1
|
Hu T, Kumar AR, Luo Y, Tay A. Automating CAR-T Transfection with Micro and Nano-Technologies. SMALL METHODS 2024; 8:e2301300. [PMID: 38054597 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202301300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Cancer poses a significant health challenge, with traditional treatments like surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy often lacking in cell specificity and long-term curative potential. Chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy,utilizing genetically engineered T cells to target cancer cells, is a promising alternative. However, its high cost limits widespread application. CAR-T manufacturing process encompasses three stages: cell isolation and activation, transfection, and expansion.While the first and last stages have straightforward, commercially available automation technologies, the transfection stage lags behind. Current automated transfection relies on viral vectors or bulk electroporation, which have drawbacks such as limited cargo capacity and significant cell disturbance. Conversely, micro and nano-tool methods offer higher throughput and cargo flexibility, yet their automation remains underexplored.In this perspective, the progress in micro and nano-engineering tools for CAR-T transfection followed by a discussion to automate them is described. It is anticipated that this work can inspire the community working on micro and nano transfection techniques to examine how their protocols can be automated to align with the growing interest in automating CAR-T manufacturing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tianmu Hu
- Engineering Science Programme, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117575, Singapore
| | - Arun Rk Kumar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117583, Singapore
- Institute for Health Innovation & Technology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117597, Singapore
| | - Yikai Luo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117583, Singapore
- Institute for Health Innovation & Technology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
| | - Andy Tay
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117583, Singapore
- Institute for Health Innovation & Technology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
- Tissue Engineering Programme, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117510, Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kim H, Kim S, Lim H, Chung AJ. Expanding CAR-T cell immunotherapy horizons through microfluidics. LAB ON A CHIP 2024; 24:1088-1120. [PMID: 38174732 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00622k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapies have revolutionized cancer treatment, particularly in hematological malignancies. However, their application to solid tumors is limited, and they face challenges in safety, scalability, and cost. To enhance current CAR-T cell therapies, the integration of microfluidic technologies, harnessing their inherent advantages, such as reduced sample consumption, simplicity in operation, cost-effectiveness, automation, and high scalability, has emerged as a powerful solution. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the step-by-step manufacturing process of CAR-T cells, identifies existing difficulties at each production stage, and discusses the successful implementation of microfluidics and related technologies in addressing these challenges. Furthermore, this review investigates the potential of microfluidics-based methodologies in advancing cell-based therapy across various applications, including solid tumors, next-generation CAR constructs, T-cell receptors, and the development of allogeneic "off-the-shelf" CAR products.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyelee Kim
- Department of Bioengineering, Korea University, 02841 Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Interdisciplinary Program in Precision Public Health (PPH), Korea University, 02841 Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Suyeon Kim
- Department of Bioengineering, Korea University, 02841 Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Interdisciplinary Program in Precision Public Health (PPH), Korea University, 02841 Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hyunjung Lim
- Interdisciplinary Program in Precision Public Health (PPH), Korea University, 02841 Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Aram J Chung
- Department of Bioengineering, Korea University, 02841 Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Interdisciplinary Program in Precision Public Health (PPH), Korea University, 02841 Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Korea University, 02841 Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- MxT Biotech, 04785 Seoul, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Shokouhi AR, Chen Y, Yoh HZ, Brenker J, Alan T, Murayama T, Suu K, Morikawa Y, Voelcker NH, Elnathan R. Engineering Efficient CAR-T Cells via Electroactive Nanoinjection. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2304122. [PMID: 37434421 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202304122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy has emerged as a promising cell-based immunotherapy approach for treating blood disorders and cancers, but genetically engineering CAR-T cells is challenging due to primary T cells' sensitivity to conventional gene delivery approaches. The current viral-based method can typically involve significant operating costs and biosafety hurdles, while bulk electroporation (BEP) can lead to poor cell viability and functionality. Here, a non-viral electroactive nanoinjection (ENI) platform is developed to efficiently negotiate the plasma membrane of primary human T cells via vertically configured electroactive nanotubes, enabling efficient delivery (68.7%) and expression (43.3%) of CAR genes in the T cells, with minimal cellular perturbation (>90% cell viability). Compared to conventional BEP, the ENI platform achieves an almost threefold higher CAR transfection efficiency, indicated by the significantly higher reporter GFP expression (43.3% compared to 16.3%). By co-culturing with target lymphoma Raji cells, the ENI-transfected CAR-T cells' ability to effectively suppress lymphoma cell growth (86.9% cytotoxicity) is proved. Taken together, the results demonstrate the platform's remarkable capacity to generate functional and effective anti-lymphoma CAR-T cells. Given the growing potential of cell-based immunotherapies, such a platform holds great promise for ex vivo cell engineering, especially in CAR-T cell therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ali-Reza Shokouhi
