Rosa26-LSL-dCas9-VPR: a versatile mouse model for tissue specific and simultaneous activation of multiple genes for drug discovery

Transgenic animals with increased or abrogated target gene expression are powerful tools for drug discovery research. Here, we developed a CRISPR-based Rosa26-LSL-dCas9-VPR mouse model for targeted induction of endogenous gene expression using different Adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsid variants for tissue-specific gRNAs delivery. To show applicability of the model, we targeted low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), either individually or together. We induced up to ninefold higher expression of hepatocellular proteins. In consequence of LDLR upregulation, plasma LDL levels almost abolished, whereas upregulation of PCSK9 led to increased plasma LDL and cholesterol levels. Strikingly, simultaneous upregulation of both LDLR and PCSK9 resulted in almost unaltered LDL levels. Additionally, we used our model to achieve expression of all α(1)-Antitrypsin (AAT) gene paralogues simultaneously. These results show the potential of our model as a versatile tool for optimized targeted gene expression, alone or in combination.