Sinclair lab publishes OSK reprogramming restoring vision in mice (Nature), the basis for ER-100

Life Biosciences/ER-100

A Nature paper showed that expressing OSK genes (three Yamanaka reprogramming factors) in mouse retinal ganglion cells restored youthful DNA methylation and gene expression, promoted axon regrowth after injury and reversed vision loss in a glaucoma model and in old mice. The effect required the demethylases TET1 and TET2, revealing a mechanism for epigenetic rejuvenation in post-mitotic neurons.

• OSK expression in retinal ganglion cells restored youthful epigenetic marks and gene expression patterns.
• Promoted axon regrowth after injury and reversed vision loss in glaucoma and age-related vision decline.
• Effect required TET1 and TET2 demethylases, showing active epigenetic reversion mechanism.
• Findings provided scientific basis for Life Biosciences' ER-100 gene therapy program for ocular diseases.