712. AAV-Mediated Allele-Specific RNA Interference of a Common Dominant Rhodopsin Mutation Causing Retinitis Pigmentosa

Inherited retinal degenerations are a group of clinically and genetically heterogeneous diseases characterized by progressive photoreceptor cell death eventually leading to blindness and for which no therapies are available. Mutations in the rhodopsin gene are common causes of autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Among them the P23H amino-acid substitution represents the most frequent rhodopsin mutation in US. Given the gain of function effect exerted by the P23H mutation, strategies aimed at silencing the expression of the mutated allele, like RNA interference, are desirable.