Bietti Crystalline Corneoretinal Dystrophy Research Articles

In vivo genome editing via CRISPR/Cas9-mediated homology-independent targeted integration for Bietti crystalline corneoretinal dystrophy treatment

Bietti crystalline corneoretinal dystrophy (BCD) is an autosomal recessive chorioretinal degenerative disease without approved therapeutic drugs. It is caused by mutations in CYP4V2 gene, and about 80% of BCD patients carry mutations in exon 7 to 11. Here, we apply CRISPR/Cas9 mediated homology-independent targeted integration (HITI)-based gene editing therapy in HEK293T cells, BCD patient derived iPSCs, and humanized Cyp4v3 mouse model (h-Cyp4v3mut/mut) using two rAAV2/8 vectors via sub-retinal administration. We find that sgRNA-guided Cas9 generates double-strand cleavage on intron 6 of the CYP4V2 gene, and the HITI donor inserts the carried sequence, part of intron 6, exon 7-11, and a stop codon into the DNA break, achieving precise integration, effective transcription and translation both in vitro and in vivo. HITI-based editing restores the viability of iPSC-RPE cells from BCD patient, improves the morphology, number and metabolism of RPE and photoreceptors in h-Cyp4v3mut/mut mice. These results suggest that HITI-based editing could be a promising therapeutic strategy for those BCD patients carrying mutations in exon 7 to 11, and one injection will achieve lifelong effectiveness.

Gene replacement therapy in Bietti crystalline corneoretinal dystrophy: an open-label, single-arm, exploratory trial

Bietti crystalline corneoretinal dystrophy is an inherited retinal disease caused by mutations in CYP4V2, which results in blindness in the working-age population, and there is currently no available treatment. Here, we report the results of the first-in-human clinical trial (NCT04722107) of gene therapy for Bietti crystalline corneoretinal dystrophy, including 12 participants who were followed up for 180–365 days. This open-label, single-arm exploratory trial aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of a recombinant adeno-associated-virus-serotype-2/8 vector encoding the human CYP4V2 protein (rAAV2/8-hCYP4V2). Participants received a single unilateral subretinal injection of 7.5 × 1010 vector genomes of rAAV2/8-hCYP4V2. Overall, 73 treatment-emergent adverse events were reported, with the majority (98.6%) being of mild or moderate intensity and considered to be procedure- or corticosteroid-related; no treatment-related serious adverse events or local/systemic immune toxicities were observed. Compared with that measured at baseline, 77.8% of the treated eyes showed improvement in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) on day 180, with a mean ± standard deviation increase of 9.0 ± 10.8 letters in the 9 eyes analyzed (p = 0.021). By day 365, 80% of the treated eyes showed an increase in BCVA, with a mean increase of 11.0 ± 10.6 letters in the 5 eyes assessed (p = 0.125). Importantly, the patients’ improvement observed using multifocal electroretinogram, microperimetry, and Visual Function Questionnaire-25 further supported the beneficial effects of the treatment. We conclude that the favorable safety profile and visual improvements identified in this trial encourage the continued development of rAAV2/8-hCYP4V2 (named ZVS101e).

Prevalence and optical coherence tomography analyses of outer retinal tubulations in Chinese population with inherited retinal diseases.

