Research progress and application of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/Cas9 gene editing technology in liver diseases

Abstract

In last two decades, gene editing technology has been developed rapidly, and gene editing tools have become more and more efficient. The most widely used tools are DNA nucleases, like zinc-finger nuclease, transcription activator-like effector nuclease and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR associated proteins (CRISPR/Cas). Especially the CRISPR/Cas9 technology and its application, which has been awarded Ten Scientific Breakthroughs of the Year by Nature for three consecutive years since its publication, have set off an unprecedented upsurge in gene editing research. The birth of Gene Editing Infant has triggered medical ethical issues, which further makes gene editing technology the focus of public discussion and attention. CRISPR/Cas9 technology has been widely using in biomedical field attributed to its easy operation, high efficiency and low cost. In this paper, the research progress and application of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology in liver diseases will be reviewed. Key words: Gene editing; Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/Cas9; Liver diseases; Hepatic injury and repair