Gene Editing in Pluripotent Stem Cells and Their Derived Organoids

Abstract

With the rapid rise in gene-editing technology, pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) and their derived organoids have increasingly broader and practical applications in regenerative medicine. Gene-editing technologies, from large-scale nucleic acid endonucleases to CRISPR, have ignited a global research and development boom with significant implications in regenerative medicine. The development of regenerative medicine technologies, regardless of whether it is PSCs or gene editing, is consistently met with controversy. Are the tools for rewriting the code of life a boon to humanity or a Pandora’s box? These technologies raise concerns regarding ethical issues, unexpected mutations, viral infection, etc. These concerns remain even as new treatments emerge. However, the potential negatives cannot obscure the virtues of PSC gene editing, which have, and will continue to, benefit mankind at an unprecedented rate. Here, we briefly introduce current gene-editing technology and its application in PSCs and their derived organoids, while addressing ethical concerns and safety risks and discussing the latest progress in PSC gene editing. Gene editing in PSCs creates visualized in vitro models, providing opportunities for examining mechanisms of known and unknown mutations and offering new possibilities for the treatment of cancer, genetic diseases, and other serious or refractory disorders. From model construction to treatment exploration, the important role of PSCs combined with gene editing in basic and clinical medicine studies is illustrated. The applications, characteristics, and existing challenges are summarized in combination with our lab experiences in this field in an effort to help gene-editing technology better serve humans in a regulated manner. Current preclinical and clinical trials have demonstrated initial safety and efficacy of PSC gene editing; however, for better application in clinical settings, additional investigation is warranted.

Applications of human organoids in the personalized treatment for digestive diseases

“… 51 , 92 Intervening in expression or activity of one or several genes or protein by a series of molecular means to study the association between corresponding genes and the occurrence or progression of diseases has been carried out mostly in the field of basic research. 47 , 93 , 94 Together, these two advances form the basis of our current understanding of how organoids mimic digestive system disease and reveal its occurrence and progression.…”

Progress and Prospects of Gene Editing in Pluripotent Stem Cells

“…Recently, the ability to edit the genome of PSCs has been greatly elevated with the development of gene editing tools, especially programmable nucleases. The ease of use and the high editing efficiency of programmable nucleases greatly facilitate the applications of PSCs in basic research, such as knock-out/knock-in, disease modeling, and correction of genetic mutations [ 29 , 30 , 31 ]. Nonetheless, gene editing in PSCs also requires careful evaluation due to their spectacular properties: comparing with adult (stem) cells which have limited longevity, PSCs can propagate almost indefinitely and pass all mutations to their progenies, making the preciseness of gene editing in PSCs of great concern.…”