Compositions and methods for treating BIETTI crystal dystrophy

文档序号:1865986 发布日期:2021-11-19 浏览:11次 中文

阅读说明:本技术 治疗bietti晶体营养不良的组合物和方法 (Compositions and methods for treating BIETTI crystal dystrophy ) 是由 C·L·贝尔 J·科洛尔 J·于特纳 T·麦吉 B·罗斯卡 于 2020-02-24 设计创作,主要内容包括:本文提供了将异源CYP4V2基因递送至视网膜例如视网膜的RPE细胞的病毒载体,以治疗患有Bietti晶体营养不良的受试者。(Provided herein are viral vectors that deliver a heterologous CYP4V2 gene to RPE cells of the retina, e.g., retina, to treat a subject with Bietti crystal dystrophy.)

1.A viral vector comprising a vector genome comprising in the 5 'to 3' direction:

i.5' Inverted Terminal Repeat (ITR);

a promoter;

a recombinant nucleotide sequence comprising a CYP4V2 coding sequence;

a polyadenylation (poly a) signal sequence;

v. and 3' ITR.

2. The viral vector of claim 1, wherein the promoter is the ProC2 promoter.

3. The viral vector of claim 2, wherein the promoter comprises a nucleotide sequence having greater than or about 90% identity to SEQ ID NO 5.

4. The viral vector of claim 1, wherein the promoter is selected from the group consisting of: the VMD2 promoter, the CYP4V2 promoter, and the RPE65 promoter.

5. The viral vector of claim 4, wherein the promoter comprises a nucleotide sequence having greater than or about 90% identity to SEQ ID NO 6, SEQ ID NO 7, or SEQ ID NO 8 and promotes the expression of CYP4V2 in RPE cells.

6. The viral vector of claim 1, wherein the promoter is a ubiquitous promoter.

7. The viral vector of claim 6, wherein the promoter is a Cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter, a CBA promoter, or a CAG promoter.

8. The viral vector of claim 1, wherein the promoter comprises a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:55-80 of SEQ ID NO.

9. The viral vector of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the CYP4V2 coding sequence comprises a nucleotide sequence having greater than or about 90% identity to SEQ ID NO 13, 14, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, or 49.

10. The viral vector of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the poly a signal comprises a nucleotide sequence having greater than or about 90% identity to SEQ ID No. 18 or 19.

11. The viral vector of any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising an intron sequence comprising a nucleotide sequence having greater than or about 90% identity to SEQ ID No. 9, 10 or 11.

12. The viral vector according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising 1) a regulatory element comprising a hepatitis b or woodchuck hepatitis virus sequence and/or 2) a kozak sequence located immediately upstream of a recombinant nucleotide sequence comprising the CYP4V2 coding sequence.

13. The viral vector of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the vector genome comprises in the 5 'to 3' direction a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

i) 1,2, 13, 18 and 22;

ii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 13, 18 and 22;

iii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 13, 18 and 22;

iv) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 13, 18 and 22;

v) SEQ ID NO1, 6, 13, 18 and 22;

vi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 13, 18 and 22;

vii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 13, 18 and 22;

viii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 14, 18 and 22;

ix) SEQ ID NO1, 3, 14, 18 and 22;

x) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 14, 18 and 22;

xi) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 14, 18 and 22;

xii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 14, 18 and 22;

xiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 14, 18 and 22;

xiv) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 14, 18 and 22;

xv) SEQ ID NO1, 2, 13, 19 and 22;

xvi) SEQ ID NOS 1, 3, 13, 19 and 22;

xvii) SEQ ID NOS 1, 4, 13, 19 and 22;

xviii) SEQ ID NOS 1,5, 13, 19 and 22;

xix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 13, 19 and 22;

xx) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 13, 19 and 22;

xxi) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 13, 19 and 22;

xxii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 14, 19 and 22;

xxiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 14, 19 and 22;

xxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 14, 19 and 22;

xxv) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 14, 19 and 22;

xxvi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 14, 19 and 22;

xxvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 14, 19 and 22;

xxviii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 14, 19 and 22;

xxix) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 13, 18 and 22;

xxx) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 13, 18, and 22;

xxxi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 13, 18 and 22;

xxxii) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 13, 18 and 22;

xxxiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 13, 18, and 22;

xxxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 13, 18 and 22;

xxxv) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 13, 18 and 22;

xxxvi) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 14, 18 and 22;

xxxvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 14, 18 and 22;

xxxviii) SEQ ID NOS 1, 4, 9, 14, 18 and 22;

xxxix) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 14, 18 and 22;

xl) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 14, 18 and 22;

xli) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 14, 18 and 22;

xlii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 14, 18 and 22;

xliii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 13, 19 and 22;

xliv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 13, 19 and 22;

xlv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 13, 19 and 22;

xlvi) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 13, 19 and 22;

xlvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 13, 19 and 22;

xlviii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 13, 19 and 22;

xlix) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 13, 19 and 22;

l) SEQ ID NO1, 2, 9, 14, 19 and 22;

li) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 14, 19 and 22;

lii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 14, 19 and 22;

liii) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 14, 19 and 22;

liv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 14, 19 and 22;

lv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 14, 19 and 22;

lvi) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 14, 19 and 22;

lvii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lviii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lx) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

ixiii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxvi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxvii) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxviii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxx) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxxi) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxvi) SEQ ID NOS 1, 7, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxvi) SEQ ID NOS 1,8, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxviii) SEQ ID NOS: 1,2, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxx) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxxi) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxv) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxxxvi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxxxvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxxxviii) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxxxix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

xc) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

xci) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

xcii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xciii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xciv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xcv) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xcvi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xcvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xcviii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xcix) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

c) 1, 3,9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

ci) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

cii) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

ciii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

civ) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

cv) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

cvi) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

cvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

cviii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

cix) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

cx) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

cxi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 14, 16, 19 and 22; and

cxii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 14, 16, 19 and 22.

14. The viral vector of any one of claims 1 to 13, further comprising an adeno-associated virus (AAV) serotype 8,9, 2, or 5 capsid.

15. The viral vector of claim 14, further comprising 1) an AAV9 capsid comprising VP1, VP2, and VP3 amino acid sequences having greater than or about 90% identity to SEQ ID NOs 28, 29, and 30, respectively; or 2) an AAV9 capsid encoded by a nucleotide sequence having greater than or about 90% identity to SEQ ID NO. 27.

16. The viral vector of claim 14, further comprising 1) an AAV8 capsid comprising VP1, VP2, and VP3 amino acid sequences having greater than or about 90% identity to SEQ ID NOs 24, 25, and 26, respectively; or 2) an AAV8 capsid encoded by a nucleotide sequence having greater than or about 90% identity to SEQ ID NO. 23.

17. A composition comprising the viral vector of any one of claims 1 to 16.

18. A method of expressing a heterologous CYP4V2 gene in a retinal cell, the method comprising contacting the retinal cell with the viral vector of any one of claims 1 to 16.

19. A method of treating a subject having Bietti Crystal Dystrophy (BCD), said method comprising administering to said subject an effective amount of the composition of claim 17.

20. A method of improving, improving or inhibiting visual function or functional vision loss in a subject having BCD, the method comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of the composition of claim 17.

Background

Bietti Crystal Dystrophy (BCD) is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder in which many small, yellow or white crystalline lipid deposits accumulate in the retina, which in turn causes chorioretinal atrophy and progressive vision loss. Subjects with BCD will typically begin to notice vision problems at the age of teens or more than twenty years. In addition to vision loss, they also often experience nyctalopia. They also often lose the zone of vision, most commonly peripheral vision. Color perception may also be impaired.

The vision problems of each eye may worsen at different rates, and the severity and progression of symptoms vary greatly between affected subjects, even in the same household. However, most subjects with BCD are legally blind by the age of 40 or 50. Most affected subjects generally maintain some degree of vision in the center of the field of view, although the visual objects are generally blurred and cannot be corrected by the prescription lenses.

BCD is caused by mutations in the CYP4V2 gene. The gene is located on the long arm of human chromosome 4 and encodes cytochrome P450 family 4 subfamily V member 2. As a member of the cytochrome P450 enzyme family, ω -hydroxylases are involved in lipid metabolism, in particular in the oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). At least 80 different mutations of the CYP4V2 gene were identified in subjects with BCD (Zhang et al, Mol Vis [ molecular Vis ]24:700-711, 2018). Mutations in the CYP4V2 gene leading to BCD impair or eliminate enzyme function and are thought to affect lipolysis. However, it is not clear how they cause the specific signs and symptoms of BCD.

BCD is estimated to affect approximately 65,000 people worldwide (Xiao et al, Biochem Biophys Res Comm. Biochemical and biophysical research communications 409:181-186,2011; and Mataftsi et al, Retina [ Retina ]24:416-426,2004). It is more common among people of east asian descent, especially people of china and the japanese background. Currently, there is no treatment available for BCD.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention relates generally to recombinant viral vectors and methods of using recombinant viral vectors to express proteins in the retina (e.g., Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE) cells) of a subject having retinal disease and blindness, such as BCD.

In one aspect, the invention relates to a viral vector capable of delivering a heterologous gene to the retina. The present invention also relates to viral vectors capable of introducing heterologous genes into the retina (e.g., RPE cells of the retina). The present invention also relates to a viral vector (rAAV) as a recombinant adeno-associated viral vector. In certain embodiments, the rAAV viral vector may be selected from any AAV serotype known in the art, including, but not limited to, AAV1 through AAV 12. In certain embodiments, the rAAV vector capsid is AAV8 serotype. In certain other embodiments, the rAAV vector capsid is AAV9 serotype. In certain embodiments, the rAAV vector capsid is AAV2 serotype. In certain embodiments, the rAAV vector capsid is AAV5 serotype. In certain embodiments, the rAAV vector is a novel synthetic AAV serotype derived from modified wild-type AAV capsid sequences.

In one aspect, a viral vector is provided, wherein the viral vector comprises a vector genome comprising in the 5 'to 3' direction:

(i)5’ITR;

(ii) a promoter;

(iii) a recombinant nucleotide sequence comprising a CYP4V2 coding sequence;

(iv) a polyadenylation (poly a) signal sequence; and

(v)3’ITR。

in one embodiment, the vector genome comprises in the 5 'to 3' direction:

(i)5’ITR;

(ii) a promoter;

(iii) an intron;

(iv) a recombinant nucleotide sequence comprising a CYP4V2 coding sequence;

(v) a poly a signal sequence; and

(vi)3’ITR。

in some embodiments, the vector genome comprises in the 5 'to 3' direction:

(i)5’ITR;

(ii) a promoter;

(iii) a recombinant nucleotide sequence comprising a CYP4V2 coding sequence;

(iv) an adjustment element;

(v) a poly a signal sequence; and

(vi)3’ITR。

in one embodiment, the vector genome comprises in the 5 'to 3' direction:

(i)5’ITR;

(ii) a promoter;

(iii) an intron;

(iv) a recombinant nucleotide sequence comprising a CYP4V2 coding sequence;

(v) an adjustment element;

(vi) a poly a signal sequence; and

(vii)3’ITR。

in some embodiments, the vector genome comprises a length greater than or about 4.1kb and less than or about 4.9 kb. In another embodiment, the vector genome comprises less than or about 5kb in length.

In one embodiment, the vector genome comprises a stuffer sequence located between the poly a signal sequence and the 3' ITRs. In some embodiments, the length of the fill sequence is between about 1-10, 10-20, 20-30, 30-40, 40-50, 50-60, 60-75, 75-100, 100-150, 150-200, 200-250, 250-300, 300-400, 400-500, 500-750, 750-1,000, 1,000-1,500, 1,500-2,000, 2,000-2,500, or 2,500-3,000 nucleotides.

In one embodiment, the 5' ITR comprises a nucleotide sequence having greater than or about 90% identity to SEQ ID NO. 1.

In some embodiments, the promoter is a ubiquitous promoter, such as a Cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter, a CBA promoter, or a CAG promoter, e.g., wherein the promoter comprises a nucleotide sequence having greater than or about 90% identity to SEQ ID No. 2, SEQ ID No. 3, or SEQ ID No. 4.

In one embodiment, the promoter is a Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE) -specific promoter, such as the ProC2 promoter, the VMD2 promoter, the CYP4V2 promoter, or the RPE65 promoter, for example, wherein the promoter comprises a nucleotide sequence having greater than or about 90% identity to SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, or SEQ ID NO:8, and preferentially promotes expression of CYP4V2 in RPE cells (e.g., human RPE cells).

Thus, the present invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising or consisting of the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 5 or a nucleic acid sequence having at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% identity to said nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 5. The isolated nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO. 5 results in the expression of a gene operably linked to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 5 in human or NHP retinal cells, such as human or NHP RPE cells.

In some embodiments, the CYP4V2 coding sequence comprises a nucleotide sequence having greater than or about 90% identity to SEQ ID NO 13, SEQ ID NO 14, SEQ ID NO 39, SEQ ID NO 41, SEQ ID NO 43, SEQ ID NO 45, SEQ ID NO 47, or SEQ ID NO 49.

In one embodiment, the poly a signal sequence comprises a bovine growth hormone or simian virus 40 poly a nucleotide sequence, e.g., wherein the poly a signal sequence comprises a nucleotide sequence having greater than or about 90% identity to SEQ ID No. 18 or SEQ ID No. 19.

In some embodiments, the 3' ITR comprises a nucleotide sequence with greater than or about 90% identity to SEQ ID No. 22.

In one embodiment, the intron comprises a human growth hormone, simian virus 40, or human β -gobin (gobin) intron sequence, e.g., wherein the intron comprises a nucleotide sequence having greater than or about 90% identity to SEQ ID NO 9, SEQ ID NO 10, or SEQ ID NO 11.

In some embodiments, the regulatory element comprises a hepatitis b virus or woodchuck hepatitis virus sequence, e.g., wherein the regulatory element comprises a nucleotide sequence having greater than or about 90% identity to SEQ ID No. 16 or SEQ ID No. 17.

In one embodiment, the vector genome comprises a Kozak (Kozak) sequence located immediately upstream of a recombinant nucleotide sequence comprising a CYP4V2 coding sequence, e.g., wherein the Kozak sequence comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO 12, SEQ ID NO 51, SEQ ID NO 52, or SEQ ID NO 53.

In some embodiments, the vector genome comprises in the 5 'to 3' direction a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

i) 1,2, 13, 18 and 22;

ii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 13, 18 and 22;

iii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 13, 18 and 22;

iv) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 13, 18 and 22;

v) SEQ ID NO1, 6, 13, 18 and 22;

vi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 13, 18 and 22;

vii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 13, 18 and 22;

viii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 14, 18 and 22;

ix) SEQ ID NO1, 3, 14, 18 and 22;

x) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 14, 18 and 22;

xi) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 14, 18 and 22;

xii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 14, 18 and 22;

xiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 14, 18 and 22;

xiv) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 14, 18 and 22;

xv) SEQ ID NO1, 2, 13, 19 and 22;

xvi) SEQ ID NOS 1, 3, 13, 19 and 22;

xvii) SEQ ID NOS 1, 4, 13, 19 and 22;

xviii) SEQ ID NOS 1,5, 13, 19 and 22;

xix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 13, 19 and 22;

xx) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 13, 19 and 22;

xxi) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 13, 19 and 22;

xxii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 14, 19 and 22;

xxiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 14, 19 and 22;

xxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 14, 19 and 22;

xxv) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 14, 19 and 22;

xxvi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 14, 19 and 22;

xxvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 14, 19 and 22; and

xxviii) SEQ ID NOS 1,8, 14, 19 and 22.

In one embodiment, the vector genome comprises in the 5 'to 3' direction a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

i) 1,2, 9, 13, 18 and 22;

ii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 13, 18 and 22;

iii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 13, 18 and 22;

iv) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 13, 18 and 22;

v) SEQ ID NO1, 6,9, 13, 18 and 22;

vi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 13, 18 and 22;

vii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 13, 18 and 22;

viii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 14, 18 and 22;

ix) SEQ ID NO1, 3,9, 14, 18 and 22;

x) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 14, 18 and 22;

xi) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 14, 18 and 22;

xii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 14, 18 and 22;

xiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 14, 18 and 22;

xiv) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 14, 18 and 22;

xv) SEQ ID NO1, 2, 9, 13, 19 and 22;

xvi) SEQ ID NOS 1, 3,9, 13, 19 and 22;

xvii) SEQ ID NOS 1, 4, 9, 13, 19 and 22;

xviii) SEQ ID NOS 1,5, 9, 13, 19 and 22;

xix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 13, 19 and 22;

xx) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 13, 19 and 22;

xxi) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 13, 19 and 22;

xxii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 14, 19 and 22;

xxiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 14, 19 and 22;

xxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 14, 19 and 22;

xxv) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 14, 19 and 22;

xxvi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 14, 19 and 22;

xxvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 14, 19 and 22; and

xxviii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 14, 19 and 22.

