1
|
Kawasaki S, Ono H, Hirosawa M, Kuwabara T, Sumi S, Lee S, Woltjen K, Saito H. Programmable mammalian translational modulators by CRISPR-associated proteins. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2243. [PMID: 37076490 PMCID: PMC10115826 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37540-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Translational modulation based on RNA-binding proteins can be used to construct artificial gene circuits, but RNA-binding proteins capable of regulating translation efficiently and orthogonally remain scarce. Here we report CARTRIDGE (Cas-Responsive Translational Regulation Integratable into Diverse Gene control) to repurpose Cas proteins as translational modulators in mammalian cells. We demonstrate that a set of Cas proteins efficiently and orthogonally repress or activate the translation of designed mRNAs that contain a Cas-binding RNA motif in the 5'-UTR. By linking multiple Cas-mediated translational modulators, we designed and built artificial circuits like logic gates, cascades, and half-subtractor circuits. Moreover, we show that various CRISPR-related technologies like anti-CRISPR and split-Cas9 platforms could be similarly repurposed to control translation. Coupling Cas-mediated translational and transcriptional regulation enhanced the complexity of synthetic circuits built by only introducing a few additional elements. Collectively, CARTRIDGE has enormous potential as a versatile molecular toolkit for mammalian synthetic biology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shunsuke Kawasaki
- Department of Life Science Frontiers, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan.
| | - Hiroki Ono
- Department of Life Science Frontiers, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
| | - Moe Hirosawa
- Department of Life Science Frontiers, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Takeru Kuwabara
- Faculty of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Sumi
- Department of Life Science Frontiers, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
| | - Suji Lee
- Department of Life Science Frontiers, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
| | - Knut Woltjen
- Department of Life Science Frontiers, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Hirohide Saito
- Department of Life Science Frontiers, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan.
- Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhang T, Liu C, Li W, Kuang J, Qiu XY, Min L, Zhu L. Targeted protein degradation in mammalian cells: A Promising Avenue toward Future. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:5477-5489. [PMID: 36249565 PMCID: PMC9535385 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.09.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
In the eukaryotic cellular milieu, proteins are continuously synthesized and degraded effectively via endogenous protein degradation machineries such as the ubiquitin–proteasome and lysosome pathways. By reengineering and repurposing these natural protein regulatory mechanisms, the targeted protein degradation (TPD) strategies are presenting biologists with powerful tools to manipulate the abundance of proteins of interest directly, precisely, and reversibly at the post-translational level. In recent years, TPD is gaining massive attention and is recognized as a paradigm shift both in basic research, application-oriented synthetic biology, and pioneering clinical work. In this review, we summarize the updated information, especially the engineering efforts and developmental route, of current state-of-the-art TPD technology such as Trim-Away, LYTACs, and AUTACs. Besides, the general design principle, benefits, problems, and opportunities to be addressed were further analyzed, with the aim of providing guidelines for exploration, discovery, and further application of novel TPD tools in the future.
Collapse
|
3
|
Mansouri M, Fussenegger M. Therapeutic cell engineering: designing programmable synthetic genetic circuits in mammalian cells. Protein Cell 2022; 13:476-489. [PMID: 34586617 PMCID: PMC9226217 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-021-00876-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell therapy approaches that employ engineered mammalian cells for on-demand production of therapeutic agents in the patient's body are moving beyond proof-of-concept in translational medicine. The therapeutic cells can be customized to sense user-defined signals, process them, and respond in a programmable and predictable way. In this paper, we introduce the available tools and strategies employed to design therapeutic cells. Then, various approaches to control cell behaviors, including open-loop and closed-loop systems, are discussed. We also highlight therapeutic applications of engineered cells for early diagnosis and treatment of various diseases in the clinic and in experimental disease models. Finally, we consider emerging technologies such as digital devices and their potential for incorporation into future cell-based therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maysam Mansouri
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058, Basel, Switzerland.
- Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058, Basel, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Wang H, Xie M, Rizzi G, Li X, Tan K, Fussenegger M. Identification of Sclareol As a Natural Neuroprotective Ca v 1.3-Antagonist Using Synthetic Parkinson-Mimetic Gene Circuits and Computer-Aided Drug Discovery. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2102855. [PMID: 35040584 PMCID: PMC8895113 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202102855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) results from selective loss of substantia nigra dopaminergic (SNc DA) neurons, and is primarily caused by excessive activity-related Ca2+ oscillations. Although L-type voltage-gated calcium channel blockers (CCBs) selectively inhibiting Cav 1.3 are considered promising candidates for PD treatment, drug discovery is hampered by the lack of high-throughput screening technologies permitting isoform-specific assessment of Cav-antagonistic activities. Here, a synthetic-biology-inspired drug-discovery platform enables identification of PD-relevant drug candidates. By deflecting Cav-dependent activation of nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT)-signaling to repression of reporter gene translation, they engineered a cell-based assay where reporter gene expression is activated by putative CCBs. By using this platform in combination with in silico virtual screening and a trained deep-learning neural network, sclareol is identified from a essential oils library as a structurally distinctive compound that can be used for PD pharmacotherapy. In vitro studies, biochemical assays and whole-cell patch-clamp recordings confirmed that sclareol inhibits Cav 1.3 more strongly than Cav 1.2 and decreases firing responses of SNc DA neurons. In a mouse model of PD, sclareol treatment reduced DA neuronal loss and protected striatal network dynamics as well as motor performance. Thus, sclareol appears to be a promising drug candidate for neuroprotection in PD patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hui Wang
- Department of Biosystems Science and EngineeringETH ZurichMattenstrasse 26Basel4058Switzerland
- Present address:
Lonza AGLonzastrasseVisp3930Switzerland
| | - Mingqi Xie
- Department of Biosystems Science and EngineeringETH ZurichMattenstrasse 26Basel4058Switzerland
- Present address:
Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang ProvinceSchool of Life SciencesWestlake UniversityShilongshan Road 18HangzhouP. R. China
| | - Giorgio Rizzi
- BiozentrumUniversity of BaselKlingelbergstrasse 50/70Basel4056Switzerland
- Present address:
Inscopix IncEmbarcadero WayPalo AltoCA94303USA
| | - Xin Li
- Department of Biosystems Science and EngineeringETH ZurichMattenstrasse 26Basel4058Switzerland
- Present address:
Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang ProvinceSchool of Life SciencesWestlake UniversityShilongshan Road 18HangzhouP. R. China
| | - Kelly Tan
- BiozentrumUniversity of BaselKlingelbergstrasse 50/70Basel4056Switzerland
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and EngineeringETH ZurichMattenstrasse 26Basel4058Switzerland
- University of BaselFaculty of ScienceMattenstrasse 26BaselCH‐4058Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Mansouri M, Xue S, Hussherr MD, Strittmatter T, Camenisch G, Fussenegger M. Smartphone-Flashlight-Mediated Remote Control of Rapid Insulin Secretion Restores Glucose Homeostasis in Experimental Type-1 Diabetes. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2021; 17:e2101939. [PMID: 34227232 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202101939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Emerging digital assessment of biomarkers by linking health-related data obtained from wearable electronic devices and embedded health and fitness sensors in smartphones is opening up the possibility of creating a continuous remote-monitoring platform for disease management. It is considered that the built-in flashlight of smartphones may be utilized to remotely program genetically engineered designer cells for on-demand delivery of protein-based therapeutics. Here, the authors present smartphone-induced insulin release in β-cell line (iβ-cell) technology for traceless light-triggered rapid insulin secretion, employing the light-activatable receptor melanopsin to induce calcium influx and membrane depolarization upon illumination. This iβ-cell-based system enables repeated, reversible secretion of insulin within 15 min in response to light stimulation, with a high induction fold both in vitro and in vivo. It is shown that programmable percutaneous remote control of implanted microencapsulated iβ-cells with a smartphone's flashlight rapidly reverses hyperglycemia in a mouse model of type-1 diabetes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maysam Mansouri
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, Basel, CH-4058, Switzerland