To investigate the prevalence of outer retinal tubulation (ORT) and its correlations with optical coherence tomography (OCT) parameters in Chinese population with inherited retinal diseases (IRDs). This retrospective study enrolled consecutive patients identified with IRDs and referred for genetic testing between February 2016 and April 2021. Clinical characteristics from medical records and features of cross-sectional B-scans were reviewed and analysed. The associations of patient-specific and ocular features with the presence of ORT were evaluated using univariate and multivariate analyses. Two hundred and three patients (401 eyes) with a mean age of 49.7 ± 16.7 years were enrolled. ORT was observed in 41 eyes (10.2%), including 26 of 28 eyes (92.9%) with Bietti crystalline corneoretinal dystrophy (BCD), 14 of 338 eyes (4.1%) with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), and 1 of 26 eyes (3.8%) in eyes with cone-rod dystrophy. Eyes with ORT showed significantly worse visual acuity than those without ORT (P = 0.002). Multivariate analysis indicated that the presence of ORT was positively correlated with choroidal atrophy and inner nuclear layer (INL) cysts (P < 0.01). ORTs were detected more frequently in eyes with BCD than RP (P = 0.024), most of which located exclusively within the extrafoveal area. Large choroidal vessels were detected underneath the corresponding ORTs in both patients with BCD and RP. The prevalence of ORT varies among different IRDs phenotypes, with the highest prevalence in BCD. The presence of choroidal atrophy and INL cysts may be associated with an increased risk of ORT formation in patients with IRD.

A Bietti Crystalline Dystrophy Mouse Model Shows Increased Sensitivity to Light-Induced Injury.

Bietti crystalline corneo-retinal dystrophy (BCD) is an autosomal recessive inherited retinal dystrophy characterized by multiple shimmering yellow-white deposits in the posterior pole of the retina in association with atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), pigment clumps, and choroidal atrophy and sclerosis. Blindness and severe visual damage are common in late-stage BCD patients. We generated a Cyp4v3 knockout mouse model to investigate the pathogenesis of BCD. This model exhibits decreased RPE numbers and signs of inflammation response in the retina. Rod photoreceptors were vulnerable to light-induced injury, showing increased deposits through fundoscopy, a decrease in thickness and a loss of cells in the ONL, and the degeneration of rod photoreceptors. These results suggest that an inflammatory response might be an integral part of the pathophysiology of BCD, suggesting that it might be reasonable for BCD patients to avoid strong light, and the results provide a useful model for evaluating the effects of therapeutic approaches.

Generation of a human induced pluripotent stem cell line from a Bietti crystalline corneoretinal dystrophy patient with CYP4V2 mutations

Bietti crystalline corneoretinal dystrophy (BCD) is an autosomal recessively inherited progressive retinal disease. Here, we describe the generation and characterization of a human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) line of BCD patient with CYP4V2 mutations. The reprogramming of this iPSC line was performed from skin fibroblast by using the Sendai-virus based approach. The established hiPSC line retained the disease-associated mutations and showed normal karyotype, pluripotency and differentiation capacity.

Clinical manifestation and gene mutation of Bietti crystalline corneoretinal dystrophy

Objective To analyze the clinical manifestation and CYP4V2 mutations of Bietti crystalline corneoretinal dystrophy( BCD) families. Methods Total of 234 patients (173 families) diagnosed as BCD were recruited in Peking University Third Hospital from 2010 to 2018.All of the subjects underwent comprehensive eye examinations to observe the clinical manifestations.Blood samples were collected and genomic DNA was extracted.The Sanger sequencing or high- throughput sequencing was applied for CYP4V2 gene mutation analysis.This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Peking University Third Hospital (NO.2012093). All patients and their family members signed informed consent. Results Some patients manifested the typical phenotype of BCD characterized by yellowish-white crystalline deposits throughout the fundus.However, some patients in advanced stage were easily misdiagnosed as other inherited retinal degeneration because the crystalline deposits diminished or even disappeared.Forty-nine probands in our cohort were misdiagnosed as other inherited retinal degeneration at first visit, with a misdiagnosis rate of 28.3%.Genetic diagnosis results showed that 161 patients carried CYP4V2 mutation, and the positive rate was 93.1%.Eight novel mutations were obtained.The three known mutations c. 802-8 _810del17bp, c.1091-2 A>G and c. 992 A>C accounted for 73.5% of the mutations, which were hotspots in Chinese Han populations for BCD. Conclusions Patients with BCD have characteristic fundus manifestation, but are easily misdiagnosed in advanced stage.Molecular diagnosis is valuable in clinical diagnosis of the disease, thus contribute to the prevention and treatment of the disease.A single hybrid mutation is not enough to lead to BCD.No apparent genotype- phenotype correlation between the CYP4V2 gene and occurrence of BCD is identified. Key words: Gene mutation; Bietti crystalline corneoretinal dystrophy; CYP4V2 gene

