The Application of Gene Editing Technologies in Regenerative Medicine
The Application of Gene Editing Technologies in Regenerative Medicine
Zahra Abpeikar,1,*Mohsen Safaei,2Hamid Reza Ghaderi Jafarbeigloo,3Fariba Noori,4Ahmad Reza Farmani,5Arash Goodarzi,6
1. Department of Tissue Engineering, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran 2. Department of Tissue Engineering, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran 3. Department of Tissue Engineering, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran 4. Department of Tissue Engineering, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran 5. Department of Tissue Engineering, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran 6. Department of Tissue Engineering, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
Introduction: Gene therapy is an innovative approach in precision medicine in which, by editing genome data, specialists could overcome medical deficits. On the other hand, regenerative medicine is a revolutionary branch of science that uses cells, scaffolds, and growth factors to make permanent fundamental changes in health. Application of viral or non-viral vector-based gene therapy and CRISPR/Cas system as a powerful and accurate gene tool in cooperation with tissue engineering methods such as cell therapy may be a logical perspective to coping with diseases.
Methods: This review was prepared by searching Science Direct, Google Scholar, Pub-Med, Scopus, and Web of Science databases.
Results: One of the primary applications of gene editing in tissue engineering is enhancing cellular properties. Researchers can create cells with improved regenerative capabilities by precisely altering genes related to cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival. For instance, editing the genes of mesenchymal stem cells can enhance their differentiation into specific cell types, such as osteoblasts or chondrocytes, for bone and cartilage tissue engineering. This approach accelerates tissue growth and improves the overall success of engineered constructs. Gene editing also plays a pivotal role in addressing the immunological challenges associated with tissue transplantation. By modifying donor cells to reduce their immunogenicity, tissues engineered using gene-edited cells are less likely to trigger immune responses upon transplantation. This opens new avenues for personalized tissue engineering, as it mitigates the need for extensive immunosuppressive therapies and broadens the donor pool. Furthermore, gene editing enables the creation of disease-specific models for drug testing and disease research. Engineered tissues with genetic mutations associated with various diseases, such as cancer or genetic disorders, provide invaluable platforms for studying disease mechanisms and screening potential therapeutic interventions. This approach accelerates drug development and fosters a better understanding of disease pathophysiology. In addition to enhancing cellular properties, gene editing can incorporate specific functionalities into engineered tissues. Researchers can introduce genes encoding for growth factors or other bioactive molecules to promote tissue vascularization, innervation, or self-repair mechanisms. This approach is particularly promising for complex tissues like the heart or the nervous system, where mimicking native tissue functionality is essential for successful transplantation. Another compelling application is the development of bioartificial organs and organoids. Gene editing enables the creation of scaffolds populated with cells that closely resemble native tissues, facilitating the generation of functional organs for transplantation. Similarly, it allows the refinement of organoids for disease modeling and drug testing, bringing us closer to personalized medicine approaches. Despite the remarkable progress in gene editing for tissue engineering, ethical and safety concerns persist, necessitating rigorous oversight and continuous research into the long-term effects of genetically modified tissues.
Conclusion: Gene editing applications in tissue engineering hold great promise in revolutionizing regenerative medicine, personalized therapies, and disease research. As technology advances and our understanding of genetic manipulation deepens, we can anticipate even more innovative and transformative breakthroughs in tissue engineering, offering hope for millions of patients awaiting life-saving treatments and organ transplants.