People are immune to CRISPR
Last reviewed: 27.11.2021
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Perhaps most readers know about the existence of the CRISPR genome editor, around which scientific discussions have been held for a long time and various discoveries are being made. Nevertheless, according to experts from the University of Stanford, individual people are able to have immune protection to be introduced into DNA, and this makes the use of this technology impractical.
Scientists representing the University of Stanford, in the course of research work made an unexpected discovery: most of humanity has immune protection to the genetic editing method CRISPR.
Experts analyzed the composition of the blood more than twenty newborn babies and twelve middle-aged volunteers. The analysis took into account the content of antibodies such as Cas9 protein - this is the kind used for revision and cutting of the DNA helix. Experts saw that more than 65% of the subjects were owners of T cells, which created protection against the influence of Cas9.
What experts have discovered demonstrates: the genetic treatment that is associated with the removal of mutations will not lead to a successful result and can not be applied to people. The protective process will block the possibility of using the CRISPR method, which should help cure serious diseases. "Moreover, immunity can provoke the development of significant intoxication of the human body," says Dr. Matthew Portus.
The bottom line is that the more popular protein type Cas9, actively used in studies related to CRISPR, is obtained from a pair of microorganisms - Staphylococcus aureus and pyogenic streptococcus. It is these bacteria that systematically enter the human body, so the immune defense of a person "knows them well".
However, there is a solution to this problem. It is likely that scientists will begin to develop additional advanced technologies that will use microbes that are not included in the list of "frequent visitors" in the human body. For example, you can use microorganisms living in the depths of hydrothermal sources. Alternatively, the technique of extracorporeal genetic editing of cellular structures may be successful.
Scientists used the "genetic knife" - CRISPR technology, - just recently. The task of specialists was to cure patients from Hunter syndrome - a complex, albeit rare, genetic pathology. The patient was injected with several billion copied correcting genes, in combination with a special "toolbox" that cuts the DNA helix. Further it was planned to conduct a series of experiments in which more patients were supposed to participate, presumably suffering from other serious diseases. For example, they could become patients with phenylketonuria or a disease such as hemophilia B.
The progress and results of the work are published in bioRxiv, as well as in the MIT Technology Review.
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