERGs approximately 4 weeks following surgery. Scotopic b-wave amplitudes peaked 3 months after surgery. Then there was a successive reduction, although greater amplitudes than base-line values were observed at all post-operative time points. A-wave amplitudes increased at a later time than b-wave amplitudes and were sustained throughout the follow-up period. The increased cone function was preserved longer than the rod function. Angiography showed structural changes at the site of injection, corroborated by photoreceptor destruction observed ultrastructurally. Immediately adjacent to the subretinal injection area photoreceptor outer segments appeared normal. CONCLUSION: Despite local structural alterations at the subretinal injection site, subretinal gene transfer in the RPE65 null mutation dog effectively increases retinal function for at least 3 years after surgery.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16502306/