Gene-Edited Beagles Could Offer Hope for People With Dog Allergies

For millions of people, loving dogs comes with unfortunate allergy complications. Sneezing, itchy, watery eyes, and other allergic reactions can make owning a dog either impossible or, at the very least, unpleasant. However, dog allergies may not have to stand between people with allergies and the joys of owning a furry friend any longer.

While hypoallergenic dogs have been a popular choice for years, scientists are now working with gene-edited dogs, creating an entirely new world of potential options for allergy sufferers. Researchers at biotechnology company Kindred Companion Sciences have created two beagle puppies using gene-editing technology to eliminate one of the most common proteins responsible for dog allergies. The puppies, named Bailey and Alfie, appear healthy and have been found to lack detectable levels of the targeted allergen.

While the work is still highly experimental, it could potentially open the door for scientists to modify dogs so that they don’t trigger allergies in the first place.

The Dogs Were Created Using CRISPR

Bailey and Alfie were created using CRISPR, a gene-editing technology that allows scientists to make targeted changes to the dogs’ DNA. The team at Kindred focused on a gene responsible for producing Can f 1, a protein considered the most common dog allergen. Can f 1 is found in substances including saliva and dander, and previous research has shown that breeds commonly described as hypoallergenic can still produce significant amounts of allergenic proteins.

Instead of attempting to breed hypoallergenic dogs, researchers edited cells from a female beagle to disable the gene that causes Can f 1. The edited cells were then used in a cloning process known as somatic cell nuclear transfer. Researchers created 25 embryos and transferred them to a surrogate. Two developed to term, resulting in Bailey and Alfie.

Bailey and Alfie Appear to Lack the Targeted Allergen

Creating the gene-edited dogs was only the first step. Researchers also needed to determine whether the genetic modification actually produced the desired result. DNA sequencing confirmed that the intended edit was present. Researchers then collected samples of saliva and dander from the puppies and tested them for Can f 1.

The results were shocking and encouraging. The researchers couldn't detect the targeted protein in the edited dogs, while samples from unedited dogs, including a beagle, poodle, and goldendoodle, showed detectable levels. The puppies had normal birthweights and displayed no congenital abnormalities.

However, researchers warn that the findings do not mean that the gene-edited dogs are guaranteed to be completely allergen-free. Dogs produce several proteins that can trigger allergic reactions, meaning eliminating Can f 1 doesn't necessarily eliminate every possible source of an allergy.

One Researcher Became His Own Test Subject

The test was not purely based on expanding scientific knowledge. Kindred founder Matt Walker has a severe dog allergy and had previously been unable to own a dog. After the gene-edited puppies were born, he became one of the first people to directly test whether the approach might work in real life.

Walker underwent a voluntary skin-prick test using samples from Bailey and an unedited dog. The sample harvested from Bailey did not produce the same allergic reaction as the unedited dog, an early indication that the experiment may offer some practical solutions to pet allergies. Even more significantly, Walker has reportedly lived with Bailey for the last 18 months and has not experienced an allergic reaction.

That's obviously encouraging, but one person's experience isn't enough to establish that the dogs are safe and non-allergenic for the broader population. Larger studies involving more people with different types and severities of dog allergies would be necessary before drawing stronger conclusions.

Scientists Have Tried Gene Editing in Dogs Before

This is not the first time that scientists have experimented with gene-edited dogs. In 2015, researchers in China used CRISPR/Cas9 to alter the myostatin gene in beagles, producing dogs with unusually large amounts of muscle. The experiment was an early demonstration that CRISPR could be used to make targeted genetic changes in dogs.

The new research represents a different kind of application. Instead of creating a pet to serve as a laboratory model, the researchers are attempting to create an animal that could eventually have a direct benefit for people.

The Potential Applications Extend Beyond Pets

If the approach proves safe and effective, the implications could extend beyond people who simply want to own a dog without sneezing. Kindred has expressed interest in developing gene-edited dogs for specific purposes, including service dogs. Service animals can have an especially important role in people's lives, making the possibility of reducing allergy-related barriers potentially significant.

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