| | - Shuai Xue
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, Basel, CH-4058, Switzerland
| | - Marie-Didiée Hussherr
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, Basel, CH-4058, Switzerland
| | - Tobias Strittmatter
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, Basel, CH-4058, Switzerland
| | - Gieri Camenisch
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, Basel, CH-4058, Switzerland
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, Basel, CH-4058, Switzerland
- Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 26, Basel, CH-4058, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Shakiba N, Jones RD, Weiss R, Del Vecchio D. Context-aware synthetic biology by controller design: Engineering the mammalian cell. Cell Syst 2021; 12:561-592. [PMID: 34139166 PMCID: PMC8261833 DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2021.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The rise of systems biology has ushered a new paradigm: the view of the cell as a system that processes environmental inputs to drive phenotypic outputs. Synthetic biology provides a complementary approach, allowing us to program cell behavior through the addition of synthetic genetic devices into the cellular processor. These devices, and the complex genetic circuits they compose, are engineered using a design-prototype-test cycle, allowing for predictable device performance to be achieved in a context-dependent manner. Within mammalian cells, context effects impact device performance at multiple scales, including the genetic, cellular, and extracellular levels. In order for synthetic genetic devices to achieve predictable behaviors, approaches to overcome context dependence are necessary. Here, we describe control systems approaches for achieving context-aware devices that are robust to context effects. We then consider cell fate programing as a case study to explore the potential impact of context-aware devices for regenerative medicine applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nika Shakiba
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
| | - Ross D Jones
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
| | - Ron Weiss
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
| | - Domitilla Del Vecchio
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Zhu J, Hatton D. New Mammalian Expression Systems. ADVANCES IN BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING/BIOTECHNOLOGY 2019; 165:9-50. [PMID: 28585079 DOI: 10.1007/10_2016_55] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
There are an increasing number of recombinant antibodies and proteins in preclinical and clinical development for therapeutic applications. Mammalian expression systems are key to enabling the production of these molecules, and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell platforms continue to be central to delivery of the stable cell lines required for large-scale production. Increasing pressure on timelines and efficiency, further innovation of molecular formats and the shift to new production systems are driving developments of these CHO cell line platforms. The availability of genome and transcriptome data coupled with advancing gene editing tools are increasing the ability to design and engineer CHO cell lines to meet these challenges. This chapter aims to give an overview of the developments in CHO expression systems and some of the associated technologies over the past few years.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhu
- MedImmune, One MedImmune Way, Gaithersburg, MD, 20878, USA
| | - Diane Hatton
- MedImmune, Milstein Building, Granta Park, Cambridge, CB21 6GH, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
A CRISPR/Cas9-based central processing unit to program complex logic computation in human cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:7214-7219. [PMID: 30923122 PMCID: PMC6462112 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1821740116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Controlling gene expression with sophisticated logic gates has been and remains one of the central aims of synthetic biology. However, conventional implementations of biocomputers use central processing units (CPUs) assembled from multiple protein-based gene switches, limiting the programming flexibility and complexity that can be achieved within single cells. Here, we introduce a CRISPR/Cas9-based core processor that enables different sets of user-defined guide RNA inputs to program a single transcriptional regulator (dCas9-KRAB) to perform a wide range of bitwise computations, from simple Boolean logic gates to arithmetic operations such as the half adder. Furthermore, we built a dual-core CPU combining two orthogonal core processors in a single cell. In principle, human cells integrating multiple orthogonal CRISPR/Cas9-based core processors could offer enormous computational capacity.