In some embodiments, the vector genome comprises in the 5 'to 3' direction a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

i) 1,2, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

ii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

iii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

iv) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

v) SEQ ID NO1, 6, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

vi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

vii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

viii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

ix) SEQ ID NO1, 3, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

x) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xi) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xiv) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xv) SEQ ID NO1, 2, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

xvi) SEQ ID NOS 1, 3, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

xvii) SEQ ID NOS 1, 4, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

xviii) SEQ ID NOS 1,5, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

xix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

xx) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

xxi) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

xxii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

xxiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

xxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

xxv) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

xxvi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

xxvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 14, 16, 19 and 22; and

xxviii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 14, 16, 19 and 22.

In one embodiment, the vector genome comprises in the 5 'to 3' direction a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

i) 1,2, 9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

ii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

iii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

iv) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

v) SEQ ID NO1, 6,9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

vi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

vii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

viii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

ix) SEQ ID NO1, 3,9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

x) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xi) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xiv) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xv) SEQ ID NO1, 2, 9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

xvi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

xvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

xviii) SEQ ID NOS 1,5, 9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

xix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

xx) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

xxi) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

xxii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

xxiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

xxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

xxv) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

xxvi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

xxvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 14, 16, 19 and 22; and

xxviii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 14, 16, 19 and 22.

In some embodiments, the vector comprises an adeno-associated virus (AAV) serotype 8,9, 2, or 5 capsid. In one embodiment, the AAV8 capsid comprises VP1, VP2, and VP3 amino acid sequences having greater than or about 90% identity to SEQ ID NOs 24, 25, and 26, respectively. In some embodiments, the AAV8 capsid is encoded by a nucleotide sequence having greater than or about 90% identity to SEQ ID No. 23. In one embodiment, the AAV9 capsid comprises VP1, VP2, and VP3 amino acid sequences having greater than or about 90% identity to SEQ ID NOs 28, 29, and 30, respectively. In some embodiments, the AAV9 capsid is encoded by a nucleotide sequence having greater than or about 90% identity to SEQ ID No. 27. In one embodiment, the AAV2 capsid comprises VP1, VP2, and VP3 amino acid sequences having greater than or about 90% identity to SEQ ID NOs 32, 33, and 34, respectively. In some embodiments, the AAV2 capsid is encoded by a nucleotide sequence having greater than or about 90% identity to SEQ ID No. 31. In one embodiment, the AAV5 capsid comprises VP1, VP2, and VP3 amino acid sequences having greater than or about 90% identity to SEQ ID NOs 36, 37, and 38, respectively. In some embodiments, the AAV5 capsid is encoded by a nucleotide sequence having greater than or about 90% identity to SEQ ID No. 35.

In another aspect, the disclosure provides compositions comprising the viral vectors described herein. In one embodiment, the composition further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. In some embodiments, the composition is for treating a subject having BCD, e.g., for improving vision in a subject having BCD.

Also provided herein is a method of expressing a heterologous CYP4V2 gene in a retinal cell, wherein the method comprises contacting the retinal cell with a viral vector described herein. In some embodiments, the retinal cells are RPE cells.

In another aspect, there is provided a method of treating a subject having Bietti Crystal Dystrophy (BCD), wherein the method comprises administering to the subject an effective amount of a composition comprising a viral vector as described herein, e.g., wherein the composition further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

In yet another aspect, there is provided a method of improving vision, improving visual function or functional vision, or inhibiting visual function or functional vision decline in a subject having BCD, wherein the method comprises administering to the subject an effective amount of a composition comprising a viral vector described herein, e.g., wherein the composition further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

In one aspect, there is provided a nucleic acid comprising a gene cassette, wherein the gene cassette comprises in the 5 'to 3' direction:

(i)5’ITR;

(ii) a promoter;

(iii) a recombinant nucleotide sequence comprising a CYP4V2 coding sequence;

(iv) a poly a signal sequence; and

(v)3’ITR。

in one embodiment, the nucleic acid comprising a gene cassette is a plasmid.

In some embodiments, the vector gene cassette comprises in the 5 'to 3' direction a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of seq id no:

i) 1,2, 13, 18 and 22;

ii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 13, 18 and 22;

iii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 13, 18 and 22;

iv) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 13, 18 and 22;

v) SEQ ID NO1, 6, 13, 18 and 22;

vi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 13, 18 and 22;

vii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 13, 18 and 22;

viii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 14, 18 and 22;

ix) SEQ ID NO1, 3, 14, 18 and 22;

x) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 14, 18 and 22;

xi) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 14, 18 and 22;

xii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 14, 18 and 22;

xiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 14, 18 and 22;

xiv) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 14, 18 and 22;

xv) SEQ ID NO1, 2, 13, 19 and 22;

xvi) SEQ ID NOS 1, 3, 13, 19 and 22;

xvii) SEQ ID NOS 1, 4, 13, 19 and 22;

xviii) SEQ ID NOS 1,5, 13, 19 and 22;

xix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 13, 19 and 22;

xx) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 13, 19 and 22;

xxi) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 13, 19 and 22;

xxii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 14, 19 and 22;

xxiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 14, 19 and 22;

xxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 14, 19 and 22;

xxv) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 14, 19 and 22;

xxvi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 14, 19 and 22;

xxvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 14, 19 and 22;

xxviii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 14, 19 and 22;

xxix) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 13, 18 and 22;

xxx) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 13, 18, and 22;

xxxi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 13, 18 and 22;

xxxii) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 13, 18 and 22;

xxxiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 13, 18, and 22;

xxxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 13, 18 and 22;

xxxv) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 13, 18 and 22;

xxxvi) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 14, 18 and 22;

xxxvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 14, 18 and 22;

xxxviii) SEQ ID NOS 1, 4, 9, 14, 18 and 22;

xxxix) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 14, 18 and 22;

xl) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 14, 18 and 22;

xli) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 14, 18 and 22;

xlii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 14, 18 and 22;

xliii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 13, 19 and 22;

xliv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 13, 19 and 22;

xlv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 13, 19 and 22;

xlvi) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 13, 19 and 22;

xlvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 13, 19 and 22;

xlviii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 13, 19 and 22;

xlix) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 13, 19 and 22;

l) SEQ ID NO1, 2, 9, 14, 19 and 22;

li) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 14, 19 and 22;

lii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 14, 19 and 22;

liii) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 14, 19 and 22;

liv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 14, 19 and 22;

lv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 14, 19 and 22;

lvi) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 14, 19 and 22;

lvii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lviii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lx) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

ixiii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxvi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxvii) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxviii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxx) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxxi) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxvi) SEQ ID NOS 1, 7, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxvi) SEQ ID NOS 1,8, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxviii) SEQ ID NOS: 1,2, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxx) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxxi) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxv) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxxxvi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxxxvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxxxviii) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxxxix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

xc) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

xci) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

xcii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xciii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xciv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xcv) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xcvi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xcvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xcviii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xcix) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

c) 1, 3,9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

ci) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

cii) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

ciii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

civ) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

cv) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

cvi) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

cvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

cviii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

cix) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

cx) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

cxi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 14, 16, 19 and 22; and

cxii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 14, 16, 19 and 22.

Definition of

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.

The term "capsid" refers to the protein outer shell of a virus or viral vector. The term "AAV capsid" refers to the protein coat of adeno-associated virus (AAV), which consists of a total of 60 subunits; each subunit is an amino acid sequence which may be viral protein 1(VP1), VP2 or VP3(Muzyczka N and Berns KI (2001), Chapter 69, Fields Virology [ Fisher Virology ]. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins [ Wilkins publishing Co. ]).

The term "gene cassette" refers to an operable segment of DNA that carries and is capable of expressing one or more genes or coding sequences of interest, e.g., between one or more sets of restriction sites, although a cross-border restriction site is not required. A gene cassette or a portion thereof can be transferred from one DNA sequence (typically in a plasmid vector) to another by using restriction enzymes to cut out the fragment and ligate it back into a new background, e.g., a new plasmid backbone.

The term "heterologous gene" or "heterologous nucleotide sequence" generally refers to a gene or nucleotide sequence that does not naturally occur in a virus. Alternatively, a heterologous gene or heterologous nucleotide sequence may refer to a viral sequence that is placed in a non-native environment (e.g., by association with a promoter not naturally associated with the virus).

The term "inverted terminal repeats" or "ITRs" refers to segments of nucleotide sequences present in adeno-associated virus (AAV) and/or recombinant adeno-associated viral vectors (rAAV) that can form T-shaped palindromes required to complete the lytic and latent life cycle of wild-type AAV (Muzyczka N and Berns KI (2001) chapter 69, Fields Virology [ fischer ] Lippincott Williams & Wilkins [ Wilkins publishing company ]). In rAAV, these sequences play a functional role in genomic packaging and second strand synthesis.

The term "operably linked" refers to a functional relationship between two or more polynucleotide (e.g., DNA) segments. Typically, the term refers to the functional relationship of a transcriptional regulatory sequence to a sequence to be transcribed. For example, a promoter or enhancer sequence is operably linked to a coding sequence if it stimulates or regulates the transcription of the coding sequence in an appropriate host cell or other expression system. Typically, promoter transcription regulatory sequences operably linked to the transcribable sequence are contiguous with the transcribable sequence, i.e., they are cis-acting. However, some transcriptional regulatory sequences, such as enhancers, need not be physically contiguous or located in close proximity to the coding sequence for which these transcriptional regulatory sequences enhance transcription.

As used herein, the term "percent sequence identity" refers to the degree of identity between any given query sequence and the subject sequence. The subject sequence typically has a length of about 80 to 250 percent of the length of the query sequence, e.g., 82, 85, 87, 89, 90, 93,95, 97, 99, 100, 105, 110, 115, or 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, 200, 210, 220, 230, 240, or 250 percent of the length of the query sequence. To determine the percent identity of two nucleotide sequences or two amino acid sequences, the sequences are aligned for optimal comparison purposes (e.g., gaps are introduced in one or both of the first amino acid and the second amino acid or the first nucleotide sequence and the second nucleotide sequence for optimal alignment, and non-homologous sequences may be omitted for comparison purposes). The nucleotides or amino acid residues at the corresponding nucleotide positions or amino acid positions are then compared. When a position in the first sequence is occupied by the same nucleotide or amino acid residue or nucleotide as the corresponding position in the second sequence, then the molecules are identical at that position (as used herein, nucleotide or amino acid "identity" is equivalent to nucleotide or amino acid "homology"). The percent identity between two sequences is a function of the number of identical positions shared by the sequences, which need to be introduced for optimal alignment of the two sequences, taking into account the number of gaps, and the length of each gap.

In another example, the percent identity of two amino acid sequences can be assessed as a function of the conservation of amino acid residues within the same family of amino acids (e.g., positively charged, negatively charged, polar and uncharged, hydrophobic) at corresponding positions in the two amino acid sequences (e.g., alanine residues instead of valine residues at specific positions in the two sequences show high levels of conservation, but arginine residues instead of aspartic acid residues at specific positions in the two sequences show low levels of conservation). For the purposes of the present invention, comparison of two sequences and determination of percent identity between two sequences can be accomplished using a Blosum 62 scoring matrix with a gap penalty of 12, a gap extension penalty of 4, and a frameshift gap penalty of 5.

The term "promoter" refers to a sequence that regulates the transcription of an operably linked gene or nucleotide sequence encoding a protein. Promoters provide sequences sufficient to direct transcription, as well as recognition sites for RNA polymerase and other transcription factors required for efficient transcription, and can direct cell-specific expression. In addition to sequences sufficient to direct transcription, the promoter sequences of the present invention may include sequences of other regulatory elements involved in regulating transcription (e.g., enhancers, minimal promoters, kozak sequences, and introns). Examples of promoters known in the art and useful in the viral vectors described herein include ubiquitous promoters, such as the CMV promoter (e.g., SEQ ID NO:2), the CBA promoter (e.g., SEQ ID NO:3), and the CAG promoter (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 4). Alternatively, RPE-specific promoters may be used for the preferential targeted expression of CYP4V2 in retinal RPE cells. Examples of RPE-specific promoters include the ProC2 promoter (e.g., SEQ ID NO:5) and the VMD2 promoter (SEQ ID NO: 6). In some embodiments, the CYP4V2 promoter (SEQ ID NO:7) or the RPE65 promoter (SEQ ID NO:8) can be used as an RPE-specific promoter. In addition, standard techniques for generating functional promoters by mixing and matching known regulatory elements are known in the art. "truncated promoters" may also be generated from promoter fragments or fragments by mixing and matching known regulatory elements.

The term "CYP 4V 2" refers to cytochrome P450 family 4 subfamily V member 2. The human CYP4V2 gene is found on chromosome 4 and its nucleotide coding sequence is shown, for example, in SEQ ID NO: 13. In one example, a codon-optimized sequence of the human CYP4V2 gene may be used. An example of such a codon-optimized CYP4V2 gene has the nucleotide coding sequence shown in SEQ ID NO. 14. The "CYP 4V2 gene product" is a protein encoded by the CYP4V2 gene. In one embodiment, an exemplary human CYP4V2 gene product has the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO. 15. In one embodiment, the CYP4V2 coding sequence encodes the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 15 or a functional variant or fragment thereof. Examples of CYP4V2 coding sequences and CYP4V2 gene products from other species (e.g., SEQ ID NOS: 39-50) can be found in Table 2. The term "CYP 4V2 coding sequence" or "CYP 4V2 gene CDS" or "CYP 4V2 CDS" refers to a nucleotide sequence encoding the CYP4V2 gene product. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the CYP4V2 coding sequence may include any nucleotide sequence encoding a CYP4V2 gene product or a functional variant or fragment thereof. In one embodiment, the CYP4V2 coding sequence encodes the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 15, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50 or a functional variant or fragment thereof. The CYP4V2 coding sequence may or may not include intermediate regulatory elements (e.g., introns, enhancers or other non-coding sequences).

The term "subject" includes both human and non-human animals. Non-human animals include all vertebrates (e.g., mammals and non-mammals) such as non-human primates (e.g., cynomolgus monkeys), mice, rats, sheep, dogs, cows, chickens, amphibians, and reptiles. Unless indicated otherwise, the terms "patient" or "subject" are used interchangeably herein.

As used herein, the term "treating" of any disease or disorder (e.g., BCD) refers to alleviating the disease or disorder, e.g., by slowing or arresting or reducing the development of the disease or at least one of its clinical symptoms. "treating" or "treatment" may also refer to alleviating or reducing at least one physical parameter, including those that are not discernible by the subject. "treating" or "treatment" may also refer to modulating a disease or disorder, either physically (e.g., stabilization of a discernible symptom) or physiologically (e.g., stabilization of a physical parameter), or both. More specifically, "treatment" of BCD means any measure that results in the improvement or maintenance of visual function, functional vision, retinal anatomy, and/or quality of life in a subject having BCD. As used herein, "treatment" may refer to any manner in which one or more symptoms of BCD are reduced or otherwise beneficially altered. As used herein, alleviation of BCD symptoms refers to any alleviation, whether permanent or temporary, persistent or transient, that can be attributed to or associated with treatment by the compositions and methods of the present invention. As used herein, "preventing" or "prevention" refers to preventing or delaying the onset or development or progression of a disease or disorder. "prevention" in relation to BCD refers to any measure that prevents or slows deterioration of visual function, functional vision, retinal anatomy, quality of life, and/or BCD disease parameters in a patient that has BCD and is at risk of deterioration, as described below. Methods for assessing treatment and/or prevention of a disease are known in the art and are described below.

The term "viral vector" is intended to refer to a non-wild-type recombinant viral particle (e.g., parvovirus, etc.) that serves as a gene delivery vehicle and comprises a recombinant viral genome packaged within a viral (e.g., AAV) capsid. A particular type of viral vector may be a "recombinant adeno-associated viral vector" or a "rAAV vector". The recombinant viral genome packaged in a viral vector is also referred to herein as a "vector genome".

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a micrograph showing the expression of ChR2d-eGFP in the slices of the posterior cup. Cups were isolated from PFA-fixed eyes, dissected into petals, and analyzed for eGFP fluorescence.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are graphs showing the mRNA expression level of ChR2d-eGFP measured by ddPCR. Fold changes in expression relative to TM073 were shown for both the posterior cup (fig. 2A) and the neural retina (fig. 2B). ChR2d-eGFP expression was normalized to Rab7 control expression for each sample.

FIG. 3 shows confocal images of NHP retinas infected with AAV-ProC 2-CatCh-GFP. Fig. 3A and 3B: retinal sections show CatCh-GFP (green or gray area in top gray image) and nuclear staining (Hoechst, white). FIG. 3C: confocal images of AAV-infected retinas (top view), CatCh-GFP (black). Fig. 3D and 3E: CatCh-GFP + cell density is quantified as a percentage of the density of the target cell type or cell class; values are mean ± s.e.m (from n ═ 10 confocal images). Quantification of AAV targeting specificity was shown as a percentage of the major (black) cell type in cells expressing the transgene. T, the quarter temporal retina; n, quarter of the nasal retina.

Detailed Description

The present disclosure is based in part on the following findings: expression of CYP4V2 from a recombinant adeno-associated viral vector (rAAV) with a selected combination of promoter, AAV genome, and capsid serotypes can provide robust and effective BCD treatment for subjects with mutations in the CYP4V2 gene, for example (table 1). Accordingly, the present disclosure provides recombinant viral vectors that direct the expression of the CYP4V2 coding sequence to the retina, viral vector compositions, plasmids for producing viral vectors, methods of delivering the CYP4V2 coding sequence to the retina, methods of expressing the CYP4V2 coding sequence in retinal RPE cells, and methods of using such viral vectors.

TABLE 1 BCD-associated CYP4V2 mutation

Unless otherwise indicated, recombinant parvoviral and rAAV vectors can be constructed using recombinant plasmids carrying viral gene cassettes, packaging plasmids expressing parvoviral rep and/or cap sequences, and transiently and stably transfected packaging cells using standard methods known to those skilled in the art. Such techniques are known to those skilled in the art. (e.g., Sambrook et al, MOLECULAR CLONING: A LABORATORY Manual 2nd Ed [ MOLECULAR CLONING: LABORATORY Manual 2nd edition ] (Cold Spring Harbor experiment, N.Y., 1989); Choi et al, Current protols IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY recent PROTOCOLS (2007)).

When the viral vector expresses a particular protein or activity, the one or more related genes need not be identical to one or more corresponding genes found in nature or disclosed herein. As long as the protein is functional, it may be used according to an aspect of the invention. One skilled in the art can readily determine whether the CYP4V2 coding sequence encodes a functional omega-hydroxylase by testing hydroxylase activity. Briefly, the protein of interest is mixed with fatty acids and other essential factors, and then incubated to allow hydroxylation to occur. The hydroxylated fatty acids can then be measured by mass spectrometry. See, for example, functional assays, as described in Drug Metab Dispos [ Drug metabolism and disposition ]37:2119-2122,2009, by Nakano et al. However, it is generally preferred to have very high sequence identity with the native protein. For example, large deletions (e.g., greater than about 50 amino acids) should generally be avoided in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention. Thus, the skilled practitioner will understand that the viral vector sequences of the present invention may differ from those described herein. In some embodiments, the viral nucleotide or amino acid sequence is greater than or about 80% identical to a sequence provided herein, e.g., greater than or about 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to a sequence provided herein.

In some embodiments, the sequence change is a conservative substitution. Such changes include the substitution of any of the hydrophobic amino acids with any of isoleucine (I), valine (V), and leucine (L); substitution of glutamic acid (E) with aspartic acid (D), and vice versa; (ii) substitution of asparagine (N) with glutamine (Q), and vice versa; threonine (T) is substituted with serine (S) and vice versa. Other substitutions may also be considered conservative, depending on the environment of a particular amino acid and its role in the three-dimensional structure of the protein. For example, glycine (G) and alanine (A) are often interchangeable, as are alanine (A) and valine (V). Methionine (M), which is relatively hydrophobic, can often be exchanged for leucine and isoleucine, and sometimes for valine. Lysine (K) and arginine (R) are often interchanged in the position of their charge in a significant feature of the amino acid residue and the pK differences of these two amino acid residues are not significant. Other changes may also be considered "conservative" in certain circumstances (see, e.g., Table III of US 20110201052; pages 13-15, "Biochemistry" 2nd Ed [ Biochemistry 2nd edition ]. Stryer edition (Stanford university); Henikoff et al, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA [ Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA ]89: 10915-.

Viral vectors

The present invention relates to viral vectors that direct expression of heterologous genes to the retina. In certain aspects of the invention, expression is directed preferentially to RPE cells of the retina. A variety of viral vectors known in the art can be used in the present invention by those skilled in the art, for example, recombinant adeno-associated viruses, recombinant adenoviruses, recombinant retroviruses, recombinant poxviruses, and recombinant baculoviruses.

In particular, it is contemplated that the viral vectors of the present invention may be recombinant adeno-associated (rAAV) vectors. AAV is a small single-stranded DNA virus that requires a helper virus to promote efficient replication (Muzyczka N and Berns KI (2001), Chapter 69, Fields Virology [ Fisher Virology ]. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins [ Wilkins publishing Co. ]). The viral vector comprises a vector genome and a protein capsid. Viral vector capsids may be provided by any AAV serotype known in the art, including currently identified human and non-human AAV serotypes and yet unidentified AAV serotypes (see, e.g., Choi et al, Curr Gene Ther [ Current Gene therapy ]5:299- 0171262, respectively; 2009/0215879, respectively; 2010/0297177, respectively; 2010/0203083, respectively; 2009/0317417, respectively; 2009/0202490, respectively; 2012/0220492, respectively; 2006/0292117, respectively; and 2004/0002159; european publication No. 2692731 Al; 2383346 Bl; 2359865 Bl; 2359866 Bl; 2359867 Bl; and 2357010 Bl; 1791858 Bl; 1668143 Bl; 1660678 Bl; 1664314 Bl; 1496944 Bl; 1456383 Bl; 2341068 Bl; 2338900 Bl; 1456419 Bl; 1310571 Bl; 1456383 Bl; 1633772 Bl; and 1135468 Bl; and PCT publication No. WO 2014/124282; WO 2013/170078; WO 2014/160092; WO 2014/103957; WO 2014/052789; WO 2013/174760; WO 2013/123503; WO 2011/038187; WO 2008/124015; and WO 2003/054197).

For the purposes of this disclosure, AAV refers to the virus itself and derivatives thereof. Unless otherwise indicated, the term refers to all subtypes or serotypes, as well as replicative and recombinant forms. The term "AAV" includes, but is not limited to, AAV type 1(AAV1), AAV type 2(AAV2), AAV type 3A (AAV3A), AAV type 3B (AAV3B), AAV type 4 (AAV4), AAV type 5 (AAV5), AAV type 6 (AAV6), AAV type 7(AAV 7), AAV type 8(AAV 8), AAV type 9 (AAV9), AAV type 10 (AAV10 or AAVrh10), avian AAV, bovine AAV, canine AAV, goat AAV, equine AAV, primate AAV, non-primate AAV, and ovine AAV. "Primate AAV" refers to AAV infecting primates, "non-primate AAV" refers to AAV infecting non-primate mammals, and "bovine AAV" refers to AAV infecting bovine mammals, and the like.

The genomic sequences of various serotypes of AAV, as well as the natural Inverted Terminal Repeat (ITR) sequences, the sequences of the Rep proteins and capsid subunits are known in the art. Such sequences can be found in the literature or in public databases such as GenBank. See, e.g., GenBank accession nos. NC _002077.1(AAV1), AF063497.1(AAV1), NC _001401.2(AAV2), AF043303.1(AAV2), J01901.1(AAV2), U48704.1(AAV3A), NC _001729.1(AAV3A), AF028705.1(AAV3B), nc.001829.1(AAV4), U89790.1(AAV4), NC _006152.1(AA5), AF085716.1(AAV-5), AF028704.1(AAV6), NC 006260.1(AAV7), AF513851.1(AAV7), AF513852.1(AAV8) NC 006261.1(AAV8), AY530579.1(AAV9), AAT46337(AAV10), and AAO88208 (aah 10); the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference to teach AAV nucleic acid and amino acid sequences. See also, for example, Srivastava et al, J Virol [ J. Virol. ].45: 555-; chiorini et al, J Virol [ J. Virol ]71:6823-6833, 1998; chiorini et al, J Virol [ J. Virol ]73:1309-1319, 1999; Bantel-Schaal et al, J Virol [ J. Virol ]73:939-947, 1999; xiao et al, J Virol [ J. Virol ]73:3994-4003, 1999; muramatsu et al, Virology 221:208-217, 1996; shade et al, J Virol [ J. Virol ]58:921-936, 1986; gao et al, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA [ Proc Natl Acad Sci USA ]99:11854-11859, 2002; PCT publication nos. WO 00/28061, WO 99/61601, and WO 98/11244; and U.S. patent No. 6,156,303.

The viral capsids can be mixed and matched with other vector components to form a hybrid pseudotyped viral vector, e.g., the ITRs and capsids of the viral vector can be from different AAV serotypes. In one aspect, the ITRs can be from AAV2 serotype, while the capsid is from, for example, AAV8, AAV9, AAV2, or AAV5 serotype. Furthermore, one skilled in the art will recognize that the vector capsid can also be a mosaic capsid (e.g., a capsid composed of a mixture of capsid proteins from different serotypes), or even a chimeric capsid (e.g., a capsid protein containing foreign or unrelated protein sequences for generating markers and/or altering tissue tropism). It is contemplated that the viral vectors of the invention may comprise an AAV8 capsid (e.g., SEQ ID NOS: 24, 25, and 26, encoded by, e.g., SEQ ID NO: 23). It is also contemplated that the viral vectors of the invention may comprise an AAV9 capsid (e.g., SEQ ID NOS: 28, 29, and 30, encoded by, for example, SEQ ID NO: 27). It is also contemplated that the viral vectors of the invention may comprise an AAV2 capsid (e.g., SEQ ID NOS: 32, 33, and 34, encoded by, e.g., SEQ ID NO: 31). It is further contemplated that the invention may include AAV5 capsids (e.g., SEQ ID NOS: 36, 37, and 38, encoded by, for example, SEQ ID NO: 35).

In one aspect, the AAV is a self-complementary adeno-associated virus (scAAV).

In other particular aspects, the vector genome, e.g., single-stranded vector genome, has a length of greater than or about 4.1kb and less than or about 4.9kb, e.g., greater than or about 4.2kb and less than or about 4.9kb, greater than or about 4.3kb and less than or about 4.9kb, greater than or about 4.5kb and less than or about 4.9kb, greater than or about 4.6kb and less than or about 4.9kb, greater than or about 4.7kb and less than or about 4.9kb, greater than or about 4.8kb and less than or about 4.9kb, greater than or about 4.1kb and less than or about 4.8kb, greater than or about 4.1kb and less than or about 4.7kb, greater than or about 4.1kb and less than or about 4.6kb, greater than or about 4.1kb and less than or about 4.5kb, greater than or about 4.1kb and less than or about 4.7kb, greater than or about 4kb and less than or about 4.4kb and less than or about 4kb, greater than or about 4.4kb and less than or about 4.6kb, greater than or about 4kb, greater than or about 4.1kb and less than or about 4.5kb, greater than or about 4.4kb, greater than or about 4.1kb and less than or about 4.4kb, or less than or about 4kb, or less than or about 4.4.1 kb, or less than or about 4.8kb, or less than or about 4.4.7 kb, or about 4kb, or about 4.4kb, or about 4.8kb, or less than or about 4.4kb, or about 4.1kb, or about 4.4kb, or less than or about 4.4.4.1 kb, or about 4.7kb, or less than or about 4.4kb, or less than or about 4kb, or less than or about 4.4.4.4 kb, or about 4.4kb, or about 4.8kb, or less than or about 4kb, or about 4.8kb, or about 4kb, or less than or about 4kb, or about 4.8kb, or less than or about 4.4.8 kb, or less than or about 4.8kb, or about 4.1kb, or less than or about 4.4.4.4.4.1 kb, or less than or about 4.7kb, or less than or about 4.8kb, or about 4.4.4.4.4.8 kb, or less than or about 4.8kb, or about 4.4.7 kb, or about 4.8kb, or less than or about 4.1kb, or, Greater than or about 4.4kb and less than or about 4.6kb, about 4.1kb, about 4.2kb, about 4.3kb, about 4.4kb, about 4.5kb, about 4.6kb, about 4.7kb, about 4.8kb, or about 4.9 kb.

In certain aspects, the invention relates to a vector genome, e.g., a single stranded vector genome, comprising in the 5 'to 3' direction: (i) a5 'ITR, (ii) a promoter, (iii) a recombinant nucleotide sequence comprising a CYP4V2 coding sequence, (iv) a polyadenylation (poly a) signal sequence, and (V) a 3' ITR. In certain aspects of the invention, a vector genome, e.g., a single-stranded vector genome, comprises in the 5 'to 3' direction: (i) a5 'ITR, (ii) a promoter, (iii) an intron, (iv) a recombinant nucleotide sequence comprising a CYP4V2 coding sequence, (V) a poly A signal sequence, and (vi) a 3' ITR. In some embodiments, a vector genome, e.g., a single-stranded vector genome, comprises in the 5 'to 3' direction: (i) a5 'ITR, (ii) a promoter, (iii) a recombinant nucleotide sequence comprising a CYP4V2 coding sequence, (iv) a regulatory element, (V) a poly A signal sequence, and (vi) a 3' ITR. In certain aspects of the invention, a vector genome, e.g., a single-stranded vector genome, comprises in the 5 'to 3' direction: (i) a5 'ITR, (ii) a promoter, (iii) an intron, (iv) a recombinant nucleotide sequence comprising a CYP4V2 coding sequence, (V) a regulatory element, (vi) a poly A signal sequence, and (vii) a 3' ITR. An element of a vector may have a sequence that is greater than or about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to a sequence described in table 2.

TABLE 2 nucleotide and amino acid sequences of viral vector elements

In some embodiments, the 5 'and 3' ITRs comprise about 130 to about 145 nucleotides, respectively. The ITRs are required for efficient amplification of the AAV genome, and the symmetrical nature of these sequences confers their ability to form hairpins, facilitating what is known as self-priming, allowing the second DNA strand to be synthesized independently of the primase. It is contemplated that 5 'and 3' ITRs of AAV2 serotypes can be used (e.g., nucleotide sequences having greater than or about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identity to SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 22, respectively). In other aspects, as described herein, ITRs from other suitable serotypes can be selected from any AAV serotype known in the art, e.g., ITRs can be from AAV8, AAV9, or AAV 5. These ITR or other AAV components can be readily isolated from any known AAV serotype or serotypes not yet identified using those skilled in the art, for example, AAV sequences can be synthetic or obtained by other suitable means through sequences disclosed in references or databases (e.g., GenBank, PubMed, etc.). Alternatively, such AAV components may also be isolated or obtained from academic, commercial, or public sources (e.g., American Type Culture Collection, manassas, va).

In some embodiments, the 5 'or 3' ITR region of an AAV vector is mutated to form a Δ ITR, e.g., by deleting/mutating the terminal resolution site (trs), and the resulting AAV genome is made self-complementary (sc) by forming a dimeric inverted repeat DNA molecule. In one embodiment, the Δ ITR sequence comprises SEQ ID NO 54. Additional Δ ITR sequences are known in the art, and are described, for example, in Wang et al, in Gene Therapy [ Gene Therapy ],2003,10: 2105-2111; McCarty et al, Gene Therapy [ Gene Therapy ],2003,10: 2112-2118; and McCarty et al, Gene Therapy, 2001,8: 1248-.

In certain embodiments, the promoter can be a ubiquitous promoter, for example, a CMV promoter, a CBA promoter, or a CAG promoter. For example, the CMV promoter can have a nucleotide sequence that is greater than or about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID No. 2, the CBA promoter can have a nucleotide sequence that is greater than or about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID No. 3, and the CAG promoter can have a nucleotide sequence that is greater than or about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID No. 4. Alternatively, RPE-specific promoters may be used for targeted expression of CYP4V2 preferentially in RPE cells of the retina (e.g., human RPE cells). Examples of RPE-specific promoters include ProC2 promoter, VMD2 promoter, CYP4V2 promoter, and RPE65 promoter. For example, the ProC2 promoter can have a nucleotide sequence that is greater than or about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID No. 5. In one embodiment, the VMD2 promoter may have a nucleotide sequence that is greater than or about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID No. 6. In some embodiments, the CYP4V2 promoter can have a nucleotide sequence with greater than or about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identity to SEQ ID NO:7 or a fragment thereof (e.g., a fragment of 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, or 900 nucleotides of SEQ ID NO: 7). In certain embodiments, the RPE65 promoter may have a nucleotide sequence that is greater than or about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID No. 8.

In some embodiments, the AAV vector genome comprises a promoter operably linked to a recombinant nucleotide sequence comprising a CYP4V2 coding sequence, wherein the promoter can target expression of CYP4V2 in a retinal cell, such as a non-human primate or human retinal cell, and the promoter is selected from the group consisting of table 3 below:

TABLE 3 nucleic acid sequence of retinal specific promoter

Each of the above references is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

In one embodiment, the AAV vector genome comprises a promoter operably linked to a recombinant nucleotide sequence comprising a CYP4V2 coding sequence, wherein the promoter comprises a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of: 55-80 of SEQ ID NO. The promoter may be targeted to expression of CYP4V2 in retinal cells (e.g., non-human primate or human retinal cells).

