CRISPR used to reduce hepatitis B virus levels

In a groundbreaking study led by The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity in partnership with the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, researchers have programmed CRISPR-Cas13b gene-editing technology to target the RNA of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) in order to curb the virus’s replication. This advancement paves the way for a new treatment strategy for people living with chronic hepatitis B, as detailed in the Journal of Hepatology.

Affecting over 296 million people worldwide, chronic hepatitis B infection is a leading cause of liver cancer globally. Existing antiviral treatments, which are often life-long and can lead to adverse effects, help control the virus but cannot cure it or eliminate it from the body. There is therefore a pressing need for new, effective therapeutic approaches that target different stages of the HBV life cycle, with CRISPR-Cas13b emerging as a leading contender.

“CRISPR-Cas13b works like a pair of molecular scissors, cutting the RNA that HBV needs to replicate,” explained Dr Laura McCoullough, a medical scientist at the Doherty Institute and first author on the new study.

“Using this technique in the laboratory, we managed to significantly reduce the levels of HBV proteins, usually found in the blood of individuals living with HBV, by an impressive 96%. This is an excellent outcome given high levels of these proteins often indicate greater risks of liver disease progression and complications.”

Dr Mohamed Fareh, from the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, said CRISPR-Cas13b is a particularly promising antiviral tool as it is capable of targeting HBV RNA without harming the patient’s own genetic material. Furthermore, the technology presents significant potential for a variety of viruses.

“What excites us is the adaptability of this technology,” added Professor Joe Trapani, also from the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. “We can repurpose it to target not only HBV but also other dangerous viruses and cancer-causing RNAs. This versatility offers hope for developing new treatments across a range of diseases.”

Senior author Professor Peter Revill, Head of Regional and Global Health at the Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory within the Doherty Institute, underscored the significance of their research in advancing HBV treatment.

“Several CRISPR technologies have been used to target HBV with varying degrees of success,” he said. “Our study marks a milestone in HBV research by demonstrating, for the first time, the effectiveness of targeting HBV RNA using CRISPR technology.

“This approach showed remarkable results, potentially opening the door to a more effective treatment strategy for chronic HBV which may pave the way to a cure, ultimately improving patient outcomes and quality of life.”

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