Re-editing the human genome for disease therapy

Researchers at Washington State decided that they could figure out a new way to edit genes.  The typical gene-editing protocol started with using nucleases to induce double-stranded DNA breaks then allowing the cell’s non-homologous end-joining machinery to repair the nucleic acid.  This procedure didn’t always work correctly.  The researchers learned that if they tapped into the cell’s recombination repair pathway was a more efficient and precise way to edit the gene.  The new method can be used to disrupt a gene and could also insert new information into a specific site in the genome.  The Washington State Researchers used the new method to disrupt and replace CCR5 in the human T cells.   They also delivered a repair template that coded for gene they wanted to knock in. That gene was flanked by sequences that match the target gene.  The researcher demoed the success of their method with a reporter gene and then with gene cassettes with therapeutic abilities such as rewriting the CCR5 gene to protect T cells from HIV infections.  The study could be used to combat and correct other diseases like cancer. 
     This could be great for people who have diseases that doesn't have a cure for yet.  My wife have a disease that doesn't have a cure just yet, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy  RSD.  The only treatment allowed in the US is pain medication or anti-seizure.  I know there is a company in PA that is working on non-narcotic pain medication but maybe one day this could be used to repair the pain receptors or the affected cell to return to normal function. 

The original article
Genome editing cuts out HIV

DNA LENDS A HAND TO VACCINE ADJUVANT

An article published in Science Daily entitled “Vaccine Adjuvant Uses Host DNA to Boost Pathogen Recognition” written by researchers at National Jewish Health (A. S. McKee, M.A. Burchill, M. W. Munks, L. Jin, J. W. Kappler, R. S. Friedman, J. Jacobelli, P:. Marrack) reveals how DNA assists a vaccine adjuvant. Aluminum salts or alum have been used as a vaccine adjuvant for years, but how they actually work has been never been known until recently. The researchers at National Jewish Health discovered that antigen presenting cells exhibit small remains of the DNA-alum-vaccine complex on their surfaces for the T-cells to identify in the immune process. The DNA creates a sticky surface on the antigen presenting cells which increases the time the T cells are engaged with the pathogen. This increases the effectiveness of the body’s immune response. Researchers are still trying to identify what causes the DNA to make the cell sticker.
I think this ground breaking research could lead to the improvement of current vaccines and the creation of new ones.

Article Link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/04/130405184630.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/Concerns/adjuvants.html

Cloned Receptor Paves Way for New Breast and Prostate Cancer Treatment

According to Science Daily, researchers at Uppsala University have cloned a T-cell receptor that binds to an antigen associated with prostate cancer and breast cancer. T cells that have been genetically equipped with this T-cell receptor have the ability to specifically kill prostate and breast cancer cells. It is said that genetically modified T cells (white blood corpuscles) have recently been shown to be extremely effective in treating certain forms of advanced cancer. T cells from the patient's own blood cells are isolated and equipped by genetic means with a new receptor that recognizes an antigen that is expressed in the tumour cells. These T cells are cultivated in a special clean room and then administered to the patient. Once inside the body, they seek out sub tumours and individual tumour cells and eliminate them.

This can be a huge break through in cancer treatment. They say "This is the first time anyone has succeeded in cloning a T-cell receptor targeting prostate antigen, and we hope we will have an opportunity to test T cells equipped with this receptor in a clinical study. In order to do so, we will probably need to enlist the help of American colleagues." It is incredible that there has been all of these studies that can have such a huge impact on so many peoples lives. I have a few people I know with cancer, and I believe the cure is out there somewhere.