In some embodiments, a vector genome, e.g., a single stranded vector genome, may comprise an intron sequence. For example, the intron can be a human growth hormone (hGH) intron, a simian virus 40(SV40) intron, or a human β -gobin intron, e.g., a nucleotide sequence having greater than or about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identity to SEQ ID NOs 9, 10, or 11, respectively.

In one embodiment, the vector genome, e.g., a single stranded vector genome, comprises a recombinant nucleotide sequence comprising a CYP4V2 coding sequence, e.g., human CYP4V2 coding sequence. The CYP4V2 coding sequence may have a nucleotide sequence with greater than or about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identity to SEQ ID NO 13, 14, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, or 49. In a particular embodiment, the vector genome comprises a recombinant nucleotide sequence comprising a CYP4V2 coding sequence having greater than or about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identity to SEQ ID No. 14.

In addition, the vector genome, e.g., a single stranded vector genome, may comprise regulatory elements operably linked to a heterologous CYP4V2 gene. Regulatory elements may include appropriate transcription initiation, termination and enhancer sequences, effective RNA processing signals, such as splicing signals; sequences that stabilize cytoplasmic mRNA; sequences that enhance translation efficiency; sequences that enhance protein stability; and, when desired, sequences that enhance secretion of the encoded product. Many regulatory sequences are known in the art and can be utilized. Regulatory element sequences of the invention include those described in table 2, e.g., hepatitis b virus regulatory element (HPRE) and woodchuck hepatitis virus regulatory element (WPRE), which may have nucleotide sequences with greater than or about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identity to SEQ ID NOs 16 and 17, respectively.

In one embodiment, the vector genome, e.g., single stranded vector genome, comprises a poly a signal sequence. The poly a signal sequences of the present invention include those set forth in table 2, e.g., the bovine growth hormone (bGH) poly a signal sequence and the simian virus 40(SV40) poly a signal sequence, which may have nucleotide sequences with greater than or about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identity to SEQ ID NOs 18 and 19, respectively. In a particular embodiment, the vector genome comprises a bGH poly a signal sequence, which may have a nucleotide sequence that is greater than or about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID No. 18.

Thus, in one aspect, the invention relates to a vector genome, e.g. a single stranded vector genome, comprising in the 5 'to 3' direction: (i)5 'ITRs (e.g., SEQ ID NO:1), (ii) promoters (e.g., SEQ ID NO:2, 3, 4,5, 6,7, or 8), (iii) recombinant nucleotide sequences comprising a CYP4V2 coding sequence (e.g., SEQ ID NO:13, 14, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, or 49), (iv) poly A signal sequences (e.g., SEQ ID NO:18 or 19), and (V) 3' ITRs (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 22). In certain aspects of the invention, a vector genome, e.g., a single-stranded vector genome, comprises in the 5 'to 3' direction: (i)5 'ITRs (e.g., SEQ ID NO:1), (ii) promoters (e.g., SEQ ID NO:2, 3, 4,5, 6,7, or 8), (iii) introns (e.g., SEQ ID NO:9, 10, or 11), (iv) recombinant nucleotide sequences comprising a CYP4V2 coding sequence (e.g., SEQ ID NO:13, 14, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, or 49), (V) poly A signal sequences (e.g., SEQ ID NO:18 or 19), and (vi) 3' ITRs (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 22). In some embodiments, a vector genome, e.g., a single-stranded vector genome, comprises in the 5 'to 3' direction: (i)5 'ITRs (e.g., SEQ ID NO:1), (ii) promoters (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 2,3, 4,5, 6,7, or 8), (iii) recombinant nucleotide sequences comprising a CYP4V2 coding sequence (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 13, 14, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, or 49), (iv) regulatory elements (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 16 or 17), (V) poly a signal sequences (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 18 or 19), and (vi) 3' ITRs (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 22). In certain aspects of the invention, a vector genome, e.g., a single-stranded vector genome, comprises in the 5 'to 3' direction: (i)5 'ITR (e.g., SEQ ID NO:1), (ii) promoter (e.g., SEQ ID NO:2, 3, 4,5, 6,7, or 8), (iii) intron (e.g., SEQ ID NO:9, 10, or 11), (iv) recombinant nucleotide sequence comprising CYP4V2 coding sequence (e.g., SEQ ID NO:13, 14, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, or 49), (V) regulatory element (e.g., SEQ ID NO:15 or 17), (vi) poly A signal sequence (e.g., SEQ ID NO:18 or 19), and (vii) 3' ITR (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 22).

In some embodiments, the vector genome, e.g., single stranded vector genome, may further comprise a stuffer polynucleotide sequence. The stuffer polynucleotide sequence may be located at any desired position in the vector sequence such that it does not prevent the function or activity of the vector. In one aspect, the filler polynucleotide sequence is located between the poly a signal sequence and the 3' ITR. Typically, the stuffer polynucleotide sequence is inert or harmless and has no function or activity. In various particular aspects, the filler polynucleotide sequence is not a bacterial polynucleotide sequence; the filler polynucleotide sequence is not a protein or peptide encoding sequence; and the filler polynucleotide sequence is different from the ITR sequence, the promoter, the recombinant nucleotide sequence comprising the CYP4V2 coding sequence, and the poly a signal sequence. In some embodiments, the stuffer sequence may be a nucleotide sequence having greater than or about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identity to SEQ ID NO 20 or 21. In other various aspects, the length of the filler polynucleotide sequence is between about 1-10, 10-20, 20-30, 30-40, 40-50, 50-60, 60-75, 75-100, 100-150, 150-200, 200-250, 250-300, 300-400, 400-500, 500-750, 750-1,000, 1,000-1,500, 1,500-2,000, 2,000-2,500, or 2,500-3,000 nucleotides.

Thus, in certain embodiments, a vector genome, e.g., a single-stranded vector genome, comprises in the 5 'to 3' direction: (i)5 'ITRs (e.g., SEQ ID NO:1), (ii) promoters (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 2,3, 4,5, 6,7, or 8), (iii) recombinant nucleotide sequences comprising a CYP4V2 coding sequence (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 13, 14, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, or 49), (iv) poly a signal sequences (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 18 or 19), (V) stuffer sequences (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 20 or 21), and (vi) 3' ITRs (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 22). In certain aspects of the invention, a vector genome, e.g., a single-stranded vector genome, comprises in the 5 'to 3' direction: (i)5 'ITR (e.g., SEQ ID NO:1), (ii) promoter (e.g., SEQ ID NO:2, 3, 4,5, 6,7, or 8), (iii) intron (e.g., SEQ ID NO:9, 10, or 11), (iv) recombinant nucleotide sequence comprising CYP4V2 coding sequence (e.g., SEQ ID NO:13, 14, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, or 49), (V) poly A signal sequence (e.g., SEQ ID NO:18 or 19), (vi) stuffer sequence (e.g., SEQ ID NO:20 or 21), and (vii) 3' ITR (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 22). In some embodiments, a vector genome, e.g., a single-stranded vector genome, comprises in the 5 'to 3' direction: (i)5 'ITRs (e.g., SEQ ID NO:1), (ii) promoters (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 2,3, 4,5, 6,7, or 8), (iii) recombinant nucleotide sequences comprising a CYP4V2 coding sequence (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 13, 14, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, or 49), (iv) regulatory elements (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 16 or 17), (V) poly a signal sequences (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 18 or 19), (vi) stuffer sequences (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 20 or 21), and (vii) 3' ITRs (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 22). In certain aspects of the invention, a vector genome, e.g., a single-stranded vector genome, comprises in the 5 'to 3' direction: (i)5 'ITRs (e.g., SEQ ID NO:1), (ii) promoters (e.g., SEQ ID NO:2, 3, 4,5, 6,7, or 8), (iii) introns (e.g., SEQ ID NO:9, 10, or 11), (iv) recombinant nucleotide sequences comprising a CYP4V2 coding sequence (e.g., SEQ ID NO:13, 14, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, or 49), (V) regulatory elements (e.g., SEQ ID NO:16 or 17), (vi) poly A signal sequences (e.g., SEQ ID NO:18 or 19), (vii) stuffer sequences (e.g., SEQ ID NO:20 or 21), and (viii) 3' ITRs (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 22).

In some embodiments, the vector genome, e.g., single stranded vector genome, may further comprise a kozak sequence. The kozak sequence is a sequence that occurs on eukaryotic mRNA, has a common (gcc) gccRccAUGG sequence, and plays a role in the initiation of the translation process. The kozak sequence may be located immediately upstream of the recombinant nucleotide sequence comprising the CYP4V2 coding sequence. In some embodiments, the kozak sequence is GCCACC (SEQ ID NO: 12). Alternatively, the vector genome, e.g., single-stranded vector genome, comprises the kozak sequence of GCCGCC (SEQ ID NO:51), GACACC (SEQ ID NO:52), or GCCACG (SEQ ID NO: 53).

In certain aspects of the invention, the viral vector comprises an AAV8 capsid comprising VP1, VP2, and VP3 amino acid sequences that are greater than or about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NOs 24, 25, and 26, respectively, encoded by, for example, a nucleotide sequence that is greater than or about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID No. 23 and a vector genome comprising, in the 5 'to 3' direction, a nucleotide sequence that is greater than or about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to one of the following nucleotide sequences:

i) 1,2, 13, 18 and 22;

ii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 13, 18 and 22;

iii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 13, 18 and 22;

iv) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 13, 18 and 22;

v) SEQ ID NO1, 6, 13, 18 and 22;

vi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 13, 18 and 22;

vii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 13, 18 and 22;

viii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 14, 18 and 22;

ix) SEQ ID NO1, 3, 14, 18 and 22;

x) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 14, 18 and 22;

xi) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 14, 18 and 22;

xii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 14, 18 and 22;

xiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 14, 18 and 22;

xiv) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 14, 18 and 22;

xv) SEQ ID NO1, 2, 13, 19 and 22;

xvi) SEQ ID NOS 1, 3, 13, 19 and 22;

xvii) SEQ ID NOS 1, 4, 13, 19 and 22;

xviii) SEQ ID NOS 1,5, 13, 19 and 22;

xix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 13, 19 and 22;

xx) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 13, 19 and 22;

xxi) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 13, 19 and 22;

xxii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 14, 19 and 22;

xxiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 14, 19 and 22;

xxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 14, 19 and 22;

xxv) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 14, 19 and 22;

xxvi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 14, 19 and 22;

xxvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 14, 19 and 22;

xxviii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 14, 19 and 22;

xxix) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 13, 18 and 22;

xxx) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 13, 18, and 22;

xxxi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 13, 18 and 22;

xxxii) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 13, 18 and 22;

xxxiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 13, 18, and 22;

xxxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 13, 18 and 22;

xxxv) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 13, 18 and 22;

xxxvi) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 14, 18 and 22;

xxxvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 14, 18 and 22;

xxxviii) SEQ ID NOS 1, 4, 9, 14, 18 and 22;

xxxix) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 14, 18 and 22;

xl) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 14, 18 and 22;

xli) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 14, 18 and 22;

xlii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 14, 18 and 22;

xliii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 13, 19 and 22;

xliv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 13, 19 and 22;

xlv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 13, 19 and 22;

xlvi) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 13, 19 and 22;

xlvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 13, 19 and 22;

xlviii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 13, 19 and 22;

xlix) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 13, 19 and 22;

l) SEQ ID NO1, 2, 9, 14, 19 and 22;

li) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 14, 19 and 22;

lii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 14, 19 and 22;

liii) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 14, 19 and 22;

liv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 14, 19 and 22;

lv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 14, 19 and 22;

lvi) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 14, 19 and 22;

lvii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lviii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lx) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

ixiii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxvi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxvii) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxviii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxx) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxxi) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxvi) SEQ ID NOS 1, 7, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxvi) SEQ ID NOS 1,8, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxviii) SEQ ID NOS: 1,2, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxx) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxxi) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxv) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxxxvi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxxxvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxxxviii) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxxxix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

xc) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

xci) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

xcii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xciii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xciv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xcv) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xcvi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xcvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xcviii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xcix) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

c) 1, 3,9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

ci) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

cii) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

ciii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

civ) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

cv) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

cvi) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

cvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

cviii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

cix) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

cx) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

cxi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 14, 16, 19 and 22; and

cxii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 14, 16, 19 and 22.

In some embodiments, the vector genome comprises, in the 5 'to 3' direction, a nucleotide sequence that is greater than or about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to: 1,5, 14, 18 and 22; 1,5, 9, 14, 18 and 22; 1,5, 14, 16, 18 and 22; or SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 14, 16, 18 and 22. In certain embodiments, the AAV8 capsid may comprise a sub-combination of capsid proteins VP1, VP2, and/or VP 3.

It is contemplated that the viral vectors of the invention may comprise an AAV9 capsid comprising VP1, VP2, and VP3 amino acid sequences that are greater than or about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NOs 28, 29, and 30, respectively, encoded by, for example, a nucleotide sequence that is greater than or about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID No. 27 and a vector genome comprising in the 5 'to 3' direction a nucleotide sequence that is greater than or about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to one of the following nucleotide sequences:

i) 1,2, 13, 18 and 22;

ii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 13, 18 and 22;

iii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 13, 18 and 22;

iv) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 13, 18 and 22;

v) SEQ ID NO1, 6, 13, 18 and 22;

vi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 13, 18 and 22;

vii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 13, 18 and 22;

viii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 14, 18 and 22;

ix) SEQ ID NO1, 3, 14, 18 and 22;

x) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 14, 18 and 22;

xi) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 14, 18 and 22;

xii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 14, 18 and 22;

xiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 14, 18 and 22;

xiv) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 14, 18 and 22;

xv) SEQ ID NO1, 2, 13, 19 and 22;

xvi) SEQ ID NOS 1, 3, 13, 19 and 22;

xvii) SEQ ID NOS 1, 4, 13, 19 and 22;

xviii) SEQ ID NOS 1,5, 13, 19 and 22;

xix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 13, 19 and 22;

xx) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 13, 19 and 22;

xxi) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 13, 19 and 22;

xxii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 14, 19 and 22;

xxiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 14, 19 and 22;

xxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 14, 19 and 22;

xxv) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 14, 19 and 22;

xxvi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 14, 19 and 22;

xxvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 14, 19 and 22;

xxviii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 14, 19 and 22;

xxix) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 13, 18 and 22;

xxx) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 13, 18, and 22;

xxxi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 13, 18 and 22;

xxxii) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 13, 18 and 22;

xxxiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 13, 18, and 22;

xxxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 13, 18 and 22;

xxxv) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 13, 18 and 22;

xxxvi) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 14, 18 and 22;

xxxvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 14, 18 and 22;

xxxviii) SEQ ID NOS 1, 4, 9, 14, 18 and 22;

xxxix) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 14, 18 and 22;

xl) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 14, 18 and 22;

xli) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 14, 18 and 22;

xlii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 14, 18 and 22;

xliii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 13, 19 and 22;

xliv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 13, 19 and 22;

xlv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 13, 19 and 22;

xlvi) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 13, 19 and 22;

xlvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 13, 19 and 22;

xlviii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 13, 19 and 22;

xlix) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 13, 19 and 22;

l) SEQ ID NO1, 2, 9, 14, 19 and 22;

li) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 14, 19 and 22;

lii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 14, 19 and 22;

liii) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 14, 19 and 22;

liv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 14, 19 and 22;

lv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 14, 19 and 22;

lvi) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 14, 19 and 22;

lvii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lviii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lx) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

ixiii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxvi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxvii) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxviii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxx) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxxi) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxvi) SEQ ID NOS 1, 7, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxvi) SEQ ID NOS 1,8, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxviii) SEQ ID NOS: 1,2, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxx) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxxi) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxv) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxxxvi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxxxvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxxxviii) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxxxix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

xc) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

xci) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

xcii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xciii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xciv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xcv) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xcvi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xcvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xcviii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xcix) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

c) 1, 3,9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

ci) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

cii) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

ciii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

civ) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

cv) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

cvi) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

cvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

cviii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

cix) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

cx) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

cxi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 14, 16, 19 and 22; and

cxii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 14, 16, 19 and 22.

In some embodiments, the vector genome comprises, in the 5 'to 3' direction, a nucleotide sequence that is greater than or about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to: 1,5, 14, 18 and 22; 1,5, 9, 14, 18 and 22; 1,5, 14, 16, 18 and 22; or SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 14, 16, 18 and 22. In certain embodiments, the AAV9 capsid may comprise a sub-combination of capsid proteins VP1, VP2, and/or VP 3.

In certain aspects of the invention, the viral vector comprises an AAV2 capsid comprising VP1, VP2, and VP3 amino acid sequences that are greater than or about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NOs 32, 33, and 34, respectively, encoded by, for example, a nucleotide sequence that is greater than or about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID No. 31 and a vector genome comprising, in the 5 'to 3' direction, a nucleotide sequence that is greater than or about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to one of the following nucleotide sequences:

i) 1,2, 13, 18 and 22;

ii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 13, 18 and 22;

iii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 13, 18 and 22;

iv) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 13, 18 and 22;

v) SEQ ID NO1, 6, 13, 18 and 22;

vi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 13, 18 and 22;

vii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 13, 18 and 22;

viii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 14, 18 and 22;

ix) SEQ ID NO1, 3, 14, 18 and 22;

x) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 14, 18 and 22;

xi) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 14, 18 and 22;

xii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 14, 18 and 22;

xiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 14, 18 and 22;

xiv) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 14, 18 and 22;

xv) SEQ ID NO1, 2, 13, 19 and 22;

xvi) SEQ ID NOS 1, 3, 13, 19 and 22;

xvii) SEQ ID NOS 1, 4, 13, 19 and 22;

xviii) SEQ ID NOS 1,5, 13, 19 and 22;

xix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 13, 19 and 22;

xx) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 13, 19 and 22;

xxi) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 13, 19 and 22;

xxii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 14, 19 and 22;

xxiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 14, 19 and 22;

xxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 14, 19 and 22;

xxv) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 14, 19 and 22;

xxvi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 14, 19 and 22;

xxvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 14, 19 and 22;

xxviii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 14, 19 and 22;

xxix) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 13, 18 and 22;

xxx) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 13, 18, and 22;

xxxi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 13, 18 and 22;

xxxii) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 13, 18 and 22;

xxxiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 13, 18, and 22;

xxxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 13, 18 and 22;

xxxv) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 13, 18 and 22;

xxxvi) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 14, 18 and 22;

xxxvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 14, 18 and 22;

xxxviii) SEQ ID NOS 1, 4, 9, 14, 18 and 22;

xxxix) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 14, 18 and 22;

xl) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 14, 18 and 22;

xli) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 14, 18 and 22;

xlii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 14, 18 and 22;

xliii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 13, 19 and 22;

xliv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 13, 19 and 22;

xlv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 13, 19 and 22;

xlvi) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 13, 19 and 22;

xlvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 13, 19 and 22;

xlviii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 13, 19 and 22;

xlix) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 13, 19 and 22;

l) SEQ ID NO1, 2, 9, 14, 19 and 22;

li) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 14, 19 and 22;

lii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 14, 19 and 22;

liii) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 14, 19 and 22;

liv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 14, 19 and 22;

lv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 14, 19 and 22;

lvi) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 14, 19 and 22;

lvii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lviii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lx) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

ixiii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxvi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxvii) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxviii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxx) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxxi) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxvi) SEQ ID NOS 1, 7, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxvi) SEQ ID NOS 1,8, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxviii) SEQ ID NOS: 1,2, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxx) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxxi) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxv) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxxxvi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxxxvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxxxviii) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxxxix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

xc) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

xci) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

xcii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xciii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xciv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xcv) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xcvi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xcvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xcviii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xcix) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

c) 1, 3,9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

ci) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

cii) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

ciii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

civ) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

cv) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

cvi) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

cvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

cviii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

cix) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

cx) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

cxi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 14, 16, 19 and 22; and

cxii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 14, 16, 19 and 22.

In some embodiments, the vector genome comprises, in the 5 'to 3' direction, a nucleotide sequence that is greater than or about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to: 1,5, 14, 18 and 22; 1,5, 9, 14, 18 and 22; 1,5, 14, 16, 18 and 22; or SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 14, 16, 18 and 22. In certain embodiments, the AAV2 capsid may comprise a sub-combination of capsid proteins VP1, VP2, and/or VP 3.

In certain aspects of the invention, the viral vector comprises an AAV5 capsid comprising VP1, VP2, and VP3 amino acid sequences that are greater than or about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NOs 36, 37, and 38, respectively, encoded by, for example, a nucleotide sequence that is greater than or about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID No. 35 and a vector genome comprising in the 5 'to 3' direction a nucleotide sequence that is greater than or about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to one of the following nucleotide sequences:

i) 1,2, 13, 18 and 22;

ii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 13, 18 and 22;

iii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 13, 18 and 22;

iv) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 13, 18 and 22;

v) SEQ ID NO1, 6, 13, 18 and 22;

vi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 13, 18 and 22;

vii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 13, 18 and 22;

viii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 14, 18 and 22;

ix) SEQ ID NO1, 3, 14, 18 and 22;

x) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 14, 18 and 22;

xi) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 14, 18 and 22;

xii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 14, 18 and 22;

xiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 14, 18 and 22;

xiv) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 14, 18 and 22;

xv) SEQ ID NO1, 2, 13, 19 and 22;

xvi) SEQ ID NOS 1, 3, 13, 19 and 22;

xvii) SEQ ID NOS 1, 4, 13, 19 and 22;

xviii) SEQ ID NOS 1,5, 13, 19 and 22;

xix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 13, 19 and 22;

xx) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 13, 19 and 22;

xxi) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 13, 19 and 22;

xxii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 14, 19 and 22;

xxiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 14, 19 and 22;

xxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 14, 19 and 22;

xxv) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 14, 19 and 22;

xxvi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 14, 19 and 22;

xxvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 14, 19 and 22;

xxviii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 14, 19 and 22;

xxix) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 13, 18 and 22;

xxx) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 13, 18, and 22;

xxxi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 13, 18 and 22;

xxxii) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 13, 18 and 22;

xxxiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 13, 18, and 22;

xxxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 13, 18 and 22;

xxxv) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 13, 18 and 22;

xxxvi) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 14, 18 and 22;

xxxvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 14, 18 and 22;

xxxviii) SEQ ID NOS 1, 4, 9, 14, 18 and 22;

xxxix) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 14, 18 and 22;

xl) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 14, 18 and 22;

xli) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 14, 18 and 22;

xlii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 14, 18 and 22;

xliii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 13, 19 and 22;

xliv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 13, 19 and 22;

xlv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 13, 19 and 22;

xlvi) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 13, 19 and 22;

xlvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 13, 19 and 22;

xlviii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 13, 19 and 22;

xlix) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 13, 19 and 22;

l) SEQ ID NO1, 2, 9, 14, 19 and 22;

li) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 14, 19 and 22;

lii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 14, 19 and 22;

liii) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 14, 19 and 22;

liv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 14, 19 and 22;

lv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 14, 19 and 22;

lvi) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 14, 19 and 22;

lvii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lviii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lx) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

ixiii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxvi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxvii) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxviii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxx) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxxi) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxvi) SEQ ID NOS 1, 7, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxvi) SEQ ID NOS 1,8, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxviii) SEQ ID NOS: 1,2, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxx) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxxi) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxv) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxxxvi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxxxvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxxxviii) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxxxix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

xc) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

xci) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

xcii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xciii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xciv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xcv) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xcvi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xcvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xcviii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xcix) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

c) 1, 3,9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

ci) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

cii) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

ciii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

civ) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

cv) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

cvi) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

cvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

cviii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

cix) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

cx) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

cxi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 14, 16, 19 and 22; and

cxii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 14, 16, 19 and 22.

In some embodiments, the vector genome comprises, in the 5 'to 3' direction, a nucleotide sequence that is greater than or about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to: 1,5, 14, 18 and 22; 1,5, 9, 14, 18 and 22; 1,5, 14, 16, 18 and 22; or SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 14, 16, 18 and 22. In certain embodiments, the AAV5 capsid may comprise a sub-combination of capsid proteins VP1, VP2, and/or VP 3.

Methods for producing viral vectors are well known in the art and will allow the skilled artisan to produce the viral vectors of the invention (see, e.g., U.S. patent No. 7,465,583), including the viral vectors described in table 4. Generally, methods of producing rAAV vectors are suitable for producing the viral vectors of the invention; the main difference between these methods is the structure of the genetic element to be packaged. To generate the viral vectors according to the invention, the sequences of the genetic elements described in table 2 can be used to generate the encapsidated viral genome.

The genetic elements described in table 2 are in the context of circular plasmids or viral genomes (e.g., single stranded or self-complementary viral genomes), but one skilled in the art will appreciate that the DNA substrate can be provided in any form known in the art, including, but not limited to, plasmids, naked DNA vectors, Bacterial Artificial Chromosomes (BACs), Yeast Artificial Chromosomes (YACs), or viral vectors (e.g., adenoviruses, herpesviruses, Epstein-Barr viruses, AAV, baculoviruses, retroviral vectors, etc.). Alternatively, the genetic elements in table 2 necessary for the production of the viral vectors described herein may be stably incorporated into the genome of the packaging cell.

Viral vector particles according to the invention can be produced by any method known in the art, for example, by introducing the sequence to be replicated and packaged into a permissive cell or packaging cell, as those terms are understood in the art (e.g., a virus can infect or transduce a "permissive" cell; a "packaging" cell is a stably transformed cell that provides helper functions).

In one embodiment, there is provided a method for producing a CYP4V2 viral vector, wherein the method comprises providing to a cell that allows parvovirus replication: (a) nucleotide sequences containing genetic elements for the production of the vector genome of the present invention (as described in detail below and in table 2); (b) a nucleotide sequence sufficient for replication of the vector genome sequence in (a) to produce a vector genome; (c) a nucleotide sequence sufficient to package a vector genome into a parvovirus capsid under conditions sufficient to encapsidate the viral vector comprising the vector genome within the parvovirus capsid to be produced in a cell. Preferably, the parvoviral replication and/or capsid coding sequence is an AAV sequence.

Any method of introducing a nucleotide sequence carrying a gene cassette described below into a cellular host for replication and packaging may be used, including, but not limited to, electroporation, calcium phosphate precipitation, precipitation of linear polyethyleneimine polymers, microscopic injection, cationic or anionic liposomes, and liposome-bound nuclear localization signals.

The viral vectors described herein can be generated using methods known in the art, for example, triple transfection or baculovirus-mediated viral production. Any suitable permissive cell or packaging cell known in the art may be used to produce the vector. Mammalian cells are preferred. Also preferred are trans-complementing packaging cell lines that provide functions that are deleted from the replication-defective helper virus, e.g., 293 cells or other E1a trans-complementing cells. Mammalian cells or cell lines that are deficient in DNA repair as known in the art are also preferred because these cell lines will be compromised in their ability to correct mutations introduced into the plasmids described herein.

The gene cassette may comprise a parvoviral (e.g., AAV) cap and some or all of the rep genes. Preferably, however, some or all of the cap and Rep functions are provided in trans by introducing into the cell one or more packaging vectors encoding the capsid and/or Rep proteins. Most preferably, the gene cassette does not encode capsid or Rep proteins. Alternatively, packaging cell lines are used which are stably transformed to express the cap and/or rep genes (see, e.g., Gao et al, Hum Gene Ther [ human Gene therapy ]9: 2353-.

In addition, it is preferred that the viral vector provide helper viral functions to spread new viral particles. Both adenovirus and herpes simplex virus can be used as helper viruses for AAV. See, e.g., Bernard N.fields et al, VIROLOGY, Vol.2, Chapter 69 (3 rd edition, Lippincott-Raven Publishers). Exemplary helper viruses include, but are not limited to, Herpes Simplex (HSV) varicella zoster, cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus. The multiplicity of infection (MOI) and duration of infection will depend on the type of virus used and the packaging cell line used. Any suitable auxiliary carrier may be employed. Preferably, the helper vector is a plasmid, for example, as described in Xiao et al, J Virol [ J. Virol ]72:2224,1998. As described above, the vector may be introduced into the packaging cell by any suitable method known in the art.

The vector stock solution, which is free of contaminating helper virus, can be obtained by any method known in the art. For example, recombinant single stranded or self-complementing viruses and helper viruses can be readily distinguished by size. The virus can also be separated from helper virus based on affinity for heparin substrates (Zolotukhin et al, Gene Ther [ Gene therapy ]6:973-985, 1999). Preferably, a replication-defective helper virus is used that is deleted so that any contaminating helper virus is not replication-competent. As a further alternative, adenoviral helper lacking late gene expression can be used, as only adenoviral early gene expression is required to mediate packaging of the double-stranded virus. Adenovirus mutants deficient in late gene expression are known in the art (e.g., ts100K and ts149 adenovirus mutants).

One way to provide helper function is to use a small non-infectious adenovirus plasmid carrying all the helper genes required for efficient AAV production (Ferrari et al, Nat Med [ Nature medicine)]1295-1297, 1997; xiao et al, J Virol (J Virol)]72:2224-2232,1998). The rAAV titers obtained with the adenovirus miniplasmids were 40-fold higher than those obtained with the conventional wild-type adenovirus infection method (Xiao et al, J Virol (J. Virol)]72:2224-2232,1998). This approach eliminates the need for co-transfection with adenovirus (Et al, J Virol [ J.Virol]68:7169-7177, 1994; clark et al, Hum Gene Ther [ human Gene therapy]6:1329-1341, 1995; trempe and Yang, (1993), in, Fifth Parvovirus Workshop [ in the Fifth Parvovirus Workshop],Crystal River,FL)。

Other methods for producing rAAV stocks have been described, including, but not limited to, methods that separate the rep and cap genes into separate expression cassettes to prevent production of replication competent AAV (see, e.g., Allen et al, J Virol [ J. Virol ]71: 6816-2322, 1997), methods that employ packaging cell lines (see, e.g., Gao et al, Hum Gene Ther [ human Gene therapy ]9:2353-2362, 1998; Inoue et al, J Virol [ J. Virol ]72:7024-7031, 1998; U.S. Pat. No. 5,837,484; WO 98/27207; U.S. Pat. No. 5,658,785; WO 96/17947) and other helper-free systems (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,945,335).

Herpes viruses may also be used as helper viruses in AAV packaging methods. A hybrid herpesvirus encoding one or more AAV Rep proteins can advantageously facilitate a more scalable AAV vector production scheme. Hybrid herpes simplex virus type I (HSV-1) vectors have been described which express the AAV-2rep and cap genes (Conway et al, Gene Ther [ Gene therapy ]6:986-993,1999, and WO 00/17377).

In summary, the gene cassette, the parvoviral cap gene, the appropriate parvoviral rep gene and, preferably, helper functions to be replicated and packaged are provided to the cell (e.g., permissive cell or packaging cell) to produce rAAV particles carrying the vector genome. The combined expression of the rep and cap genes encoded by the gene cassette and/or one or more packaging vectors and/or stably transformed packaging cells results in the production of viral vector particles in which the viral vector capsid encapsulates the viral vector genome according to the invention. The single-stranded viral vector is assembled intracellularly and then can be recovered by any method known to those skilled in the art and described in the examples. For example, viral vectors can be purified by standard CsCl centrifugation methods (Grieger et al, Nat Protoc [ Nature laboratory Manual ]1:1412-1428,2006), iodixanol centrifugation methods, or various column chromatographies known to the skilled artisan (see, e.g., Lock et al, Hum Gene Ther [ human Gene therapy ]21: 1259-jar 1271, 2010; Smith et al, Mol Ther [ molecular therapy ]17: 1888-jar 1896, 2009; and Vandeberghe et al, Hum Gene Ther [ human Gene therapy ]21: 1251-jar 1257, 2010).

The reagents and methods disclosed herein can be used to generate high titer stocks of the viral vectors of the invention, preferably substantially at wild-type titers. It is also preferred that the parvovirus stock solution has about 1010vg/mL to about 1013Titer of vg/mL, e.g., at least or about 1010vg/mL、6.6x1010vg/mL、1011vg/mL、5x1011vg/mL、1012vg/mL、5x1012vg/mL、1013vg/mL、5x1013vg/mL, or higher.

Nucleic acids for generating viral vectors

The invention also relates to nucleic acids useful for producing viral vectors. In certain aspects of the invention, the nucleic acid used to generate the viral vector may be in the form of a plasmid. Plasmids used to produce viral vectors, also referred to as viral vector plasmids, may contain gene cassettes. The gene cassette of the viral vector plasmid comprises at least: a promoter, a heterologous CYP4V2 gene, a poly A signal sequence, and 5 'and 3' ITRs.

The composition of the heterologous gene and other elements depends on the use of the resulting vector. For example, one type of heterologous gene sequence includes a reporter sequence that produces a detectable signal upon expression. Such reporter sequences include, but are not limited to, DNA sequences encoding beta-lactamases, beta-galactosidases (LacZ), alkaline phosphatases, thymidine kinases, Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP), Chloramphenicol Acetyl Transferase (CAT), luciferase, membrane bound proteins (including, for example, CD2, CD4, CD8, influenza hemagglutinin protein, and other proteins well known in the art for which high affinity antibodies exist or which can be produced by conventional methods), and fusion proteins comprising a membrane bound protein fused appropriately to an antigen tag domain from hemagglutinin or Myc. For example, if the reporter sequence is the LacZ gene, the presence of the vector carrying the signal is detected by detecting β -galactosidase activity. When the reporter sequence is GFP or luciferase, the signal-carrying vector can be measured visually by color or luminescence in a luminometer.

When the heterologous gene sequence is associated with an element that drives its expression, it provides a signal that can be detected by conventional means, including enzymatic, radiographic, colorimetric, fluorescent or other spectroscopic assays, fluorescence activated cell sorting assays and immunoassays, including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), Radioimmunoassays (RIA) and immunohistochemistry.

The heterologous gene may also be a non-marker sequence encoding a biologically and medically useful product (e.g., a protein, peptide, RNA, enzyme, dominant negative mutant, or catalytic RNA). Desirable RNA molecules include tRNA, dsRNA, ribosomal RNA, catalytic RNA, siRNA, small hairpin RNA, trans-splicing RNA, and antisense RNA. An example of a useful RNA sequence is one that inhibits or eliminates expression of a target nucleotide sequence in a treated animal.

Heterologous genes may also be used to correct or mitigate gene defects, which may include defects where the normal gene is expressed at a level below normal or defects where the functional gene product is not expressed. It is contemplated that the heterologous gene sequence of the invention may be a CYP4V2 coding sequence. Table 2 provides examples of CYP4V2 coding sequences: 13, 14, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47 and 49 of SEQ ID NO.

One aspect of the invention relates to a nucleic acid comprising a gene cassette comprising, in the 5 'to 3' direction, a nucleotide sequence having greater than or about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identity to one of the following group of nucleotide sequences:

i) 1,2, 13, 18 and 22;

ii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 13, 18 and 22;

iii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 13, 18 and 22;

iv) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 13, 18 and 22;

v) SEQ ID NO1, 6, 13, 18 and 22;

vi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 13, 18 and 22;

vii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 13, 18 and 22;

viii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 14, 18 and 22;

ix) SEQ ID NO1, 3, 14, 18 and 22;

x) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 14, 18 and 22;

xi) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 14, 18 and 22;

xii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 14, 18 and 22;

xiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 14, 18 and 22;

xiv) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 14, 18 and 22;

xv) SEQ ID NO1, 2, 13, 19 and 22;

xvi) SEQ ID NOS 1, 3, 13, 19 and 22;

xvii) SEQ ID NOS 1, 4, 13, 19 and 22;

xviii) SEQ ID NOS 1,5, 13, 19 and 22;

xix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 13, 19 and 22;

xx) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 13, 19 and 22;

xxi) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 13, 19 and 22;

xxii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 14, 19 and 22;

xxiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 14, 19 and 22;

xxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 14, 19 and 22;

xxv) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 14, 19 and 22;

xxvi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 14, 19 and 22;

xxvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 14, 19 and 22;

xxviii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 14, 19 and 22;

xxix) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 13, 18 and 22;

xxx) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 13, 18, and 22;

xxxi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 13, 18 and 22;

xxxii) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 13, 18 and 22;

xxxiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 13, 18, and 22;

xxxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 13, 18 and 22;

xxxv) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 13, 18 and 22;

xxxvi) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 14, 18 and 22;

xxxvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 14, 18 and 22;

xxxviii) SEQ ID NOS 1, 4, 9, 14, 18 and 22;

xxxix) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 14, 18 and 22;

xl) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 14, 18 and 22;

xli) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 14, 18 and 22;

xlii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 14, 18 and 22;

xliii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 13, 19 and 22;

xliv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 13, 19 and 22;

xlv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 13, 19 and 22;

xlvi) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 13, 19 and 22;

xlvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 13, 19 and 22;

xlviii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 13, 19 and 22;

xlix) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 13, 19 and 22;

l) SEQ ID NO1, 2, 9, 14, 19 and 22;

li) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 14, 19 and 22;

lii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 14, 19 and 22;

liii) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 14, 19 and 22;

liv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 14, 19 and 22;

lv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 14, 19 and 22;

lvi) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 14, 19 and 22;

lvii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lviii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lx) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

ixiii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxvi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxvii) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxviii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxx) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxxi) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxvi) SEQ ID NOS 1, 7, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxvi) SEQ ID NOS 1,8, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxviii) SEQ ID NOS: 1,2, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxx) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxxi) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxv) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxxxvi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxxxvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxxxviii) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxxxix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

xc) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

xci) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

xcii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xciii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xciv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xcv) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xcvi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xcvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xcviii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xcix) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

c) 1, 3,9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

ci) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

cii) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

ciii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

civ) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

cv) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

cvi) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

cvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

cviii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

cix) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

cx) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

cxi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 14, 16, 19 and 22; and

cxii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 14, 16, 19 and 22.

In some embodiments, the gene cassette comprises in the 5 'to 3' direction a nucleotide sequence that is greater than or about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to: 1,5, 14, 18 and 22; 1,5, 9, 14, 18 and 22; 1,5, 14, 16, 18 and 22; or SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 14, 16, 18 and 22. In certain embodiments, the nucleic acid comprising a gene cassette can be a plasmid.

Methods of incorporating the elements of table 2 are well known in the art and will allow the skilled person to generate the nucleic acids and plasmids of the invention using the methods described herein.

Pharmaceutical composition

In one aspect, the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a viral vector of the invention formulated with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The compositions may additionally contain one or more other therapeutic agents suitable for the treatment or prevention of BCD. The pharmaceutically acceptable carrier enhances or stabilizes the composition, or may be used to facilitate the preparation of the composition. Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include physiologically compatible solvents, surfactants, dispersion media, coatings, antibacterial and antifungal agents, isotonic and absorption delaying agents, and the like.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be administered by various methods known in the art. The route and/or mode of administration will vary depending upon the desired result. Subretinal administration is preferred. The pharmaceutically acceptable carrier should be suitable for subretinal, intravitreal, intravenous, subcutaneous, or topical administration.

The composition should be sterile and flowable. Proper fluidity can be maintained, for example, by the use of a coating such as lecithin, by the maintenance of the required particle size in the case of dispersions and by the use of surfactants. In many cases, it will be preferable to include isotonic agents, for example, sugars, polyalcohols such as mannitol or sorbitol in the composition and sodium chloride. In one embodiment, the composition may include a composition having 1X PBS and 0.001% PLURONICTMF-68 acts as a buffer for the surfactant at a pH of about 6.5 to 8.0, for example at a pH of 6.5 to 7.5 and at a pH of 6.5 to 7.0.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be prepared according to methods well known and routinely practiced in the art. See, e.g., Remington, The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, Mack Publishing Co, 20 th edition, 2000; and Sustained and Controlled Release Drug Delivery Systems [ Sustained Controlled Drug Delivery Systems ], J.R.Robinson, eds., Massel Dekker, Inc., New York, 1978. The pharmaceutical composition is preferably manufactured under GMP conditions. Typically, a therapeutically effective (effective or effective) dose of the viral vector is used in the pharmaceutical composition of the invention. The viral vector may be formulated into a pharmaceutically acceptable dosage form by conventional methods known to those skilled in the art. Dosage regimens are adjusted to provide the optimum desired response (e.g., therapeutic response). For example, as indicated by the exigencies of the therapeutic situation, a single bolus may be administered, several doses may be administered over time, or the doses may be proportionally reduced or increased. It may be particularly advantageous to formulate the parenteral compositions in dosage unit form for ease of administration and uniformity of dosage. As used herein, a unit dosage form refers to physically discrete units suitable as a single dose for the subject to be treated; each unit containing a predetermined quantity of active compound calculated to produce the desired therapeutic effect in association with the required pharmaceutical carrier.

The actual dosage level of the active ingredient in the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention can be varied so as to obtain an amount of the active ingredient which is effective to achieve the desired therapeutic response for a particular patient, composition and mode of administration without being toxic to that patient. The selected dosage level will depend upon a variety of pharmacokinetic factors including the activity of the particular composition of the invention employed, the route of administration, the time of administration, other drugs, compounds and/or materials in combination with the particular composition employed, the age, sex, body weight, condition, general health and prior medical history of the patient being treated, and the like.

A physician or veterinarian can start a dose of the viral vector of the present invention used in a pharmaceutical composition at a level lower than that required to achieve the desired therapeutic effect and gradually increase the dose until the desired effect is achieved. In general, the effective dosage of the compositions of the invention for treating BCD as described herein will vary depending on various factors, including the mode of administration, the target site, the physiological state of the patient, whether the patient is a human or a human animal, other drugs administered, and whether the treatment is prophylactic or therapeutic. Titration of therapeutic doses is required to optimize safety and efficacy. For subretinal administration of viral vectors, the dose may be about 1x108Individual vector genomes (vg)/eye to about 1x1012vg/eye. For example, the dose may be greater than or about 1x108vg/eye, 2.5x108vg/eye, 5x108vg/eye, 7.5x108vg/eye, 1x109vg/eye, 2.5x109vg/eye, 5x109vg/eye, 7.5x109vg/eye, 1x1010vg/eye, 2.5x1010vg/eye, 5x1010vg/eye, 7.5x1010vg/eye, 1x1011vg/eye, 2x1011vg/eye, 2.5x1011vg/eye, 5x1011vg/eye, 7.5x1011vg/eye, or 1x1012vg per eye.

The viral vectors described herein are used primarily as a single dose per eye with the possibility of repeated dosing to treat areas of the retina not covered by previous doses. The dosage administered may vary depending on whether the treatment is prophylactic or therapeutic.

The various features and embodiments of the invention mentioned in the individual sections and embodiments above apply mutatis mutandis to the other sections and embodiments where appropriate. Thus, features specified in one section or embodiment may be combined with features specified in other sections or embodiments as appropriate.

Therapeutic uses

The viral vectors described herein can be used to treat diseases associated with the eye at therapeutically useful concentrations by administering an effective amount of the viral vectors of the present invention to a subject in need thereof. For example, the viral vector may comprise an AAV8 capsid comprising VP1, VP2, and VP3 amino acid sequences that are greater than or about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NOs 24, 25, and 26, respectively, encoded by, for example, a nucleotide sequence that is greater than or about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID No. 23 and a vector genome comprising in the 5 'to 3' direction a nucleotide sequence that is greater than or about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to one of the following nucleotide sequences:

i) 1,2, 13, 18 and 22;

ii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 13, 18 and 22;

iii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 13, 18 and 22;

iv) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 13, 18 and 22;

v) SEQ ID NO1, 6, 13, 18 and 22;

vi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 13, 18 and 22;

vii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 13, 18 and 22;

viii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 14, 18 and 22;

ix) SEQ ID NO1, 3, 14, 18 and 22;

x) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 14, 18 and 22;

xi) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 14, 18 and 22;

xii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 14, 18 and 22;

xiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 14, 18 and 22;

xiv) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 14, 18 and 22;

xv) SEQ ID NO1, 2, 13, 19 and 22;

xvi) SEQ ID NOS 1, 3, 13, 19 and 22;

xvii) SEQ ID NOS 1, 4, 13, 19 and 22;

xviii) SEQ ID NOS 1,5, 13, 19 and 22;

xix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 13, 19 and 22;

xx) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 13, 19 and 22;

xxi) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 13, 19 and 22;

xxii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 14, 19 and 22;

xxiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 14, 19 and 22;

xxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 14, 19 and 22;

xxv) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 14, 19 and 22;

xxvi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 14, 19 and 22;

xxvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 14, 19 and 22;

xxviii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 14, 19 and 22;

xxix) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 13, 18 and 22;

xxx) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 13, 18, and 22;

xxxi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 13, 18 and 22;

xxxii) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 13, 18 and 22;

xxxiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 13, 18, and 22;

xxxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 13, 18 and 22;

xxxv) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 13, 18 and 22;

xxxvi) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 14, 18 and 22;

xxxvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 14, 18 and 22;

xxxviii) SEQ ID NOS 1, 4, 9, 14, 18 and 22;

xxxix) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 14, 18 and 22;

xl) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 14, 18 and 22;

xli) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 14, 18 and 22;

xlii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 14, 18 and 22;

xliii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 13, 19 and 22;

xliv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 13, 19 and 22;

xlv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 13, 19 and 22;

xlvi) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 13, 19 and 22;

xlvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 13, 19 and 22;

xlviii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 13, 19 and 22;

xlix) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 13, 19 and 22;

l) SEQ ID NO1, 2, 9, 14, 19 and 22;

li) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 14, 19 and 22;

lii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 14, 19 and 22;

liii) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 14, 19 and 22;

liv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 14, 19 and 22;

lv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 14, 19 and 22;

lvi) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 14, 19 and 22;

lvii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lviii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lx) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

ixiii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxvi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxvii) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxviii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxx) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxxi) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxvi) SEQ ID NOS 1, 7, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxvi) SEQ ID NOS 1,8, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxviii) SEQ ID NOS: 1,2, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxx) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxxi) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxv) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxxxvi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxxxvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxxxviii) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxxxix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

xc) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

xci) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

xcii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xciii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xciv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xcv) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xcvi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xcvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xcviii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xcix) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

c) 1, 3,9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

ci) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

cii) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

ciii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

civ) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

cv) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

cvi) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

cvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

cviii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

cix) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

cx) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

cxi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 14, 16, 19 and 22; and

cxii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 14, 16, 19 and 22.

In some embodiments, the vector genome comprises, in the 5 'to 3' direction, a nucleotide sequence that is greater than or about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to: 1,5, 14, 18 and 22; 1,5, 9, 14, 18 and 22; 1,5, 14, 16, 18 and 22; or SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 14, 16, 18 and 22. In certain other embodiments, the AAV8 capsid may comprise a sub-combination of capsid proteins VP1, VP2, and/or VP 3.

Subjects in need of treatment may include those having one or more mutations in the CYP4V2 gene (e.g., table 1). More specifically, the invention provides a method of treating BCD by administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a viral vector comprising a sequence encoding CYP4V2 (e.g., a nucleotide sequence encoding human CYP4V2 protein, e.g., SEQ ID NO: 15). In some aspects, provided herein are methods of improving vision in a subject having BCD by administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a viral vector comprising a CYP4V2 coding sequence (e.g., a nucleotide sequence encoding a human CYP4V2 protein, e.g., SEQ ID NO: 15). In some aspects, provided herein are methods of preventing vision loss in a subject with BCD by administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a viral vector comprising a CYP4V2 coding sequence (e.g., a nucleotide sequence encoding a human CYP4V2 protein, e.g., SEQ ID NO: 15). In a particular aspect, the invention provides a viral vector comprising the sequence of CYP4V2 for use in treating a subject having BCD. In one embodiment, the viral vectors described herein can be administered subretinally or intravitreally using methods known to those skilled in the art. In one embodiment, the method can include genotyping a subject to determine whether it has one or more CYP4V2 mutations associated with BCD (see, e.g., table 1), and treating BCD in a subject having one or more CYP4V2 mutations associated with BCD by administering a viral vector as described herein. In particular embodiments, the viral vectors provided herein for use in methods of treating BCD comprise a CYP4V2 coding sequence (e.g., a nucleotide sequence encoding human CYP4V2 protein, such as SEQ ID NO:15) operably linked to a promoter, such as the ProC2 promoter.

The use of recombinant AAV has proven feasible and safe for the treatment of retinal diseases. See, e.g., Bainbridge et al, N Engl J Med [ New England journal of medicine ]358: 2231-; bainbridge et al, Gene Ther [ Gene therapy ]15:1191-1192, 2008; hauswirth et al, Hum Gene Ther [ human Gene therapy ]19: 979-; maguire et al, N Engl J Med [ New England journal of medicine ]358: 2240-; bennett et al, Lancet [ Lancet ]388: 661-; and Russell et al, Lancet Lancet 390: 849-. The viral vectors described herein are particularly useful for treating and preventing the progression of BCD and reducing vision loss.

The invention also relates to methods of expressing a CYP4V2 coding sequence in RPE cells by administering the viral vector of the invention to a subject in need thereof, e.g., a subject having one or more mutations in the CYP4V2 gene (e.g., table 1). The present invention also relates to a viral vector of the present invention for expressing the sequence of CYP4V2 in RPE cells of the retina of a subject in need thereof. The present invention also contemplates methods of delivering and expressing the CYP4V2 coding sequence to the retina, particularly RPE cells in the retina, of a subject having BCD. It is contemplated that the CYP4V2 coding sequence is delivered to a subject in need thereof by contacting the retina and/or RPE cells of the subject with a viral vector described herein (e.g., subretinal or intravitreal administration). Alternatively, the CYP4V2 coding sequence is delivered to the subject by administering a viral vector as described herein to the subject.

In some aspects, the invention further includes a method of expressing a CYP4V2 coding sequence in RPE cells in the retina of a subject with BCD by contacting the retina of the subject with a viral vector of the invention. In certain aspects, RPE cells of the retina of a subject are contacted with a viral vector of the invention.

