Targeting human cytomegalovirus IE genes by CRISPR/Cas9 nuclease effectively inhibits viral replication and reactivation

Arch Virol. 2020 Aug;165(8):1827-1835. doi: 10.1007/s00705-020-04687-3. Epub 2020 Jun 7.

Abstract

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection causes high morbidity and mortality among immunocompromised patients and can remain in a latent state in host cells. Expression of the immediate-early (IE) genes sustains HCMV replication and reactivation. As a novel genome-editing tool, the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) system has been extensively utilized to modify and edit genomic DNA. In the present study, the CRISPR/Cas9 system was used to target the IE region of the HCMV genome via specific single-guide RNAs (sgRNAs). Infection with CRISPR/Cas9/sgRNA lentiviral constructs significantly reduced viral gene expression and virion production in HFF primary fibroblasts and inhibited viral DNA production and reactivation in the THP-1 monocytic cell line. Thus, the CRISPR/Cas9/sgRNA system can accurately and efficiently target HCMV replication and reactivation and represents a novel therapeutic strategy against latent HCMV infection.

MeSH terms

  • CRISPR-Cas Systems / genetics*
  • Cell Line
  • Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats / genetics*
  • Cytomegalovirus / genetics*
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / virology
  • DNA, Viral / genetics
  • Endonucleases / genetics*
  • Fibroblasts / virology
  • Gene Editing / methods
  • Gene Expression / genetics
  • Genes, Viral / genetics*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems / genetics
  • THP-1 Cells
  • Virus Replication / genetics*

Substances

  • DNA, Viral
  • RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems
  • Endonucleases