CRISPR-Cas based antiviral strategies against HIV-1

Virus Res. 2018 Jan 15:244:321-332. doi: 10.1016/j.virusres.2017.07.020. Epub 2017 Jul 29.

Abstract

In bacteria and archaea, the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and associated proteins (Cas) confer adaptive immunity against exogenous DNA elements. This CRISPR-Cas system has been turned into an effective tool for editing of eukaryotic DNA genomes. Pathogenic viruses that have a double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) genome or that replicate through a dsDNA intermediate can also be targeted with this DNA editing tool. Here, we review how CRISPR-Cas was used in novel therapeutic approaches against the human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1), focusing on approaches that aim to permanently inactivate all virus genomes or to prevent viral persistence in latent reservoirs.

Keywords: CRISPR-Cas; Combination therapy; HIV-1; Latency; NHEJ; Virus escape; dCas9.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • CRISPR-Associated Protein 9
  • CRISPR-Cas Systems*
  • Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats
  • DNA Cleavage
  • DNA, Viral / genetics*
  • DNA, Viral / metabolism
  • Endonucleases / genetics
  • Endonucleases / metabolism
  • HIV Infections / therapy*
  • HIV Infections / virology
  • HIV Long Terminal Repeat
  • HIV-1 / genetics*
  • HIV-1 / growth & development
  • HIV-1 / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy / methods
  • RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems / genetics*
  • RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems / metabolism
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / pharmacology
  • Virus Latency / drug effects
  • Virus Replication / drug effects

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • DNA, Viral
  • RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • CRISPR-Associated Protein 9
  • Cas9 endonuclease Streptococcus pyogenes
  • Endonucleases