Targeting corneal inflammation by gene therapy: Emerging strategies for keratitis

Inflammation is the underlying process of several diseases within the eye, specifically in the cornea. Current treatment options for corneal inflammation or keratitis, and related neovascularization, are restricted by limited efficacy, adverse effects, and short duration of action. Gene therapy has...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Experimental eye research 2018-11, Vol.176, p.130-140
Main Authors: Torrecilla, Josune, del Pozo-Rodríguez, Ana, Vicente-Pascual, Mónica, Solinís, María Ángeles, Rodríguez-Gascón, Alicia
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Angiogenesis
Animals
Corneal inflammation
Corneal neovascularization
Corneal Neovascularization - therapy
Gene editing
Gene therapy
Gene Transfer Techniques
Genetic Therapy
Genetic Vectors
Humans
Keratitis
Keratitis - therapy
Non-viral vectors
Viral-vectors
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Summary:Inflammation is the underlying process of several diseases within the eye, specifically in the cornea. Current treatment options for corneal inflammation or keratitis, and related neovascularization, are restricted by limited efficacy, adverse effects, and short duration of action. Gene therapy has shown great potential for the treatment of diseases affecting the ocular surface, and major efforts are being targeted to inflammatory mediators and neovascularization, in order to develop potential treatments for corneal inflammation. Gene therapy to treat ocular disorders is still starting, and current therapies are primarily experimental, with most human clinical trials still in research state, although some of them have already shown encouraging results. In this review, we focus on the progress and challenges of gene therapy to treat corneal inflammation. After introducing the inflammation process, we present the main nucleic acid delivery systems, including viral and non-viral vectors, and the most studied strategies to address the therapy: control of neovascularization and regulation of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. [Display omitted] •The cornea is an excellent candidate for gene therapy.•Neovascularization and immune response are the main targets for keratitis.•Corneal gene supplementation and gene silencing strategies are at advanced stages.•Gene editing approaches for the cornea, although promising, are still incipient.
ISSN:0014-4835
1096-0007
DOI:10.1016/j.exer.2018.07.006