CRISPR/Cas9-based nanodelivery systems for precision gene editing in neuroinflammation

Neuroinflammation is a characteristic feature of many neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Uncontrolled activation of microglia and astrocytes results in the production of proinflammatory mediators that contribute to neuronal dysfunction and degeneration.

CRISPR/Cas9 genome-editing technology provides highly precise targeting of genes involved in these pathways, enabling the deletion, correction, or modulation of disease-associated genetic alterations. Nonetheless, effective delivery of CRISPR components to the central nervous system (CNS) remains a major challenge because of protective barriers such as the blood-brain barrier (BBB), as well as concerns regarding genomic instability and immunogenicity.

Nanotechnology-guided delivery platforms, such as lipid nanoparticles, liposomes, dendrimers and polymeric carriers, have been developed as promising strategies to address these challenges. These nanosystems can improve biodistribution, pharmacokinetic behavior, and cellular uptake, while potentially reducing off-target effects and systemic toxicity.

The preclinical studies demonstrate successful modulation of key neuroinflammatory targets, including the NLRP3 inflammasome, triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2), Janus kinase (JAK) signaling, and the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS-STING) pathway, with potential therapeutic relevance to neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, novel techniques, such as mitochondrial base editing, prime editing, and epigenetic modulation, expand the scope of CRISPR-mediated therapeutic strategies. Although outcomes from animal models are promising, translation to the clinical setting requires careful consideration of safety, ethical concerns, and long-term efficacy.

This review highlights the potential of integrating CRISPR/Cas9 with nanodelivery systems to advance precision medicine for neuroinflammatory disorders, while emphasizing their potential for therapeutic applications in complex CNS conditions. Ongoing studies aimed at optimizing delivery and reducing off-target effects will be essential for advancing these approaches toward clinical practice.