Research progress in Bietti crystalline corneoretinal dystrophy

Bietti crystalline corneoretinal dystrophy (BCD) is an autosomal recessive retinal degenerative disease characterized by crystalline deposits in the retina, followed by progressive atrophy of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), choriocapillaris and photoreceptors.CYP4V2 has been identified as causative gene for BCD.At present, multiple gene mutation sites have been found in BCD patients.CYP4V2 gene belongs to cytochrome P450, it participates in the ω-hydroxylase activity of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). CYP4V2 proteins are mainly distributed in the RPE, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) as specific catalytic substrates, and play an important role in ocular physiological lipid recycling system.CYP4V2 gene mutations can disrupt the endogenous fatty acids or steroid synthesis and decomposition approach.The treatment of BCD always refers to retinitis pigmentosa (RP), and the study of mutation sites have provided the possibility for future gene therapy.Understanding the mechanism of molecular genetics and the pathophysiology of disease will be useful for the genetic diagnosis of BCD and potential development of genetic therapy in the future.This article reviewed the molecular genetic mechanism of BCD, in vivo expression and role of CYP4V2 in lipid metabolism and the treatment of BCD. Key words: Bietti crystalline corneoretinal dystrophy; Cytochrome P450; CYP4V2; Lipid metabolism; Treatment

Identification and population history of CYP4V2 mutations in patients with Bietti crystalline corneoretinal dystrophy.

To identify known and novel CYP4V2 mutations in patients with Bietti crystalline cornea (BCD), expand the spectrum of CYP4V2 mutations, and characterize the population history of the c.802-8_810del17insGC mutation common in Asian populations, genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood samples from 58 unrelated patients with clinical diagnoses of BCD. Exons and flanking intronic regions of the CYP4V2 gene were dideoxy DNA sequenced. Nonpathogenic polymorphisms were excluded and known mutations were identified by sequencing 192 unaffected individuals from similar ethnic backgrounds and examination of online databases. The age of the c.802-8_810del17insGC mutation was estimated using three independent approaches. A total of 28 CYP4V2 mutations, 9 of which were novel, were detected in the 58 patients with BCD. These included 19 missense, 4 nonsense, 2 deletion, 2 splice site, and 1 insertion-deletion mutations. Two missense variants of uncertain significance were also detected. The age of the c.802-8_810del17insGC mutation was estimated to be 1040-8200 generations in the Chinese and 300-1100 generations in the Japanese populations. These results expand the mutation spectrum of CYP4V2, and provide insight into the origin of the c.802-8_810del17insGC mutation in the Chinese population and its transmission to the Japanese population.

Identification of CYP4V2 mutation in 36 Chinese families with Bietti crystalline corneoretinal dystrophy

Bietti crystalline corneoretinal dystrophy (BCD) is an inherited eye disease that is most common in the Chinese. It is caused by a mutation in the CYP4V2 gene. In this study, 43 Chinese BCD families were recruited; most patients manifested the characteristic phenotype of BCD, with 2 families initially misdiagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa. Five patients in our cohort presented with BCD and choroidal neovascularization (CNV), and 1 patient presented with typical BCD and abnormality in the terminals of both fingers and toes. A total of 17 pathogenic mutations involving 68 alleles were identified from 36 families using targeted exon sequencing and Sanger sequencing; we achieved a diagnostic rate of approximately 84%. Fifteen families were found to carry homozygous mutations, 17 families carried compound heterozygous mutations, and 4 families carried a single heterozygous mutation. Of the mutations identified, four variants c.802-8_810del17bpinsGC, c.802-8_810del17bpinsGT, c.992A > C (p.H331P), and c.1091-2A > G accounted for 71% of the mutations identified in CYP4V2. These mutations were hotspots in Chinese populations for BCD. Five among them were novel and predicted to be disease-causing, including c.65T > A (p.L22H), c.681_4delTGAG (p.S227Rfs*1), c.802-8_810del17bpinsGT, c.965_7delAAG (p.321delE), and c.994G > A (p.D332N). No apparent correlation between genotype and phenotype was identified. Our findings broaden the spectrum of CYP4V2 mutations that cause BCD and the phenotypic spectrum of the disease in Chinese families. These results will be useful for the genetic diagnosis of BCD, genetic consultation, and gene therapy in the future.

