A Robust Optomotor Assay for Assessing the Efficacy of Optogenetic Tools for Vision Restoration.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

To develop an animal behavioral assay for the quantitative assessment of the functional efficacy of optogenetic therapies.

Methods

A triple-knockout (TKO) mouse line, Gnat1-/-Cnga3-/-Opn4-/-, and a double-knockout mouse line, Gnat1-/-Cnga3-/-, were employed. The expression of channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) and its three more light-sensitive mutants, ChR2-L132C, ChR2-L132C/T159C, and ChR2-132C/T159S, in inner retinal neurons was achieved using rAAV2 vectors via intravitreal delivery. Pupillary constriction was assessed by measuring the pupil diameter. The optomotor response (OMR) was examined using a homemade optomotor system equipped with light-emitting diodes as light stimulation.

Results

A robust OMR was restored in the ChR2-mutant-expressing TKO mice; however, s

SUBMITTER: Lu Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5839255 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature