1
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Lefebvre A, Marhfor S, Baert G, Deleporte P, Grolez GP, Boileau M, Morales O, Vignoud S, Delhem N, Mortier L, Dewalle AS. Photodynamic Therapy Using a Rose-Bengal Photosensitizer for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treatment: Proposition for a Novel Green LED-Based Device for In Vitro Investigation. Biomedicines 2024; 12:2120. [PMID: 39335633 PMCID: PMC11428738 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12092120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2024] [Revised: 09/04/2024] [Accepted: 09/10/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Despite new treatments, the HCC rate remains important, making it necessary to develop novel therapeutic strategies. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) using a Rose-Bengal (RB) photosensitizer (RB-PDT) could be a promising approach for liver tumor treatment. However, the lack of standardization in preclinical research and the diversity of illumination parameters used make comparison difficult across studies. This work presents and characterizes a novel illumination device based on one green light-emitting diode (CELL-LED-550/3) dedicated to an in vitro RB-PDT. The device was demonstrated to deliver a low average irradiance of 0.62 mW/cm2 over the 96 wells of a multi-well plate. Thermal characterization showed that illumination does not cause cell heating and can be performed inside an incubator, allowing a more rigorous assessment of cell viability after PDT. An in vitro cytotoxic study of the RB-PDT on an HCC cell line (HepG2) demonstrated that RB-PDT induces a significant decrease in cell viability: almost all the cells died after a light dose irradiation of 0.3 J/cm2 using 75 µM of RB (<10% of viability). In conclusion, the RB-PDT could be a therapeutic option to treat unresectable liver lesions and subclinical disease remaining in the post-resection tumor surgical margin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Lefebvre
- Inserm, CHU Lille, U1189-ONCO-THAI-Assisted Laser Therapy and Immunotherapy for Oncology, University of Lille, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Smail Marhfor
- Inserm, CHU Lille, U1189-ONCO-THAI-Assisted Laser Therapy and Immunotherapy for Oncology, University of Lille, 59000 Lille, France
- CEA, LETI, University of Grenoble Alpes, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Gregory Baert
- Inserm, CHU Lille, U1189-ONCO-THAI-Assisted Laser Therapy and Immunotherapy for Oncology, University of Lille, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Pascal Deleporte
- Inserm, CHU Lille, U1189-ONCO-THAI-Assisted Laser Therapy and Immunotherapy for Oncology, University of Lille, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Guillaume Paul Grolez
- Inserm, CHU Lille, U1189-ONCO-THAI-Assisted Laser Therapy and Immunotherapy for Oncology, University of Lille, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Marie Boileau
- Inserm, CHU Lille, U1189-ONCO-THAI-Assisted Laser Therapy and Immunotherapy for Oncology, University of Lille, 59000 Lille, France
- Department of Dermatology, Claude Huriez Hospital, CHU Lille, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Olivier Morales
- Inserm, CHU Lille, U1189-ONCO-THAI-Assisted Laser Therapy and Immunotherapy for Oncology, University of Lille, 59000 Lille, France
- CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR9020-U1277-CANTHER-Cancer Heterogeneity Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, University of Lille, 59000 Lille, France
| | | | - Nadira Delhem
- Inserm, CHU Lille, U1189-ONCO-THAI-Assisted Laser Therapy and Immunotherapy for Oncology, University of Lille, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Laurent Mortier
- Inserm, CHU Lille, U1189-ONCO-THAI-Assisted Laser Therapy and Immunotherapy for Oncology, University of Lille, 59000 Lille, France
- Department of Dermatology, Claude Huriez Hospital, CHU Lille, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Anne-Sophie Dewalle
- Inserm, CHU Lille, U1189-ONCO-THAI-Assisted Laser Therapy and Immunotherapy for Oncology, University of Lille, 59000 Lille, France
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2
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Yang H, Chen W. Protease-Responsive Toolkit for Conditional Targeted Protein Degradation. ACS Synth Biol 2024; 13:2073-2080. [PMID: 38889440 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.4c00014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
BioPROTACs are heterobifunctional proteins designed for targeted protein degradation. While they offer a potential therapeutic avenue for modulating disease-related proteins, the current strategies are static in nature and lack the ability to modulate protein degradation dynamically. Here, we introduce a synthetic framework for dynamic fine-tuning of target protein levels using protease control switches. The idea is to utilize proteases as an interfacing layer between exogenous inputs and protein degradation by modulating the recruitment of target proteins to E3 ligase by separating the two binding domains on bioPROTACs. By decoupling the external inputs from the primary protease layer, new conditional degradation phenotypes can be readily adapted with minimal modifications to the design. We demonstrate the adaptability of this approach using two highly efficient "bioPROTAC" systems: AdPROM and IpaH9.8-based Ubiquibodies. Using the TEV protease as the transducer, we can interface small-molecule and optogenetic inputs for conditional targeted protein degradation. Our findings highlight the potential of bioPROTACs with protease-responsive linkers as a versatile tool for conditional targeted protein degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hopen Yang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Wilfred Chen
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
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3
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Baek J, Kumar S, Schaffer DV. Dynamic light-responsive RhoA activity regulates mechanosensitive stem cell fate decision in 3D matrices. BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES 2024; 160:213836. [PMID: 38599042 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2024.213836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
The behavior of stem cells is regulated by mechanical cues in their niche that continuously vary due to extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, pulsated mechanical stress exerted by blood flow, and/or cell migration. However, it is still unclear how dynamics of mechanical cues influence stem cell lineage commitment, especially in a 3D microenvironment where mechanosensing differs from that in a 2D microenvironment. In the present study, we investigated how temporally varying mechanical signaling regulates expression of the early growth response 1 gene (Egr1), which we recently discovered to be a 3D matrix-specific mediator of mechanosensitive neural stem cell (NSC) lineage commitment. Specifically, we temporally controlled the activity of Ras homolog family member A (RhoA), which is known to have a central role in mechanotransduction, using our previously developed Arabidopsis thaliana cryptochrome-2-based optoactivation system. Interestingly, pulsed RhoA activation induced Egr1 upregulation in stiff 3D gels only, whereas static light stimulation induced an increase in Egr1 expression across a wide range of 3D gel stiffnesses. Actin assembly inhibition limited Egr1 upregulation upon RhoA activation, implying that RhoA signaling requires an actin-involved process to upregulate Egr1. Consistently, static-light RhoA activation rather than pulsed-light activation restricted neurogenesis in soft gels. Our findings indicate that the dynamics of RhoA activation influence Egr1-mediated stem cell fate within 3D matrices in a matrix stiffness-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jieung Baek
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Division of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, Graduate Program in System Health Science and Engineering, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Sanjay Kumar
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
| | - David V Schaffer
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
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4
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Jiang Q, Geng F, Shen J, Zhu P, Lu Z, Lu F, Zhou L. Blue light-mediated gene expression as a promising strategy to reduce antibiotic resistance in Escherichia coli. Biotechnol J 2024; 19:e2400023. [PMID: 38719589 DOI: 10.1002/biot.202400023] [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: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024]
Abstract
The discovery of antibiotics has noticeably promoted the development of human civilization; however, antibiotic resistance in bacteria caused by abusing and overusing greatly challenges human health and food safety. Considering the worsening situation, it is an urgent demand to develop emerging nontraditional technologies or methods to address this issue. With the expanding of synthetic biology, optogenetics exhibits a tempting prospect for precisely regulating gene expression in many fields. Consequently, it is attractive to employ optogenetics to reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance. Here, a blue light-controllable gene expression system was established in Escherichia coli based on a photosensitive DNA-binding protein (EL222). Further, this strategy was successfully applied to repress the expression of β-lactamase gene (bla) using blue light illumination, resulting a dramatic reduction of ampicillin resistance in engineered E. coli. Moreover, blue light was utilized to induce the expression of the mechanosensitive channel of large conductance (MscL), triumphantly leading to the increase of streptomycin susceptibility in engineered E. coli. Finally, the increased susceptibility of ampicillin and streptomycin was simultaneously induced by blue light in the same E. coli cell, revealing the excellent potential of this strategy in controlling multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. As a proof of concept, our work demonstrates that light can be used as an alternative tool to prolong the use period of common antibiotics without developing new antibiotics. And this novel strategy based on optogenetics shows a promising foreground to combat antibiotic resistance in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingwei Jiang
- College of Food Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Feng Geng
- College of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, PR China
| | - Juan Shen
- College of Food Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Ping Zhu
- College of Food Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Zhaoxin Lu
- College of Food Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Fengxia Lu
- College of Food Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Libang Zhou
- College of Food Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, PR China
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5
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McNamara HM, Jia BZ, Guyer A, Parot VJ, Dobbs C, Schier AF, Cohen AE, Lord ND. Optogenetic control of Nodal signaling patterns. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.11.588875. [PMID: 38645239 PMCID: PMC11030342 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.11.588875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
