CRISPR-Cas9 Applications in Cardiovascular Disease

CRISPR gene editing: a revolution in progress

“…The bacteria then transcribes the genome into RNA complementary to the bacteriophage DNA. When a similar bacteriophage attacks, this CRISPR gene collaborates with a CRISPR‐associated protein (Cas) to destroy the invading bacteriophage 4 …”

“…CRISPR‐Cas9 could help treat several other genetic diseases including sickle cell anaemia, hereditary retinal disorders, beta‐thalassemia, cystic fibrosis and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. CRISPR‐Cas9 could also lead to new treatments for some cancers and cardiovascular conditions, Huntington's disease and certain viral infections, including HIV and SARS‐CoV‐2 2,4‐6 …”

“…When a similar bacteriophage attacks, this CRISPR gene collaborates with a CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) to destroy the invading bacteriophage. 4 CRISPR systems comprise two strands of guide RNA, one of which is attached to an enzyme, usually belonging to the Cas family. The other length of RNA binds to a specific target sequence, typically about 20 nucleotides long, on the DNA.…”

“…CRISPR-Cas9 could also lead to new treatments for some cancers and cardiovascular conditions, Huntington's disease and cer tain viral infections, including HIV and SARS-CoV-2. 2,[4][5][6] For instance, CRISPR could inactivate the protein CCR-5, an important receptor for HIV. This would reduce the chances that the retrovirus will infect T lymphocytes.…”

“…3 CRISPR-based treatments in development could transform the management of, among others, genetic diseases, viral infections, cardiovascular conditions and cancers (see Table 1). 2,[4][5][6] But the long-term clinical consequences are less clear: gene editing could introduce errors, such as those that, in theory at least, might trigger mutagenesis. 7…”