Retina Suppression of cGMP-Dependent Photoreceptor Cytotoxicity With Mycophenolate Is Neuroprotective in Murine Models of Retinitis Pigmentosa Paul Yang,1 Rachel Lockard,2 Hope Titus,1 Jordan Hiblar,1 Kyle Weller,1 Dahlia Wafai,1 Richard G. Weleber,1 Robert M. Duvoisin,3 Catherine W. Morgans,3 and Mark E. Pennesi1 1Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States 2School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States 3Chemical Physiology & Biochemistry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States Correspondence: Paul Yang, 515 SW PURPOSE. To determine the effect of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) on retinal degeneration Campus Drive, Portland, OR 97239, on two mouse models of retinitis pigmentosa. USA;
[email protected]. METHODS. Intraperitoneal injections of MMF were administered daily in rd10 and c57 mice starting at postoperative day 12 (P12) and rd1 mice starting at P8. The effect Received: January 7, 2020 of MMF was assessed with optical coherence tomography, immunohistochemistry, elec- Accepted: July 17, 2020 troretinography, and OptoMotry. Whole retinal cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) Published: August 12, 2020 and mycophenolic acid levels were quantified with mass spectrometry. Photoreceptor Citation: Yang P, Lockard R, Titus H, cGMP cytotoxicity was evaluated with cell counts of cGMP immunostaining. et al. Suppression of cGMP-dependent photoreceptor RESULTS. MMF treatment significantly delays the onset of retinal degeneration and cGMP- cytotoxicity with mycophenolate is dependent photoreceptor cytotoxicity in rd10 and rd1 mice, albeit a more modest effect in neuroprotective in murine models of the latter. In rd10 mice, treatment with MMF showed robust preservation of the photore- retinitis pigmentosa.