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication, Victorian Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility, 151 Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Yaping Chen
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication, Victorian Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility, 151 Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Hao Zhe Yoh
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication, Victorian Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility, 151 Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Jason Brenker
- Dynamic Micro Devices (DMD) Lab, Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, 17 College Walk, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Tuncay Alan
- Dynamic Micro Devices (DMD) Lab, Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, 17 College Walk, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Takahide Murayama
- Institute of Semiconductor and Electronics Technologies ULVAC Inc., 1220-1 Suyama, Susono, Shizuoka, 410-1231, Japan
| | - Koukou Suu
- Institute of Semiconductor and Electronics Technologies ULVAC Inc., 1220-1 Suyama, Susono, Shizuoka, 410-1231, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Morikawa
- Institute of Semiconductor and Electronics Technologies ULVAC Inc., 1220-1 Suyama, Susono, Shizuoka, 410-1231, Japan
| | - Nicolas H Voelcker
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication, Victorian Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility, 151 Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Monash University, 22 Alliance Lane, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Roey Elnathan
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, VIC, 3216, Australia
- Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University, Geelong Waurn Ponds campus, Waurn Ponds, VIC, 3216, Australia
- The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus, Melbourne, VIC, 3216, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Shokouhi AR, Chen Y, Yoh HZ, Murayama T, Suu K, Morikawa Y, Brenker J, Alan T, Voelcker NH, Elnathan R. Electroactive nanoinjection platform for intracellular delivery and gene silencing. J Nanobiotechnology 2023; 21:273. [PMID: 37592297 PMCID: PMC10433684 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-023-02056-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nanoinjection-the process of intracellular delivery using vertically configured nanostructures-is a physical route that efficiently negotiates the plasma membrane, with minimal perturbation and toxicity to the cells. Nanoinjection, as a physical membrane-disruption-mediated approach, overcomes challenges associated with conventional carrier-mediated approaches such as safety issues (with viral carriers), genotoxicity, limited packaging capacity, low levels of endosomal escape, and poor versatility for cell and cargo types. Yet, despite the implementation of nanoinjection tools and their assisted analogues in diverse cellular manipulations, there are still substantial challenges in harnessing these platforms to gain access into cell interiors with much greater precision without damaging the cell's intricate structure. Here, we propose a non-viral, low-voltage, and reusable electroactive nanoinjection (ENI) platform based on vertically configured conductive nanotubes (NTs) that allows for rapid influx of targeted biomolecular cargos into the intracellular environment, and for successful gene silencing. The localization of electric fields at the tight interface between conductive NTs and the cell membrane drastically lowers the voltage required for cargo delivery into the cells, from kilovolts (for bulk electroporation) to only ≤ 10 V; this enhances the fine control over membrane disruption and mitigates the problem of high cell mortality experienced by conventional electroporation. RESULTS Through both theoretical simulations and experiments, we demonstrate the capability of the ENI platform to locally perforate GPE-86 mouse fibroblast cells and efficiently inject a diverse range of membrane-impermeable biomolecules with efficacy of 62.5% (antibody), 55.5% (mRNA), and 51.8% (plasmid DNA), with minimal impact on cells' viability post nanoscale-EP (> 90%). We also show gene silencing through the delivery of siRNA that targets TRIOBP, yielding gene knockdown efficiency of 41.3%. CONCLUSIONS We anticipate that our non-viral and low-voltage ENI platform is set to offer a new safe path to intracellular delivery with broader selection of cargo and cell types, and will open opportunities for advanced ex vivo cell engineering and gene silencing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ali-Reza Shokouhi
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication, Victorian Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility, 151 Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Yaping Chen
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication, Victorian Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility, 151 Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Hao Zhe Yoh
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication, Victorian Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility, 151 Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Takahide Murayama
- Institute of Semiconductor and Electronics Technologies, ULVAC Inc, 1220-1 Suyama, Susono, Shizuoka, 410-1231, Japan
| | - Koukou Suu
- Institute of Semiconductor and Electronics Technologies, ULVAC Inc, 1220-1 Suyama, Susono, Shizuoka, 410-1231, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Morikawa
- Institute of Semiconductor and Electronics Technologies, ULVAC Inc, 1220-1 Suyama, Susono, Shizuoka, 410-1231, Japan
| | - Jason Brenker
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Wellington Rd, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Tuncay Alan
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Wellington Rd, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Nicolas H Voelcker
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.
- Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication, Victorian Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility, 151 Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia.
- INM-Leibniz Institute for New Materials, Campus D2 2, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany.
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Monash University, 22 Alliance Lane, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia.
| | - Roey Elnathan
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.
- Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication, Victorian Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility, 151 Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia.
- Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Melbourne, VIC, 3216, Australia.
- Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University, Geelong Waurn Ponds campus, Melbourne, VIC, 3216, Australia.
- The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus, Melbourne, VIC, 3216, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Li X, Ma Y, Xue Y, Zhang X, Lv L, Quan Q, Chen Y, Yu G, Liang Z, Zhang X, Weng D, Chen L, Chen K, Han X, Wang J. High-Throughput and Efficient Intracellular Delivery Method via a Vibration-Assisted Nanoneedle/Microfluidic Composite System. ACS NANO 2023; 17:2101-2113. [PMID: 36479877 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c07852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Intracellular delivery and genetic modification have brought a significant revolutionary to tumor immunotherapy, yet existing methods are still limited by low delivery efficiency, poor throughput, excessive cell damage, or unsuitability for suspension immune cells, specifically the natural killer cell, which is highly resistant to transfection. Here, we proposed a vibration-assisted nanoneedle/microfluidic composite system that uses large-area nanoneedles to rapidly puncture and detach the fast-moving suspension cells in the microchannel under vibration to achieve continuous high-throughput intracellular delivery. The nanoneedle arrays fabricated based on the large-area self-assembly technique and microchannels can maximize the delivery efficiency. Cas9 ribonucleoprotein complexes (Cas9/RNPs) can be delivered directly into cells due to the sufficient cellular membrane nanoperforation size; for difficult-to-transfect immune cells, the delivery efficiency can be up to 98%, while the cell viability remains at about 80%. Moreover, the throughput is demonstrated to maintain a mL/min level, which is significantly higher than that of conventional delivery techniques. Further, we prepared CD96 knockout NK-92 cells via this platform, and the gene-edited NK-92 cells possessed higher immunity by reversing exhaustion. The high-throughput, high-efficiency, and low-damage performance of our intracellular delivery strategy has great potential for cellular immunotherapy in clinical applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Li
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P.R. China
| | - Yuan Ma
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P.R. China
| | - Yu Xue
- School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, University of Chinese Medicine Nanjing, Nanjing 210023, P.R. China
| | - Xuanhe Zhang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P.R. China
| | - Linwen Lv
- Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P.R. China
| | - Qianghua Quan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P.R. China
| | - Yiqing Chen
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P.R. China
| | - Guoxu Yu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P.R. China
| | - Zhenwei Liang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P.R. China
| | - Xinping Zhang
- Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Beijing 102616, P.R. China
| | - Ding Weng
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P.R. China
| | - Lei Chen
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P.R. China
| | - Kui Chen
- Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P.R. China
| | - Xin Han
- School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, University of Chinese Medicine Nanjing, Nanjing 210023, P.R. China
| | - Jiadao Wang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Lard M, Ho BD, Beech JP, Tegenfeldt JO, Prinz CN. Use of dielectrophoresis for directing T cells to microwells before nanostraw transfection: modelling and experiments. RSC Adv 2022; 12:30295-30303. [PMID: 36337971 PMCID: PMC9589401 DOI: 10.1039/d2ra05119b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Nanostraw substrates have great potential for achieving minimally invasive cell transfection. Cells located on the nanostraw substrate are subjected to mild DC electric pulses applied across the nanostraw substrate, which open pores in the cell membrane on top of the nanostraws and drives charged cargo through these pores via electrophoresis. However, with this method, the current may leak through uncovered nanostraws, thereby decreasing the desired effect in the cell-covered nanostraws. A minimization of the number of uncovered nanostraws could be achieved by high cell coverage, but this is challenging when working with small cell populations. Nanostraw substrates of smaller area could be covered by smaller cell populations but are hard to integrate into fluidics systems. Here, we use simulations and experiments to show that this issue can be addressed by covering the nanostraw substrate with an insulating layer containing pores of similar size to cells. The pores act as traps into which cells can be guided using dielectrophoresis, ensuring a high degree of occupancy while maintaining a high cell viability, even if the total number of cells is low.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mercy Lard
