CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Genome Editing Corrects Dystrophin Mutation in Skeletal Muscle Stem Cells in a Mouse Model of Muscle Dystrophy

Mol Ther Nucleic Acids. 2017 Jun 16:7:31-41. doi: 10.1016/j.omtn.2017.02.007. Epub 2017 Feb 28.

Abstract

Muscle stem cells (MuSCs) hold great therapeutic potential for muscle genetic disorders, such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The CRISP/Cas9-based genome editing is a promising technology for correcting genetic alterations in mutant genes. In this study, we used fibrin-gel culture system to selectively expand MuSCs from crude skeletal muscle cells of mdx mice, a mouse model of DMD. By CRISP/Cas9-based genome editing, we corrected the dystrophin mutation in expanded MuSCs and restored the skeletal muscle dystrophin expression upon transplantation in mdx mice. Our studies established a reliable and feasible platform for gene correction in MuSCs by genome editing, thus greatly advancing tissue stem cell-based therapies for DMD and other muscle disorders.

Keywords: 3D fibrin gel; CRISPR/Cas9; DMD; Duchenne muscular dystrophy; ex vivo expansion; genome editing; muscle stem cells.