A crucial step in early embryogenesis is the establishment of spatial patterns of signaling activity. Tools to perturb morphogen signals with high resolution in space and time can help reveal how embryonic cells decode these signals to make appropriate fate decisions. Here, we present new optogenetic reagents and an experimental pipeline for creaHng designer Nodal signaling patterns in live zebrafish embryos. Nodal receptors were fused to the light-sensitive heterodimerizing pair Cry2/CIB1N, and the Type II receptor was sequestered to the cytosol. The improved optoNodal2 reagents eliminate dark activity and improve response kinetics, without sacrificing dynamic range. We adapted an ultra-widefield microscopy platform for parallel light patterning in up to 36 embryos and demonstrated precise spatial control over Nodal signaling activity and downstream gene expression. Patterned Nodal activation drove precisely controlled internalization of endodermal precursors. Further, we used patterned illumination to generate synthetic signaling patterns in Nodal signaling mutants, rescuing several characteristic developmental defects. This study establishes an experimental toolkit for systematic exploration of Nodal signaling patterns in live embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bill Z. Jia
- Department of Systems Biology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Alison Guyer
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Vicente J. Parot
- Institute for Biological and Medical Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Caleb Dobbs
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | - Adam E. Cohen
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Nathan D. Lord
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- McGowan Institute of Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA
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6
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Humphreys PEA, Woods S, Bates N, Rooney KM, Mancini FE, Barclay C, O'Flaherty J, Martial FP, Domingos MAN, Kimber SJ. Optogenetic manipulation of BMP signaling to drive chondrogenic differentiation of hPSCs. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113502. [PMID: 38032796 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Optogenetics is a rapidly advancing technology combining photochemical, optical, and synthetic biology to control cellular behavior. Together, sensitive light-responsive optogenetic tools and human pluripotent stem cell differentiation models have the potential to fine-tune differentiation and unpick the processes by which cell specification and tissue patterning are controlled by morphogens. We used an optogenetic bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling system (optoBMP) to drive chondrogenic differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). We engineered light-sensitive hESCs through CRISPR-Cas9-mediated integration of the optoBMP system into the AAVS1 locus. The activation of optoBMP with blue light, in lieu of BMP growth factors, resulted in the activation of BMP signaling mechanisms and upregulation of a chondrogenic phenotype, with significant transcriptional differences compared to cells in the dark. Furthermore, cells differentiated with light could form chondrogenic pellets consisting of a hyaline-like cartilaginous matrix. Our findings indicate the applicability of optogenetics for understanding human development and tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul E A Humphreys
- Division of Cell Matrix & Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Steven Woods
- Division of Cell Matrix & Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Nicola Bates
- Division of Cell Matrix & Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Kirsty M Rooney
- Division of Cell Matrix & Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Fabrizio E Mancini
- Division of Cell Matrix & Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK; Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Civil Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Cerys Barclay
- Division of Cell Matrix & Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Julieta O'Flaherty
- Division of Cell Matrix & Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Franck P Martial
- Division of Neuroscience & Experimental Psychology, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Marco A N Domingos
- Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Civil Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Susan J Kimber
- Division of Cell Matrix & Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK.
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7
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Mirdass C, Catala M, Bocel M, Nedelec S, Ribes V. Stem cell-derived models of spinal neurulation. Emerg Top Life Sci 2023; 7:423-437. [PMID: 38087891 DOI: 10.1042/etls20230087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Neurulation is a critical step in early embryonic development, giving rise to the neural tube, the primordium of the central nervous system in amniotes. Understanding this complex, multi-scale, multi-tissue morphogenetic process is essential to provide insights into normal development and the etiology of neural tube defects. Innovations in tissue engineering have fostered the generation of pluripotent stem cell-based in vitro models, including organoids, that are emerging as unique tools for delving into neurulation mechanisms, especially in the context of human development. Each model captures specific aspects of neural tube morphogenesis, from epithelialization to neural tissue elongation, folding and cavitation. In particular, the recent models of human and mouse trunk morphogenesis, such as gastruloids, that form a spinal neural plate-like or neural tube-like structure are opening new avenues to study normal and pathological neurulation. Here, we review the morphogenetic events generating the neural tube in the mammalian embryo and questions that remain unanswered. We discuss the advantages and limitations of existing in vitro models of neurulation and possible future technical developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camil Mirdass
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, F-75013 Paris, France
- Institut du Fer à Moulin, 75005 Paris, France
- Inserm, UMR-S 1270, 75005 Paris, France
- Sorbonne Université, Science and Engineering Faculty, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Martin Catala
- Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (IBPS) - Developmental Biology Laboratory, UMR7622 CNRS, INSERM ERL 1156, Sorbonne Université, 9 Quai Saint-Bernard, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Mikaëlle Bocel
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Stéphane Nedelec
- Institut du Fer à Moulin, 75005 Paris, France
- Inserm, UMR-S 1270, 75005 Paris, France
- Sorbonne Université, Science and Engineering Faculty, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Vanessa Ribes
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, F-75013 Paris, France
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8
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Kumar S, Anastassov S, Aoki SK, Falkenstein J, Chang CH, Frei T, Buchmann P, Argast P, Khammash M. Diya - A universal light illumination platform for multiwell plate cultures. iScience 2023; 26:107862. [PMID: 37810238 PMCID: PMC10551653 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent progress in protein engineering has established optogenetics as one of the leading external non-invasive stimulation strategies, with many optogenetic tools being designed for in vivo operation. Characterization and optimization of these tools require a high-throughput and versatile light delivery system targeting micro-titer culture volumes. Here, we present a universal light illumination platform - Diya, compatible with a wide range of cell culture plates and dishes. Diya hosts specially designed features ensuring active thermal management, homogeneous illumination, and minimal light bleedthrough. It offers light induction programming via a user-friendly custom-designed GUI. Through extensive characterization experiments with multiple optogenetic tools in diverse model organisms (bacteria, yeast, and human cell lines), we show that Diya maintains viable conditions for cell cultures undergoing light induction. Finally, we demonstrate an optogenetic strategy for in vivo biomolecular controller operation. With a custom-designed antithetic integral feedback circuit, we exhibit robust perfect adaptation and light-controlled set-point variation using Diya.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sant Kumar
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering (D-BSSE), ETH Zürich, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stanislav Anastassov
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering (D-BSSE), ETH Zürich, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stephanie K. Aoki
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering (D-BSSE), ETH Zürich, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Johannes Falkenstein
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering (D-BSSE), ETH Zürich, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ching-Hsiang Chang
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering (D-BSSE), ETH Zürich, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Timothy Frei
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering (D-BSSE), ETH Zürich, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Peter Buchmann
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering (D-BSSE), ETH Zürich, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Paul Argast
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering (D-BSSE), ETH Zürich, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Mustafa Khammash
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering (D-BSSE), ETH Zürich, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
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9
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Çelebi İ, Aslan M, Ünlü MS. A spatially uniform illumination source for widefield multi-spectral optical microscopy. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0286988. [PMID: 37851606 PMCID: PMC10584126 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Illumination uniformity is a critical parameter for excitation and data extraction quality in widefield biological imaging applications. However, typical imaging systems suffer from spatial and spectral non-uniformity due to non-ideal optical elements, thus require complex solutions for illumination corrections. We present Effective Uniform Color-Light Integration Device (EUCLID), a simple and cost-effective illumination source for uniformity corrections. EUCLID employs a diffuse-reflective, adjustable hollow cavity that allows for uniform mixing of light from discrete light sources and modifies the source field distribution to compensate for spatial non-uniformity introduced by optical components in the imaging system. In this study, we characterize the light coupling efficiency of the proposed design and compare the uniformity performance with the conventional method. EUCLID demonstrates a remarkable illumination improvement for multi-spectral imaging in both Nelsonian and Koehler alignment with a maximum spatial deviation of ≈ 1% across a wide field-of-view.
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Affiliation(s)
- İris Çelebi
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Boston University, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Mete Aslan
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Boston University, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - M. Selim Ünlü
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Boston University, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States of America
- iRiS Kinetics Inc, Boston, MA, United States of America
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10
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Mim MS, Knight C, Zartman JJ. Quantitative insights in tissue growth and morphogenesis with optogenetics. Phys Biol 2023; 20:061001. [PMID: 37678266 PMCID: PMC10594237 DOI: 10.1088/1478-3975/acf7a1] [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: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Cells communicate with each other to jointly regulate cellular processes during cellular differentiation and tissue morphogenesis. This multiscale coordination arises through the spatiotemporal activity of morphogens to pattern cell signaling and transcriptional factor activity. This coded information controls cell mechanics, proliferation, and differentiation to shape the growth and morphogenesis of organs. While many of the molecular components and physical interactions have been identified in key model developmental systems, there are still many unresolved questions related to the dynamics involved due to challenges in precisely perturbing and quantitatively measuring signaling dynamics. Recently, a broad range of synthetic optogenetic tools have been developed and employed to quantitatively define relationships between signal transduction and downstream cellular responses. These optogenetic tools can control intracellular activities at the single cell or whole tissue scale to direct subsequent biological processes. In this brief review, we highlight a selected set of studies that develop and implement optogenetic tools to unravel quantitative biophysical mechanisms for tissue growth and morphogenesis across a broad range of biological systems through the manipulation of morphogens, signal transduction cascades, and cell mechanics. More generally, we discuss how optogenetic tools have emerged as a powerful platform for probing and controlling multicellular development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayesha Sahir Mim
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, United States of America
| | - Caroline Knight
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, United States of America
| | - Jeremiah J Zartman
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, United States of America
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11
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Pal AA, Benman W, Mumford TR, Huang Z, Chow BY, Bugaj LJ. Optogenetic clustering and membrane translocation of the BcLOV4 photoreceptor. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2221615120. [PMID: 37527339 PMCID: PMC10410727 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2221615120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Optogenetic tools respond to light through one of a small number of behaviors including allosteric changes, dimerization, clustering, or membrane translocation. Here, we describe a new class of optogenetic actuator that simultaneously clusters and translocates to the plasma membrane in response to blue light. We demonstrate that dual translocation and clustering of the BcLOV4 photoreceptor can be harnessed for novel single-component optogenetic tools, including for control of the entire family of epidermal growth factor receptor (ErbB1-4) tyrosine kinases. We further find that clustering and membrane translocation are mechanistically linked. Stronger clustering increased the magnitude of translocation and downstream signaling, increased sensitivity to light by ~threefold-to-fourfold, and decreased the expression levels needed for strong signal activation. Thus light-induced clustering of BcLOV4 provides a strategy to generate a new class of optogenetic tools and to enhance existing ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayush Aditya Pal
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
| | - William Benman
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
| | - Thomas R. Mumford
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
| | - Zikang Huang
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
| | - Brian Y. Chow
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
| | - Lukasz J. Bugaj
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
- Institute of Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
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12
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Abel A, Sozen B. Shifting early embryology paradigms: Applications of stem cell-based embryo models in bioengineering. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2023; 81:102069. [PMID: 37392541 PMCID: PMC10530566 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2023.102069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
Technologies to reproduce specific aspects of early mammalian embryogenesis in vitro using stem cells have skyrocketed over the last several years. With these advances, we have gained new perspectives on how embryonic and extraembryonic cells self-organize to form the embryo. These reductionist approaches hold promise for the future implementation of precise environmental and genetic controls to understand variables affecting embryo development. Our review discusses recent progress in cellular models of early mammalian embryo development and bioengineering advancements that can be leveraged to study the embryo-maternal interface. We summarize current gaps in the field, emphasizing the importance of understanding how intercellular interactions at this interface contribute to reproductive and developmental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Abel
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA. https://twitter.com/@caitrionacunn
| | - Berna Sozen
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
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13
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Repina NA, Johnson HJ, Bao X, Zimmermann JA, Joy DA, Bi SZ, Kane RS, Schaffer DV. Optogenetic control of Wnt signaling models cell-intrinsic embryogenic patterning using 2D human pluripotent stem cell culture. Development 2023; 150:dev201386. [PMID: 37401411 PMCID: PMC10399980 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
In embryonic stem cell (ESC) models for early development, spatially and temporally varying patterns of signaling and cell types emerge spontaneously. However, mechanistic insight into this dynamic self-organization is limited by a lack of methods for spatiotemporal control of signaling, and the relevance of signal dynamics and cell-to-cell variability to pattern emergence remains unknown. Here, we combine optogenetic stimulation, imaging and transcriptomic approaches to study self-organization of human ESCs (hESC) in two-dimensional (2D) culture. Morphogen dynamics were controlled via optogenetic activation of canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling (optoWnt), which drove broad transcriptional changes and mesendoderm differentiation at high efficiency (>99% cells). When activated within cell subpopulations, optoWnt induced cell self-organization into distinct epithelial and mesenchymal domains, mediated by changes in cell migration, an epithelial to mesenchymal-like transition and TGFβ signaling. Furthermore, we demonstrate that such optogenetic control of cell subpopulations can be used to uncover signaling feedback mechanisms between neighboring cell types. These findings reveal that cell-to-cell variability in Wnt signaling is sufficient to generate tissue-scale patterning and establish a hESC model system for investigating feedback mechanisms relevant to early human embryogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole A. Repina
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Graduate Program in Bioengineering, University of California, San Francisco and University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Hunter J. Johnson
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Graduate Program in Bioengineering, University of California, San Francisco and University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Xiaoping Bao
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Joshua A. Zimmermann
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - David A. Joy
- Graduate Program in Bioengineering, University of California, San Francisco and University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Shirley Z. Bi
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Ravi S. Kane
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - David V. Schaffer
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
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14
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Mapping and exploring the organoid state space using synthetic biology. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2023; 141:23-32. [PMID: 35466054 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The functional relevance of an organoid is dependent on the differentiation, morphology, cell arrangement and biophysical properties, which collectively define the state of an organoid. For an organoid culture, an individual organoid or the cells that compose it, these state variables can be characterised, most easily by transcriptomics and by high-content image analysis. Their states can be compared to their in vivo counterparts. Current evidence suggests that organoids explore a wider state space than organs in vivo due to the lack of niche signalling and the variability of boundary conditions in vitro. Using data-driven state inference and in silico modelling, phase diagrams can be constructed to systematically sort organoids along biochemical or biophysical axes. These phase diagrams allow us to identify control strategies to modulate organoid state. To do so, the biochemical and biophysical environment, as well as the cells that seed organoids, can be manipulated.
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15
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Sampayo RG, Sakamoto M, Wang M, Kumar S, Schaffer DV. Mechanosensitive stem cell fate choice is instructed by dynamic fluctuations in activation of Rho GTPases. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2219854120. [PMID: 37216516 PMCID: PMC10235963 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2219854120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
During the intricate process by which cells give rise to tissues, embryonic and adult stem cells are exposed to diverse mechanical signals from the extracellular matrix (ECM) that influence their fate. Cells can sense these cues in part through dynamic generation of protrusions, modulated and controlled by cyclic activation of Rho GTPases. However, it remains unclear how extracellular mechanical signals regulate Rho GTPase activation dynamics and how such rapid, transient activation dynamics are integrated to yield long-term, irreversible cell fate decisions. Here, we report that ECM stiffness cues alter not only the magnitude but also the temporal frequency of RhoA and Cdc42 activation in adult neural stem cells (NSCs). Using optogenetics to control the frequency of RhoA and Cdc42 activation, we further demonstrate that these dynamics are functionally significant, where high- vs. low-frequency activation of RhoA and Cdc42 drives astrocytic vs. neuronal differentiation, respectively. In addition, high-frequency Rho GTPase activation induces sustained phosphorylation of the TGFβ pathway effector SMAD1, which in turn drives the astrocytic differentiation. By contrast, under low-frequency Rho GTPase stimulation, cells fail to accumulate SMAD1 phosphorylation and instead undergo neurogenesis. Our findings reveal the temporal patterning of Rho GTPase signaling and the resulting accumulation of an SMAD1 signal as a critical mechanism through which ECM stiffness cues regulate NSC fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocío G. Sampayo
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA94720
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA94720
| | - Mason Sakamoto
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA94720
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA94720
| | - Madeline Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA94720
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA94720
| | - Sanjay Kumar
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA94720
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA94720
| | - David V. Schaffer
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA94720
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA94720
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16
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Wu JY, Yeager K, Tavakol DN, Morsink M, Wang B, Soni RK, Hung CT, Vunjak-Novakovic G. Directed differentiation of human iPSCs into mesenchymal lineages by optogenetic control of TGF-β signaling. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112509. [PMID: 37178118 PMCID: PMC10278972 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112509] [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: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
In tissue development and homeostasis, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β signaling is finely coordinated by latent forms and matrix sequestration. Optogenetics can offer precise and dynamic control of cell signaling. We report the development of an optogenetic human induced pluripotent stem cell system for TGF-β signaling and demonstrate its utility in directing differentiation into the smooth muscle, tenogenic, and chondrogenic lineages. Light-activated TGF-β signaling resulted in expression of differentiation markers at levels close to those in soluble factor-treated cultures, with minimal phototoxicity. In a cartilage-bone model, light-patterned TGF-β gradients allowed the establishment of hyaline-like layer of cartilage tissue at the articular surface while attenuating with depth to enable hypertrophic induction at the osteochondral interface. By selectively activating TGF-β signaling in co-cultures of light-responsive and non-responsive cells, undifferentiated and differentiated cells were simultaneously maintained in a single culture with shared medium. This platform can enable patient-specific and spatiotemporally precise studies of cellular decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josephine Y Wu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Keith Yeager
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | | | - Margaretha Morsink
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Bryan Wang
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Rajesh Kumar Soni
- Proteomics and Macromolecular Crystallography Shared Resource, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Clark T Hung
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.
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17
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Lee S, Cui M, Lee D, Han K, Sun W, Lee D. A rationally designed optochemogenetic switch for activating canonical Wnt signaling. iScience 2023; 26:106233. [PMID: 36915690 PMCID: PMC10006827 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Accurate spatiotemporal control of multicellular self-organization by various signaling pathways is essential for developmental stages. In particular, evolutionarily conserved Wnt signaling serves as a major morphogenetic switch to determine the anteroposterior axis of the embryo. Here, we developed a genetically encoded optochemogenetic Wnt switch, named optochemoWnt, by coupling a blue light-inducible CRY2olig and rapamycin-inducible LRP6c clustering. The rationally designed optochemoWnt successfully modulated Wnt signaling with AND-gated patterns and demonstrated an improved signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The dual-triggered switch provides a safeguard to prevent signal leakage resulting from ambient light sources under general laboratory conditions. OptochemoWnt expands the molecular toolbox available for the fields of developmental biology and tissue engineering. In addition, the AND-gated strategy of optochemoWnt may be used for other biomedical applications that integrate user defined switch elements with Boolean logic gates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seunghwan Lee
- Department of Anatomy, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,BK21 Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Mingguang Cui
- Department of Anatomy, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,BK21 Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Donghun Lee
- Department of Physics, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kihoon Han
- BK21 Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Neuroscience, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Woong Sun
- Department of Anatomy, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,BK21 Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dongmin Lee
- Department of Anatomy, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,BK21 Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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18
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Pouzet S, Cruz-Ramón J, Le Bec M, Cordier C, Banderas A, Barral S, Castaño-Cerezo S, Lautier T, Truan G, Hersen P. Optogenetic control of beta-carotene bioproduction in yeast across multiple lab-scales. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1085268. [PMID: 36814715 PMCID: PMC9939774 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1085268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Optogenetics arises as a valuable tool to precisely control genetic circuits in microbial cell factories. Light control holds the promise of optimizing bioproduction methods and maximizing yields, but its implementation at different steps of the strain development process and at different culture scales remains challenging. In this study, we aim to control beta-carotene bioproduction using optogenetics in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and investigate how its performance translates across culture scales. We built four lab-scale illumination devices, each handling different culture volumes, and each having specific illumination characteristics and cultivating conditions. We evaluated optogenetic activation and beta-carotene production across devices and optimized them both independently. Then, we combined optogenetic induction and beta-carotene production to make a light-inducible beta-carotene producer strain. This was achieved by placing the transcription of the bifunctional lycopene cyclase/phytoene synthase CrtYB under the control of the pC120 optogenetic promoter regulated by the EL222-VP16 light-activated transcription factor, while other carotenogenic enzymes (CrtI, CrtE, tHMG) were expressed constitutively. We show that illumination, culture volume and shaking impact differently optogenetic activation and beta-carotene production across devices. This enabled us to determine the best culture conditions to maximize light-induced beta-carotene production in each of the devices. Our study exemplifies the stakes of scaling up optogenetics in devices of different lab scales and sheds light on the interplays and potential conflicts between optogenetic control and metabolic pathway efficiency. As a general principle, we propose that it is important to first optimize both components of the system independently, before combining them into optogenetic producing strains to avoid extensive troubleshooting. We anticipate that our results can help designing both strains and devices that could eventually lead to larger scale systems in an effort to bring optogenetics to the industrial scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvain Pouzet
- Institut Curie, Université PSL, Sorbonne Université, CNRS UMR168, Laboratoire Physico Chimie Curie, Paris, France
| | - Jessica Cruz-Ramón
- Institut Curie, Université PSL, Sorbonne Université, CNRS UMR168, Laboratoire Physico Chimie Curie, Paris, France
| | - Matthias Le Bec
- Institut Curie, Université PSL, Sorbonne Université, CNRS UMR168, Laboratoire Physico Chimie Curie, Paris, France
| | - Céline Cordier
- Institut Curie, Université PSL, Sorbonne Université, CNRS UMR168, Laboratoire Physico Chimie Curie, Paris, France
| | - Alvaro Banderas
- Institut Curie, Université PSL, Sorbonne Université, CNRS UMR168, Laboratoire Physico Chimie Curie, Paris, France
| | - Simon Barral
- Institut Curie, Université PSL, Sorbonne Université, CNRS UMR168, Laboratoire Physico Chimie Curie, Paris, France
| | - Sara Castaño-Cerezo
- Toulouse Biotechnology Institute, Université de Toulouse, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut National de Recherche pour l′Agriculture, l′Alimentation et l′Environnement (INRAE), Institut National des Sciences Appliquées (INSA), Toulouse, France
| | - Thomas Lautier
- Toulouse Biotechnology Institute, Université de Toulouse, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut National de Recherche pour l′Agriculture, l′Alimentation et l′Environnement (INRAE), Institut National des Sciences Appliquées (INSA), Toulouse, France,CNRS@CREATE, Singapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology Innovation, Agency for Science Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Gilles Truan
- Toulouse Biotechnology Institute, Université de Toulouse, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut National de Recherche pour l′Agriculture, l′Alimentation et l′Environnement (INRAE), Institut National des Sciences Appliquées (INSA), Toulouse, France
| | - Pascal Hersen
- Institut Curie, Université PSL, Sorbonne Université, CNRS UMR168, Laboratoire Physico Chimie Curie, Paris, France,*Correspondence: Pascal Hersen,
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19
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Corre B, El Janati Elidrissi Y, Duval J, Quilhot M, Lefebvre G, Ecomard S, Lemaître F, Garcia Z, Bohineust A, Russo E, Bousso P. Integration of intermittent calcium signals in T cells revealed by temporally patterned optogenetics. iScience 2023; 26:106068. [PMID: 36824271 PMCID: PMC9942117 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
T cells become activated following one or multiple contacts with antigen-presenting cells. Calcium influx is a key signaling event elicited during these cellular interactions; however, it is unclear whether T cells recall and integrate calcium signals elicited during temporally separated contacts. To study the integration of calcium signals, we designed a programmable, multiplex illumination strategy for temporally patterned optogenetics (TEMPO). We found that a single round of calcium elevation was insufficient to promote nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) activity and cytokine production in a T cell line. However, robust responses were detected after a second identical stimulation even when signals were separated by several hours. Our results suggest the existence of a biochemical memory of calcium signals in T cells that favors signal integration during temporally separated contacts and promote cytokine production. As illustrated here, TEMPO is a versatile approach for dissecting temporal integration in defined signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Béatrice Corre
- Dynamics of Immune Responses Unit, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Inserm U1223, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Yassine El Janati Elidrissi
- Dynamics of Immune Responses Unit, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Inserm U1223, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Justine Duval
- Dynamics of Immune Responses Unit, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Inserm U1223, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Mailys Quilhot
- Dynamics of Immune Responses Unit, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Inserm U1223, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Gaëtan Lefebvre
- Dynamics of Immune Responses Unit, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Inserm U1223, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Solène Ecomard
- Dynamics of Immune Responses Unit, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Inserm U1223, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Fabrice Lemaître
- Dynamics of Immune Responses Unit, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Inserm U1223, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Zacarias Garcia
- Dynamics of Immune Responses Unit, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Inserm U1223, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Armelle Bohineust
- Dynamics of Immune Responses Unit, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Inserm U1223, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Erica Russo
- Dynamics of Immune Responses Unit, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Inserm U1223, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Philippe Bousso
- Dynamics of Immune Responses Unit, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Inserm U1223, 75015 Paris, France,Corresponding author
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20
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Fischer AAM, Kramer MM, Radziwill G, Weber W. Shedding light on current trends in molecular optogenetics. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2022; 70:102196. [PMID: 35988347 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2022.102196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Molecular optogenetics is a highly dynamic research field. In the past two years, the field was characterized by the development of new allosteric switches as well as the forward integration of optogenetics research towards application. Further, two areas of research have significantly gathered momentum, the use of optogenetics to control liquid-liquid phase separation as well as the application of optogenetic tools in the extracellular space. Here, we review these areas and discuss future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra A M Fischer
- Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestraße 18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestraße 18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine (SGBM), University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 21a, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Markus M Kramer
- Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestraße 18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestraße 18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine (SGBM), University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 21a, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Gerald Radziwill
- Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestraße 18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestraße 18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine (SGBM), University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 21a, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Wilfried Weber
- Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestraße 18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestraße 18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine (SGBM), University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 21a, 79104 Freiburg, Germany.
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21
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Dionisi S, Piera K, Baumschlager A, Khammash M. Implementation of a Novel Optogenetic Tool in Mammalian Cells Based on a Split T7 RNA Polymerase. ACS Synth Biol 2022; 11:2650-2661. [PMID: 35921263 PMCID: PMC9396705 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.2c00067] [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] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Optogenetic tools are widely used to control gene expression
dynamics
both in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. These tools are used in
a variety of biological applications from stem cell differentiation
to metabolic engineering. Despite some tools already available in
bacteria, no light-inducible system currently exists to control gene
expression independently from mammalian transcriptional and/or translational
machineries thus working orthogonally to endogenous regulatory mechanisms.
Such a tool would be particularly important in synthetic biology,
where orthogonality is advantageous to achieve robust activation of
synthetic networks. Here we implement, characterize, and optimize
a new optogenetic tool in mammalian cells based on a previously published
system in bacteria called Opto-T7RNAPs. The tool is orthogonal to
the cellular machinery for transcription and consists of a split T7
RNA polymerase coupled with the blue light-inducible magnets system
(mammalian OptoT7–mOptoT7). In our study we exploited the T7
polymerase’s viral origins to tune our system’s expression
level, reaching up to an almost 20-fold change activation over the
dark control. mOptoT7 is used here to generate mRNA for protein expression,
shRNA for protein inhibition, and Pepper aptamer for RNA visualization.
Moreover, we show that mOptoT7 can mitigate the gene expression burden
when compared to another optogenetic construct. These properties make
mOptoT7 a powerful new tool to use when orthogonality and viral RNA
species (that lack endogenous RNA modifications) are desired.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Dionisi
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Karol Piera
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Armin Baumschlager
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Mustafa Khammash
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
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22
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Höhener TC, Landolt AE, Dessauges C, Hinderling L, Gagliardi PA, Pertz O. LITOS: a versatile LED illumination tool for optogenetic stimulation. Sci Rep 2022; 12:13139. [PMID: 35907941 PMCID: PMC9338960 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-17312-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Optogenetics has become a key tool to manipulate biological processes with high spatio-temporal resolution. Recently, a number of commercial and open-source multi-well illumination devices have been developed to provide throughput in optogenetics experiments. However, available commercial devices remain expensive and lack flexibility, while open-source solutions require programming knowledge and/or include complex assembly processes. We present a LED Illumination Tool for Optogenetic Stimulation (LITOS) based on an assembled printed circuit board controlling a commercially available 32 × 64 LED matrix as illumination source. LITOS can be quickly assembled without any soldering, and includes an easy-to-use interface, accessible via a website hosted on the device itself. Complex light stimulation patterns can easily be programmed without coding expertise. LITOS can be used with different formats of multi-well plates, petri dishes, and flasks. We validated LITOS by measuring the activity of the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway in response to different dynamic light stimulation regimes using FGFR1 and Raf optogenetic actuators. LITOS can uniformly stimulate all the cells in a well and allows for flexible temporal stimulation schemes. LITOS's affordability and ease of use aims at democratizing optogenetics in any laboratory.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alex Erich Landolt
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Coralie Dessauges
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Lucien Hinderling
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Olivier Pertz
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, 3012, Bern, Switzerland.
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23
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Kumar S, Khammash M. Platforms for Optogenetic Stimulation and Feedback Control. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:918917. [PMID: 35757811 PMCID: PMC9213687 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.918917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Harnessing the potential of optogenetics in biology requires methodologies from different disciplines ranging from biology, to mechatronics engineering, to control engineering. Light stimulation of a synthetic optogenetic construct in a given biological species can only be achieved via a suitable light stimulation platform. Emerging optogenetic applications entail a consistent, reproducible, and regulated delivery of light adapted to the application requirement. In this review, we explore the evolution of light-induction hardware-software platforms from simple illumination set-ups to sophisticated microscopy, microtiter plate and bioreactor designs, and discuss their respective advantages and disadvantages. Here, we examine design approaches followed in performing optogenetic experiments spanning different cell types and culture volumes, with induction capabilities ranging from single cell stimulation to entire cell culture illumination. The development of automated measurement and stimulation schemes on these platforms has enabled researchers to implement various in silico feedback control strategies to achieve computer-controlled living systems—a theme we briefly discuss in the last part of this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sant Kumar
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering (D-BSSE), ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Mustafa Khammash
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering (D-BSSE), ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
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24
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Abstract
Embryoids and organoids hold great promise for human biology and medicine. Herein, we discuss conceptual and technological frameworks useful for developing high-fidelity embryoids and organoids that display tissue- and organ-level phenotypes and functions, which are critically needed for decoding developmental programs and improving translational applications. Through dissecting the layers of inputs controlling mammalian embryogenesis, we review recent progress in reconstructing multiscale structural orders in embryoids and organoids. Bioengineering tools useful for multiscale, multimodal structural engineering of tissue- and organ-level cellular organization and microenvironment are also discussed to present integrative, bioengineering-directed approaches to achieve next-generation, high-fidelity embryoids and organoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Shao
- Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China.
| | - Jianping Fu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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25
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Xu Y, Chang Y, Yao Y, Zhang M, Dupont RL, Rather AM, Bao X, Wang X. Modularizable Liquid-Crystal-Based Open Surfaces Enable Programmable Chemical Transport and Feeding using Liquid Droplets. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2108788. [PMID: 35333418 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202108788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Droplet-based miniature reactors have attracted interest in both fundamental studies, for the unique reaction kinetics they enable, and applications in bio-diagnosis and material synthesis. However, the precise and automatic feeding of chemicals, important for the delicate reactions in these miniaturized chemical reactors, either requires complex, high-cost microfluidic devices or lacks the capability to maintain a pinning-free droplet movement. Here, the design and synthesis of a new class of liquid crystal (LC)-based open surfaces, which enable a controlled chemical release via a programmable LC phase transition without sacrificing the free transport of the droplets, are reported. It is demonstrated that their intrinsic slipperiness and self-healing properties enable a modularizable assembly of LC surfaces that can be loaded with different chemicals to achieve a wide range of chemical reactions carried out within the droplets, including sequential and parallel chemical reactions, crystal growth, and polymer synthesis. Finally, an LC-based chemical feeding device is developed that can automatically control the release of chemicals to direct the simultaneous differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells into endothelial progenitor cells and cardiomyocytes. Overall, these LC surfaces exhibit desirable levels of automation, responsiveness, and controllability for use in miniature droplet carriers and reactors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Xu
- William G. Lowrie Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Yun Chang
- Davidson School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Yuxing Yao
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Meng Zhang
- William G. Lowrie Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Robert L Dupont
- William G. Lowrie Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Adil M Rather
- William G. Lowrie Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Xiaoping Bao
- Davidson School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Xiaoguang Wang
- William G. Lowrie Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
- Sustainability Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
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26
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Xiong Q, Zheng T, Shen X, Li B, Fu J, Zhao X, Wang C, Yu Z. Expanding the functionality of proteins with genetically encoded dibenzo[ b, f][1,4,5]thiadiazepine: a photo-transducer for photo-click decoration. Chem Sci 2022; 13:3571-3581. [PMID: 35432856 PMCID: PMC8943893 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc05710c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic incorporation of novel noncanonical amino acids (ncAAs) that are specialized for the photo-click reaction allows the precisely orthogonal and site-specific functionalization of proteins in living cells under photo-control. However, the development of a r̲ing-strain i̲n situ l̲oadable d̲ipolarophile (RILD) as a genetically encodable reporter for photo-click bioconjugation with spatiotemporal controllability is quite rare. Herein, we report the design and synthesis of a photo-switchable d̲ib̲enzo[b,f][1,4,5]t̲hiad̲iazepine-based a̲lanine (DBTDA) ncAA, together with the directed evolution of a pyrrolysyl-tRNA synthetase/tRNACUA pair (PylRS/tRNACUA), to encode the DBTDA into recombinant proteins as a RILD in living E. coli cells. The fast-responsive photo-isomerization of the DBTDA residue can be utilized as a converter of photon energy into ring-strain energy to oscillate the conformational changes of the parent proteins. Due to the photo-activation of RILD, the photo-switching of the DBTDA residue on sfGFP and OmpC is capable of promoting the photo-click ligation with diarylsydnone (DASyd) derived probes with high efficiency and selectivity. We demonstrate that the genetic code expansion (GCE) with DBTDA benefits the studies on the distribution of decorated OmpC-DBTD on specific E. coli cells under a spatiotemporal resolved photo-stimulation. The GCE for encoding DBTDA enables further functional diversity of artificial proteins in living systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Sichuan University 29 Wangjiang Road Chengdu 610064 P. R. China
| | - Tingting Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Sichuan University 29 Wangjiang Road Chengdu 610064 P. R. China
| | - Xin Shen
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Sichuan University 29 Wangjiang Road Chengdu 610064 P. R. China
| | - Baolin Li
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Sichuan University 29 Wangjiang Road Chengdu 610064 P. R. China
| | - Jielin Fu
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Sichuan University 29 Wangjiang Road Chengdu 610064 P. R. China
| | - Xiaohu Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Sichuan University 29 Wangjiang Road Chengdu 610064 P. R. China
| | - Chunxia Wang
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Sichuan University 29 Wangjiang Road Chengdu 610064 P. R. China
| | - Zhipeng Yu
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Sichuan University 29 Wangjiang Road Chengdu 610064 P. R. China
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27
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Zhu D, Johnson HJ, Chen J, Schaffer DV. Optogenetic Application to Investigating Cell Behavior and Neurological Disease. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:811493. [PMID: 35273478 PMCID: PMC8902366 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.811493] [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: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cells reside in a dynamic microenvironment that presents them with regulatory signals that vary in time, space, and amplitude. The cell, in turn, interprets these signals and accordingly initiates downstream processes including cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, and self-organization. Conventional approaches to perturb and investigate signaling pathways (e.g., agonist/antagonist addition, overexpression, silencing, knockouts) are often binary perturbations that do not offer precise control over signaling levels, and/or provide limited spatial or temporal control. In contrast, optogenetics leverages light-sensitive proteins to control cellular signaling dynamics and target gene expression and, by virtue of precise hardware control over illumination, offers the capacity to interrogate how spatiotemporally varying signals modulate gene regulatory networks and cellular behaviors. Recent studies have employed various optogenetic systems in stem cell, embryonic, and somatic cell patterning studies, which have addressed fundamental questions of how cell-cell communication, subcellular protein localization, and signal integration affect cell fate. Other efforts have explored how alteration of signaling dynamics may contribute to neurological diseases and have in the process created physiologically relevant models that could inform new therapeutic strategies. In this review, we focus on emerging applications within the expanding field of optogenetics to study gene regulation, cell signaling, neurodevelopment, and neurological disorders, and we comment on current limitations and future directions for the growth of the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danqing Zhu
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Hunter J. Johnson
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
- Graduate Program in Bioengineering, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Graduate Program in Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Jun Chen
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - David V. Schaffer
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: David V. Schaffer
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28
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Abstract
The Wnt pathway is central to a host of developmental and disease-related processes. The remarkable conservation of this intercellular signaling cascade throughout metazoan lineages indicates that it coevolved with multicellularity to regulate the generation and spatial arrangement of distinct cell types. By regulating cell fate specification, mitotic activity, and cell polarity, Wnt signaling orchestrates development and tissue homeostasis, and its dysregulation is implicated in developmental defects, cancer, and degenerative disorders. We review advances in our understanding of this key pathway, from Wnt protein production and secretion to relay of the signal in the cytoplasm of the receiving cell. We discuss the evolutionary history of this pathway as well as endogenous and synthetic modulators of its activity. Finally, we highlight remaining gaps in our knowledge of Wnt signal transduction and avenues for future research. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Biochemistry, Volume 91 is June 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Youngsoo Rim
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Developmental Biology, and Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA;
| | - Hans Clevers
- Hubrecht Institute and Oncode Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Roel Nusse
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Developmental Biology, and Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA;
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29
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Bioimaging approaches for quantification of individual cell behavior during cell fate decisions. Biochem Soc Trans 2022; 50:513-527. [PMID: 35166330 DOI: 10.1042/bst20210534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Tracking individual cells has allowed a new understanding of cellular behavior in human health and disease by adding a dynamic component to the already complex heterogeneity of single cells. Technically, despite countless advances, numerous experimental variables can affect data collection and interpretation and need to be considered. In this review, we discuss the main technical aspects and biological findings in the analysis of the behavior of individual cells. We discuss the most relevant contributions provided by these approaches in clinically relevant human conditions like embryo development, stem cells biology, inflammation, cancer and microbiology, along with the cellular mechanisms and molecular pathways underlying these conditions. We also discuss the key technical aspects to be considered when planning and performing experiments involving the analysis of individual cells over long periods. Despite the challenges in automatic detection, features extraction and long-term tracking that need to be tackled, the potential impact of single-cell bioimaging is enormous in understanding the pathogenesis and development of new therapies in human pathophysiology.
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30
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Huang P, Zhao Z, Duan L. Optogenetic activation of intracellular signaling based on light-inducible protein-protein homo-interactions. Neural Regen Res 2022; 17:25-30. [PMID: 34100422 PMCID: PMC8451544 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.314293] [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] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Dynamic protein-protein interactions are essential for proper cell functioning. Homo-interaction events—physical interactions between the same type of proteins—represent a pivotal subset of protein-protein interactions that are widely exploited in activating intracellular signaling pathways. Capacities of modulating protein-protein interactions with spatial and temporal resolution are greatly desired to decipher the dynamic nature of signal transduction mechanisms. The emerging optogenetic technology, based on genetically encoded light-sensitive proteins, provides promising opportunities to dissect the highly complex signaling networks with unmatched specificity and spatiotemporal precision. Here we review recent achievements in the development of optogenetic tools enabling light-inducible protein-protein homo-interactions and their applications in optical activation of signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peiyuan Huang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Zhihao Zhao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Liting Duan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering; Shun Hing Institute of Advanced Engineering (SHIAE), The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
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31
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Tang K, Beyer HM, Zurbriggen MD, Gärtner W. The Red Edge: Bilin-Binding Photoreceptors as Optogenetic Tools and Fluorescence Reporters. Chem Rev 2021; 121:14906-14956. [PMID: 34669383 PMCID: PMC8707292 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
This review adds the bilin-binding phytochromes to the Chemical Reviews thematic issue "Optogenetics and Photopharmacology". The work is structured into two parts. We first outline the photochemistry of the covalently bound tetrapyrrole chromophore and summarize relevant spectroscopic, kinetic, biochemical, and physiological properties of the different families of phytochromes. Based on this knowledge, we then describe the engineering of phytochromes to further improve these chromoproteins as photoswitches and review their employment in an ever-growing number of different optogenetic applications. Most applications rely on the light-controlled complex formation between the plant photoreceptor PhyB and phytochrome-interacting factors (PIFs) or C-terminal light-regulated domains with enzymatic functions present in many bacterial and algal phytochromes. Phytochrome-based optogenetic tools are currently implemented in bacteria, yeast, plants, and animals to achieve light control of a wide range of biological activities. These cover the regulation of gene expression, protein transport into cell organelles, and the recruitment of phytochrome- or PIF-tagged proteins to membranes and other cellular compartments. This compilation illustrates the intrinsic advantages of phytochromes compared to other photoreceptor classes, e.g., their bidirectional dual-wavelength control enabling instant ON and OFF regulation. In particular, the long wavelength range of absorption and fluorescence within the "transparent window" makes phytochromes attractive for complex applications requiring deep tissue penetration or dual-wavelength control in combination with blue and UV light-sensing photoreceptors. In addition to the wide variability of applications employing natural and engineered phytochromes, we also discuss recent progress in the development of bilin-based fluorescent proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Tang
- Institute
of Synthetic Biology, Heinrich-Heine-University
Düsseldorf, Universitätsstrasse 1, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Hannes M. Beyer
- Institute
of Synthetic Biology, Heinrich-Heine-University
Düsseldorf, Universitätsstrasse 1, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Matias D. Zurbriggen
- Institute
of Synthetic Biology and CEPLAS, Heinrich-Heine-University
Düsseldorf, Universitätsstrasse
1, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Gärtner
- Retired: Max Planck Institute
for Chemical Energy Conversion. At present: Institute for Analytical Chemistry, University
Leipzig, Linnéstrasse
3, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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32
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Signalling dynamics in embryonic development. Biochem J 2021; 478:4045-4070. [PMID: 34871368 PMCID: PMC8718268 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20210043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
In multicellular organisms, cellular behaviour is tightly regulated to allow proper embryonic development and maintenance of adult tissue. A critical component in this control is the communication between cells via signalling pathways, as errors in intercellular communication can induce developmental defects or diseases such as cancer. It has become clear over the last years that signalling is not static but varies in activity over time. Feedback mechanisms present in every signalling pathway lead to diverse dynamic phenotypes, such as transient activation, signal ramping or oscillations, occurring in a cell type- and stage-dependent manner. In cells, such dynamics can exert various functions that allow organisms to develop in a robust and reproducible way. Here, we focus on Erk, Wnt and Notch signalling pathways, which are dynamic in several tissue types and organisms, including the periodic segmentation of vertebrate embryos, and are often dysregulated in cancer. We will discuss how biochemical processes influence their dynamics and how these impact on cellular behaviour within multicellular systems.
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33
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Self-organization of human dorsal-ventral forebrain structures by light induced SHH. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6768. [PMID: 34799555 PMCID: PMC8604999 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26881-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Organizing centers secrete morphogens that specify the emergence of germ layers and the establishment of the body's axes during embryogenesis. While traditional experimental embryology tools have been instrumental in dissecting the molecular aspects of organizers in model systems, they are impractical in human in-vitro model systems to dissect the relationships between signaling and fate along embryonic coordinates. To systematically study human embryonic organizer centers, we devised a collection of optogenetic ePiggyBac vectors to express a photoactivatable Cre-loxP recombinase, that allows the systematic induction of organizer structures by shining blue-light on human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). We used a light stimulus to geometrically confine SHH expression in neuralizing hESCs. This led to the self-organization of mediolateral neural patterns. scRNA-seq analysis established that these structures represent the dorsal-ventral forebrain, at the end of the first month of development. Here, we show that morphogen light-stimulation is a scalable tool that induces self-organizing centers.
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34
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Saydmohammed M, Jha A, Mahajan V, Gavlock D, Shun TY, DeBiasio R, Lefever D, Li X, Reese C, Kershaw EE, Yechoor V, Behari J, Soto-Gutierrez A, Vernetti L, Stern A, Gough A, Miedel MT, Lansing Taylor D. Quantifying the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in human biomimetic liver microphysiology systems with fluorescent protein biosensors. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2021; 246:2420-2441. [PMID: 33957803 PMCID: PMC8606957 DOI: 10.1177/15353702211009228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolic syndrome is a complex disease that involves multiple organ systems including a critical role for the liver. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a key component of the metabolic syndrome and fatty liver is linked to a range of metabolic dysfunctions that occur in approximately 25% of the population. A panel of experts recently agreed that the acronym, NAFLD, did not properly characterize this heterogeneous disease given the associated metabolic abnormalities such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D), obesity, and hypertension. Therefore, metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) has been proposed as the new term to cover the heterogeneity identified in the NAFLD patient population. Although many rodent models of NAFLD/NASH have been developed, they do not recapitulate the full disease spectrum in patients. Therefore, a platform has evolved initially focused on human biomimetic liver microphysiology systems that integrates fluorescent protein biosensors along with other key metrics, the microphysiology systems database, and quantitative systems pharmacology. Quantitative systems pharmacology is being applied to investigate the mechanisms of NAFLD/MAFLD progression to select molecular targets for fluorescent protein biosensors, to integrate computational and experimental methods to predict drugs for repurposing, and to facilitate novel drug development. Fluorescent protein biosensors are critical components of the platform since they enable monitoring of the pathophysiology of disease progression by defining and quantifying the temporal and spatial dynamics of protein functions in the biosensor cells, and serve as minimally invasive biomarkers of the physiological state of the microphysiology system experimental disease models. Here, we summarize the progress in developing human microphysiology system disease models of NAFLD/MAFLD from several laboratories, developing fluorescent protein biosensors to monitor and to measure NAFLD/MAFLD disease progression and implementation of quantitative systems pharmacology with the goal of repurposing drugs and guiding the creation of novel therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manush Saydmohammed
- University of Pittsburgh Drug Discovery Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Anupma Jha
- University of Pittsburgh Drug Discovery Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Vineet Mahajan
- University of Pittsburgh Drug Discovery Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Dillon Gavlock
- University of Pittsburgh Drug Discovery Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Tong Ying Shun
- University of Pittsburgh Drug Discovery Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Richard DeBiasio
- University of Pittsburgh Drug Discovery Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Daniel Lefever
- University of Pittsburgh Drug Discovery Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Xiang Li
- University of Pittsburgh Drug Discovery Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Celeste Reese
- University of Pittsburgh Drug Discovery Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Erin E Kershaw
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Vijay Yechoor
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Jaideep Behari
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
- UPMC Liver Clinic, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Alejandro Soto-Gutierrez
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Larry Vernetti
- University of Pittsburgh Drug Discovery Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Andrew Stern
- University of Pittsburgh Drug Discovery Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Albert Gough
- University of Pittsburgh Drug Discovery Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Mark T Miedel
- University of Pittsburgh Drug Discovery Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - D Lansing Taylor
- University of Pittsburgh Drug Discovery Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
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35
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Hawdon A, Aberkane A, Zenker J. Microtubule-dependent subcellular organisation of pluripotent cells. Development 2021; 148:272646. [PMID: 34710215 DOI: 10.1242/dev.199909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
With the advancement of cutting-edge live imaging technologies, microtubule remodelling has evolved as an integral regulator for the establishment of distinct differentiated cells. However, despite their fundamental role in cell structure and function, microtubules have received less attention when unravelling the regulatory circuitry of pluripotency. Here, we summarise the role of microtubule organisation and microtubule-dependent events required for the formation of pluripotent cells in vivo by deciphering the process of early embryogenesis: from fertilisation to blastocyst. Furthermore, we highlight current advances in elucidating the significance of specific microtubule arrays in in vitro culture systems of pluripotent stem cells and how the microtubule cytoskeleton serves as a highway for the precise intracellular movement of organelles. This Review provides an informed understanding of the intrinsic role of subcellular architecture of pluripotent cells and accentuates their regenerative potential in combination with innovative light-inducible microtubule techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azelle Hawdon
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Asma Aberkane
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Jennifer Zenker
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
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36
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Hellwarth PB, Chang Y, Das A, Liang P, Lian X, Repina NA, Bao X. Optogenetic-mediated cardiovascular differentiation and patterning of human pluripotent stem cells. ADVANCED GENETICS (HOBOKEN, N.J.) 2021; 2:e202100011. [PMID: 36620431 PMCID: PMC9744544 DOI: 10.1002/ggn2.202100011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Precise spatial and temporal regulation of dynamic morphogen signals during human development governs the processes of cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation to form organized tissues and organs. Tissue patterns spontaneously emerge in various human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) models. However, the lack of molecular methods for precise control over signal dynamics limits the reproducible production of tissue patterns and a mechanistic understanding of self-organization. We recently implemented an optogenetic-based OptoWnt platform for light-controllable regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in hPSCs for in vitro studies. Using engineered illumination devices to generate light patterns and thus precise spatiotemporal control over Wnt activation, here we triggered spatially organized transcriptional changes and mesoderm differentiation of hPSCs. In this way, the OptoWnt system enabled robust endothelial cell differentiation and cardiac tissue patterning in vitro. Our results demonstrate that spatiotemporal regulation of signaling pathways via synthetic OptoWnt enables instructive stem cell fate engineering and tissue patterning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter B. Hellwarth
- Davidson School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University Center for Cancer ResearchPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteIndianaUSA
| | - Yun Chang
- Davidson School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University Center for Cancer ResearchPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteIndianaUSA
| | - Arundhati Das
- Davidson School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University Center for Cancer ResearchPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteIndianaUSA
| | - Po‐Yu Liang
- Davidson School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University Center for Cancer ResearchPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteIndianaUSA
| | - Xiaojun Lian
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Department of BiologyPennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Nicole A. Repina
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research (FMI)BaselSwitzerland
| | - Xiaoping Bao
- Davidson School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University Center for Cancer ResearchPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteIndianaUSA
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37
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Manoilov KY, Verkhusha VV, Shcherbakova DM. A guide to the optogenetic regulation of endogenous molecules. Nat Methods 2021; 18:1027-1037. [PMID: 34446923 DOI: 10.1038/s41592-021-01240-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Genetically encoded tools for the regulation of endogenous molecules (RNA, DNA elements and protein) are needed to study and control biological processes with minimal interference caused by protein overexpression and overactivation of signaling pathways. Here we focus on light-controlled optogenetic tools (OTs) that allow spatiotemporally precise regulation of gene expression and protein function. To control endogenous molecules, OTs combine light-sensing modules from natural photoreceptors with specific protein or nucleic acid binders. We discuss OT designs and group OTs according to the principles of their regulation. We outline characteristics of OT performance, discuss considerations for their use in vivo and review available OTs and their applications in cells and in vivo. Finally, we provide a brief outlook on the development of OTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyrylo Yu Manoilov
- Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology and Gruss-Lipper Biophotonics Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Vladislav V Verkhusha
- Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology and Gruss-Lipper Biophotonics Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA. .,Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. .,Science Center for Genetics and Life Sciences, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, Russia.
| | - Daria M Shcherbakova
- Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology and Gruss-Lipper Biophotonics Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
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38
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Lei R, Akins EA, Wong KCY, Repina NA, Wolf KJ, Dempsey GE, Schaffer DV, Stahl A, Kumar S. Multiwell Combinatorial Hydrogel Array for High-Throughput Analysis of Cell-ECM Interactions. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2021; 7:2453-2465. [PMID: 34028263 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.1c00065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Biophysical cues in the extracellular matrix (ECM) regulate cell behavior in a complex, nonlinear, and interdependent manner. To quantify these important regulatory relationships and gain a comprehensive understanding of mechanotransduction, there is a need for high-throughput matrix platforms that enable parallel culture and analysis of cells in various matrix conditions. Here we describe a multiwell hyaluronic acid (HA) platform in which cells are cultured on combinatorial arrays of hydrogels spanning a range of elasticities and adhesivities. Our strategy utilizes orthogonal photopatterning of stiffness and adhesivity gradients, with the stiffness gradient implemented by a programmable light illumination system. The resulting platform allows individual treatment and analysis of each matrix environment while eliminating contributions of haptotaxis and durotaxis. In human mesenchymal stem cells, our platform recapitulates expected relationships between matrix stiffness, adhesivity, and cell mechanosensing. We further applied the platform to show that as integrin ligand density falls, cell adhesion and migration depend more strongly on CD44-mediated interactions with the HA backbone. We anticipate that our system could bear great value for mechanistic discovery and screening where matrix mechanics and adhesivity are expected to influence phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruoxing Lei
- Department of Chemistry, Latimer Hall, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States.,Department of Bioengineering, Stanley Hall, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Erin A Akins
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanley Hall, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States.,University of California, Berkeley - University of California, San Francisco Graduate Program in Bioengineering, Stanley Hall, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Kelly C Y Wong
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanley Hall, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Nicole A Repina
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanley Hall, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States.,University of California, Berkeley - University of California, San Francisco Graduate Program in Bioengineering, Stanley Hall, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Kayla J Wolf
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanley Hall, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States.,University of California, Berkeley - University of California, San Francisco Graduate Program in Bioengineering, Stanley Hall, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Garrett E Dempsey
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology, Morgan Hall, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - David V Schaffer
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanley Hall, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States.,University of California, Berkeley - University of California, San Francisco Graduate Program in Bioengineering, Stanley Hall, Berkeley, California 94720, United States.,Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Life Sciences Addition, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States.,Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Gilman Hall, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Andreas Stahl
- University of California, Berkeley - University of California, San Francisco Graduate Program in Bioengineering, Stanley Hall, Berkeley, California 94720, United States.,Department of Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology, Morgan Hall, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Sanjay Kumar
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanley Hall, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States.,University of California, Berkeley - University of California, San Francisco Graduate Program in Bioengineering, Stanley Hall, Berkeley, California 94720, United States.,Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Gilman Hall, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States.,Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, Byers Hall, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143, United States
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39
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Kramer MM, Lataster L, Weber W, Radziwill G. Optogenetic Approaches for the Spatiotemporal Control of Signal Transduction Pathways. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:5300. [PMID: 34069904 PMCID: PMC8157557 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22105300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Biological signals are sensed by their respective receptors and are transduced and processed by a sophisticated intracellular signaling network leading to a signal-specific cellular response. Thereby, the response to the signal depends on the strength, the frequency, and the duration of the stimulus as well as on the subcellular signal progression. Optogenetic tools are based on genetically encoded light-sensing proteins facilitating the precise spatiotemporal control of signal transduction pathways and cell fate decisions in the absence of natural ligands. In this review, we provide an overview of optogenetic approaches connecting light-regulated protein-protein interaction or caging/uncaging events with steering the function of signaling proteins. We briefly discuss the most common optogenetic switches and their mode of action. The main part deals with the engineering and application of optogenetic tools for the control of transmembrane receptors including receptor tyrosine kinases, the T cell receptor and integrins, and their effector proteins. We also address the hallmarks of optogenetics, the spatial and temporal control of signaling events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus M. Kramer
- Faculty of Biology and Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; (M.M.K.); (L.L.); (W.W.)