Collapse
|
9
|
Mansouri M, Strittmatter T, Fussenegger M. Light-Controlled Mammalian Cells and Their Therapeutic Applications in Synthetic Biology. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2019; 6:1800952. [PMID: 30643713 PMCID: PMC6325585 DOI: 10.1002/advs.201800952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Revised: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
The ability to remote control the expression of therapeutic genes in mammalian cells in order to treat disease is a central goal of synthetic biology-inspired therapeutic strategies. Furthermore, optogenetics, a combination of light and genetic sciences, provides an unprecedented ability to use light for precise control of various cellular activities with high spatiotemporal resolution. Recent work to combine optogenetics and therapeutic synthetic biology has led to the engineering of light-controllable designer cells, whose behavior can be regulated precisely and noninvasively. This Review focuses mainly on non-neural optogenetic systems, which are often used in synthetic biology, and their applications in genetic programing of mammalian cells. Here, a brief overview of the optogenetic tool kit that is available to build light-sensitive mammalian cells is provided. Then, recently developed strategies for the control of designer cells with specific biological functions are summarized. Recent translational applications of optogenetically engineered cells are also highlighted, ranging from in vitro basic research to in vivo light-controlled gene therapy. Finally, current bottlenecks, possible solutions, and future prospects for optogenetics in synthetic biology are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maysam Mansouri
- Department of Biosystems Science and EngineeringETH ZurichMattenstrasse 26CH‐4058BaselSwitzerland
| | - Tobias Strittmatter
- Department of Biosystems Science and EngineeringETH ZurichMattenstrasse 26CH‐4058BaselSwitzerland
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and EngineeringETH ZurichMattenstrasse 26CH‐4058BaselSwitzerland
- Faculty of ScienceUniversity of BaselMattenstrasse 26CH‐4058BaselSwitzerland
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Wang H, Xie M, Charpin-El Hamri G, Ye H, Fussenegger M. Treatment of chronic pain by designer cells controlled by spearmint aromatherapy. Nat Biomed Eng 2018; 2:114-123. [PMID: 31015627 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-018-0192-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2017] [Accepted: 01/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Current treatment options for chronic pain are often associated with dose-limiting toxicities, or lead to drug tolerance or addiction. Here, we describe a pain management strategy, based on cell-engineering principles and inspired by synthetic biology, consisting of microencapsulated human designer cells that produce huwentoxin-IV (a safe and potent analgesic peptide that selectively inhibits the pain-triggering voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.7) in response to volatile spearmint aroma and in a dose-dependent manner. Spearmint sensitivity was achieved by ectopic expression of the R-carvone-responsive olfactory receptor OR1A1 rewired via an artificial G-protein deflector to induce the expression of a secretion-engineered and stabilized huwentoxin-IV variant. In a model of chronic inflammatory and neuropathic pain, mice bearing the designer cells showed reduced pain-associated behaviour on oral intake or inhalation-based intake of spearmint essential oil, and absence of cardiovascular, immunogenic and behavioural side effects. Our proof-of-principle findings indicate that therapies based on engineered cells can achieve robust, tunable and on-demand analgesia for the long-term management of chronic pain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hui Wang
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Mingqi Xie
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Haifeng Ye
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland. .,Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Gödecke N, Zha L, Spencer S, Behme S, Riemer P, Rehli M, Hauser H, Wirth D. Controlled re-activation of epigenetically silenced Tet promoter-driven transgene expression by targeted demethylation. Nucleic Acids Res 2017; 45:e147. [PMID: 28934472 PMCID: PMC5766184 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkx601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2016] [Accepted: 07/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Faithful expression of transgenes in cell cultures and mice is often challenged by locus dependent epigenetic silencing. We investigated silencing of Tet-controlled expression cassettes within the mouse ROSA26 locus. We observed pronounced DNA methylation of the Tet promoter concomitant with loss of expression in mES cells as well as in differentiated cells and transgenic animals. Strikingly, the ROSA26 promoter remains active and methylation free indicating that this silencing mechanism specifically affects the transgene, but does not spread to the host's chromosomal neighborhood. To reactivate Tet cassettes a synthetic fusion protein was constructed and expressed in silenced cells. This protein includes the enzymatic domains of ten eleven translocation methylcytosine dioxygenase 1 (TET-1) as well as the Tet repressor DNA binding domain. Expression of the synthetic fusion protein and Doxycycline treatment allowed targeted demethylation of the Tet promoter in the ROSA26 locus and in another genomic site, rescuing transgene expression in cells and transgenic mice. Thus, inducible, reversible and site-specific epigenetic modulation is a promising strategy for reactivation of silenced transgene expression, independent of the integration site.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natascha Gödecke
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, RG Model Systems for Infection and Immunity (MSYS), Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Lisha Zha
