Revertant mosaicism in skin: natural gene therapy

JE Lai-Cheong, JA McGrath, J Uitto - Trends in molecular medicine, 2011 - cell.com
JE Lai-Cheong, JA McGrath, J Uitto
Trends in molecular medicine, 2011cell.com
Revertant mosaicism is a naturally occurring phenomenon involving spontaneous correction
of a pathogenic mutation in a somatic cell. Recent studies suggest that it is not a rare event
and that it could be clinically relevant to phenotypic expression and patient treatment.
Indeed, revertant cell therapy represents a potential 'natural gene therapy'because in vivo
reversion obviates the need for further genetic correction. Revertant mosaicism has been
observed in several inherited conditions, including epidermolysis bullosa, a heterogeneous …
Revertant mosaicism is a naturally occurring phenomenon involving spontaneous correction of a pathogenic mutation in a somatic cell. Recent studies suggest that it is not a rare event and that it could be clinically relevant to phenotypic expression and patient treatment. Indeed, revertant cell therapy represents a potential ‘natural gene therapy' because in vivo reversion obviates the need for further genetic correction. Revertant mosaicism has been observed in several inherited conditions, including epidermolysis bullosa, a heterogeneous group of blistering skin disorders. These diseases provide a useful model for studying revertant mosaicism because of the visual and accessible nature of skin. This overview highlights the latest developments in revertant mosaicism and the translational implications germane to heritable skin disorders.
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