dCasMINI-mediated therapy rescues photoreceptors degeneration in a mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa.

Abstract

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is characterized by degeneration of rod and cone photoreceptors that progresses to irreversible blindness. Now, there are no mutation-agnostic approaches to treat RP. Here, we utilized a single adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based CRISPR activation system to activate phosphodiesterase 6B (Pde6b) to mitigate the severe degeneration in <i>Pde6a</i>^nmf363 mice. We demonstrate that transcriptional activation of <i>Pde6b</i> can rescue the loss of <i>Pde6a</i>, with preservation of retinal structure, restoration of electroretinography responses, and improvement of visual function as assessed by optokinetic response and looming-induced escape behaviors. These findings demonstrate the therapeutic potential of a dCasMINI-mediated activation strategy that provides a mutation-independent treatment for retinal degeneration. This study offers a promising therapeutic approach for RP and potentially other forms of genetic diseases.