Novel CYP4V2 mutations associated with Bietti crystalline corneoretinal dystrophy in Chinese patients.

To analyze the CYP4V2 mutations in five unrelated Chinese patients with Bietti crystalline corneoretinal dystrophy (BCD) and to provide clinical features of these patients. BCD is a rare monogenic autosomal recessively inherited disorder characterized by the presence of crystals in the retina and retinal pigment epithelium atrophy. Mutations in the CYP4V2 gene have been found to be causative for BCD. Ophthalmic examinations were carried out in the affected individuals. Peripheral blood samples were collected and genomic DNA was extracted. All exons and flanking intronic regions of the CYP4V2 gene were amplified with polymerase chain reaction and screened for mutations by direct DNA sequencing. One hundred control chromosomes were also screened to exclude nonpathogenic polymorphisms. Fundus examination revealed the presence of tiny yellowish-sparkling crystals at the posterior pole of the fundus and atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium in all patients. Choroid neovascularization was noted in one patient. Five different CYP4V2 mutations were identified, including two missense mutations (p.F73L, p.R400H), two splice site mutations (c.802-8_810del17insGC, c.1091-2A>G), and one single base-pair deletion (p.T479TfsX7 or c.1437delC). The two splice site mutations were identified in three of the patients with BCD. Mutation p.T479TfsX7 was a novel mutation not observed in any of 100 ethnically matched control chromosomes. Mutation c.802-8_810del17insGC and c.1091-2A>G are common mutations in Chinese patients with BCD. Our results expand the allelic heterogeneity of BCD.

Progress in mechanism of CYP4V2 gene mutations for Bietti crystalline corneoretinal dystrophy

Bietti crystalline corneoretinal dystrophy (BCD) is a common form of hereditary retinal degeneration in Chinese.Mutation of the cytochrome P450 4V2 (CYP4V2) gene,a novel family member of the cytochrome P450 genes on chromosome 4q35,has been identified in BCD patients,with the common mutation locus at c.802-8 _ 810dell7insGC (Exon7del),c.992A ＞ C (p.H331 P) and c.1091-2A ＞ G (Exon 9del).CYP4V2 is responsible for oxidation of various substrates in the metabolic pathway,especially ω-hydroxylase activity towards ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs).CYP4V2 appears to be the only CYP4 memeber at significant levels in retinal cells,and it may be a prominent contributor to local metabolism of PUFAs,mainly DHA (C22:6n-3),in retinal cells.To understand and investigate the main mechanism of CYP4V2 gene mutation causing BCD is important in the study of genetic diagnosis and genetic management of BCD.This review summarized the current advance in the genetic mechanism of BCD and function of CYP4V2 gene,elucidated the substrate specificity and unraveled the biochemical pathways that may impact function of CYP4V2 in BCD patients. Key words: Bietti crystalline corneoretinal dystrophy; Cytochrome P450 enzyme system/genetics; DNA mutation; Lipid metabolism; Retinal diseases/genetics

Spectral domain optical coherence tomography and in vivo confocal microscopy imaging of a case of Bietti's crystalline dystrophy

