A Perspective of Gene Therapy in the Glaucomas

Herpes Simplex Virus Mediated Gene Transfer to Primate Ocular Tissues

“…s et al, 1998). HSV mediated gene transfer has been shown in rabbit (Chen and Cynader, 1997), cat (Kaufman et al, 1999), and rodent eyes (Li et al, 1993 ;Spencer et al, manuscript submitted). The anatomy, physiology and pharmacological responses of the aqueous humor formation and drainage apparatus in human eyes may differ markedly from those in lower mammals, but are similar to other higher primates (Rohen, 1961(Rohen, , 1982Bito, 1984).…”

Long-Term, Targeted Genetic Modification of the Aqueous Humor Outflow Tract Coupled with Noninvasive Imaging of Gene Expression In Vivo

“…Permanent genetic reprogramming of anterior chamber outflow tract physiology by gene therapy has attracted attention as an ideal solution in theory because of the disease's life-long chronicity and the emerging understanding of its genetic basis. [3][4][5][6] The trabecular meshwork (TM) is a key intraocular structure to target, because it controls IOP by controlling outflow of aqueous humor. 7,8 Additional features make glaucoma an intriguing potential proof-of-concept disease for gene therapy.…”

Retinal transduction profiles by high-capacity viral vectors

“…The transduction differences observed using the CMV-lacZ and the Rho-EGFP expression cassettes could be due to the presence of “pseudotransduction” after injection of lacZ-expressing vectors. Some β-galactosidase enzyme may diffuse from the RPE to the inter-photoreceptor matrix (IPM) and to the ONL, as previously suggested 13 , 19 , 51 .…”

“…Vectors derived from herpesvirus are interesting for PR targeting because they naturally infect neurons 11 . Studies with HSV-1 containing the CMV-EGFP expression cassette showed that only the RPE was transduced in most cases 25 although in one report PR outer segments were also found to be transduced 51 . Here, we evaluated whether the vector based on the bovine BoHV-4, isolated in Europe from respiratory and ocular diseases 54 , could have an innate tropism for PRs.…”