Abstract
The livestock industry is constantly threatened by viral disease outbreaks, including infections with zoonotic potential. While preventive vaccination is frequently applied, disease control and eradication also depend on strict biosecurity measures. Clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and associated proteins (Cas) have been repurposed as genome editors to induce targeted double-strand breaks at almost any location in the genome. Thus, CRISPR/Cas genome editors can also be utilized to generate disease-resistant or resilient livestock, develop vaccines, and further understand virus–host interactions. Genes of interest in animals and viruses can be targeted to understand their functions during infection. Furthermore, transgenic animals expressing CRISPR/Cas can be generated to target the viral genome upon infection. Genetically modified livestock can thereby reduce disease outbreaks and decrease zoonotic threats.
Highlights
The current Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of potential zoonotic pathogens, which have become a primary focus for the life science community and the public
RNA interference (RNAi) was used in chickens against Marek’s disease virus (MDV) [81] and avian influenza viruses [57], targeting genes that are essential for viral replication
CD163 receptor after Clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9-induced gene editing were challenged with Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) and did not develop clinical signs, anti-viral antibodies, or viremia [18]
Summary
The current Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of potential zoonotic pathogens, which have become a primary focus for the life science community and the public. In recent years, targeted genetic modifications have become feasible due to the discovery and further improvement of genome-editing tools such as CRISPR/Cas9 [17]. These novel tools have already contributed to the generation of disease-resistant animals, paving a new way to prevent infectious disease outbreaks in livestock. This review will elaborate and discuss the possible contribution of the CRISPR/Cas systems to the development of disease-resistant animals and their potential for vaccine and diagnostic development. A literature search of relevant articles was carried out on scientific search engines, e.g., PubMed, using search terms such as: genome editing, genetic modification, gene engineering, disease resistance, livestock, poultry, cattle, pigs, CRISPR/Cas, CRISPR/Cas diagnostics, CRISPR/Cas recombinant vaccines, and CRISPR/Cas screens. These alterations deliver a range of options to target almost any location in the genome of interest
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