Abstract: Disclosed are, among other methods, methods for reactivating retinal ganglion cells in mammals by administering an effective amount of channelrhodopsins (such as ChrimsonR), or an effective amount of such channelrhodopsins (such as ChrimsonR) fused to a fluorescent protein. In the form of protein or nucleic acids, and compositions thereof. The methods may include a light stimuli level inducing RGCs response that is below radiation safety limit. The methods may include delivery by an adenoassociated virus vector. The methods may include use of a CAG promoter. The methods may result in a long term expression of an effective amount of the channelrhodopsins (such as ChrimsonR protein).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid sequence derived from the regulatory region of the human gamma-synuclein gene and having a promoter activity in retinal ganglion cells. The present invention also relates to expression cassettes or vectors comprising said promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide of interest as well as viral particles or host cells comprising said expression cassette or vector. The present invention also relates to the use of said expression cassettes, vectors, viral particles or cells in the treatment of ocular disease, in particular ocular disease associated with retinal ganglion cell or photoreceptor cell degeneration.

Abstract: Disclosed are, among other methods, methods for reactivating retinal ganglion cells in mammals by administering an effective amount of channelrhodopsins (such as ChrimsonR), or an effective amount of such channelrhodopsins (such as ChrimsonR) fused to a fluorescent protein, in the form of protein or nucleic acids, and compositions thereof. The methods may include a light stimuli level inducing RGCs response that is below radiation safety limit. The methods may include delivery by an adenoassociated virus vector. The methods may include use of a CAG promoter. The methods may result in a long term expression of an effective amount of the channelrhodopsins (such as ChrimsonR protein).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid sequence derived from the regulatory region of the human gamma-synuclein gene and having a promoter activity in retinal ganglion cells. The present invention also relates to expression cassettes or vectors comprising said promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide of interest as well as viral particles or host cells comprising said expression cassette or vector. The present invention also relates to the use of said expression cassettes, vectors, viral particles or cells in the treatment of ocular disease, in particular ocular disease associated with retinal ganglion cell or photoreceptor cell degeneration.