APOE is known to promote the accumulation of amyloid beta proteins in the brain. Using CRISPR gene editing technology, the harmful APOE4 gene was converted to the neutral APOE3 gene in the lab, alleviating Alzheimer’s-related characteristics in neurons, glia, and stem cell tissue cultures. The long-term future use of gene editing to convert APOE4 to APOE3 in humans may provide a therapy that would diminish the characteristics of Alzheimer’s disease.

Li-Huei Tsai, Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology