Evaluation of an oral telomerase activator for early age-related macular degeneration - a pilot study

Abstract

Purpose

Telomere attrition and corresponding cellular senescence of the retinal pigment epithelium contribute to the changes of age-related macular degeneration. Activation of the enzyme telomerase can add telomeric DNA to retinal pigment epithelium chromosomal ends and has been proposed as a treatment for age-related macular degeneration. We report the use of a small molecule, oral telomerase activator (TA)-65 in early macular degeneration. This study, focusing on early macular degeneration, provides a model for the use of TAs in age-related disease.

Method

Thirty-eight (38) patients were randomly assigned to a 1-year, double-blinded, placebo-controlled interventional study with arms for oral TA-65 or placebo. Macular functions via micro-perimetry were the primary measured outcomes.

Results

The macular function in the arm receiving the TA-65 showed significant improvement relative to the placebo control. The improvement was manifest at 6 months and was maintained at 1 year: macular threshold sensitivity (measured as average dB [logarithmic decibel scale of light attenuation]) improved 0.97 dB compared to placebo (P-value 0.02) and percent reduced thresholds lessened 8.2% compared to the placebo arm (P-value 0.04).

Conclusion

The oral TA significantly improved the macular function of treatment subjects compared to controls. Although this study was a pilot and a larger study is being planned, it is noteworthy in that it is, to our knowledge, the first randomized placebo-controlled study of a TA supplement.

Background

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) plays a pivotal role in vision and in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness in the elderly in developed countries.^1,2 While there is great variety in the manifestation of AMD, it is now classified as “early”, “intermediate”, and late AMD. Of the late AMD there is atrophic (“dry”) and neovascular (“wet”) degeneration.³ Although there are newer treatments for wet degeneration, dry AMD – accounting for 80%–90% of the disease – still lacks effective therapy.

Seminal work regarding nutritional antioxidants and AMD started in the late 1980s and led to the large Age Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS). The results of the AREDS study showed that supplementation with antioxidants and zinc reduced the risk of progression to advanced AMD by approximately 25% in those with intermediate AMD or advanced AMD in one eye. Although encouraging, the study showed no benefit of antioxidants and zinc in early AMD.^4,5 A subsequent study with a reformulation (AREDS2) demonstrated an additional effect, again for those with moderate stage AMD. However, like the original AREDS study, the AREDS2 study showed no benefit (or harm) for individuals with early AMD.⁶

Of the multiple functions of the RPE one of the most important is the macrophage capacity to support the maintenance of the retina’s photoreceptors. Phagocytosis of spent outer segment membranes (discs) shed by the photoreceptors occurs at the apical surface of RPE. There are approximately 150 million photoreceptors in the human retina. Photoreceptors shed as many as 100 of their outer discs per day. Disc shedding is the process by which photoreceptors in the eye are renewed.⁷ These are continually replaced by the addition of new disks at the base of the stack. For homeostasis, each RPE cell needs to ingest as many as 4,000 outer segment discs per day.⁸

The early stage of AMD is characterized by the presence of drusen, which are yellow deposits between the RPE and Bruch’s membrane of the aged retina. How drusen deposits are formed remains controversial. Some believe that drusen may be un-phagocytosed debris that translocates from the apical to sub-RPE region;⁹ while others propose that drusen may be the result of exocytosis of phagocytosed materials undegradable by the RPE.¹⁰ RPE cells undergo senescence both in culture and in vivo^11–13 and RPE senescence is accompanied by an increase in beta-galactosidase activity indicative of cellular senescence and lysosomal dysfunction resulting in ineffective phagocytosis.¹⁴ A better understanding of the senescent phenotype in age-related disease is evolving and it relates to telomere shortening.^15,16

Telomeres are protective nucleotide repeats (TTAGGG) at the ends of chromosomes and due to the “end replication problem”¹⁷ are sequentially shortened with each cell division. Loss of telomeric DNA occurs during cell division because the end of the lagging strand of the chromosome cannot be fully replicated.¹⁸

Cellular senescence is generally considered to result from critical telomere attrition.¹⁶ Specifically, results in a recent article show that telomere length is associated with AMD risk¹⁹ and that telomere attrition plays an important role in a variety of age-related diseases as well as AMD.^20,21

This loss can be restored by the enzyme telomerase.^22,23 Telomerase is a reverse transcriptase with an intrinsic RNA template that produces new telomeric DNA; telomere erosion reflects the sum of the telomere loss and telomere restoration by telomerase.^23,24 In addition to telomere loss during cell division, there are other factors that can shorten telomeres, including oxidative stress.²⁴ Oxidative stress is associated with accelerated telomere shortening, and can be accompanied by a rapid entry of cells into senescence.²⁵ The central retina is required to respond to an exceptionally high oxidative stress load and that load is further increased with aging.^26,27

