[ad_1]
The CRISPR genome modification technique promises to be a "transformative leap" in genetic engineering and therapy, affecting almost all areas of medicine. This includes plastic surgery, with potential breakthroughs ranging from prevention of cranofacial malformations to therapeutic skin grafts, to new types of non-rejection grafts, according to an article in the November November issue. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
"The potential impact of CRISPR on the treatment of human diseases includes several important areas for the plastic surgeon, such as oncology, wound healing, immunology and cranofacial malformations," comments Eric. Chien-Wei Liao, SSPA Surgeon, Director of the Craniosacral Treating Program, Laurie and Mason Tenaglia, MGH Special Investigator, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School. In a special article on Regenerative Medicine, Dr. Liao and his co-authors review the history and mechanisms of CRISPR's genome editing, highlighting its potential uses and impact in plastic surgery and reconstructive.
CRISPR has implications for congenital malformations, wound healing, transplantation and more
CRISPR – abbreviation for "short and regularly spaced palindromic repeats", has been discovered as an adaptive immune mechanism in bacteria. Prior to the development of CRISPR techniques, gene editing was laborious and reserved for laboratories with advanced molecular biology tools.
"CRISPR gene editing revolutionizes the potential of gene therapy because of its simplicity, specificity, efficacy, low cost, and versatility," write Dr. Liao and his coauthors. "The potential applications of CRISPR are numerous and will certainly have an impact on plastic and reconstructive surgeries."
The authors discuss some key areas in which CRSIPR has predictable implications for plastic surgery, including:
- Craniofacial malformations. Basic scientific studies using CRISPR techniques have already led to a better understanding of cranofacial development pathways. CRISPR allows rapid identification of individual gene mutations and may eventually correct mutations and prevent the development of cleft lip, palate and other congenital malformations.
- Healing and repair of tissues. Gene therapy is a promising approach to improve the healing of wounds and tissues. In addition to accelerated healing of skin wounds, CRISPR can lead to new approaches for the repair and regeneration of bones, cartilage, nerves and muscles.
- Cell therapy and tissue engineering. Genetic techniques may allow the creation or modification of the patient's own (autologous) cells to graft or replace damaged tissue, stimulate cellular development, or modulate immune function. "[Techniques] creating skin grafts with therapeutic potential would have a widespread impact on reconstructive surgery, "write Dr. Liao and his coauthors.
- Biology of flaps and grafts. In addition to tissue flap modification, gene modification with CRISPR may allow reprogramming of vascularized composite allotransplantations, such as facial and / or hand grafts, to promote tolerance and prevent rejection by the recipient's immune system. . Similar approaches to immune modulation could also promote tolerance of animal donor tissues (xenotransplantation).
Dr. Liao and his colleagues pointed out that there was still a lot of difficulty in making these changes and other clinical advances with CRISPR gene editing, including potential "off-target" effects, regulation of the FDA and the high costs, as well as the ethical issues related to the genetic editing of human cells and tissues. The authors write: "The ASPS and its members should also become stakeholders and participate in future debates on the ethical use of CRISPR for the improvement of our patients."
Explore further:
A genome editing tool could increase the risk of cancer
More information:
Danny S. Roh et al. CRISPR Craft, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (2018). DOI: 10.1097 / PRS.0000000000004863
Source link