- Division of Solid State Physics and NanoLund, Lund University 221 00 Lund Sweden
| | - Bao D Ho
- Division of Solid State Physics and NanoLund, Lund University 221 00 Lund Sweden
| | - Jason P Beech
- Division of Solid State Physics and NanoLund, Lund University 221 00 Lund Sweden
| | - Jonas O Tegenfeldt
- Division of Solid State Physics and NanoLund, Lund University 221 00 Lund Sweden
| | - Christelle N Prinz
- Division of Solid State Physics and NanoLund, Lund University 221 00 Lund Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Foley RA, Sims RA, Duggan EC, Olmedo JK, Ma R, Jonas SJ. Delivering the CRISPR/Cas9 system for engineering gene therapies: Recent cargo and delivery approaches for clinical translation. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:973326. [PMID: 36225598 PMCID: PMC9549251 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.973326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) has transformed our ability to edit the human genome selectively. This technology has quickly become the most standardized and reproducible gene editing tool available. Catalyzing rapid advances in biomedical research and genetic engineering, the CRISPR/Cas9 system offers great potential to provide diagnostic and therapeutic options for the prevention and treatment of currently incurable single-gene and more complex human diseases. However, significant barriers to the clinical application of CRISPR/Cas9 remain. While in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo gene editing has been demonstrated extensively in a laboratory setting, the translation to clinical studies is currently limited by shortfalls in the precision, scalability, and efficiency of delivering CRISPR/Cas9-associated reagents to their intended therapeutic targets. To overcome these challenges, recent advancements manipulate both the delivery cargo and vehicles used to transport CRISPR/Cas9 reagents. With the choice of cargo informing the delivery vehicle, both must be optimized for precision and efficiency. This review aims to summarize current bioengineering approaches to applying CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing tools towards the development of emerging cellular therapeutics, focusing on its two main engineerable components: the delivery vehicle and the gene editing cargo it carries. The contemporary barriers to biomedical applications are discussed within the context of key considerations to be made in the optimization of CRISPR/Cas9 for widespread clinical translation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruth A. Foley
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Ruby A. Sims
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Emily C. Duggan
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Jessica K. Olmedo
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Rachel Ma
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Steven J. Jonas
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Chen Y, Yoh HZ, Shokouhi AR, Murayama T, Suu K, Morikawa Y, Voelcker NH, Elnathan R. Role of actin cytoskeleton in cargo delivery mediated by vertically aligned silicon nanotubes. J Nanobiotechnology 2022; 20:406. [PMID: 36076230 PMCID: PMC9461134 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-022-01618-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Nanofabrication technologies have been recently applied to the development of engineered nano–bio interfaces for manipulating complex cellular processes. In particular, vertically configurated nanostructures such as nanoneedles (NNs) have been adopted for a variety of biological applications such as mechanotransduction, biosensing, and intracellular delivery. Despite their success in delivering a diverse range of biomolecules into cells, the mechanisms for NN-mediated cargo transport remain to be elucidated. Recent studies have suggested that cytoskeletal elements are involved in generating a tight and functional cell–NN interface that can influence cargo delivery. In this study, by inhibiting actin dynamics using two drugs—cytochalasin D (Cyto D) and jasplakinolide (Jas), we demonstrate that the actin cytoskeleton plays an important role in mRNA delivery mediated by silicon nanotubes (SiNTs). Specifically, actin inhibition 12 h before SiNT-cellular interfacing (pre-interface treatment) significantly dampens mRNA delivery (with efficiencies dropping to 17.2% for Cyto D and 33.1% for Jas) into mouse fibroblast GPE86 cells, compared to that of untreated controls (86.9%). However, actin inhibition initiated 2 h after the establishment of GPE86 cell–SiNT interface (post-interface treatment), has negligible impact on mRNA transfection, maintaining > 80% efficiency for both Cyto D and Jas treatment groups. The results contribute to understanding potential mechanisms involved in NN-mediated intracellular delivery, providing insights into strategic design of cell–nano interfacing under temporal control for improved effectiveness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yaping Chen
