Potential Applications of the CRISPR-Cas9 System for Research and Treatment of Osteoarthritis

Abstract

Osteoarthritis is a common degenerative disease of joint cartilage that affects millions of people in the world, especially the elderly. Progression of osteoarthritis is associated with a plethora of genetic and non-genetic factors. The CRISPR/Cas9 system is emerging as a powerful tool for genome engineering and has remarkable potential for guiding further research into osteoarthritis and may be a viable means for treating the disease. This review discusses existing and potential applications of the CRISPR/Cas9 system in osteoarthritis studies and treatments. Firstly, we briefly summarize the current status and mechanism of this technology. Next, we focus on the latest advances in the application of CRISPR/Cas9 system in elucidating the contributions of various factors to the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis as demonstrated through in vitro studies and animal models. Finally, we provide our perspective on the direction and challenges of studying and treating osteoarthritis with CRISPR/Cas9.

Zusammenfassung

Osteoarthrose ist eine weitverbreitete degenerative Erkrankung des Gelenkknorpels, von der weltweit Millionen Menschen – insbesondere ältere Erwachsene – betroffen sind. Die Krankheitsprogression steht mit einer Vielzahl genetischer und nicht genetischer Faktoren in Zusammenhang. Das CRISPR/Cas9-System etabliert sich als leistungsstarkes Werkzeug der Genom-Editierung, das ein bemerkenswertes Potenzial für die Erforschung der Osteoarthrose besitzt und möglicherweise als geeignete Methode zur Therapie der Erkrankung dienen könnte. Diese Übersichtsarbeit diskutiert bestehende und potenzielle Anwendungen des CRISPR/Cas9-Systems in der Osteoarthrose-Forschung und -Behandlung. Zunächst fassen wir kurz den aktuellen Stand und die Funktionsweise dieser Technologie zusammen. Anschließend konzentrieren wir uns auf die neuesten Fortschritte bei der Anwendung des CRISPR/Cas9-Systems zur Aufklärung des Beitrags verschiedener Faktoren zur Pathogenese der Osteoarthrose, wie sie in In-vitro-Studien und Tiermodellen demonstriert wurden. Abschließend geben wir einen Ausblick auf zukünftige Richtungen und Herausforderungen bei der Erforschung und Behandlung der Osteoarthrose mithilfe von CRISPR/Cas9.

Keywords

CRISPR/Cas9 - osteoarthritis - mechanism - treatment

Schlüsselwörter

CRISPR/Cas9 - Arthrose - Mechanismus - Behandlung

Publikationsverlauf

Eingereicht: 07. Januar 2025

Angenommen nach Revision: 16. Mai 2025

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
24. Juni 2025

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