BackgroundThe aim was to describe the morphology and localisation of crystals in a case of Bietti's crystalline corneo‐retinal dystrophy (BCD) by means of spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD‐OCT) and in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM).MethodsClinical examination, SD‐OCT and IVCM evaluation of a 35‐year‐old woman with BCD.ResultsOptical coherence tomography examination of the macular region revealed multiple crystals in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)‐choriocapillaris, some crystals within the full thickness of the neurosensory retina and less numerous crystals in the choroid. Crystals were present peripherally in areas of retinal atrophy, predominantly in the choroid and to a lesser extent in the RPE‐choriocapillaris and the neuroepithelium. In vivo confocal microscopy showed multiple crystals of varying morphology in the peripheral and paralimbal cornea, mainly located in the anterior stroma over 360°.ConclusionsSD‐OCT provided greater precision in the localisation of crystals, found mainly in the choroid and RPE‐choriocapillaris rather than the neuroepithelium. In vivo confocal microscopy revealed a higher number of crystals compared to those visible using conventional slitlamp biomicroscopy and showed a different crystal morphology.

A novel mutation in the CYP4V2 gene in a Chinese patient with Bietti’s crystalline dystrophy

Bietti crystalline corneoretinal dystrophy (BCD, MIM 210370) is a type of hereditary retinal disorder which commonly occurs in China. It is known that mutations in the CYP4V2 gene result in BCD. The purpose of this study was to investigate the case of a Chinese family and characterize the polymorphisms of the CYP4V2 gene. A 29-year-old male (the son of a Chinese family) with typical clinical symptoms of BCD and his family were recruited into this study. Ophthalmologic examination, including best-corrected visual acuity, slit-lamp, and fundus examination with dilated pupils, was conducted to determine the clinical characteristics of the whole family. The entire coding region and adjacent intronic sequences of 11 coding regions of the CYP4V2 gene of the whole family were then amplified by polymerase chain reaction and sequenced. Our results show that the son had typical clinical features of BCD. His bilateral decimal visual acuity was 0.06 (left eye) and 0.01 (right eye). Bilateral crystal-like deposits were found in the posterior pole of his fundus, and differing extent of atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium, and carpet-like retinal degeneration along with numerous tiny glittering crystals were also clearly observed. However, such characteristics were not found on the fundus of his parents' eyes. Five mutations within the CYP4V2 gene (c.64C>G, c.775C>A, c.810T>G, c.1091-2A>G, and c.1399T>C) were identified in the son. Among the five mutations, four had previously been reported and the c.1399T>C was discovered for the first time. This novel mutation causes an amino acid substitution (C467R) in the CYP4V2 protein, but it was not detected in the parents. As there is no apparent relationship in genotype-phenotype correlation between the CYP4V2 gene and the occurrence of BCD, this novel mutation may be a possible cause that could induce the clinical phenotype of BCD.

Progress in the studies of molecular genetics in Bietti crystalline corneoretinal dystrophy

CYP4V2, a relatively new member of human cytochrome P450 (P450) enzymes, is termed an "orphan" P450 because its substrate specificity and physiological roles are unknown. Mutations in the CYP4V2 gene is associated with an autosomal recessive inherited ocular disease named Bietti's crystalline dystrophy (BCD). The strong gene-disease associations provide unique opportunities for elucidating the substrate specificity of this orphan P450s and unraveling the biochemical pathways that may be impacted in patients with CYP4V2 functional deficits.

CYP4V2 in Bietti's Crystalline Dystrophy: Ocular Localization, Metabolism of ω-3-Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids, and Functional Deficit of the p.H331P Variant

Bietti's crystalline corneoretinal dystrophy (BCD) is a recessive degenerative eye disease caused by germline mutations in the CYP4V2 gene. More than 80% of mutant alleles consist of three mutations, that is, two splice-site alterations and one missense mutation, c.992C>A, which translates to p.H331P. In the present study, we analyzed the expression of CYP4 family members in human tissues and conducted functional studies with the wild-type and p.H331P enzymes, to elucidate the link between CYP4V2 activity and BCD. Expression analysis of 17 CYP1 to CYP4 genes showed CYP4V2 to be a major cytochrome P450 in ARPE-19 cells (a human cell line spontaneously generated from normal human retinal pigmented epithelium) and the only detectable CYP4 transcript. Immunohistochemical analyses demonstrated that CYP4V2 protein was present in epithelial cells of the retina and cornea and the enzyme was localized to endoplasmic reticulum. Recombinant reconstituted CYP4V2 protein metabolized eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (an important constituent of the retina) to their respective ω-hydroxylated products at rates similar to those observed with purified CYP4F2, which is an established hepatic polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) hydroxylase. The disease-associated p.H331P variant was undetectable in Western blot analyses of HepG2 cells stably transduced with lentiviral expression vectors. Finally, overexpression of functional CYP4V2 in HepG2 cells altered lipid homeostasis. We demonstrated that CYP4V2 protein is expressed at high levels in ocular target tissues of BCD, that the enzyme is metabolically active toward PUFAs, and that the functional deficit among patients with BCD who carry the H331P variant is most likely a consequence of the instability of the mutant protein.

Exome Sequencing Identifies Compound Heterozygous Mutations in CYP4V2 in a Pedigree with Retinitis Pigmentosa

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a heterogeneous group of progressive retinal degenerations characterized by pigmentation and atrophy in the mid-periphery of the retina. Twenty two subjects from a four-generation Chinese family with RP and thin cornea, congenital cataract and high myopia is reported in this study. All family members underwent complete ophthalmologic examinations. Patients of the family presented with bone spicule-shaped pigment deposits in retina, retinal vascular attenuation, retinal and choroidal dystrophy, as well as punctate opacity of the lens, reduced cornea thickness and high myopia. Peripheral venous blood was obtained from all patients and their family members for genetic analysis. After mutation analysis in a few known RP candidate genes, exome sequencing was used to analyze the exomes of 3 patients III2, III4, III6 and the unaffected mother II2. A total of 34,693 variations shared by 3 patients were subjected to several filtering steps against existing variation databases. Identified variations were verified in the rest family members by PCR and Sanger sequencing. Compound heterozygous c.802-8_810del17insGC and c.1091-2A>G mutations of the CYP4V2 gene, known as genetic defects for Bietti crystalline corneoretinal dystrophy, were identified as causative mutations for RP of this family.

Comparative modeling and molecular docking of orphan human CYP4V2 protein with fatty acid substrates: Insights into substrate specificity.

Cytochromes P450 (CYPs) are a super family of heme-containing enzymes well-known for their monooxgenase reaction. There are 57 CYP isoenzymes found in human which exhibit specific physiological functions. Thirteen members of this super family are classified as "orphan" CYP because of their unknown enzymatic functions. CYP4V2 is found to be a potential drug target for Bietti crystalline corneoretinal dystrophy (BCD). However, three-dimensional structure, the active site topology and substrate binding modes of CYP4V2 remain unclear. In this study, the three-dimensional model of CYP4V2 was constructed using the homology modeling method. Four possible fatty acid substrates namely, caprylic, lauric, myrisitc and palmitic acids were optimized and evaluated for drug likeness using Lipinski's rule of five. Further, these substrates were docked into active sites of CYP4V2 and several key residues responsible for substrate binding were identified. These findings will be helpful for the structure-based drug design and detailed characterization of the biological roles of CYP4V2.

