RNA-THERAPY

    The objective of RNA therapy, also called AON therapy, is to repair the genetic defect at RNA level, so that a smaller but partly functional Usher protein can be made.
    For a specific mutation an antisense oligonucleotide can be designed.
    Antisense-oligonucleotides, abbreviated by ASOs or AONs, can be regarded as a ‘genetic patch’ that covers the area of the mutation and makes it invisible.

    In this way, the cause of Usher Syndrome is removed and, hopefully, the deterioration of eyesight (and possibly hearing) of this group of patients is stopped or possibly even improved.

    THE GENETIC PATCH FOR USH 1C

    Jennifer Lentz from New Orleans (LSU School of Medicine, USA) is working on a treatment for USH 1C patients who have a specific mutation in the USH 1C gene, the c.216G>A mutation. This mutation influences the pre-mRNA separation (See Splicing mutations in ‘From DNA to protein’). As a consequence of this mutation, a part of the USH 1C gene is not included in the mRNA. If this part of the USH 1C gene is missing in the mRNA, the production of the harmonin protein stops prematurely.

    THE GENETIC PATCH FOR USH 2A

    Zebrafishes turned out to be perfect models for studying the vision problems caused by mutations in Usher genes. Therefore, with the help of the CRISPR/Cas9 system a mutation (= small deletion) was made in exon 13 of the USH 2A gene of the zebrafish. The result of this was that these zebra fishes no longer produced USH 2A protein and that the eyesight of these fishes deteriorated.


    TRIAL FOR EXON 13 @STELLAR

    ProQR Therapeutics from Leiden, the Netherlands, treated the first patient with mutations in exon 13 of the USH 2A gene with QR-421a in the phase 1/2 STELLAR trial on 11Ā MarchĀ 2019. This STELLAR trial is based on the exon-skipping study of Erwin van Wijk.

    The first results of STELLAR were announced in April 2020

    DUTCH CENTER FOR RNA THERAPEUTICS

    Scientists and physicians of the Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC) and the Radboudumc together started the Dutch Center for RNA Therapeutics (DCRT). This new virtual centre was set up with the objective to develop tailor-made RNA therapy. A therapy meant for patients with rare genetic disorders, such as Usher Syndrome.

    VARIOUS NAMES

    There are various names for therapy with antisense oligonucleotide:

    • AON therapy
    • ASO therapy
    • ‘genetic patch’
    • RNA therapy

    FROM DNA TO PROTEIN

    The genetic material of every human is stored in our DNA. The DNA consists of many genes. Each gene contains the code for the production of a protein. Proteins are the building blocks of our body. Reading that code for the formation of a protein is a complicated process. How does this building plan work and where can things go wrong?

    DIFFERENT FUNCTIONS OF AON

    Dependent on the design an antisense oligonucleotide may have different functions. The ā€˜genetic patch’ can skip the stop coding (exon skipping) or correct the separation (splice correction). How is the “genetic patch” mutation- or exon-specific applied?

    A MEDICINE IN AN INJECTION

    RNA therapy does not replace or repair a gene. AONs can be considered as a medicine. The therapy is reversible. When the therapy stops, there is no active substance left in the body.