Single-cell multiplex approaches deeply map ON-target CRISPR-genotoxicity and reveal its mitigation by palbociclib and long-term engraftment

Genome editing by CRISPR-Cas9-nuclease is promising for gene therapy. However, safety concerns remain. Monitoring ON-target genotoxicity is essential, especially to assay megabasic rearrangements at the targeted locus. Here, we developed a combined single-cell resolution approach with DNA sequencing focused on single nucleotide polymorphism (scSNP-DNAseq), micronuclei and LOH cytometry-reporter assays. This sensitive multiplexed strategy enables the sensitive monitoring of CRISPR-mediated genotoxicity in primary cells. Using this approach, we detect, map and characterize various types of induced-losses of heterozygosity and assess editing-associated chromosomal instability. Importantly, palbociclib prevents the appearance of such genomic rearrangements in hematopoietic stem cells without impairing cell fate or graft capability. Conversely, short-term risk is significantly increased with DNA-PKcs inhibitor AZD7648. Fortunately, targeting HBG1/2p, scSNP-DNA-seq reveals that ON-target genotoxic events are no longer detectable after long-term xenografts. This work demonstrates that scSNP-DNA-seq should be routinely implemented to monitor chromosomal rearrangements before and after CRISPR-edited cell infusions. Genome editing by CRISPR-Cas9 holds great promise for gene therapy but raises safety concerns due to DNA damage at the targeted site. Here, authors develop an integrated approach combining scSNP-DNAseq and LOH assays to monitor CRISPR-induced genotoxicity in primary cells.