Gene Editing: An Effective Tool for the Future Treatment of Kidney Disease

Gene editing technology involves modifying target genes to alter genetic traits and generate new phenotypes. Beginning with zinc-finger nucleases (ZFN) and transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALEN), the field has evolved through the advent of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats and CRISPR-associated protein (CRISPR-Cas) systems, and more recently to base editors (BE) and prime editors (PE). These innovations have provided deep insights into the molecular mechanisms of complex biological processes and have paved the way for novel therapeutic strategies for a range of diseases. Gene editing is now being applied in the treatment of both genetic and acquired kidney diseases, as well as in kidney transplantation and the correction of genetic mutations. This review explores the current applications of mainstream gene editing technologies in biology, with a particular emphasis on their roles in kidney disease research and treatment of. It also addresses the limitations and challenges associated with these technologies, while offering perspectives on their future potential in this field.