CRISPR genome editing is expected to be used in plastic surgery

CRISPR genome editing technology is expected to be a "transformative leap forward" in genetic engineering and treatment, affecting almost every area of medicine. According to a Paper entitled "CRISPR Craft: DNA Editing the Reconstructive Ladder", published in November 2018 in the official journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, the genome editing technique promises potential progress in everything from preventing craniofacial malformations to therapeutic skin transplants to new non-exclusion transplants.
The potential impact of CRISPR on the treatment of human diseases includes several areas that are more important to plastic surgeons, such as oncology, wound healing, immunology, and craniofacial malformations," said Dr. Eric Chien-Wei Liao, a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and a surgeon at Massachusetts General Hospital. In this special paper on regenerative medicine, Dr. Liao et al. reviewed the history and mechanisms of CRISPR genome editing and highlighted its potential use and impact in plastic surgery and reconstructive surgery.CRISPR has an effect on congenital malformations, wound healing and transplantation
CRISPR was first found to be an adaptive immune mechanism in bacteria. Prior to the development of CRISPR technology, gene editing was time-traveling and limited to laboratories with advanced molecular biology tools.
, Dr. Liao et al., wrote, "Given the simplicity, specificity, efficiency, low cost and versatility of CRISPR gene editing, it is revolutioning the therapeutic potential." There are many potential applications for CRISPR, which will certainly have an impact on plastic surgery and reconstructed surgery. Dr
Liao and others discussed some of the key areas in which CRSIPR has a predictable impact on plastic surgery, including:
(1) craniofacial malformations. Basic scientific research using CRISPR technology has led to new insights into the pathways of craniofacial development. CRISPR allows individual gene mutations to be identified quickly and may one day correct mutations and prevent cleft lip, cleft palate and other congenital malformations.
(2) wound healing and tissue repair. Gene therapy is a promising way to enhance wound and tissue healing. In addition to accelerating skin wound healing, CRISPR may provide new ways to repair and regenerate bones, cartilage, nerves and muscles.
(3) cell therapy and tissue engineering. Genetic techniques may be able to produce or modify the patient's own (autolog) cells to transplant or replace damaged tissue, stimulate cell development, or regulate immune function. Dr. Liao et al. wrote, "The technology that produces skin grafts with therapeutic potential will have a wide range of effects in reconstructed surgery." "
(4) flap biology and transplantation. In addition to retouching tissue flaps, CRISPR gene editing may be able to reprogram angiolytic compound allotransplant ---e.g., facial or hand grafts--- to promote tolerance and prevent immune rejection by the recipient's immune system. Similar immunomodulation methods may also promote tolerance to animal tissue (heterogeneity transplantation).Dr.
Liao et al. stress that many challenges remain in using CRISPR gene editing for these and other clinical advances, including potential "off-target" effects, FDA regulation and high costs, and ethical issues related to gene editing of human cells and tissues. "The American Society of Plastic Surgery and its members should also be stakeholders and participate in future discussions about using CRISPR to improve the ethics of our patients," they wrote. (Bio Valley)