An ophthalmologist, optometrist or healthcare professional may use clinically relevant measurements of visual function, functional vision, retinal anatomy and/or quality of life to determine treatment and/or prevention of an ophthalmic disease (e.g., BCD). Treatment of BCD means any measure (e.g., administration of a viral vector as described herein) that improves or maintains visual function, functional vision, retinal anatomy, and/or quality of life. Furthermore, prevention in relation to BCD refers to any measure (e.g., administration of a viral vector as described herein) that inhibits, prevents or slows deterioration of visual function, functional vision, retinal anatomy and/or BCD phenotype as defined herein in a subject, e.g., reducing the number and/or size of yellow or white crystalline deposits in the retina, said subject being at risk of deterioration as described above.

Visual functions may include, for example, vision, low light vision, field of view, central vision, peripheral vision, contrast sensitivity, dark adaptation, light stress recovery, color discrimination, reading speed, auxiliary device dependence (e.g., large font, magnifying device, telescope), facial recognition, driving motor vehicle proficiency, ability to perform one or more activities in daily life, and/or patient reported visual function related satisfaction. Thus, in certain embodiments, treatment of BCD may be said to occur in: the subject's aforementioned dark adaptation time is reduced by at least 10%, 20%, or 30% or lacks a 10%, 20%, or 30% or more increase. Furthermore, treatment of BCD can be said to occur in: subjects at a young age showed early severe night blindness and slow dark adaptation, followed by gradual loss of vision, visual field and color vision, resulting in legal blindness, as determined by qualified health care personnel such as ophthalmologists and optometrists.

Exemplary measurements of visual function include Snellen vision, ETDRS vision, low-light vision, Amsler grid, Goldmann vision, standard automated visual field inspection, micro visual field inspection (microperimeter), Pelli-Robson charts, SKILL cards, Ishihara color plates, Farnsworth D15 or D100 color test, standard retinal electrography, multifocal retinal electrography, validated reading speed tests, facial recognition, driving simulation, and patient reported satisfaction. Thus, treatment of BCD can be said to be achieved by obtaining or not losing 2 or more lines (or 10 letters) of vision on the ETDRS scale. Furthermore, in certain aspects, treatment of BCD can be said to occur after: improvement or reduction of retinal function loss, e.g., as measured by retinal electrography; improvement or slowing of retinal structure progression, as measured, for example, by Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT); improvement or mitigation of dynamic navigation loss, for example, through a maze at various illumination intensities; and/or the reading speed is increased by at least 10%, 20% or 30%, or the reading speed is not decreased by 10%, 20% or 30% (words per minute). Furthermore, in some aspects, treatment of BCD can be said to occur in: the subjects showed at least a 20% increase or no 20% decrease in the proportion of correctly identified plates on the Ishihara test or correctly ordered discs on the Farnsworth test. Thus, treatment of BCD can be determined by, for example, improving dark adaptation, improving vision, or slowing the rate of vision loss.

Undesirable aspects of the retinal anatomy that may be treated or prevented include, for example, the accumulation of small, yellow or white crystalline deposits of lipids in the retina, retinal atrophy, retinal pigment epithelium atrophy, retinal vessel narrowing, pigment agglomeration, and subretinal fluid. Exemplary means of assessing retinal anatomy include fundoscopy, fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, indocyanine green angiography, OCT, spectral domain optical coherence tomography, scanning laser ophthalmoscopy, confocal microscopy, adaptive optics, fundus autofluorescence, biopsy, necropsy, and immunohistochemistry. Thus, as described herein, the viral vectors described herein can be used to treat BCD in a subject, e.g., a reduction in the incidence of retinal atrophy and/or a reduction in the number and/or size of yellow or white crystalline deposits in the retina.

Treatment of BCD can also be determined by, for example, improving or maintaining quality of life. The skilled artisan will appreciate that quality of life may be determined by a number of different tests, for example, the National Eye Institute NEI-VFQ25 questionnaire (National Eye Institute NEI-VFQ25 questonnaire).

The subject treated with the therapeutic agent of the present invention may also be administered other therapeutic agents or devices having known efficacy in treating retinal dystrophy, such as vitamin and mineral preparations, amblyopia aids, seeing-eye dogs, or other devices known to aid amblyopic patients.

Currently, there are no other approved BCD therapeutics. With the advent of additional new therapies, the compositions of the present invention and newer therapies can be administered sequentially, either sequentially or simultaneously, as clinically indicated.

The following are exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

1.A viral vector comprising a vector genome comprising in the 5 'to 3' direction:

(i)5’ITR;

(ii) a promoter;

(iii) a recombinant nucleotide sequence comprising a CYP4V2 coding sequence;

(iv) a polyadenylation (poly a) signal sequence; and

(v)3’ITR。

2. the viral vector of embodiment 1, wherein the vector genome comprises in the 5 'to 3' direction:

(i)5’ITR;

(ii) a promoter;

(iii) an intron;

(iv) a recombinant nucleotide sequence comprising a CYP4V2 coding sequence;

(v) a poly a signal sequence; and

(vi)3’ITR。

3. the viral vector of embodiment 1, wherein the vector genome comprises in the 5 'to 3' direction:

(i)5’ITR;

(ii) a promoter;

(iii) a recombinant nucleotide sequence comprising a CYP4V2 coding sequence;

(iv) an adjustment element;

(v) a poly a signal sequence; and

(vi)3’ITR。

4. the viral vector of embodiment 1, wherein the vector genome comprises in the 5 'to 3' direction:

(i)5’ITR;

(ii) a promoter;

(iii) an intron;

(iv) a recombinant nucleotide sequence comprising a CYP4V2 coding sequence;

(v) an adjustment element;

(vi) a poly a signal sequence; and

(vii)3’ITR。

5. the viral vector of any one of embodiments 1 to 4, wherein the vector genome comprises a length greater than or about 4.1kb and less than or about 4.9 kb.

6. The viral vector of any one of embodiments 1 to 5, wherein the vector genome comprises a stuffer sequence located between the poly A signal sequence and the 3' ITR.

7. The viral vector of embodiment 6, wherein the length of the filling sequence is between about 1-10, 10-20, 20-30, 30-40, 40-50, 50-60, 60-75, 75-100, 100-150, 150-200, 200-250, 250-300, 300-400, 400-500, 500-750, 750-1,000, 1,000-1,500, 1,500-2,000, 2,000-2,500, or 2,500-3,000 nucleotides.

8. The viral vector of any one of embodiments 1 to 7, wherein the 5' ITR comprises a nucleotide sequence having greater than or about 90% identity to SEQ ID NO. 1.

9. The viral vector of any one of embodiments 1 to 8, wherein the promoter is a ubiquitous promoter.

10. The viral vector of embodiment 9, wherein the promoter is a Cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter, a CBA promoter, or a CAG promoter.

11. The viral vector of claim 10, wherein the promoter comprises a nucleotide sequence having greater than or about 90% identity to SEQ ID NO 2, SEQ ID NO 3, or SEQ ID NO 4.

12. The viral vector of any one of embodiments 1 to 8, wherein the promoter is a Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE) -specific promoter.

13. The viral vector of example 12, wherein the promoter is the ProC2 promoter, the VMD2 promoter, the CYP4V2 promoter, or the RPE65 promoter.

14. The viral vector of embodiment 13, wherein the promoter comprises a nucleotide sequence having greater than or about 90% identity to SEQ ID No. 5, SEQ ID No. 6, SEQ ID No. 7, or SEQ ID No. 8 and promotes expression of CYP4V2 in RPE cells.

15. The viral vector of any one of embodiments 1 to 14, wherein the CYP4V2 coding sequence comprises a nucleotide sequence having greater than or about 90% identity to SEQ ID NO 13, SEQ ID NO 14, SEQ ID NO 39, SEQ ID NO 41, SEQ ID NO 43, SEQ ID NO 45, SEQ ID NO 47, or SEQ ID NO 49.

16. The viral vector of any one of embodiments 1 to 15, wherein the poly a signal sequence comprises a bovine growth hormone or simian virus 40 poly a nucleotide sequence.

17. The viral vector of claim 16, wherein the poly A signal sequence comprises a nucleotide sequence having greater than or about 90% identity to SEQ ID NO 18 or SEQ ID NO 19.

18. The viral vector of any one of embodiments 1 to 17, wherein the 3' ITR comprises a nucleotide sequence having greater than or about 90% identity to SEQ ID NO 22.

19. The viral vector of any one of embodiments 2 and 4, wherein the intron comprises a human growth hormone, simian virus 40, or human β -gobin intron sequence.

20. The viral vector of claim 19, wherein the intron comprises a nucleotide sequence having greater than or about 90% identity to SEQ ID NO 9, 10, or 11.

21. The viral vector of any one of examples 3 and 4, wherein the regulatory element comprises a hepatitis B virus or woodchuck hepatitis virus sequence.

22. The viral vector of embodiment 21, wherein the regulatory element comprises a nucleotide sequence having greater than or about 90% identity to SEQ ID No. 16 or SEQ ID No. 17.

23. The viral vector of any one of embodiments 1 to 22, wherein the vector genome comprises a kozak sequence located immediately upstream of a recombinant nucleotide sequence comprising a CYP4V2 coding sequence.

24. The viral vector of embodiment 23, wherein the kozak sequence comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No. 12, SEQ ID No. 51, SEQ ID No. 52, or SEQ ID No. 53.

25. The viral vector of embodiment 1, wherein the vector genome comprises in the 5 'to 3' direction a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

i) 1,2, 13, 18 and 22;

ii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 13, 18 and 22;

iii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 13, 18 and 22;

iv) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 13, 18 and 22;

v) SEQ ID NO1, 6, 13, 18 and 22;

vi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 13, 18 and 22;

vii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 13, 18 and 22;

viii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 14, 18 and 22;

ix) SEQ ID NO1, 3, 14, 18 and 22;

x) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 14, 18 and 22;

xi) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 14, 18 and 22;

xii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 14, 18 and 22;

xiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 14, 18 and 22;

xiv) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 14, 18 and 22;

xv) SEQ ID NO1, 2, 13, 19 and 22;

xvi) SEQ ID NOS 1, 3, 13, 19 and 22;

xvii) SEQ ID NOS 1, 4, 13, 19 and 22;

xviii) SEQ ID NOS 1,5, 13, 19 and 22;

xix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 13, 19 and 22;

xx) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 13, 19 and 22;

xxi) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 13, 19 and 22;

xxii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 14, 19 and 22;

xxiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 14, 19 and 22;

xxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 14, 19 and 22;

xxv) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 14, 19 and 22;

xxvi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 14, 19 and 22;

xxvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 14, 19 and 22; and

xxviii) SEQ ID NOS 1,8, 14, 19 and 22.

26. The viral vector of embodiment 2, wherein the vector genome comprises in the 5 'to 3' direction a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

i) 1,2, 9, 13, 18 and 22;

ii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 13, 18 and 22;

iii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 13, 18 and 22;

iv) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 13, 18 and 22;

v) SEQ ID NO1, 6,9, 13, 18 and 22;

vi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 13, 18 and 22;

vii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 13, 18 and 22;

viii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 14, 18 and 22;

ix) SEQ ID NO1, 3,9, 14, 18 and 22;

x) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 14, 18 and 22;

xi) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 14, 18 and 22;

xii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 14, 18 and 22;

xiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 14, 18 and 22;

xiv) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 14, 18 and 22;

xv) SEQ ID NO1, 2, 9, 13, 19 and 22;

xvi) SEQ ID NOS 1, 3,9, 13, 19 and 22;

xvii) SEQ ID NOS 1, 4, 9, 13, 19 and 22;

xviii) SEQ ID NOS 1,5, 9, 13, 19 and 22;

xix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 13, 19 and 22;

xx) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 13, 19 and 22;

xxi) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 13, 19 and 22;

xxii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 14, 19 and 22;

xxiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 14, 19 and 22;

xxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 14, 19 and 22;

xxv) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 14, 19 and 22;

xxvi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 14, 19 and 22;

xxvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 14, 19 and 22; and

xxviii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 14, 19 and 22.

27. The viral vector of embodiment 3, wherein the vector genome comprises in the 5 'to 3' direction a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

i) 1,2, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

ii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

iii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

iv) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

v) SEQ ID NO1, 6, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

vi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

vii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

viii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

ix) SEQ ID NO1, 3, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

x) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xi) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xiv) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xv) SEQ ID NO1, 2, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

xvi) SEQ ID NOS 1, 3, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

xvii) SEQ ID NOS 1, 4, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

xviii) SEQ ID NOS 1,5, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

xix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

xx) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

xxi) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

xxii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

xxiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

xxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

xxv) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

xxvi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

xxvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 14, 16, 19 and 22; and

xxviii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 14, 16, 19 and 22.

28. The viral vector of embodiment 4, wherein the vector genome comprises in the 5 'to 3' direction a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

i) 1,2, 9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

ii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

iii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

iv) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

v) SEQ ID NO1, 6,9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

vi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

vii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

viii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

ix) SEQ ID NO1, 3,9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

x) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xi) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xiv) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xv) SEQ ID NO1, 2, 9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

xvi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

xvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

xviii) SEQ ID NOS 1,5, 9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

xix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

xx) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

xxi) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

xxii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

xxiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

xxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

xxv) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

xxvi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

xxvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 14, 16, 19 and 22; and

xxviii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 14, 16, 19 and 22.

29. The viral vector of any one of embodiments 1 to 28, wherein the vector comprises an adeno-associated virus (AAV) serotype 8,9, 2, or 5 capsid.

30. The viral vector of example 29, wherein the AAV8 capsid comprises VP1, VP2, and VP3 amino acid sequences having greater than or about 90% identity to SEQ ID NOs 24, 25, and 26, respectively.

31. The viral vector of embodiment 29, wherein the AAV8 capsid is encoded by a nucleotide sequence having greater than or about 90% identity to SEQ ID No. 23.

32. The viral vector of example 29, wherein the AAV9 capsid comprises VP1, VP2, and VP3 amino acid sequences having greater than or about 90% identity to SEQ ID NOs 28, 29, and 30, respectively.

33. The viral vector of embodiment 29, wherein the AAV9 capsid is encoded by a nucleotide sequence having greater than or about 90% identity to SEQ ID NO: 27.

34. The viral vector of example 29, wherein the AAV2 capsid comprises VP1, VP2, and VP3 amino acid sequences having greater than or about 90% identity to SEQ ID NOs 32, 33, and 34, respectively.

35. The viral vector of embodiment 29, wherein the AAV2 capsid is encoded by a nucleotide sequence having greater than or about 90% identity to SEQ ID NO: 31.

36. The viral vector of example 29, wherein the AAV5 capsid comprises VP1, VP2, and VP3 amino acid sequences having greater than or about 90% identity to SEQ ID NOs 36, 37, and 38, respectively.

37. The viral vector of embodiment 29, wherein the AAV5 capsid is encoded by a nucleotide sequence having greater than or about 90% identity to SEQ ID No. 35.

38. A composition comprising the viral vector of any one of the preceding embodiments.

39. The composition of embodiment 38, wherein the composition further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

40. A method of expressing a heterologous CYP4V2 gene in a retinal cell, the method comprising contacting the retinal cell with a viral vector according to any one of the preceding embodiments.

41. The method of embodiment 40, wherein the retinal cells are RPE cells.

42. A method of treating a subject having Bietti Crystal Dystrophy (BCD), said method comprising administering to said subject an effective amount of the composition of example 39.

43. A method of improving, improving or inhibiting visual function or functional vision loss in a subject having BCD, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of the composition of example 39.

44. The composition of embodiment 39, for use in treating a subject having BCD.

45. The composition of embodiment 39, for improving vision in a subject having BCD.

46. A nucleic acid comprising a gene cassette, wherein the gene cassette comprises in the 5 'to 3' direction:

(i)5’ITR;

(ii) a promoter;

(iii) a recombinant nucleotide sequence comprising a CYP4V2 coding sequence;

(iv) a poly a signal sequence; and

(v)3’ITR。

47. the nucleic acid of embodiment 46, wherein the nucleic acid is a plasmid.

