Clinical Trial: Stem Cell Models of Best Disease and Other Retinal Degenerative Diseases.

Study Status: Recruiting
Recruit Status: Recruiting
Study Type: Observational




Official Title: Development of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells From Patients With Best Disease and Other Inherited Retinal Degenerative Diseases.

Brief Summary:

Background: Autosomal recessive bestrophinopathy (ARB) is one of 5 blinding eye diseases caused by mutations in the gene BEST1. These diseases, collectively termed "bestrophinopathies" include ARB, Best vitelliform macular dystrophy (BVMD), adult-onset vitelliform dystrophy (AVMD), autosomal dominant vitreoretinalchoroidopathy (ADVIRC) and retinitis pigmentosa (RP) .

Objective: To collect DNA/RNA and skin samples from individuals with ARB or other diseases due to mutations in the gene BEST1. These models will be used to identify and test therapeutic approaches to treating these diseases.

Design: Study involves a one time donation of a skin punch biopsy and whole blood. Once the skin biopsy is obtained, skin fibroblasts will be isolated, which will be reprogrammed into iPSCs. RPE cells will be derived from the iPSCs