A small molecule compound isolated from the Astragalus membranaceus plant is capable of up-regulating telomerase activity.²⁸ This was identified in an empirical screening of traditional Chinese medicinal plant extracts and compounds having reported properties of health maintenance and enhanced immune function. A purified proprietary compound from this plant has been available commercially since 2007 as a nutraceutical product, telomerase activator (TA)-65 (www.tasciences.com), and carries a “generally regarded as safe” designation. The dosage reflects the pharmacokinetics of in vitro testing.²⁹

As up-regulation of telomerase, an enzyme that adds tandem repeats of TTAGGG, can “rescue” cells from senescence and result in an improved functioning RPE, telomerase activation has been proposed as treatment for macular degeneration.^30,31 RPE cells were the first cell type used in transfection studies to demonstrate the ability to immortalize normal cells through telomerase activation, without causing cancer, or cell transformation.^32,33 TA-65 is a low to moderate TA that enhances the replicative capacity of human RPE cells without apparent toxicity; in this study we propose that a treatment effect is due to an enhanced replicative capacity of the RPE.³⁴

Visual function alteration, such as abnormal retinal sensitivity in the central visual field, occurs in early AMD.³⁵ Micro-perimetry, via the macular integrity assessment (MAIA; Centervue, Padova, Italy) instrument, is a sensitive and clinically meaningful tool to assess and monitor macular function in AMD, and is much more sensitive in monitoring change than standard visual acuity measurement.³⁶ Micro-perimetry has shown decreased macular sensitivity in areas of drusen and RPE hyperpigmentation despite preserved visual acuity.³⁷ Normal visual acuity may be present until the development of later stages of AMD, thus, measured visual acuity is not a reliable functional parameter in the evaluation of these patients.³⁸ We tested individuals with early AMD to see if the use of an oral TA could impact the course of their disease, compared to placebo, as measured by micro-perimetry.

Methods

In this pilot study, 38 subjects with macular drusen (AREDS 2, 3) were randomly assigned to parallel, interventional, double-blinded study arms with oral TA-65 (8 mg purified Astragalus root extract) or placebo twice daily. TA-65 “is a >95% pure single chemical entity isolated from a proprietary extract of the dried root of Astragalus membranaceus”.²⁸ The placebo capsule contained excipients only. The contents and appearances of placebo capsules and TA-65 were indistinguishable in all aspects: shape, size, weight, and packaging except that one was labeled “A” and the other “B”. The participants, investigators, coordinators, and analysts of the data from the study were blinded to the identity of the bottles A and B until the end of the study. The randomization plan was generated using the website, Randomization.com (www.randomization.com).

The age range was 52–83 years with an average of 71 years old. The male/female ratio was 11/27. All of the 38 subjects except for three (non-study eye excluded for history of “wet AMD”) had both eyes qualify for the study (73 eyes). Seven eyes of four participants in the A group were pseudophakic; twelve eyes of seven participants in the B group were pseudophakic. As per inclusion/exclusion criteria, cataract surgery could not have been performed within 4 months of the initiation of the study and participants could not have surgery during the term of the study. The study adhered to the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki; the study was approved by an Integreview Institutional Review Board; Austin, Texas and written informed consents were obtained. Retinal photos and optical coherence tomography images were acquired to document macular drusen.

The primary measured outcome was macular function as tested by micro-perimetry measuring sensitivity of the central 10 degrees of the macula via the MAIA instrument. MAIA is a non-mydriatic, near-infrared, line-scanning, laser ophthalmoscope, which incorporates a high-frequency eye tracker and an automated threshold fundus perimeter. The automated eye tracker locks onto the entire fundus image and captures fixation changes 25 times per second during testing. The fundus image and overlaid testing grid is stored in the instrument allowing exacting follow-up testing. Standard MAIA testing parameters were used for this study: a 61-stimulus grid covering the central 10 degrees of the retina, 4-2 threshold strategy, fixation target red circle 1 degree diameter, stimulus size Goldmann III, background luminance set at 4 asb, maximum luminance 1,000 asb, and stimulus dynamic range 36 dB. The radial grid consisted of five rings, 1 degree apart from the center of the fovea to the periphery.

Threshold testing of 61 points was measured at the start of the study, at 6 months, and at 1 year. All subjects had at least one prior testing session to understand the nature of the testing procedure as previous studies have shown a significant increase in sensitivity between the first and second test, but not in subsequent testing.³⁹ Measured parameters for each subject were: 1) percent of reduced thresholds of the points tested compared to normal, and 2) average threshold (measured in dB of light attenuation). Alternative hypothesis testing (1-tailed Student’s t-test) was used for statistical analysis.

Statistical analysis

Data in this study were analyzed with SAS statistical software, version 9.4 (Statistical Analysis Software, Cary, NC, USA).

