Fact Check: "Corrected cells showed better survival rates after chromosome removal."
What We Know
The claim that "corrected cells showed better survival rates after chromosome removal" pertains to recent advancements in CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing technology, particularly in the context of T cell therapies. A study published in October 2023 indicates that while CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing can lead to chromosome loss, modifications in the editing protocol can mitigate this issue and enhance the survival rates of engineered T cells (source-1). Specifically, the study found that T cells with chromosome loss exhibited a fitness disadvantage, yet they could persist in culture for several weeks (source-1).
Moreover, another study highlighted that the removal of an extra chromosome (specifically chromosome 21) in Down syndrome cell lines resulted in improved cell health and growth rates, suggesting that in certain contexts, the removal of chromosomes can indeed enhance cellular viability (source-6).
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim is nuanced. The study on CRISPR-Cas9 T cell therapies indicates that while chromosome loss can lead to a disadvantage in terms of fitness, the modified protocols that reduce chromosome loss also maintain the efficacy of genome editing (source-1). This suggests that the relationship between chromosome removal and survival rates is not straightforward; improved survival rates are more likely associated with the optimization of the editing process rather than the mere removal of chromosomes.
Conversely, the findings from the Down syndrome study provide a clearer example of improved cell health following chromosome removal, indicating that in specific scenarios, such as aneuploidy, removing an extra chromosome can enhance cellular function and viability (source-6).
However, the broader implications of chromosome loss in other contexts, such as cancer, suggest that while some cells may benefit from chromosome removal, this is not universally applicable. Aneuploidy can lead to cell death or impaired proliferation in many instances (source-2).
The reliability of the sources is generally high, with the primary study being peer-reviewed and published in a reputable journal. The second source also provides a well-supported analysis of chromosome loss and its consequences, although it focuses more on the general implications of aneuploidy rather than specific experimental outcomes.
Conclusion
The claim that "corrected cells showed better survival rates after chromosome removal" is Partially True. While there is evidence that in certain contexts, such as the removal of an extra chromosome in Down syndrome cells, survival rates can improve, the relationship is complex and context-dependent. In the case of CRISPR-engineered T cells, the modified protocols that reduce chromosome loss appear to enhance survival rates, but this does not imply that chromosome removal universally leads to better outcomes across all cell types or conditions.
Sources
- Mitigation of chromosome loss in clinical CRISPR-Cas9 ... Link
- Consequences of Chromosome Loss: Why Do Cells Need ... Link
- Extra chromosome 21 removed from Down syndrome cell ... Link
- Nature Study Discovers Chromosome Therapy to Correct a ... Link
- Targeting chromosome trisomy for chromosome editing Link
- CRISPR used to remove extra chromosomes in Down ... Link
- Trisomic rescue via allele-specific multiple chromosome ... Link
- CRISPR editing can result in whole chromosome ... Link
