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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.
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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
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Jiang J, Liu J, Liu X, Xu X, Liu Z, Huang S, Huang X, Yao C, Wang X, Chen Y, Chen HJ, Wang J, Xie X. Coupling of nanostraws with diverse physicochemical perforation strategies for intracellular DNA delivery. J Nanobiotechnology 2024; 22:131. [PMID: 38532389 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-024-02392-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Effective intracellular DNA transfection is imperative for cell-based therapy and gene therapy. Conventional gene transfection methods, including biochemical carriers, physical electroporation and microinjection, face challenges such as cell type dependency, low efficiency, safety concerns, and technical complexity. Nanoneedle arrays have emerged as a promising avenue for improving cellular nucleic acid delivery through direct penetration of the cell membrane, bypassing endocytosis and endosome escape processes. Nanostraws (NS), characterized by their hollow tubular structure, offer the advantage of flexible solution delivery compared to solid nanoneedles. However, NS struggle to stably self-penetrate the cell membrane, resulting in limited delivery efficiency. Coupling with extra physiochemical perforation strategies is a viable approach to improve their performance. This study systematically compared the efficiency of NS coupled with polyethylenimine (PEI) chemical modification, mechanical force, photothermal effect, and electric field on cell membrane perforation and DNA transfection. The results indicate that coupling NS with PEI modification, mechanical force, photothermal effects provide limited enhancement effects. In contrast, NS-electric field coupling significantly improves intracellular DNA transfection efficiency. This work demonstrates that NS serve as a versatile platform capable of integrating various physicochemical strategies, while electric field coupling stands out as a form worthy of primary consideration for efficient DNA transfection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Jiang
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Republic of China
| | - Jing Liu
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials and Technologies, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Display Material and Technology, School of Electronics and Information Technology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, Republic of China
| | - Xinmin Liu
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Republic of China
| | - Xingyuan Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials and Technologies, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Display Material and Technology, School of Electronics and Information Technology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, Republic of China
| | - Zhengjie Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials and Technologies, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Display Material and Technology, School of Electronics and Information Technology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, Republic of China
| | - Shuang Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials and Technologies, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Display Material and Technology, School of Electronics and Information Technology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, Republic of China
| | - Xinshuo Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials and Technologies, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Display Material and Technology, School of Electronics and Information Technology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, Republic of China
| | - Chuanjie Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials and Technologies, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Display Material and Technology, School of Electronics and Information Technology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, Republic of China
| | - Xiafeng Wang
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Republic of China
| | - Yixin Chen
- Sun Yat-sen University Zhongshan School of Medicine, Guangzhou, 510080, Republic of China
| | - Hui-Jiuan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials and Technologies, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Display Material and Technology, School of Electronics and Information Technology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, Republic of China.
| | - Ji Wang
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Republic of China.
| | - Xi Xie
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Republic of China.
- State Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials and Technologies, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Display Material and Technology, School of Electronics and Information Technology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, Republic of China.
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Huang X, Zhu X, Yang H, Li Q, Gai L, Sui X, Lu H, Feng J. Nanomaterial Delivery Vehicles for the Development of Neoantigen Tumor Vaccines for Personalized Treatment. Molecules 2024; 29:1462. [PMID: 38611742 PMCID: PMC11012694 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29071462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumor vaccines have been considered a promising therapeutic approach for treating cancer in recent years. With the development of sequencing technologies, tumor vaccines based on neoantigens or genomes specifically expressed in tumor cells, mainly in the form of peptides, nucleic acids, and dendritic cells, are beginning to receive widespread attention. Therefore, in this review, we have introduced different forms of neoantigen vaccines and discussed the development of these vaccines in treating cancer. Furthermore, neoantigen vaccines are influenced by factors such as antigen stability, weak immunogenicity, and biosafety in addition to sequencing technology. Hence, the biological nanomaterials, polymeric nanomaterials, inorganic nanomaterials, etc., used as vaccine carriers are principally summarized here, which may contribute to the design of neoantigen vaccines for improved stability and better efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Huang
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China; (X.H.); (X.Z.); (H.Y.); (Q.L.); (X.S.)
