Multiplexed tat -Targeting CRISPR-Cas9 Protects T Cells from Acute HIV-1 Infection with Inhibition of Viral Escape

• Published in: Viruses 2020-10, Vol.12 (11), p.1223
• Main Authors: Ophinni, Youdiil, Miki, Sayaka, Hayashi, Yoshitake, Kameoka, Masanori
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cell Line; CRISPR-Cas; CRISPR-Cas Systems; cure; Gene Editing; Genetic Vectors; Genome, Viral; HIV-1; HIV-1 - immunology; HIV-1 - physiology; Humans; Lentivirus - genetics; Mutation; Proviruses - genetics; RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems - genetics; T-Lymphocytes - immunology; T-Lymphocytes - virology; tat; tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus - antagonists & inhibitors; tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus - genetics; viral escape; Virus Replication - genetics
• ISSN: 1999-4915; 1999-4915
• DOI: 10.3390/v12111223

HIV-1 cure strategy by means of proviral knock-out using CRISPR-Cas9 has been hampered by the emergence of viral resistance against the targeting guide RNA (gRNA). Here, we proposed multiple, concentrated gRNA attacks against HIV-1 regulatory genes to block viral escape. The T cell line were transduced with single and multiple gRNAs targeting HIV-1 and using lentiviral-based CRISPR-Cas9, followed by replicative HIV-1 challenge in vitro. Viral p24 rebound was observed for almost all gRNAs, but multiplexing three -targeting gRNAs maintained p24 suppression and cell viability, indicating the inhibition of viral escape. Multiplexed gRNAs inhibited acute viral replication in the 2nd round of infection, abolished cell-associated transmission to unprotected T cells, and maintained protection through 45 days, post-infection (dpi) after a higher dose of HIV-1 infection. Finally, we describe here for the first time the assembly of all-in-one lentiviral vectors containing three and six gRNAs targeting and . A single-vector -targeting construct shows non-inferiority to the -targeting multi-vector in low-dose HIV-1 infection. We conclude that Cas9-induced, DNA repair-mediated mutations in are sufficiently deleterious and deplete HIV-1 fitness, and multiplexed disruption of further limits the possibility of an escape mutant arising, thus elevating the potential of CRISPR-Cas9 to achieve a long-term HIV-1 cure.