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Wang X, Zhou X, Kang L, Lai Y, Ye H. Engineering natural molecule-triggered genetic control systems for tunable gene- and cell-based therapies. Synth Syst Biotechnol 2023; 8:416-426. [PMID: 37384125 PMCID: PMC10293594 DOI: 10.1016/j.synbio.2023.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability to precisely control activities of engineered designer cells provides a novel strategy for modern precision medicine. Dynamically adjustable gene- and cell-based precision therapies are recognized as next generation medicines. However, the translation of these controllable therapeutics into clinical practice is severely hampered by the lack of safe and highly specific genetic switches controlled by triggers that are nontoxic and side-effect free. Recently, natural products derived from plants have been extensively explored as trigger molecules to control genetic switches and synthetic gene networks for multiple applications. These controlled genetic switches could be further introduced into mammalian cells to obtain synthetic designer cells for adjustable and fine tunable cell-based precision therapy. In this review, we introduce various available natural molecules that were engineered to control genetic switches for controllable transgene expression, complex logic computation, and therapeutic drug delivery to achieve precision therapy. We also discuss current challenges and prospects in translating these natural molecule-controlled genetic switches developed for biomedical applications from the laboratory to the clinic.
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Dohrn MF, Dumke C, Hornemann T, Nikolin S, Lampert A, Espenkott V, Vollert J, Ouwenbroek A, Zanella M, Schulz JB, Gess B, Rolke R. Deoxy-sphingolipids, oxidative stress, and vitamin C correlate with qualitative and quantitative patterns of small fiber dysfunction and degeneration. Pain 2022; 163:1800-1811. [PMID: 35239546 PMCID: PMC9393801 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Defined by dysfunction or degeneration of Aδ and C fibers, small fiber neuropathies (SFNs) entail a relevant health burden. In 50% of cases, the underlying cause cannot be identified or treated. In 100 individuals (70% female individuals; mean age: 44.8 years) with an idiopathic, skin biopsy-confirmed SFN, we characterized the symptomatic spectrum and measured markers of oxidative stress (vitamin C, selenium, and glutathione) and inflammation (transforming growth factor beta, tumor necrosis factor alpha), as well as neurotoxic 1-deoxy-sphingolipids. Neuropathic pain was the most abundant symptom (95%) and cause of daily life impairment (72%). Despite the common use of pain killers (64%), the painDETECT questionnaire revealed scores above 13 points in 80% of patients. In the quantitative sensory testing (QST), a dysfunction of Aδ fibers was observed in 70% and of C fibers in 44%, affecting the face, hands, or feet. Despite normal nerve conduction studies, QST revealed Aβ fiber involvement in 46% of patients' test areas. Despite absence of diabetes mellitus or mutations in SPTLC1 or SPTLC2 , plasma 1-deoxy-sphingolipids were significantly higher in the sensory loss patient cluster when compared with those in patients with thermal hyperalgesia ( P < 0.01) or those in the healthy category ( P < 0.1), correlating inversely with the intraepidermal nerve fiber density (1-deoxy-SA: P < 0.05, 1-deoxy-SO: P < 0.01). Patients with arterial hypertension, overweight (body mass index > 25 kg/m 2 ), or hyperlipidemia showed significantly lower L-serine (arterial hypertension: P < 0.01) and higher 1-deoxy-sphingolipid levels (arterial hypertension: P < 0.001, overweight: P < 0.001, hyperlipidemia: P < 0.01). Lower vitamin C levels correlated with functional Aβ involvement ( P < 0.05). Reduced glutathione was lower in patients with Aδ dysfunction ( P < 0.05). Idiopathic SFNs are heterogeneous. As a new pathomechanism, plasma 1-deoxy-sphingolipids might link the metabolic syndrome with small fiber degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maike F. Dohrn
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation, Department of Human Genetics and John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Christina Dumke
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Thorsten Hornemann
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Nikolin
- Institute of Neuropathology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Angelika Lampert
- Institute of Physiology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Volker Espenkott
- Department of Palliative Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Jan Vollert
- Pain Research, Department of Surgery and Cancer (MSK), Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Division of Neurological Pain Research and Therapy, Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Germany
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
- Neurophysiology, Mannheim Center of Translational Neuroscience (MCTN), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Annabelle Ouwenbroek
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Martina Zanella
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jörg B. Schulz
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Burkhard Gess
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Roman Rolke
- Department of Palliative Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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M Pothmann CE, Besmens IS, Rothenfluh E, Guidi M, Calcagni M, Frueh FS. [Neuropathic Pain - Differential Diagnosis and Treatment from the Hand Surgeon's Perspective]. PRAXIS 2021; 110:673-680. [PMID: 34521273 DOI: 10.1024/1661-8157/a003734] [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: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Neuropathic Pain - Differential Diagnosis and Treatment from the Hand Surgeon's Perspective Abstract. Neuropathic pain of the wrist and hand can be caused by a multitude of pathologies, such as trauma, iatrogenic damage, local peripheral nerve compression, nerve tumors and systemic diseases. Neuropathic pain can lead to chronification and disability, severely affecting the patients' quality of life and the ability to work. A precise diagnosis is the key to an adequate therapy with satisfactory functional results. An interdisciplinary and multimodal approach is a prerequisite when treating neuropathic pain. This review article provides an insight into the diagnosis and therapy of pathologies associated with neuropathic pain of the wrist and hand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina E M Pothmann
- Klinik für Plastische Chirurgie und Handchirurgie, Universitätsspital Zürich, Zürich
| | - Inga S Besmens
- Klinik für Plastische Chirurgie und Handchirurgie, Universitätsspital Zürich, Zürich
| | - Esin Rothenfluh
- Klinik für Plastische Chirurgie und Handchirurgie, Universitätsspital Zürich, Zürich
| | - Marco Guidi
- Klinik für Plastische Chirurgie und Handchirurgie, Universitätsspital Zürich, Zürich
| | - Maurizio Calcagni
- Klinik für Plastische Chirurgie und Handchirurgie, Universitätsspital Zürich, Zürich
| | - Florian S Frueh
- Klinik für Plastische Chirurgie und Handchirurgie, Universitätsspital Zürich, Zürich
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