CRISPR-Cas genome editing system in the diagnosis and therapy of infection caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (Orthoherpesviridae: Alphaherpesviridae: Simplexvirus: Simplexvirus humanalpha1)

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Abstract

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), newly named as Simplexvirus humanalpha1 is one of the most common pathogens in the human population, which can cause severe disease, often with fatal outcomes. Diagnostic methods currently in use are specific and sensitive, but time-consuming, require expensive laboratory equipment and highly qualified personnel. Existing therapeutic agents have a number of significant drawbacks. To successfully treat and prevent the spread of the infection, new rapid, easy-to-use, and highly sensitive diagnostic tools and effective therapeutic agents are required. One approach to achieve this goal is CRISPR-based technology.

This review analyzes information obtained from a literature search in the Scopus, Web of Science and MedLine databases on the topics «HSV-1, structure, distribution, life cycle», «new methods for molecular diagnosis of HSV-1-infection», «classification of CRISPR-Cas systems», «nucleic acid amplification methods», «CRISPR-Cas effector proteins», «application of CRISPR-Cas systems in molecular diagnostics of HSV-1-infection», «application of CRISPR-Cas systems in therapy of HSV-1-infection». New approaches of CRISPR using effector proteins Cas12 and Cas13 in the diagnosis of HSV-1 infections are reviewed. The article discusses the progress in the development of CRISPR-Cas-based therapies against HSV-1-infection in vitro and in vivo. CRISPR gene therapy in vivo has a great clinical potential, but its safety and efficacy require further investigation. An analysis of the available data suggests that CRISPR-based technologies offer promising prospects for expanding the arsenal of diagnostic tools and antiviral drugs in the context of current and future outbreaks of viral diseases.

About the authors

Natalia A. Demidova

Gamaleya National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation

Email: ailande@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-1961-9789

Researcher of the Laboratory of Cell Engineering

Russian Federation, 123098, Moscow

Regina R. Klimova

Gamaleya National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation

Email: regi.K@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-4147-8444

PhD (Biology), Senior Researcher of the Laboratory of Cell Engineering

Russian Federation, 123098, Moscow

Alla A. Kushch

Gamaleya National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation

Email: vitallku@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-3396-5533

D.Sci. (Biology), Professor, Chief Researcher of the Laboratory of Cell Engineering

Russian Federation, 123098, Moscow

Dmitry S. Karpov

Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences

Author for correspondence.
Email: aleom@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-5203-0787

PhD (Biology), Leading Researcher

Russian Federation, 119991, Moscow

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