48. The nucleic acid of embodiment 46, wherein the gene cassette comprises in the 5 'to 3' direction a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:

i) 1,2, 13, 18 and 22;

ii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 13, 18 and 22;

iii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 13, 18 and 22;

iv) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 13, 18 and 22;

v) SEQ ID NO1, 6, 13, 18 and 22;

vi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 13, 18 and 22;

vii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 13, 18 and 22;

viii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 14, 18 and 22;

ix) SEQ ID NO1, 3, 14, 18 and 22;

x) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 14, 18 and 22;

xi) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 14, 18 and 22;

xii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 14, 18 and 22;

xiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 14, 18 and 22;

xiv) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 14, 18 and 22;

xv) SEQ ID NO1, 2, 13, 19 and 22;

xvi) SEQ ID NOS 1, 3, 13, 19 and 22;

xvii) SEQ ID NOS 1, 4, 13, 19 and 22;

xviii) SEQ ID NOS 1,5, 13, 19 and 22;

xix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 13, 19 and 22;

xx) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 13, 19 and 22;

xxi) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 13, 19 and 22;

xxii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 14, 19 and 22;

xxiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 14, 19 and 22;

xxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 14, 19 and 22;

xxv) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 14, 19 and 22;

xxvi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 14, 19 and 22;

xxvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 14, 19 and 22;

xxviii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 14, 19 and 22;

xxix) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 13, 18 and 22;

xxx) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 13, 18, and 22;

xxxi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 13, 18 and 22;

xxxii) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 13, 18 and 22;

xxxiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 13, 18, and 22;

xxxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 13, 18 and 22;

xxxv) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 13, 18 and 22;

xxxvi) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 14, 18 and 22;

xxxvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 14, 18 and 22;

xxxviii) SEQ ID NOS 1, 4, 9, 14, 18 and 22;

xxxix) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 14, 18 and 22;

xl) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 14, 18 and 22;

xli) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 14, 18 and 22;

xlii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 14, 18 and 22;

xliii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 13, 19 and 22;

xliv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 13, 19 and 22;

xlv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 13, 19 and 22;

xlvi) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 13, 19 and 22;

xlvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 13, 19 and 22;

xlviii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 13, 19 and 22;

xlix) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 13, 19 and 22;

l) SEQ ID NO1, 2, 9, 14, 19 and 22;

li) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 14, 19 and 22;

lii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 14, 19 and 22;

liii) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 14, 19 and 22;

liv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 14, 19 and 22;

lv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 14, 19 and 22;

lvi) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 14, 19 and 22;

lvii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lviii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lx) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

ixiii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxvi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxvii) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxviii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxx) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

lxxi) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxvi) SEQ ID NOS 1, 7, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxvi) SEQ ID NOS 1,8, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxviii) SEQ ID NOS: 1,2, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxx) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxxi) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxiii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxiv) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

lxxxv) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxxxvi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxxxvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxxxviii) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

lxxxix) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

xc) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

xci) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 13, 16, 18 and 22;

xcii) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xciii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xciv) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xcv) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xcvi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xcvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xcviii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 14, 16, 18 and 22;

xcix) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

c) 1, 3,9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

ci) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

cii) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

ciii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

civ) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

cv) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 13, 16, 19 and 22;

cvi) SEQ ID NOs 1,2, 9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

cvii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 3,9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

cviii) SEQ ID NOs 1, 4, 9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

cix) SEQ ID NOs 1,5, 9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

cx) SEQ ID NOs 1, 6,9, 14, 16, 19 and 22;

cxi) SEQ ID NOs 1, 7,9, 14, 16, 19 and 22; and

cxii) SEQ ID NOs 1,8, 9, 14, 16, 19 and 22.

49. A viral vector comprising a vector genome comprising a promoter operably linked to a recombinant nucleotide sequence comprising a CYP4V2 coding sequence, wherein the promoter is the ProC2 promoter.

Examples of the invention

The following examples are provided to further illustrate the present invention, but do not limit the scope of the invention. Other variations of the invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art and are encompassed by the appended claims.

Example 1: construction of AAV-ITR plasmid

Cloning of AAV-ITR plasmids:

the nucleotide sequences of the individual plasmid elements are described in table 2. The sequences are synthetic or commercially available. Table 4 describes the elements present in each of the plasmids constructed. The plasmids described in table 4 were generated using standard molecular biology cloning techniques. Plasmid backbone with kanamycin resistance was used as backbone and starting material. Individual sequence elements are cloned into restriction sites or blunt-ended cloning is used.

Since the antibiotic resistance gene cassette contained in the plasmid backbone does not function in the production of AAV vectors, one skilled in the art can use alternative plasmid backbones and/or antibiotic resistance gene cassettes and generate the same viral vectors.

1.2. Triple plasmid transfection to generate rAAV vectors:

recombinant aav (raav) viral vectors are generated by triple transfection methods. Methods for triple transfection are known in the art (Ferrari et al, Nat Med [ Nature medicine ]3:1295-1297, 1997). Briefly, AAV-ITR-containing plasmids (described in Table 4), AAV-RepCap-containing plasmids (carrying Rep2 and Cap8), and adeno-helper plasmids (carrying genes that assist in completing the AAV replication cycle) were co-transfected into 293 cells. Cells were cultured for 4 days. At the end of the culture period, the cells were lysed and the carrier in the culture supernatant and cell lysate was purified by column chromatography using an AVB agarose affinity column (GE Healthcare Life Sciences). The skilled artisan will appreciate that standard CsCl gradient centrifugation methods (based on the methods of Grieger et al, Nat Protoc [ Nature laboratory Manual ]1:1412-1428,2006) may also be used.

Alternatively, GMP-like rAAV vectors may be produced by the cell transfection and culture methods described above. The harvested cell culture material was then processed by column chromatography based on the method described in Lock et al, Hum Gene Ther [ human Gene therapy ]21: 1259-; smith et al, Mol Ther [ molecular therapy ]17:1888-1896, 2009; and Vandenberghe et al, Hum Gene Ther [ human Gene therapy ]21:1251-1257, 2010.

TABLE 4 plasmid compositions

Example 2: inclusion of the hGH intron, bGH poly A signal sequence and HPRE provides enhanced expression of eGFP

AAV8 vector expressing ChR2d-eGFP was designed to contain different elements, including different introns, different polya signal sequences, with or without HPRE, to determine the optimal combination of optimal gene expression in the retina.

Method

Subretinal injection of 1X10 into C57BL/6 mice9vg's AAV8 vector expressing a light sensitive channel protein fused to eGFP (ChR2d-eGFP) and containing different elements such as different introns (e.g., hGH intron and SV40 intron), poly a signal sequences (e.g., bGH poly a signal sequence and SV40 poly a signal sequence), and with or without HPRE. Four weeks later, eyes were harvested from mice, and some were fixed with 1ml of 4% Paraformaldehyde (PFA) fixative overnight at4 ℃ and then placed in Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS). The eyes were then wiped dry with a paper towel and transferred to a 35mm petri dish. Removing excess tissue from the outside of the eye and from the cornea and lens, and immersing the cup in the eye1ml PBS. The retinas were then removed from the eye cups, both of which were cut into petals and mounted on glass slides. eGFP fluorescence images were obtained using a Zeiss Axio Imager M1 fluorescence microscope and AxioVision software. All images were taken at 2.5 times magnification and the same exposure time.

Other harvested eyes were divided into neural retina and posterior cup and frozen to analyze ChR2d-eGFP mRNA expression using droplet digital pcr (ddpcr). Briefly, RNA was isolated from tissue samples using the Qiagen RNeasy Mini kit, and cDNA was generated using 200ng of RNA using the high capacity cDNA reverse transcription kit from siemer hehl technology. 1ng of cDNA per sample was added to ddPCR Supermix and primers and probes identifying eGFP (Mr04097229_ Mr; ThermoFisher Scientific) and mouse Rab7(Mm00784318_ sH; SermoFisher Scientific) were added to each reaction. ddPCR was performed according to the manufacturer's protocol (Bio-Rad). ChR2d-eGFP expression was normalized to Rab7 control expression for each sample.

Results and conclusions

Five different AAV8 vectors were constructed and injected subretinally into mice. Four weeks after injection, eyes were harvested from mice and checked for ChR2d-eGFP expression by plating and ddPCR. The plating of the posterior cup showed that eGFP fluorescence was highest in the eyes injected with the vector containing the hGH intron (fig. 1). In addition, the inclusion of the bGH polyA signal sequence showed slightly higher fluorescence compared to the same vector with the SV40 polyA signal sequence (AAV8-TM078 compared to AAV8-TM 073).

To obtain a more quantitative analysis of ChR2d-eGFP expression levels, ddPCR was performed on mRNA isolated from isolated neural retina and posterior cup samples. The results show that in the posterior cup of the eye, the addition of HPRE can most significantly enhance expression (AAV8-TM075) (FIG. 2A). Moreover, vectors containing the bGH polyA signal sequence exhibited higher expression than vectors containing the SV40 polyA signal sequence, respectively (compare AAV8-TM078 with AAV8-TM073, and AAV8-TM079 with AAV8-TM 074). In the neural retina, the addition of HPRE again resulted in enhanced expression levels of eGFP (AAV8-TM075), but the greatest increase in expression was observed by the addition of the bGH polyA signal sequence (AAV8-TM078 and AAV8-TM079) (FIG. 2B).

Taken together, these results indicate that the optimal expression cassette for expressing genes in the retina may include the hGH intron, the bGH polya signal sequence, and the HPRE element. Thus, vectors containing one, two or all three elements were constructed for delivery of CYP4V2 cDNA for treatment of BCD.

Example 3: subretinal injection of AAV-Cyp4V2 vector into Cyp4V3 knockout mice prevented disease progression.

Cyp4V3 is a mouse ortholog of human Cyp4V2 (82% identity). Cyp4V3 gene was knocked out using CRISPR/Cas9, and Cyp4V3 knockout mice were injected with an AAV vector expressing CYP4V2, approximately 1X10 per eye9vg. Mice were examined by fundus imaging and optical coherence tomography at various time points after injection to determine the number and size of crystalline deposits present in the retina. In addition, the mice were evaluated for visual function (e.g., vision, dark adaptation) and functional vision (e.g., flowability test). Eyes injected with the CYP4V 2-expressing vector showed a reduction in the number and/or size of crystal deposits and/or an improvement in visual function and/or functional vision, as compared to eyes injected with a control (AAV-eGFP vector), demonstrating successful expression of CYP4V2 in RPE cells and restoration of CYP4V2 protein function.

Example 4: subretinal injection of AAV-ProC2 vector into non-human primates results in a gene table in RPE cells To achieve

The ProC2 promoter sequence was chemically synthesized by GENEWIZ, with short flanks containing MluI/NheI/AscI and BamHI/EcoRI/BglII restriction sites. The ProC2 promoter sequence was subcloned into pAAV-EF1a-CatCh-GFP using appropriate restriction site combinations in place of the EF1a or hRO promoters. The pAAV-EF1a-CatCh-GFP plasmid was constructed by adaptor PCR and Clontech In-Fusion kit using pcDNA3.1(-) -CatCh-GFP.

HEK293T cells were co-transfected with AAV transgenic plasmids, AAV helper plasmids encoding AAV Rep2 and Cap proteins for selected capsids (BP2), and pHGT 1-adono 1 helper plasmids carrying adenoviral genes, using branched polyethylenimine (Polysciences). A cell culture dish 15cm in diameter was co-transfected with the plasmid mixture at 80% confluence with HEK293T cells. Cell transfection mixtures containing 7 μ g AAV transgene plasmid, 7 μ g plasmid encoding Rep2 and Cap, 20 μ g AAV helper plasmid, and 6.8 μ M polyethyleneimine in 5 μml DMEM were incubated at room temperature for 15min and then added to cell culture dishes containing 10ml DMEM. 60h after transfection, cells were harvested and resuspended in buffer containing 150mM NaCl and 20mM Tris-HCl, pH 8.0. Cells were lysed by repeated freeze-thaw cycles and MgCl2 was added to a final concentration of 1 mM. Plasmid and genomic DNA was removed by treatment with 250U ml-1 of TurboNuclean for 10min at 37 ℃. Cell debris was removed by centrifugation at4,000 r.p.m. for 30 min. AAV particles were purified and concentrated in a Millipore Amicon 100K column (Cat. UFC 910008; Merck Millipore). After denaturation of AAV particles with proteinase K, the encapsidated viral DNA was quantified by TaqMan reverse transcription PCR; titers were calculated as genomic copy number/ml.

To administer AAV in mice, ocular injections were performed on mice anesthetized with 2.5% isoflurane. A small incision was made in the sclera near the lens using a sharp 30-G needle, and 2. mu.l of AAV suspension was injected into the subretinal/intravitreal space through the incision using a blunt 5. mu.l Hamilton (Hamilton Company) syringe mounted in a micromanipulator.

For AAV administration in non-human primates, subretinal injections of 50 microliters of AAV particle suspension were performed in cooperation with an ophthalmologist in kunming, china and a third party contractor. After 3 months, the separated cups were fixed overnight in 4% PFA in PBS, followed by a washing step in PBS at4 ℃. After receiving the fixed cups, the infected retinal areas were dissected and treated with 10% Normal Donkey Serum (NDS), 1% BSA, 0.5% Triton X-100 in PBS for 1h at room temperature. Treatment with 3% NDS, 1% BSA, 0.5% monoclonal rat anti-GFP antibody in Triton X-100 (Molecular Probes Inc.; 1:500) and polyclonal goat anti-ChAT (Millipore): 1:200) in PBS was performed for 5 days at room temperature. Donkey anti-rat Alexa Fluor-488 secondary antibody (molecular probes; 1:200), anti-goat Alexa Fluor-633 and Hoechst were treated for 2 hours. Sections were washed, mounted on glass slides with ProLong Gold anti-bleeding reagent (molecular probes) and photographed using a Zeiss LSM 700Axio Imager Z2 laser scanning confocal microscope (Carl Zeiss Inc.).

FIG. 3 shows that subretinal injection of AAV-ProC2-CatCh-GFP induced expression in RPE cells in cynomolgus monkeys (NHP) (grey areas of the grey scale images at the top of FIGS. 3A and 3B).

Table 5 below summarizes the ability of the synthetic promoter ProC2 to drive expression in mouse and NHP retinal cells.

Table 5: cell-specific expression in mouse and NHP retinal cells

MG ═ miller glial cells; AC ═ amacrine nerve cells; AII AC ═ AII amacrine nerve cells; s- (as a prefix) is a rare expression; RPE ═ retinal pigment epithelial cells.

Example 5: subretinal injection of AAV vectors into cynomolgus monkeys to determine optimal capsid serum for targeting of RPE cells And (4) molding.

AAV2, AAV6, AAV8 and AAV9 vectors expressing GFP from the CMV promoter at 1x10 per eye11The dose of vg is injected subretinally into cynomolgus monkeys. Four weeks after injection, GFP expression in live monkey eyes was examined by fundus autofluorescence imaging and in post-harvest monkey eyes by immunohistochemistry. In addition, levels and localization of GFP mRNA and AAV genomic DNA were assessed by in situ hybridization.

All four serotypes tested promoted GFP expression in photoreceptor and RPE cells. Expression was observed near the injection site, with different degrees of diffusion into the surrounding area. For any of the serotypes tested, no GFP expression was detected in optic nerve or brain sections.

Example 6: subretinal injection of AAV vectors into cynomolgus monkeys to determine optimal priming for RPE-specific expression And (4) adding the active ingredients.

AAV vectors expressing GFP from RPE-specific promoters at 1 × 10 per eye11The dose of vg is injected subretinally into cynomolgus monkeys. The RPE-specific promoters include ProC2 and VMD 2. Four weeks after injection, GFP expression in live monkey eyes was examined by fundus autofluorescence imaging and in post-harvest monkey eyes by immunohistochemistry. In addition, levels and localization of GFP mRNA and AAV genomic DNA were assessed by in situ hybridization. Both different promoters showed RPE-specific GFP expression, but the expression level was variable.

Example 7: AAV-driven gene expression in human retinal tissue

Human retinal tissue is prepared from enucleated spheroids of the human eye, and the retina and spheroids are dissected with fine scissors. AAV vectors expressing GFP from RPE-specific promoters were incubated with human retinal tissue. The RPE-specific promoters include ProC2 and VMD 2. AAV-induced GFP expression was examined 6-8 weeks after virus administration. Six weeks after injection, human retinal tissue was examined for GFP expression by immunofluorescence and imaging. Both different promoters showed RPE-specific GFP expression.

Example 8: AAV-driven CYP4V2 expression under the ProC2 promoter in NHP and human tissues

An AAV vector expressing human CYP4V2 under the ProC2 promoter ("AAV-ProC 2-CYP4V2 vector") was incubated with human retinal tissue as described in example 7. CYP4V2 gene expression was examined 6-8 weeks after virus administration. Six weeks after injection, CYP4V2 expression was detected in human retinal tissue.

AAV-ProC2-CYP4V2 vector at 1x10 per eye11The dose of vg is injected subretinally into cynomolgus monkeys. At4 weeks post-injection, the post-harvest monkey eyes were examined by immunohistochemistry for expression of CYP4V 2. In addition, CYP4V2 was evaluated by in situ hybridizationmRNA and AAV genomic DNA levels and localization. The ProC2 promoter induces RPE-specific expression of the CYP4V2 gene in monkey eyes.

Having described the present disclosure in detail, it will be apparent that modifications, variations, and equivalents are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as described herein and in the appended claims. Further, it should be understood that all examples in this disclosure are provided as non-limiting examples. Any references cited herein, including, for example, all patents, published patent applications, and non-patent publications, are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

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