What if one day cats became hypoallergenic? A US company is currently conducting tests to achieve such a feat. To do this, the researchers use the controversial CRISPR-Cas9 genetic scissors. However, you should know that such an undertaking poses some problems.
An allergy to cats can appear at any age and this is more than problematic for lovers of these animals. Contrary to popular belief, this type of allergy is not caused by cat hair but by exposure to allergens that they produce. However, the most frequent allergen is the glycoprotein Fel d1, secreted by the salivary and sebaceous glands of the animal.
Although there are other allergens (ex:Fel d2), the removal of the Fel d1 protein could logically make a large proportion of cats hypoallergenic! This objective is that of the American company Indoor Biotechnologies, which detailed its research in a publication in the journal The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology from February 1, 2020.
As part of its research, Indoor Biotechnologies uses the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing tool. However, it should be noted that currently no cats are taking part in the tests. Indeed, the researchers work only on cells, taken from around fifty cats , in an attempt to suppress the Fel d1 protein.
Principal leader of the study, Nicole Brackett, extracted the DNA before isolating and sequencing the genome of the Fel d1 protein. Currently, she is looking for similarities in the genome of each of the cells. The goal? Find a sequence allowing the use of scissors CRISPR-Cas9 genes.
According to the study, the first results are quite promising. However, this is obviously a first step towards the creation of a drug in the form of a stamp to be administered to animals. Thus, the latter would have the mission of suppressing the production of Fel d1 protein.
Unfortunately, two problems come to disturb the mission of the scientists. First, it is possible that the Fel d1 protein has essential functions for cats, which will obviously have to be verified. Then, tests on cats will be inevitable in order to develop the famous drug. Naturally, this should not please the animal rights associations.
For a handful of years and the appearance of the CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing tool, the controversy remains very present despite the promises of this innovation. Remember that in April 2019, a clinical trial was launched on two patients with cancer, myeloma for the first and sarcoma for the second. The objective is to modify the DNA of volunteers in order to allow immune cells destroy cancer cells.