Results

At the conclusion of the study, the subjects and investigators were unmasked. Subjects taking TA-65 demonstrated improved function by changing from 39.6% reduced thresholds at the start to 31.7% reduced thresholds at 6 months. This improvement was maintained with 32.1% reduced thresholds at the study conclusion. This was compared to the subjects taking the placebo where reduced thresholds were: 41.1% (start) to 39.5%, then 41.8% at conclusion (P=0.04) (Figure 1). Moreover, the TA-65 group improved in the measured macular sensitivity where the average dB (logarithmic attenuation) changed from 25.0 dB at start to 26.1 dB at 6 months and 25.76 at 12 months. This was better than the placebo group that had an average 24.6 dB at start and 24.5 dB at 6 months and 24.39 at the end. (P=0.02) (Figure 2). Representation of a participant with marked improvement in these parameters is seen in the montage of images in Figure 3. The standard deviations (SDs) for the two parameters were: SD for change in reduced thresholds =20.870%. SD for change in average threshold =3.9305 dB.

Figure 1.

Change in percent reduced thresholds.

Notes: (A) Box and whisker plot showing change in reduced thresholds for the intervention arm receiving TA-65 compared to placebo. (B) Line graph showing improvement as measured in mean change in reduced thresholds manifest at 6 months and continued at 12 months (P-value 0.04).

Abbreviation: TA, telomerase activator.

Figure 2.

Change in average threshold.

Notes: (A) Box and whisker plot showing change in average threshold for the intervention arm receiving TA-65 compared to placebo. (B) Line graph showing improvement as measured in average threshold (log dB of light attenuation) manifest at 6 months and continued at 12 months (P-value 0.02).

Abbreviation: TA, telomerase activator.

Figure 3.

Montage of images from the right eye of patient number 13.

Notes: (A) Photo of the posterior pole. (B) Optical coherence tomography showing drusen. (C) Micro-perimetry prior to study. (D) Macular function representation prior to study. (E) Micro-perimetry after 1 year of telomerase activator. (F) Macular function representation after 1 year of telomerase activator.

One adverse reaction was reported to the institutional review board. A study subject had severe loss of vision in one eye from acute optic neuritis due to temporal arteritis (biopsy proven). Although this eye was not part of the study as she had previous treatment for wet macular degeneration in that eye, it was reported as an adverse reaction. She elected to continue in the study. At the unmasking, it was determined that she was in the placebo group. There were no untoward reactions in the TA treated group. Standard visual acuity did not change significantly in either group.

Discussion

The discovery and elucidation of telomere and telomerase biology warranted the 2009 Nobel Prize in medicine.⁴⁰ Understanding the basic biological mechanisms and emerging impact of telomerase and telomere biology in medicine provides a unique opportunity to study age-related disease. There are several recognized disease states related to short telomere length: ataxia-telangiectasia, Bloom syndrome, dyskeratosis congenita, Fanconi anemia, Nijmegen breakage syndrome, Werner syndrome,⁴¹ and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.⁴² Short telomere length is also associated with more common age-related diseases: coronary artery disease,²¹ chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,²⁰ osteoporosis,⁴³ and Alzheimer’s disease.^44,45 AMD has recently been added to this list.¹⁹

Micro-perimetry testing demonstrates functional macular changes not reflected in visual acuity.⁴⁶ It has been validated in AMD, including early AMD,³⁹ and was integral in our study of early AMD.

There is currently no treatment that can improve the macula in dry AMD.⁴⁷ Supported by cell culture studies,⁴⁸ telomerase activation has been proposed as a treatment for dry AMD.^30,31 This study is the first randomly assigned, double blind, placebo-controlled study testing the effect of a TA on macular degeneration.

Similar to other somatic cells, RPE cells undergo telomere shortening due to repeated cell division and the replicative capacity has been shown to decline as a function of donor age.⁴⁹ As RPE cells lack the telomerase enzyme, the cells progress to replicative and oxidative stress induced senescence. Ectopic expression of telomerase in RPE cells increases the replicative capacity and bypasses senescence by preventing telomere shortening.³² Markers of senescence are not detected in telomerase positive RPE cells unlike telomerase negative cells. Moreover, telomerase expressing RPE cells retain early-passage phenotype characteristics with regard to protein expression, cell cycle distribution, and capacity for melanization.⁵⁰

TA-65, taken orally, significantly improved the macular function of the treatment subjects compared to controls. Supported by cell biology studies of the RPE,⁵⁰ we propose that the treatment effect seen in this study is due to improved function of the RPE due to reduced telomere attrition via telomerase activation. The incidence and prevalence of AMD is expected to rise due to longer life expectancy producing an even greater socioeconomic impact of this disease in the future.⁵¹ The positive results from this study using an oral TA may stimulate a larger study that, if confirmatory, will present a therapeutic opportunity for telomerase activation and fill an unmet need for those with early AMD.