Gene editing in dermatology: Harnessing CRISPR for the treatment of cutaneous disease

Catherine Baker; Matthew S Hayden

doi:10.12688/f1000research.23185.2

Gene editing in dermatology: Harnessing CRISPR for the treatment of cutaneous disease

F1000Res. 2020 Apr 23:9:281. doi: 10.12688/f1000research.23185.2. eCollection 2020.

Authors

Catherine Baker¹, Matthew S Hayden^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA.
² Section of Dermatology, Surgery, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire, 03766, USA.

Abstract

The discovery of the Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) system has revolutionized gene editing research. Through the repurposing of programmable RNA-guided CRISPR-associated (Cas) nucleases, CRISPR-based genome editing systems allow for the precise modification of specific sites in the human genome and inspire novel approaches for the study and treatment of inherited and acquired human diseases. Here, we review how CRISPR technologies have stimulated key advances in dermatologic research. We discuss the role of CRISPR in genome editing for cutaneous disease and highlight studies on the use of CRISPR-Cas technologies for genodermatoses, cutaneous viruses and bacteria, and melanoma. Additionally, we examine key limitations of current CRISPR technologies, including the challenges these limitations pose for the widespread therapeutic application of CRISPR-based therapeutics.

Keywords: CRISPR; cutaneous disease; dermatology; gene editing; genodermatoses; viruses.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

CRISPR-Cas Systems*
Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats*
Dermatology*
Gene Editing*
Genetic Therapy
Humans
Skin Diseases / genetics
Skin Diseases / therapy*

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the American Skin Association (C.B.) and the Hitchcock Foundation (M.S.H.).