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Teng F, Cui T, Zhou L, Gao Q, Zhou Q, Li W. Programmable synthetic receptors: the next-generation of cell and gene therapies. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:7. [PMID: 38167329 PMCID: PMC10761793 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01680-5] [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: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Cell and gene therapies hold tremendous promise for treating a range of difficult-to-treat diseases. However, concerns over the safety and efficacy require to be further addressed in order to realize their full potential. Synthetic receptors, a synthetic biology tool that can precisely control the function of therapeutic cells and genetic modules, have been rapidly developed and applied as a powerful solution. Delicately designed and engineered, they can be applied to finetune the therapeutic activities, i.e., to regulate production of dosed, bioactive payloads by sensing and processing user-defined signals or biomarkers. This review provides an overview of diverse synthetic receptor systems being used to reprogram therapeutic cells and their wide applications in biomedical research. With a special focus on four synthetic receptor systems at the forefront, including chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) and synthetic Notch (synNotch) receptors, we address the generalized strategies to design, construct and improve synthetic receptors. Meanwhile, we also highlight the expanding landscape of therapeutic applications of the synthetic receptor systems as well as current challenges in their clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Teng
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China.
| | - Tongtong Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Li Zhou
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Qingqin Gao
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Qi Zhou
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Wei Li
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, 100101, China.
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2
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Aznauryan E, Yermanos A, Kinzina E, Devaux A, Kapetanovic E, Milanova D, Church GM, Reddy ST. Discovery and validation of human genomic safe harbor sites for gene and cell therapies. CELL REPORTS METHODS 2022; 2:100154. [PMID: 35474867 PMCID: PMC9017210 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2021.100154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Existing approaches to therapeutic gene transfer are marred by the transient nature of gene expression following non-integrative gene delivery and by safety concerns due to the random mechanism of viral-mediated genomic insertions. The disadvantages of these methods encourage future research in identifying human genomic sites that allow for durable and safe expression of genes of interest. We conducted a bioinformatic search followed by the experimental characterization of human genomic sites, identifying two that demonstrated the stable expression of integrated reporter and therapeutic genes without malignant changes to the cellular transcriptome. The cell-type agnostic criteria used in our bioinformatic search suggest widescale applicability of identified sites for engineering of a diverse range of tissues for clinical and research purposes, including modified T cells for cancer therapy and engineered skin to ameliorate inherited diseases and aging. In addition, the stable and robust levels of gene expression from identified sites allow for the industry-scale biomanufacturing of proteins in human cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Aznauryan
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
- Systems Biology Program, Life Science Zürich Graduate School, Zürich, Switzerland
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Alexander Yermanos
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
- Institute of Microbiology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Elvira Kinzina
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Anna Devaux
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Edo Kapetanovic
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Denitsa Milanova
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - George M. Church
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Sai T. Reddy
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
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3
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Page A, Fusil F, Cosset FL. Toward Tightly Tuned Gene Expression Following Lentiviral Vector Transduction. Viruses 2020; 12:v12121427. [PMID: 33322556 PMCID: PMC7764518 DOI: 10.3390/v12121427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 12/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Lentiviral vectors are versatile tools for gene delivery purposes. While in the earlier versions of retroviral vectors, transgene expression was controlled by the long terminal repeats (LTRs), the latter generations of vectors, including those derived from lentiviruses, incorporate internal constitutive or regulated promoters in order to regulate transgene expression. This allows to temporally and/or quantitatively control transgene expression, which is required for many applications such as for clinical applications, when transgene expression is required in specific tissues and at a specific timing. Here we review the main systems that have been developed for transgene regulated expression following lentiviral gene transfer. First, the induction of gene expression can be triggered either by external or by internal cues. Indeed, these regulated vector systems may harbor promoters inducible by exogenous stimuli, such as small molecules (e.g., antibiotics) or temperature variations, offering the possibility to tune rapidly transgene expression in case of adverse events. Second, expression can be indirectly adjusted by playing on inserted sequence copies, for instance by gene excision. Finally, synthetic networks can be developed to sense specific endogenous signals and trigger defined responses after information processing. Regulatable lentiviral vectors (LV)-mediated transgene expression systems have been widely used in basic research to uncover gene functions or to temporally reprogram cells. Clinical applications are also under development to induce therapeutic molecule secretion or to implement safety switches. Such regulatable approaches are currently focusing much attention and will benefit from the development of other technologies in order to launch autonomously controlled systems.