| | - Xiaolong Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China; (X.H.); (X.Z.); (H.Y.); (Q.L.); (X.S.)
| | - Huan Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China; (X.H.); (X.Z.); (H.Y.); (Q.L.); (X.S.)
| | - Qinyi Li
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China; (X.H.); (X.Z.); (H.Y.); (Q.L.); (X.S.)
| | - Lizhi Gai
- College of Material, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Organosilicon Chemistry and Material Technology of Ministry of Education, and Key Laboratory of Organosilicon Material Technology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China;
| | - Xinbing Sui
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China; (X.H.); (X.Z.); (H.Y.); (Q.L.); (X.S.)
| | - Hua Lu
- College of Material, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Organosilicon Chemistry and Material Technology of Ministry of Education, and Key Laboratory of Organosilicon Material Technology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China;
| | - Jiao Feng
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China; (X.H.); (X.Z.); (H.Y.); (Q.L.); (X.S.)
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Liu J, Jiang J, He M, Chen J, Huang S, Liu Z, Yao C, Chen HJ, Xie X, Wang J. Nanopore Electroporation Device for DNA Transfection into Various Spreading and Nonadherent Cell Types. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:50015-50033. [PMID: 37853502 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c10939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
Cell transfection plays a crucial role in the study of gene function and regulation of gene expression. The existing gene transfection methods, such as chemical carriers, viruses, electroporation, and microinjection, suffer from limitations, including cell type dependence, reliance on cellular endocytosis, low efficiency, safety concerns, and technical complexity. Nanopore-coupled electroporation offers a promising approach to localizing electric fields for efficient cell membrane perforation and nucleic acid transfection. However, the applicability of nanopore electroporation technology across different cell types lacks a systematic investigation. In this study, we explore the potential of nanopore electroporation for transfecting DNA plasmids into various cell types. Our nanopore electroporation device employs track-etched membranes as the core component. We find that nanopore electroporation efficiently transfects adherent cells, including well-spreading epithelial-like HeLa cells, cardiomyocyte-like HL-1 cells, and dendritic-cell-like DC2.4 cells. However, it shows a limited transfection efficiency in weakly spreading macrophages (RAW264.7) and suspension cells (Jurkat). To gain insights into these observations, we develop a COMSOL model, revealing that nanopore electroporation better localizes the electric field on adherent and well-spreading cells, promoting favorable membrane poration conditions. Our findings provide valuable references for advancing nanopore electroporation as a high-throughput, safe, and efficient gene transfection platform.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Liu
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 510080 Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials and Technologies, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Display Material and Technology, School of Electronics and Information Technology, Sun Yat-Sen University, 510006 Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Juan Jiang
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 510080 Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengyi He
- State Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials and Technologies, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Display Material and Technology, School of Electronics and Information Technology, Sun Yat-Sen University, 510006 Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiayi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials and Technologies, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Display Material and Technology, School of Electronics and Information Technology, Sun Yat-Sen University, 510006 Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuang Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials and Technologies, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Display Material and Technology, School of Electronics and Information Technology, Sun Yat-Sen University, 510006 Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhengjie Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials and Technologies, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Display Material and Technology, School of Electronics and Information Technology, Sun Yat-Sen University, 510006 Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Chuanjie Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials and Technologies, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Display Material and Technology, School of Electronics and Information Technology, Sun Yat-Sen University, 510006 Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui-Jiuan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials and Technologies, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Display Material and Technology, School of Electronics and Information Technology, Sun Yat-Sen University, 510006 Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Xi Xie
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 510080 Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials and Technologies, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Display Material and Technology, School of Electronics and Information Technology, Sun Yat-Sen University, 510006 Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Ji Wang
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 510080 Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
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