Trio deep-sequencing does not reveal unexpected off-target and on-target mutations in Cas9-edited rhesus monkeys

Nat Commun. 2019 Dec 4;10(1):5525. doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-13481-y.

Abstract

CRISPR-Cas9 is a widely-used genome editing tool, but its off-target effect and on-target complex mutations remain a concern, especially in view of future clinical applications. Non-human primates (NHPs) share close genetic and physiological similarities with humans, making them an ideal preclinical model for developing Cas9-based therapies. However, to our knowledge no comprehensive in vivo off-target and on-target assessment has been conducted in NHPs. Here, we perform whole genome trio sequencing of Cas9-treated rhesus monkeys. We only find a small number of de novo mutations that can be explained by expected spontaneous mutations, and no unexpected off-target mutations (OTMs) were detected. Furthermore, the long-read sequencing data does not detect large structural variants in the target region.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CRISPR-Cas Systems*
  • Gene Editing / methods*
  • High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing / methods*
  • Humans
  • Macaca mulatta / genetics*
  • Mutation*
  • Whole Genome Sequencing