Jennifer J. Lentz Laboratory for Usher Syndrome Research
The overall goals of Dr. Lentz's research are to understand the mechanisms of Usher syndrome, and to develop therapeutic approaches to prevent or cure the deafness, imbalance, and blindness associated with the disease. Currently her lab targets mutations in the USH1C gene with antisense, gene, and CRISPR-based therapies using cell lines and a knock-in mouse model of Usher syndrome.
Dr. Jennifer J. Lentz
Jennifer J. Lentz is an Associate Professor of Otolaryngology & Biocommunications and a member of the Neuroscience Center of Excellence at LSU Health in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Dr. Lentz is also adjunct in the Departments of Ophthalmology and Genetics.
Currently her lab targets mutations in the USH1C gene with antisense, gene, and CRISPR-based therapies using cell lines and a knock-in mouse model of Usher syndrome. Her lab uses a wide range of molecular, immunohistochemical, imaging, electrophysiological, and behavioral laboratory techniques, including electroretinogram (ERG), auditory evoked brainstem response (ABR), distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs), acoustic startle response (ASR), and open field analysis in Usher mice. Dr. Lentz also conducts several Natural History Studies - both retrospective and prospective - with Usher syndrome patients to better understand the molecular epidemiology and natural clinical and socio-demographic histories of Usher syndrome.
Lentz Lab Research Highlights
The lab offers Usher Syndrome in Louisiana Community Symposiums.
Selected Publications
- Ponnath A, Depreux F, Jodelka FM, Farris HE, Rigo F, Hastings ML, Lentz JJ. Rescue of outer hair cells with antisense oligonucleotides in Usher mice is dependent on age of treatment. Journal of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology, 2017, 10.1007/s 101620017-0640-x. PMID: 29027038
- S Vijayakumar, F Depreux, FM Jodelka, JJ Lentz, F Rigo, TA Jones, ML Hastings. Rescue of peripheral vestibular function in Usher syndrome mice using a splice-switching antisense oligonucleotide. Human Molecular Genetics, 2017 doi.or/10.1093/hmg/ddx234. PMID: 28633508
- Pan B, Askew C, Galvin A, Haman-Ackah S, Asai Y, Indzhykulian AA, Jodelka F, Hastings ML, Lentz JJ, Vandenberghe LH, Holt JR, Geleoc GGS. Gene therapy restores auditory and vestibular function in a mouse model of Usher syndrome type IC. Nature Biotechnology, 2017 35(3):264-274. PMID: 28165476
- Depreux FF, Wang L, Jiang H, Jodelka FM, Rosencrans RF, Rigo R, Lentz JJ, Brigande JV, Hastings, ML. Antisense Oligonucleotides delivered to the amniotic cavity in utero modulate gene expression in the postnatal mouse. Breakthrough Article: Nucleic Acids Research, 2016 44(20):9519-9529. PMID: 27683224
- Lentz J, Jodelka FM, Hinrick AJ, McCaffrey KE, Farris HE, Spalitta MJ, Bazan NG, Duelli DM, Rigo F, Hastings ML. Rescue of hearing and vestibular function by antisense oligonucleotides in a mouse model of human deafness. Nature Medicine, 2013 19:345-350. PMID: 23380860
A Complete List of Published Work
Jennifer J. Lentz Laboratory for Usher Mouse Images
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Image of a mouse cochlea.-From Dr. Lentz's study on Usher Syndrome.
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Image of the anterior cristae of a mouse.-From Dr. Lentz's study on Usher Syndrome. |
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Image of a mouse saccule.-From Dr. Lentz's study on Usher Syndrome.
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Usher Mouse ImageImage from Dr. Lentz' study on Usher Syndrome of a mouse utricle.
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