Therapeutic Editing of Rod Glycolysis Rescues Retinal Degeneration

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PROJECT SUMMARY Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is the most common inherited retinal dystrophy, caused by more than 3100 mutations in 80 genes that are primarily specific to rod photoreceptors. Following the major rod death phase, cone death occurs regardless of the underlying gene mutations. However, there exists a knowledge gap in understanding how aerobic glycolysis in cones impacts the delicate “metabolic coupling” between cones and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in RP. In this proposal, we hypothesize that reprogramming rod and cone aerobic glycolysis can promote cone survival in RP independent of the underlying rod-specific gene mutations. To test this hypothesis, we propose the following specific aims. In Aim 1, we will determine whether enhanced aerobic glycolysis in cone photoreceptors can promote their survival in a novel genetic mouse model. In Aim 2, we will test the potential of gene therapy to slow photoreceptor degeneration by enhancing aerobic glycolysis in mouse models of RP and characterizing the metabolic changes that occur. Lastly, in Aim 3, we will evaluate the safety profile of the gene therapy described in Aim 2.