How CRISPR/Cas9 Gene Editing Is Revolutionizing T Cell Research

Abstract

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 allows for precise gene targeting in mammalian cells, including T cells, allowing scientists to disrupt or edit specific genes of interest. This has enabled immunologists to investigate T cell functions as well as opened the path for novel therapeutics involving gene editing of T cells ex vivo before transferring these back to patients to increase T cell efficacy. This review outlines how CRISPR/Cas9 has transformed T cell research allowing immunologists to rapidly probe the roles of genes in T cells thus paving the way for novel therapeutics. Furthermore, this review describes how these tools reduce the requirement for genetic mouse models, while increasing the translational potential of T cell research.

Keywords: 3R; CRISPR/Cas9; T cells; gene editing; screening.

FIG. 1.

CRISPR/Cas9 as a new tool in the T cell research toolbox. Diagram of T cell research techniques using traditional genetic mouse models (A), CRISPR/Cas9 in human T cells in vitro and in humanized mouse models (B), and CRISPR/Cas9 in mouse T cells in vitro and followed by in vivo adoptive transfers (C). Pros and cons illustrate considerations for using one system versus the others with + and − illustrating the extent to which one system is cheaper, more/less translational, and potential to reduce need for mice, for example, require more/less mice compared with other systems. Created with BioRender.com. CRISPR, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats.