CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Gene Drive to Prevent the Replication of Dengue Virus in the Mosquito Vectors to Reduce the Impact of Dengue Epidemic in Bangladesh

Abstract

Dengue is a flavivirus transmitted by Aedes aegypti, leading to mosquito-borne illness causing significant morbidity and mortality each year. A majority of dengue cases around the world are caused by four serotypes-dengue virus (DENV) 1-4. The recent outbreak has broken all the previous record of infections with 101, 354 dengue cases, which has increased the urgency of finding an effective way to reduce the level of infection. CRISPR-Cas9 mediated gene drive is a novel technology that can be used to reduce the transmission by Aedes mosquitoes. Ae. aegypti can be engineered to express anti-DENV, 1C19-based, single-chain variable fragment (scFv) antibody, to provide protection against all four DENV serotypes by neutralizing them. Anti-DENV scFv-antibody transgene can be incorporated into a clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR associated (Cas); i.e., the CRISPR/Cas9-based gene drive system gene for effective suppression of dengue infection. CRISPR/Cas9-based gene drive system allows it to pass down this phenotype across the wild population in the urban area. However, the incautious release of gene drive in the environment can swipe away the entire population. This technology can greatly impact on the environment, creating an imbalance in the ecosystem if not applied carefully. Rigorous studies and mass level cooperation are needed among the scientists, local authorities and the government to make the informed decisions on the outcome of this technology.