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia. .,Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication, Victorian Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility, 151 Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia.
| | - Hao Zhe Yoh
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.,Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication, Victorian Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility, 151 Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia.,Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Ali-Reza Shokouhi
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.,Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication, Victorian Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility, 151 Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Takahide Murayama
- Institute of Semiconductor and Electronics Technologies, ULVAC Inc, 1220-1 Suyama, Susono, Shizuoka, 410-1231, Japan
| | - Koukou Suu
- Institute of Semiconductor and Electronics Technologies, ULVAC Inc, 1220-1 Suyama, Susono, Shizuoka, 410-1231, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Morikawa
- Institute of Semiconductor and Electronics Technologies, ULVAC Inc, 1220-1 Suyama, Susono, Shizuoka, 410-1231, Japan
| | - Nicolas H Voelcker
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia. .,Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication, Victorian Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility, 151 Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia. .,Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia. .,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Monash University, 22 Alliance Lane, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia. .,INM-Leibnitz Institute for New Materials, Campus D2 2, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany.
| | - Roey Elnathan
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia. .,Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication, Victorian Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility, 151 Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia. .,School of Medicine, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Geelong, VIC, 3216, Australia. .,Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University, Geelong Waurn Ponds campus, Geelong, VIC, 3216, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Elnathan R, Tay A, Voelcker NH, Chiappini C. The start-ups taking nanoneedles into the clinic. NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY 2022; 17:807-811. [PMID: 35760894 DOI: 10.1038/s41565-022-01158-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Roey Elnathan
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, Australia.
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
- Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication, Victorian Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Andy Tay
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Nicolas H Voelcker
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication, Victorian Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ciro Chiappini
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, King's College London, London, UK
- London Centre for Nanotechnology, King's College London, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Patino CA, Pathak N, Mukherjee P, Park SH, Bao G, Espinosa HD. Multiplexed high-throughput localized electroporation workflow with deep learning-based analysis for cell engineering. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabn7637. [PMID: 35867793 PMCID: PMC9307252 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abn7637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Manipulation of cells for applications such as biomanufacturing and cell-based therapeutics involves introducing biomolecular cargoes into cells. However, successful delivery is a function of multiple experimental factors requiring several rounds of optimization. Here, we present a high-throughput multiwell-format localized electroporation device (LEPD) assisted by deep learning image analysis that enables quick optimization of experimental factors for efficient delivery. We showcase the versatility of the LEPD platform by successfully delivering biomolecules into different types of adherent and suspension cells. We also demonstrate multicargo delivery with tight dosage distribution and precise ratiometric control. Furthermore, we used the platform to achieve functional gene knockdown in human induced pluripotent stem cells and used the deep learning framework to analyze protein expression along with changes in cell morphology. Overall, we present a workflow that enables combinatorial experiments and rapid analysis for the optimization of intracellular delivery protocols required for genetic manipulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cesar A. Patino
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Nibir Pathak
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Theoretical and Applied Mechanics Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Prithvijit Mukherjee
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Theoretical and Applied Mechanics Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - So Hyun Park
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, 6500 Main St, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Gang Bao
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, 6500 Main St, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Horacio D. Espinosa
