Bigot K, Gondouin P, Bénard R, Montagne P, Youale J, Piazza M, Picard E, Bordet T, Behar-Cohen F. Pharmaceutics. 2020;12(9):836. Published 2020 Sep 1.

• pEYS611 is a plasmid encoding human transferrin, an endogenous iron chelator with therapeutic potential in retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
• In this study, researchers evaluated the efficacy of pEYS611 in 3 animal models of retinal degeneration induced by photo-oxidation, N-methyl-N-nitrosourea, or genetic predisposition (RCS rat)

Daruich A, Le Rouzic Q, Jonet L, Naud MC, Kowalczuk L, Pournaras JA, Boatright JH, Thomas A, Turck N, Moulin A, Behar-Cohen F, Picard E. Sci Adv. 2019;5(1):eaau9940. Published 2019 Jan 9.

• Researchers explored the roles that iron and transferrin play in retinal detachment-induced tissue degeneration
• Poor visual recovery was associated with elevated iron and transferrin levels in ocular specimens collected from patients with retinal detachment
• Experiments in animal models found iron accumulation induced cell death, which was mitigated by transferrin

Touchard E, Benard R, Bigot K, Laffitte JD, Buggage R, Bordet T, Behar-Cohen F. J Control Release. 2018;285:244-251.

• Researchers report the development steps of pEYS606, a clinical-grade plasmid DNA that encodes a fusion protein with high affinity for human TNF-α, a therapeutic target for non-infectious uveitis
• pEYS606 demonstrated significant reductions of ocular inflammation in two established rat models of uveitis (endotoxin-induced uveitis and experimental autoimmune uveitis)

Picard E, Jonet L, Sergeant C, Vesvres MH, Behar-Cohen F, Courtois Y, Jeanny JC. Mol Vis. 2010;16:2612-2625. Published 2010 Dec 8.

• Researchers investigated iron levels and the protective role of transferrin in rd10 mice, a model of retinal degeneration
• An X-ray emission experiment found an age-dependent iron accumulation in rd10 mice
• Transferrin expression and system exposure in rd10 mice led to significant reduction in retinal cell death

Touchard E, Heiduschka P, Berdugo M, Kowalczuk L, Bigey P, Chahory S, Gandolphe C, Jeanny JC, Behar-Cohen F. Gene Ther. 2012;19(9):886-898.

• Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) has been proposed as a potential treatment for RP
• Researchers found gene transfer of a GDNF-encoding plasmid delayed photoreceptor and retinal function loss but accelerated photoreceptor degeneration and loss of electrophysiological response in RCS rats

Touchard E, Berdugo M, Bigey P, El Sanharawi M, Savoldelli M, Naud MC, Jeanny JC, Behar-Cohen F. Mol Ther. 2012;20(8):1559-1570.

• Researchers described suprachoroidal electrotransfer, a transfection method involving the administration of nonviral plasmid DNA into the suprachoroidal space
• Experiments in rats found retinal cells were efficiently transduced for at least a month; no ocular complications were recorded

Kowalczuk L, Boudinet M, El Sanharawi M, Touchard E, Naud MC, Saïed A, Jeanny JC, Behar-Cohen F, Laugier P. Ultrasound Med Biol. 2011;37(11):1814-1827.

• Researchers assessed the combinatorial application of ultrasound and microbubbles to transfect the ciliary muscle of rat eyes
• The combinatorial transfection protocol led to target gene expression at 1 week but significant reductions in expression at 1 month

Touchard E, Kowalczuk L, Bloquel C, Naud MC, Bigey P, Behar-Cohen F. J Gene Med. 2010;12(11):904-919.

• Researchers described the development of a nonviral gene therapy method based on the electrotransfer of plasmid in the ciliary muscle
• The gene transfer procedure produced long-lasting and dose-dependent secretion of encoded proteins in the rat vitreous

Kowalczuk L, Touchard E, Camelo S, Naud MC, Castaneda B, Brunel N, Besson-Lescure B, Thillaye-Goldenberg B, Bigey P, BenEzra D, de Kozak Y, Behar-Cohen F. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2009;50(4):1761-1768.

• Researchers evaluated the efficacy of transfection with a plasmid encoding a p55 TNF-α receptor in a rat model of autoimmune uveoretinitis induced by S-antigen
• Transfection led to delayed and less severe uveitis, contributing to a reduction in retinal damages

Bloquel C, Bejjani R, Bigey P, Bedioui F, Doat M, BenEzra D, Scherman D, Behar-Cohen F. FASEB J. 2006;20(2):389-391.

• Researchers described an electrically-mediated plasmid delivery technique targeted to the ciliary muscle
• Electrotransfer of chimeric TNF-α soluble receptor inhibited inflammation in rats with endotoxin-induced uveitis, without inducing any ocular pathology or structural damage

Hoogewoud F, Kowalczuk L, Bousquet E, Brézin A, Touchard E, Buggage R, Bordet T, Behar-Cohen F. Med Sci (Paris). 2020;36(10):893-899.

• Reviewers discussed the potential application of a nonviral gene therapy approach to introduce TNF-α into the eye to treat non-infectious uveitis

Bordet T, Behar-Cohen F. Drug Discov Today. 2019;24(8):1685-1693.

• A review paper on the current gene therapy strategies (viral and nonviral approaches) for ocular diseases, with a focus on clinical-stage products

El Sanharawi M, Kowalczuk L, Touchard E, Omri S, de Kozak Y, Behar-Cohen F. Prog Retin Eye Res. 2010;29(6):443-465.

• Reviewers covered the application of nonviral gene therapy in delivering therapeutic proteins to the eye

Bejjani RA, Andrieu C, Bloquel C, Berdugo M, BenEzra D, Behar-Cohen F.. Surv Ophthalmol. 2007;52(2):196-208.

• Reviewers focused on the basic principles and therapeutic application of electrotransfer and iontophoresis as nonviral gene delivery systems for the treatment of eye diseases

Bloquel C, Bourges JL, Touchard E, Berdugo M, BenEzra D, Behar-Cohen F. Adv Drug Deliv Rev. 2006;58(11):1224-1242.

• Reviewers described various features and therapeutic potential of nonviral gene therapy in ocular diseases