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, RG Model Systems for Infection and Immunity (MSYS), Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Shawal Spencer
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, RG Model Systems for Infection and Immunity (MSYS), Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Sara Behme
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, RG Model Systems for Infection and Immunity (MSYS), Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Pamela Riemer
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, RG Model Systems for Infection and Immunity (MSYS), Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Michael Rehli
- University Hospital, Dept. Internal Medicine III, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Hansjörg Hauser
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Dept. of Scientific Strategy, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Dagmar Wirth
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, RG Model Systems for Infection and Immunity (MSYS), Braunschweig, Germany.,Hannover Medical School, Experimental Hematology, Hannover, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Higashikuni Y, Chen WC, Lu TK. Advancing therapeutic applications of synthetic gene circuits. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2017; 47:133-141. [PMID: 28750201 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2017.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2017] [Accepted: 06/21/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic biology aims to introduce new sense-and-respond capabilities into living cells, which would enable novel therapeutic strategies. The development of regulatory elements, molecular computing devices, and effector screening technologies has enabled researchers to design synthetic gene circuits in many organisms, including mammalian cells. Engineered gene networks, such as closed-loop circuits or Boolean logic gate circuits, can be used to program cells to perform specific functions with spatiotemporal control and restoration of homeostasis in response to the extracellular environment and intracellular signaling. In addition, genetically modified microbes can be designed as local delivery of therapeutic molecules. In this review, we will discuss recent advances in therapeutic applications of synthetic gene circuits, as well as challenges and future opportunities for biomedicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yasutomi Higashikuni
- Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MA 02139, USA; Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MA 02139, USA
| | - William Cw Chen
- Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MA 02139, USA; Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MA 02139, USA; Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Timothy K Lu
- Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MA 02139, USA; Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MA 02139, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Xue S, Yin J, Shao J, Yu Y, Yang L, Wang Y, Xie M, Fussenegger M, Ye H. A Synthetic-Biology-Inspired Therapeutic Strategy for Targeting and Treating Hepatogenous Diabetes. Mol Ther 2017; 25:443-455. [PMID: 28153094 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2016.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2016] [Revised: 11/11/2016] [Accepted: 11/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatogenous diabetes is a complex disease that is typified by the simultaneous presence of type 2 diabetes and many forms of liver disease. The chief pathogenic determinant in this pathophysiological network is insulin resistance (IR), an asymptomatic disease state in which impaired insulin signaling in target tissues initiates a variety of organ dysfunctions. However, pharmacotherapies targeting IR remain limited and are generally inapplicable for liver disease patients. Oleanolic acid (OA) is a plant-derived triterpenoid that is frequently used in Chinese medicine as a safe but slow-acting treatment in many liver disorders. Here, we utilized the congruent pharmacological activities of OA and glucagon-like-peptide 1 (GLP-1) in relieving IR and improving liver and pancreas functions and used a synthetic-biology-inspired design principle to engineer a therapeutic gene circuit that enables a concerted action of both drugs. In particular, OA-triggered short human GLP-1 (shGLP-1) expression in hepatogenous diabetic mice rapidly and simultaneously attenuated many disease-specific metabolic failures, whereas OA or shGLP-1 monotherapy failed to achieve corresponding therapeutic effects. Collectively, this work shows that rationally engineered synthetic gene circuits are capable of treating multifactorial diseases in a synergistic manner by multiplexing the targeting efficacies of single therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Xue
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Dongchuan Road 500, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Jianli Yin
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Dongchuan Road 500, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Jiawei Shao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Dongchuan Road 500, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Yuanhuan Yu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Dongchuan Road 500, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Linfeng Yang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Dongchuan Road 500, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Yidan Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Dongchuan Road 500, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Mingqi Xie
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Dongchuan Road 500, Shanghai 200241, China; Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Haifeng Ye
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Dongchuan Road 500, Shanghai 200241, China.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
|