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Theoretical and Applied Mechanics Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Aliaghaei M, Haun JB. Optimization of Mechanical Tissue Dissociation Using an Integrated Microfluidic Device for Improved Generation of Single Cells Following Digestion. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:841046. [PMID: 35211466 PMCID: PMC8861371 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.841046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The dissociation of tissue and cell aggregates into single cells is of high interest for single cell analysis studies, primary cultures, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine. However, current methods are slow, poorly controlled, variable, and can introduce artifacts. We previously developed a microfluidic device that contains two separate dissociation modules, a branching channel array and nylon mesh filters, which was used as a polishing step after tissue processing with a microfluidic digestion device. Here, we employed the integrated disaggregation and filtration (IDF) device as a standalone method with both cell aggregates and traditionally digested tissue to perform a well-controlled and detailed study into the effect of mechanical forces on dissociation, including modulation of flow rate, device pass number, and even the mechanism. Using a strongly cohesive cell aggregate model, we found that single cell recovery was highest using flow rates exceeding 40 ml/min and multiple passes through the filter module, either with or without the channel module. For minced and digested kidney tissue, recovery of diverse cell types was maximal using multiple passes through the channel module and only a single pass through the filter module. Notably, we found that epithelial cell recovery from the optimized IDF device alone exceeded our previous efforts, and this result was maintained after reducing digestion time to 20 min. However, endothelial cells and leukocytes still required extended digestion time for maximal recover. These findings highlight the significance of parameter optimization to achieve the highest cell yield and viability based on tissue sample size, extracellular matrix content, and strength of cell-cell interactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marzieh Aliaghaei
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Jered B Haun
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States.,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States.,Center for Advanced Design and Manufacturing of Integrated Microfluidics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States.,Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Chakrabarty P, Gupta P, Illath K, Kar S, Nagai M, Tseng FG, Santra TS. Microfluidic mechanoporation for cellular delivery and analysis. Mater Today Bio 2022; 13:100193. [PMID: 35005598 PMCID: PMC8718663 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2021.100193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Highly efficient intracellular delivery strategies are essential for developing therapeutic, diagnostic, biological, and various biomedical applications. The recent advancement of micro/nanotechnology has focused numerous researches towards developing microfluidic device-based strategies due to the associated high throughput delivery, cost-effectiveness, robustness, and biocompatible nature. The delivery strategies can be carrier-mediated or membrane disruption-based, where membrane disruption methods find popularity due to reduced toxicity, enhanced delivery efficiency, and cell viability. Among all of the membrane disruption techniques, the mechanoporation strategies are advantageous because of no external energy source required for membrane deformation, thereby achieving high delivery efficiencies and increased cell viability into different cell types with negligible toxicity. The past two decades have consequently seen a tremendous boost in mechanoporation-based research for intracellular delivery and cellular analysis. This article provides a brief review of the most recent developments on microfluidic-based mechanoporation strategies such as microinjection, nanoneedle arrays, cell-squeezing, and hydroporation techniques with their working principle, device fabrication, cellular delivery, and analysis. Moreover, a brief discussion of the different mechanoporation strategies integrated with other delivery methods has also been provided. Finally, the advantages, limitations, and future prospects of this technique are discussed compared to other intracellular delivery techniques.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pulasta Chakrabarty
- Department of Engineering Design, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, India
| | - Pallavi Gupta
- Department of Engineering Design, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, India
| | - Kavitha Illath
- Department of Engineering Design, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, India
| | - Srabani Kar
- Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB30FA, UK
| | - Moeto Nagai
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Toyohashi University of Technology, Aichi, Japan
| | - Fan-Gang Tseng
- Department of Engineering and System Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Tuhin Subhra Santra
- Department of Engineering Design, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, India
| |
Collapse
|