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4
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Edelstein HI, Donahue PS, Muldoon JJ, Kang AK, Dolberg TB, Battaglia LM, Allchin ER, Hong M, Leonard JN. Elucidation and refinement of synthetic receptor mechanisms. Synth Biol (Oxf) 2020; 5:ysaa017. [PMID: 33392392 PMCID: PMC7759213 DOI: 10.1093/synbio/ysaa017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [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: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Synthetic receptors are powerful tools for engineering mammalian cell-based devices. These biosensors enable cell-based therapies to perform complex tasks such as regulating therapeutic gene expression in response to sensing physiological cues. Although multiple synthetic receptor systems now exist, many aspects of receptor performance are poorly understood. In general, it would be useful to understand how receptor design choices influence performance characteristics. In this study, we examined the modular extracellular sensor architecture (MESA) and systematically evaluated previously unexamined design choices, yielding substantially improved receptors. A key finding that might extend to other receptor systems is that the choice of transmembrane domain (TMD) is important for generating high-performing receptors. To provide mechanistic insights, we adopted and employed a Förster resonance energy transfer-based assay to elucidate how TMDs affect receptor complex formation and connected these observations to functional performance. To build further insight into these phenomena, we developed a library of new MESA receptors that sense an expanded set of ligands. Based upon these explorations, we conclude that TMDs affect signaling primarily by modulating intracellular domain geometry. Finally, to guide the design of future receptors, we propose general principles for linking design choices to biophysical mechanisms and performance characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailey I Edelstein
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Patrick S Donahue
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Joseph J Muldoon
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Anthony K Kang
- Honors Program in Medical Education, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Program in Biological Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Taylor B Dolberg
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Lauren M Battaglia
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Everett R Allchin
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Mihe Hong
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Joshua N Leonard
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
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5
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Chen B, Dai Z. Combination of versatile platforms for the development of synthetic biology. QUANTITATIVE BIOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s40484-020-0197-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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6
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Krawczyk K, Scheller L, Kim H, Fussenegger M. Rewiring of endogenous signaling pathways to genomic targets for therapeutic cell reprogramming. Nat Commun 2020; 11:608. [PMID: 32001704 PMCID: PMC6992713 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-14397-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Rewiring cellular sensors to trigger non-natural responses is fundamental for therapeutic cell engineering. Current designs rely on engineered receptors that are limited to single inputs, and often suffer from high leakiness and low fold induction. Here, we present Generalized Engineered Activation Regulators (GEARs) that overcome these limitations by being pathway-specific rather than input-specific. GEARs consist of the MS2 bacteriophage coat protein fused to regulatory or transactivation domains, and work by rerouting activation of the NFAT, NFκB, MAPK or SMAD pathways to dCas9-directed gene expression from genomic loci. This system enables membrane depolarization-induced activation of insulin expression in β-mimetic cells and IL-12 expression in activated Jurkat cells, as well as IL-12 production in response to the immunomodulatory cytokines TGFβ and TNFα in HEK293T cells. Engineered cells with the ability to reinterpret the extracellular milieu have potential for applications in immunotherapy and in the treatment of metabolic diseases. Current cellular rewiring designs are typically tailored to detect single inputs. Here the authors present GEARs that function independently of engineered receptor/reporter systems and directly reroute endogenous signaling pathways to alternative genomic loci using dCas9-directed gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Krawczyk
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Leo Scheller
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Hyojin Kim
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058, Basel, Switzerland. .,Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058, Basel, Switzerland.
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7
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Yaman S, Chintapula U, Rodriguez E, Ramachandramoorthy H, Nguyen KT. Cell-mediated and cell membrane-coated nanoparticles for drug delivery and cancer therapy. CANCER DRUG RESISTANCE (ALHAMBRA, CALIF.) 2020; 3:879-911. [PMID: 33796822 PMCID: PMC8011581 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2020.55] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/11/2023]
Abstract
Nanotechnology-based drug delivery platforms have been developed over the last two decades because of their favorable features in terms of improved drug bioavailability and stability. Despite recent advancement in nanotechnology platforms, this approach still falls short to meet the complexity of biological systems and diseases, such as avoiding systemic side effects, manipulating biological interactions and overcoming drug resistance, which hinders the therapeutic outcomes of the NP-based drug delivery systems. To address these issues, various strategies have been developed including the use of engineered cells and/or cell membrane-coated nanocarriers. Cell membrane receptor profiles and characteristics are vital in performing therapeutic functions, targeting, and homing of either engineered cells or cell membrane-coated nanocarriers to the sites of interest. In this context, we comprehensively discuss various cell- and cell membrane-based drug delivery approaches towards cancer therapy, the therapeutic potential of these strategies, and the limitations associated with engineered cells as drug carriers and cell membrane-associated drug nanocarriers. Finally, we review various cell types and cell membrane receptors for their potential in targeting, immunomodulation and overcoming drug resistance in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serkan Yaman
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76010, USA
- Joint Bioengineering Program, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75235, USA
- Yaman S and Chintapula U contributed equally to this work
| | - Uday Chintapula
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76010, USA
- Joint Bioengineering Program, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75235, USA
- Yaman S and Chintapula U contributed equally to this work
| | - Edgar Rodriguez
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76010, USA
| | - Harish Ramachandramoorthy
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76010, USA
- Joint Bioengineering Program, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75235, USA
| | - Kytai T. Nguyen
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76010, USA
- Joint Bioengineering Program, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75235, USA
- Correspondence Address: Dr. Kytai T. Nguyen, Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Arlington, 500 UTA Blvd ERB244, Arlington, TX 76010, USA. E-mail:
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8
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Sedlmayer F, Aubel D, Fussenegger M. Synthetic gene circuits for the detection, elimination and prevention of disease. Nat Biomed Eng 2018; 2:399-415. [PMID: 31011195 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-018-0215-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 03/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In living organisms, naturally evolved sensors that constantly monitor and process environmental cues trigger corrective actions that enable the organisms to cope with changing conditions. Such natural processes have inspired biologists to construct synthetic living sensors and signalling pathways, by repurposing naturally occurring proteins and by designing molecular building blocks de novo, for customized diagnostics and therapeutics. In particular, designer cells that employ user-defined synthetic gene circuits to survey disease biomarkers and to autonomously re-adjust unbalanced pathological states can coordinate the production of therapeutics, with controlled timing and dosage. Furthermore, tailored genetic networks operating in bacterial or human cells have led to cancer remission in experimental animal models, owing to the network's unprecedented specificity. Other applications of designer cells in infectious, metabolic and autoimmune diseases are also being explored. In this Review, we describe the biomedical applications of synthetic gene circuits in major disease areas, and discuss how the first genetically engineered devices developed on the basis of synthetic-biology principles made the leap from the laboratory to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferdinand Sedlmayer
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Dominique Aubel
- IUTA Département Génie Biologique, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland. .,Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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9
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Xu HHK, Wang P, Wang L, Bao C, Chen Q, Weir MD, Chow LC, Zhao L, Zhou X, Reynolds MA. Calcium phosphate cements for bone engineering and their biological properties. Bone Res 2017; 5:17056. [PMID: 29354304 PMCID: PMC5764120 DOI: 10.1038/boneres.2017.56] [Citation(s) in RCA: 201] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2017] [Revised: 07/13/2017] [Accepted: 08/09/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Calcium phosphate cements (CPCs) are frequently used to repair bone defects. Since their discovery in the 1980s, extensive research has been conducted to improve their properties, and emerging evidence supports their increased application in bone tissue engineering. Much effort has been made to enhance the biological performance of CPCs, including their biocompatibility, osteoconductivity, osteoinductivity, biodegradability, bioactivity, and interactions with cells. This review article focuses on the major recent developments in CPCs, including 3D printing, injectability, stem cell delivery, growth factor and drug delivery, and pre-vascularization of CPC scaffolds via co-culture and tri-culture techniques to enhance angiogenesis and osteogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hockin HK Xu
- Department of Endodontics, Periodontics and
Prosthodontics, University of Maryland School of Dentistry,
Baltimore, MD
21201, USA
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative
Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore,
MD
21201, USA
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart
Greenebaum Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine,
Baltimore, MD
21201, USA
- Mechanical Engineering Department, University
of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD
21250, USA
| | - Ping Wang
- Department of Endodontics, Periodontics and
Prosthodontics, University of Maryland School of Dentistry,
Baltimore, MD
21201, USA
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West
China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu,
Sichuan
610041, China
| | - Lin Wang
- Department of Endodontics, Periodontics and
Prosthodontics, University of Maryland School of Dentistry,
Baltimore, MD
21201, USA
- VIP Integrated Department, Stomatological
Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin
130011, China
| | - Chongyun Bao
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West
China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu,
Sichuan
610041, China
| | - Qianming Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West
China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu,
Sichuan
610041, China
| | - Michael D Weir
- Department of Endodontics, Periodontics and
Prosthodontics, University of Maryland School of Dentistry,
Baltimore, MD
21201, USA
| | - Laurence C Chow
- Volpe Research Center, American Dental
Association Foundation, National Institute of Standards & Technology,
Gaithersburg, MD
20899, USA
| | - Liang Zhao
- Department of Endodontics, Periodontics and
Prosthodontics, University of Maryland School of Dentistry,
Baltimore, MD
21201, USA
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Nanfang
Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou,
Guangdong
510515, China
| | - Xuedong Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West
China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu,
Sichuan
610041, China
| | - Mark A Reynolds
- Department of Endodontics, Periodontics and
Prosthodontics, University of Maryland School of Dentistry,
Baltimore, MD
21201, USA
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10
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Editorial Overview: Synthetic biology and biomedical engineering. CURRENT OPINION IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cobme.2017.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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11
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Hartfield RM, Schwarz KA, Muldoon JJ, Bagheri N, Leonard JN. Multiplexing Engineered Receptors for Multiparametric Evaluation of Environmental Ligands. ACS Synth Biol 2017; 6:2042-2055. [PMID: 28771312 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.6b00279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Engineered cell-based therapies comprise a promising, emerging biomedical technology. Broad utilization of this strategy will require new approaches for implementing sophisticated functional programs, such as sensing and responding to the environment in a defined fashion. Toward this goal, we investigated whether our self-contained receptor and signal transduction system (MESA) could be multiplexed to evaluate extracellular cues, with a focus on elucidating principles governing the integration of such engineered components. We first developed a set of hybrid promoters that exhibited AND gate activation by two transcription factors. We then evaluated these promoters when paired with two MESA receptors and various ligand combinations. Unexpectedly, although the multiplexed system exhibited distinct responses to ligands applied individually and in combination, the same synergy was not observed as when promoters were characterized with soluble transcription factors. Therefore, we developed a mechanistic computational model leveraging these observations, to both improve our understanding of how the receptors and promoters interface and to guide the design and implementation of future systems. Notably, the model explicitly accounts for the impact of intercellular variation on system characterization and performance. Model analysis identified key factors that affect the current receptors and promoters, and enabled an in silico exploration of potential modifications that inform the design of improved logic gates and their robustness to intercellular variation. Ultimately, this quantitative design-driven approach may guide the use and multiplexing of synthetic receptors for diverse custom biological functions beyond the case study considered here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel M. Hartfield
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Kelly A. Schwarz
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Joseph J. Muldoon
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Interdisciplinary
Biological Sciences Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Neda Bagheri
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Interdisciplinary
Biological Sciences Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Center
for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Chemistry
of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Robert
H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Joshua N. Leonard
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Interdisciplinary
Biological Sciences Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Center
for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Chemistry
of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Robert
H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
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12
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Muldoon JJ, Donahue PS, Dolberg TB, Leonard JN. Building with intent: technologies and principles for engineering mammalian cell-based therapies to sense and respond. CURRENT OPINION IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING 2017; 4:127-133. [PMID: 29450405 DOI: 10.1016/j.cobme.2017.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The engineering of cells as programmable devices has enabled therapeutic strategies that could not otherwise be achieved. Such strategies include recapitulating and enhancing native cellular functions and composing novel functions. These novel functions may be composed using both natural and engineered biological components, with the latter exemplified by the development of synthetic receptor and signal transduction systems. Recent advances in implementing these approaches include the treatment of cancer, where the most clinical progress has been made to date, and the treatment of diabetes. Principles for engineering cell-based therapies that are safe and effective are increasingly needed and beginning to emerge, and will be essential in the development of this new class of therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph J Muldoon
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States.,Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Patrick S Donahue
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States.,Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States.,Medical Scientist Training Program, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
| | - Taylor B Dolberg
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Joshua N Leonard
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States.,Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States.,Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States.,Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States.,Member, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
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13
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Schwarz KA, Daringer NM, Dolberg TB, Leonard JN. Rewiring human cellular input-output using modular extracellular sensors. Nat Chem Biol 2017; 13:202-209. [PMID: 27941759 DOI: 10.1038/nchembio.2253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2016] [Accepted: 10/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Engineered cell-based therapies comprise a promising emerging strategy for treating diverse diseases. Realizing this promise requires new tools for engineering cells to sense and respond to soluble extracellular factors, which provide information about both physiological state and the local environment. Here, we report such a biosensor engineering strategy, leveraging a self-contained receptor-signal transduction system termed modular extracellular sensor architecture (MESA). We developed MESA receptors that enable cells to sense vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and, in response, secrete interleukin 2 (IL-2). By implementing these receptors in human T cells, we created a customized function not observed in nature-an immune cell that responds to a normally immunosuppressive cue (VEGF) by producing an immunostimulatory factor (IL-2). Because this platform utilizes modular, engineerable domains for ligand binding (antibodies) and output (programmable transcription factors based upon Cas9), this approach may be readily extended to novel inputs and outputs. This generalizable approach for rewiring cellular functions could enable both translational applications and fundamental biological research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly A Schwarz
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | - Nichole M Daringer
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | - Taylor B Dolberg
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | - Joshua N Leonard
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
- Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
- Member, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
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Deans TL, Grainger DW, Fussenegger M. Synthetic Biology: Innovative approaches for pharmaceutics and drug delivery. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2016; 105:1-2. [PMID: 27653994 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2016.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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