Preclinical safety studies

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A multi-investigator, multi-center research plan is proposed to develop and test gene-based retinal therapy in animal models (mouse and dog) for translation to patients with autosomal dominant RP caused by mutations in the rhodopsin gene (RHO). RHO mutations constitute one of the most common molecularly-identified causes of human RP, and more than 100 of them account for > 12 % of RP. The proposal has been divided into 4 aims that will: (Aim#1) develop viral vectors, promoters, knockdown constructs and replacement cDNAs, and compare the efficacy of a RHO cDNA augmentation approach, to that of an allele-independent knockdown and replacement strategy in two mouse models; (Aim #2) evaluate in a large animal model (dog) which of these strategies provides optimal rescue of rods, (Aim #3) develop outcome measures for clinical trials of gene therapy in RHO-ADRP patients, and (Aim #4) evaluate the optimal strategy and vector construct (based on results of Aims #1 and 2) in pre-clinical safety studies. Six coordinated modules (M) are described, each with a specific set of aims that contributes in a unique but complementary way to the translational studies. M1 (Vector Development) will provide AAVs carrying knockdown (siRNA, ribozymes) reagents, and resistant (hardened) RHO cDNAs. M2 (Small Animal-mouse- Therapy Studies) will test the 2 gene therapy approaches in two mouse models. M3 (Large Animal Experiemntal Support) will produce the dogs, and provide infrastructure resources for this work). M4 (Large anima I- dog - Therapy Studies) will test the 2 approaches in a naturally -occurring canine model of RHO-ADRP. M5 (Human RHO-ADRP) will identify retinal regions that can be targeted for focal retinal therapy in patients. M6 (Vector safety studies in Animals) will conduct GLP-based preclinical toxicology and biodistribution studies in small and large animals to test the safety of the optimal ("lead") therapeutic vector as the essential first step fro FDA consideration of an IND for a future Phase I Clinical Trial. The research studies described in this proposal represent a continuation of a longstanding collaboration between the module scientists that already has brought retinal gene therapy for RPE65-LCA patients to a Phase I clinical trial.