Treatment of infectious diseases by <italic>in vivo</italic> gene editing

Abstract

Gene editing is the specific modification of genome sequences at desired sites using technologies derived from zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated (Cas) nuclease systems. It is a promising tool for the development of new treatment strategies for infectious diseases. Due to its higher editing efficiency and lower off-target effect, gene editing therapy mainly uses CRISPR Cas-derived tools to resist viral and non-viral infections. Here, we reviewed the recent research progress of gene editing in antiviral therapy (human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, and human papillomavirus) and inhibition of infectious diseases that involve bacteria, fungi and parasites.

Keywords

• gene editing
• <italic>in vivo</italic> therapy
• CRISPR-Cas
• infectious diseases
• viral infection