LCA-induced caspase 3/7 activation was decreased after CHOP siRNA (Fig. 5C) and LCA-induced cell apoptosis could be reversed after knock-down of CHOP, e.g. apoptotic cells were changed from 26.07% (10 μM LCA) to 17.07% (10 μM LCA + siCHOP) (Fig. 5D). This evidence concerns the gene DDIT3 and Leber congenital amaurosis.