Progress in CRISPR Technology for Antiviral Treatments: Genome Editing as a Potential Cure for Chronic Viral Infections
The CRISPR–Cas system has transformed molecular biology by providing precise tools for genome editing and pathogen detection. Originating from bacterial adaptive immunity, CRISPR technology identifies and cleaves genetic material from pathogens, thereby preventing infections. CRISPR–Cas9, the most w...
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2025-05-01
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| author | Fatemeh Nouri Farnaz Alibabaei Behina Forouzanmehr Hamed Tahmasebi Valentyn Oksenych Majid Eslami |
| author_facet | Fatemeh Nouri Farnaz Alibabaei Behina Forouzanmehr Hamed Tahmasebi Valentyn Oksenych Majid Eslami |
| author_sort | Fatemeh Nouri |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The CRISPR–Cas system has transformed molecular biology by providing precise tools for genome editing and pathogen detection. Originating from bacterial adaptive immunity, CRISPR technology identifies and cleaves genetic material from pathogens, thereby preventing infections. CRISPR–Cas9, the most widely utilized variant, creates double-stranded breaks in the target DNA, enabling genetic disruptions or edits. This approach has shown significant potential in antiviral therapies, addressing chronic infections, such as HIV, SARS-CoV-2, and hepatitis viruses. In HIV, CRISPR–Cas9 edits the essential viral genes and disrupts latent reservoirs, while CCR5 gene modifications render the T cells resistant to viral entry. Similarly, SARS-CoV-2 is targeted using CRISPR–Cas13d to inhibit the conserved viral genes, significantly reducing viral loads. Hepatitis B and C treatments leverage CRISPR technologies to target conserved genomic regions, limiting replication and expression. Emerging innovations, such as the PAC-MAN approach for influenza and base-editing systems to reduce off-target effects, further highlight the therapeutic versatility of CRISPR. Additionally, advances in Cas12a and Cas13 have driven the development of diagnostic platforms like DETECTR and SHERLOCK, which provide rapid and cost-effective viral detection. Innovative tools like AIOD-CRISPR enable accessible point-of-care diagnostics for early viral detection. Experimental approaches, such as targeting latent HSV-1 reservoirs, highlight the transformative potential of CRISPR in combating persistent infections. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2036-7481 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| spelling | doaj-art-5caa3b09dc6b4281ac9bfb1734002f4d2025-08-20T03:47:54ZengMDPI AGMicrobiology Research2036-74812025-05-0116510410.3390/microbiolres16050104Progress in CRISPR Technology for Antiviral Treatments: Genome Editing as a Potential Cure for Chronic Viral InfectionsFatemeh Nouri0Farnaz Alibabaei1Behina Forouzanmehr2Hamed Tahmasebi3Valentyn Oksenych4Majid Eslami5Biology Department, School of Basic Science, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University (SRBIAU), Tehran 14778-93855, IranStudent Research Committee, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan 35147-99442, IranFunctional Neurosurgery Research Center, Research Institute of Functional Neurosurgery, Shohada Tajrish Comprehensive Neurosurgical Center of Excellence, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 19899-34148, IranSchool of Medicine, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud 36147-73943, IranFaculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, 5020 Bergen, NorwayCancer Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan 35147-99442, IranThe CRISPR–Cas system has transformed molecular biology by providing precise tools for genome editing and pathogen detection. Originating from bacterial adaptive immunity, CRISPR technology identifies and cleaves genetic material from pathogens, thereby preventing infections. CRISPR–Cas9, the most widely utilized variant, creates double-stranded breaks in the target DNA, enabling genetic disruptions or edits. This approach has shown significant potential in antiviral therapies, addressing chronic infections, such as HIV, SARS-CoV-2, and hepatitis viruses. In HIV, CRISPR–Cas9 edits the essential viral genes and disrupts latent reservoirs, while CCR5 gene modifications render the T cells resistant to viral entry. Similarly, SARS-CoV-2 is targeted using CRISPR–Cas13d to inhibit the conserved viral genes, significantly reducing viral loads. Hepatitis B and C treatments leverage CRISPR technologies to target conserved genomic regions, limiting replication and expression. Emerging innovations, such as the PAC-MAN approach for influenza and base-editing systems to reduce off-target effects, further highlight the therapeutic versatility of CRISPR. Additionally, advances in Cas12a and Cas13 have driven the development of diagnostic platforms like DETECTR and SHERLOCK, which provide rapid and cost-effective viral detection. Innovative tools like AIOD-CRISPR enable accessible point-of-care diagnostics for early viral detection. Experimental approaches, such as targeting latent HSV-1 reservoirs, highlight the transformative potential of CRISPR in combating persistent infections.https://www.mdpi.com/2036-7481/16/5/104CRISPR–Cas9antiviraldelivery systemsgenome editingviral infections |
| spellingShingle | Fatemeh Nouri Farnaz Alibabaei Behina Forouzanmehr Hamed Tahmasebi Valentyn Oksenych Majid Eslami Progress in CRISPR Technology for Antiviral Treatments: Genome Editing as a Potential Cure for Chronic Viral Infections Microbiology Research CRISPR–Cas9 antiviral delivery systems genome editing viral infections |
| title | Progress in CRISPR Technology for Antiviral Treatments: Genome Editing as a Potential Cure for Chronic Viral Infections |
| title_full | Progress in CRISPR Technology for Antiviral Treatments: Genome Editing as a Potential Cure for Chronic Viral Infections |
| title_fullStr | Progress in CRISPR Technology for Antiviral Treatments: Genome Editing as a Potential Cure for Chronic Viral Infections |
| title_full_unstemmed | Progress in CRISPR Technology for Antiviral Treatments: Genome Editing as a Potential Cure for Chronic Viral Infections |
| title_short | Progress in CRISPR Technology for Antiviral Treatments: Genome Editing as a Potential Cure for Chronic Viral Infections |
| title_sort | progress in crispr technology for antiviral treatments genome editing as a potential cure for chronic viral infections |
| topic | CRISPR–Cas9 antiviral delivery systems genome editing viral infections |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2036-7481/16/5/104 |
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