Gene Therapy Application to Transform Vision Treatment in Mice Model

Release Date: 28-Nov-2020

A novel study indicates towards the discovery of a protein called as MCO1 opsin that is witnessed to restore vision in the blind mice using gene therapy applications. As per knowledge with respect to the protein, opsins are the proteins that are important in signaling other cells as part of the pathway that is vital for visual perception. In case of healthy individual, the protein is expressed by rod and cone photoreceptors in the retina, which on exposure to light leads to the development of signal through retinal neurons, the optic nerve and finally to the brain. 

But there are huge number of cases where photoreceptors get damaged, therefore, researchers are now inclined towards finding a way for the bipolar cells to compensate the activity of damaged photoreceptors. It has been witnessed by the researchers that addition of MCO1 opsin gene to the bipolar cells leads to the restoration of light sensitivity. The therapy that is involving MCO1 is estimated to be treating wide variety of diseases that are associated with degenerative retinal diseases. The same study when conducted in the mice models led to no signs of inflammation due to treatment and the therapy had no off-target effect. It is estimated that the introduction of gene therapy will lead to the development of a valuable alternative for the treatment of the patients suffering from retinitis pigmentosa.