Identification of CYP4V2 mutation in 21 families and overview of mutation spectrum in Bietti crystalline corneoretinal dystrophy

Bietti crystalline corneoretinal dystrophy (BCD, MIM 210370) is a common form of hereditary retinal degeneration in the Chinese population. BCD is caused by CYP4V2 mutations. Understanding the CYP4V2 mutational spectrum and associated phenotypes is of value for clinical practice. In this study, nine CYP4V2 mutations, including four novel ones (c.215-2A>G, c.761A>G, c.958C>T, and c.1169G>A), were detected in all 21 families with BCD. All patients with CYP4V2 mutations had phenotypes typical for BCD. As of now, 34 CYP4V2 mutations have been identified in 104 of 109 families (95.4%), affecting 204 of the 218 alleles (93.6%). Of the 34 mutations, c.802-8_810del17insGC, c.992A>C, and c.1091-2A>G are the most common mutations, accounting for 62.7%, 7.4%, and 6.4% of the 204 mutant alleles, respectively. The remaining 31 mutations were only detected in 1–6 alleles. Mutations in exons 7, 8, and 9 account for 83.3% of mutant alleles (64.7%, 9.3%, and 10.3%, respectively). Our results expand the mutation spectrum of CYP4V2 and demonstrate an overview of the CYP4V2 mutation spectrum and its frequency in families with BCD. BCD is a clinically and genetically homogenous disease.

Crystal deposits on the lens capsules in Bietti crystalline corneoretinal dystrophy associated with a mutation in the CYP4V2 gene

We report a patient (Case 1) with Bietti crystalline corneoretinal dystrophy (BCD) associated with previously unknown findings of crystal-like deposits on the anterior and posterior lens capsules. This patient is one of four (Cases 1-4) in whom we have found BCD associated with the same mutation in the CYP4V2 gene. We present a case report with molecular diagnosis. A 45-year-old man (Case 1) was referred to our clinic with complaints of gradual progression of visual disturbances and night blindness. His visual acuity was limited to hand movement bilaterally. Slit-lamp biomicroscopy disclosed glistening, crystal-like deposits on the anterior and posterior lens capsules, as well as on the corneal stroma near the corneoscleral limbus. No such deposit was found in the lens stroma. Fundus examination disclosed profound chorioretinal atrophy with scarce crystal deposits. Full-field electroretinography showed extinguished responses of isolated rods, isolated cones, and mixed rods and cones. Molecular genetic analysis revealed that the subject had a homozygous mutation in the CYP4V2 gene (IVS6-8delTCATACAGGTCATCGCG/insGC), which is most commonly found in Japanese patients with BCD. Three other cases (Cases 2-4) of BCD associated with the same mutation did not show such crystal-like deposits on the lens surface. Although their exact origin remains unknown, crystal-like deposits may appear on the lens capsule of patients with BCD associated with a mutation in the CYP4V2 gene.

In Vivo Confocal Microscopic Findings of 2 Patients With Bietti Crystalline Corneoretinal Dystrophy

To describe the clinical and in vivo confocal microscopic findings of the cornea in 2 patients with Bietti crystalline corneoretinal dystrophy using Heidelberg Retina Tomograph II Rostock Cornea Module. Two women 25 and 33 years of age underwent ophthalmologic assessment, including fundus photography, optical coherence tomography, fluorescein angiography, electroretinography, and in vivo confocal microscopy. Slit-lamp examination revealed crystalline deposits at the superior limbus of the cornea in both of the subjects. Fundus examination disclosed numerous glistening yellowish white crystalline deposits scattered throughout the posterior pole and midperipheral retina, retina pigment epithelium and choriocapillaris atrophy; pigment clumping; and retinal scarring. Optical coherence tomography demonstrated hyperreflective red and white areas corresponding to the crystalline deposits in the retinal pigment epithelium-choriocapillaris complex. In vivo confocal microscopy of the superior paralimbal area showed randomly oriented needle-shaped or rod-shaped crystals up to 40 microm in length and 4-8 microm in width in the epithelium and the stroma. In other areas, the epithelium, stroma, and endothelium had normal appearance with no deposits. In vivo confocal microscopy is a noninvasive examination technique that shows clearly the corneal crystals located mainly in the superior paralimbal area in Bietti crystalline corneoretinal dystrophy, which can easily be missed even by an experienced ophthalmologist and therefore may aid further in the diagnosis.