- SGBM—Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Levin Lataster
- Faculty of Biology and Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; (M.M.K.); (L.L.); (W.W.)
| | - Wilfried Weber
- Faculty of Biology and Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; (M.M.K.); (L.L.); (W.W.)
- SGBM—Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Gerald Radziwill
- Faculty of Biology and Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; (M.M.K.); (L.L.); (W.W.)
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40
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Oh TJ, Fan H, Skeeters SS, Zhang K. Steering Molecular Activity with Optogenetics: Recent Advances and Perspectives. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2021; 5:e2000180. [PMID: 34028216 PMCID: PMC8218620 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202000180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Optogenetics utilizes photosensitive proteins to manipulate the localization and interaction of molecules in living cells. Because light can be rapidly switched and conveniently confined to the sub-micrometer scale, optogenetics allows for controlling cellular events with an unprecedented resolution in time and space. The past decade has witnessed an enormous progress in the field of optogenetics within the biological sciences. The ever-increasing amount of optogenetic tools, however, can overwhelm the selection of appropriate optogenetic strategies. Considering that each optogenetic tool may have a distinct mode of action, a comparative analysis of the current optogenetic toolbox can promote the further use of optogenetics, especially by researchers new to this field. This review provides such a compilation that highlights the spatiotemporal accuracy of current optogenetic systems. Recent advances of optogenetics in live cells and animal models are summarized, the emerging work that interlinks optogenetics with other research fields is presented, and exciting clinical and industrial efforts to employ optogenetic strategy toward disease intervention are reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teak-Jung Oh
- 600 South Mathews Avenue, 314 B Roger Adams Laboratory, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Huaxun Fan
- 600 South Mathews Avenue, 314 B Roger Adams Laboratory, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Savanna S Skeeters
- 600 South Mathews Avenue, 314 B Roger Adams Laboratory, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Kai Zhang
- 600 South Mathews Avenue, 314 B Roger Adams Laboratory, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
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41
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Truong ME, Bilekova S, Choksi SP, Li W, Bugaj LJ, Xu K, Reiter JF. Vertebrate cells differentially interpret ciliary and extraciliary cAMP. Cell 2021; 184:2911-2926.e18. [PMID: 33932338 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Hedgehog pathway components and select G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) localize to the primary cilium, an organelle specialized for signal transduction. We investigated whether cells distinguish between ciliary and extraciliary GPCR signaling. To test whether ciliary and extraciliary cyclic AMP (cAMP) convey different information, we engineered optogenetic and chemogenetic tools to control the subcellular site of cAMP generation. Generating equal amounts of ciliary and cytoplasmic cAMP in zebrafish and mammalian cells revealed that ciliary cAMP, but not cytoplasmic cAMP, inhibited Hedgehog signaling. Modeling suggested that the distinct geometries of the cilium and cell body differentially activate local effectors. The search for effectors identified a ciliary pool of protein kinase A (PKA). Blocking the function of ciliary PKA, but not extraciliary PKA, activated Hedgehog signal transduction and reversed the effects of ciliary cAMP. Therefore, cells distinguish ciliary and extraciliary cAMP using functionally and spatially distinct pools of PKA, and different subcellular pools of cAMP convey different information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa E Truong
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Sara Bilekova
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich 80539, Germany
| | - Semil P Choksi
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Wan Li
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Lukasz J Bugaj
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ke Xu
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Jeremy F Reiter
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
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42
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Forro C, Caron D, Angotzi GN, Gallo V, Berdondini L, Santoro F, Palazzolo G, Panuccio G. Electrophysiology Read-Out Tools for Brain-on-Chip Biotechnology. MICROMACHINES 2021; 12:124. [PMID: 33498905 PMCID: PMC7912435 DOI: 10.3390/mi12020124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Brain-on-Chip (BoC) biotechnology is emerging as a promising tool for biomedical and pharmaceutical research applied to the neurosciences. At the convergence between lab-on-chip and cell biology, BoC couples in vitro three-dimensional brain-like systems to an engineered microfluidics platform designed to provide an in vivo-like extrinsic microenvironment with the aim of replicating tissue- or organ-level physiological functions. BoC therefore offers the advantage of an in vitro reproduction of brain structures that is more faithful to the native correlate than what is obtained with conventional cell culture techniques. As brain function ultimately results in the generation of electrical signals, electrophysiology techniques are paramount for studying brain activity in health and disease. However, as BoC is still in its infancy, the availability of combined BoC-electrophysiology platforms is still limited. Here, we summarize the available biological substrates for BoC, starting with a historical perspective. We then describe the available tools enabling BoC electrophysiology studies, detailing their fabrication process and technical features, along with their advantages and limitations. We discuss the current and future applications of BoC electrophysiology, also expanding to complementary approaches. We conclude with an evaluation of the potential translational applications and prospective technology developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Csaba Forro
- Tissue Electronics, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Largo Barsanti e Matteucci, 53-80125 Naples, Italy; (C.F.); (F.S.)
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Davide Caron
- Enhanced Regenerative Medicine, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego, 30-16163 Genova, Italy; (D.C.); (V.G.)
| | - Gian Nicola Angotzi
- Microtechnology for Neuroelectronics, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego, 30-16163 Genova, Italy; (G.N.A.); (L.B.)
| | - Vincenzo Gallo
- Enhanced Regenerative Medicine, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego, 30-16163 Genova, Italy; (D.C.); (V.G.)
| | - Luca Berdondini
- Microtechnology for Neuroelectronics, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego, 30-16163 Genova, Italy; (G.N.A.); (L.B.)
| | - Francesca Santoro
- Tissue Electronics, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Largo Barsanti e Matteucci, 53-80125 Naples, Italy; (C.F.); (F.S.)
| | - Gemma Palazzolo
- Enhanced Regenerative Medicine, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego, 30-16163 Genova, Italy; (D.C.); (V.G.)
| | - Gabriella Panuccio
- Enhanced Regenerative Medicine, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego, 30-16163 Genova, Italy; (D.C.); (V.G.)
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43
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Figueroa D, Rojas V, Romero A, Larrondo LF, Salinas F. The rise and shine of yeast optogenetics. Yeast 2020; 38:131-146. [PMID: 33119964 DOI: 10.1002/yea.3529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Optogenetics refers to the control of biological processes with light. The activation of cellular phenomena by defined wavelengths has several advantages compared with traditional chemically inducible systems, such as spatiotemporal resolution, dose-response regulation, low cost, and moderate toxic effects. Optogenetics has been successfully implemented in yeast, a remarkable biological platform that is not only a model organism for cellular and molecular biology studies, but also a microorganism with diverse biotechnological applications. In this review, we summarize the main optogenetic systems implemented in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which allow orthogonal control (by light) of gene expression, protein subcellular localization, reconstitution of protein activity, and protein sequestration by oligomerization. Furthermore, we review the application of optogenetic systems in the control of metabolic pathways, heterologous protein production and flocculation. We then revise an example of a previously described yeast optogenetic switch, named FUN-LOV, which allows precise and strong activation of the target gene. Finally, we describe optogenetic systems that have not yet been implemented in yeast, which could therefore be used to expand the panel of available tools in this biological chassis. In conclusion, a wide repertoire of optogenetic systems can be used to address fundamental biological questions and broaden the biotechnological toolkit in yeast.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Figueroa
- Instituto de Bioquímica y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile.,ANID - Millennium Science Initiative - Millennium Institute for Integrative Biology (iBIO), Santiago, Chile
| | - Vicente Rojas
- ANID - Millennium Science Initiative - Millennium Institute for Integrative Biology (iBIO), Santiago, Chile.,Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Andres Romero
- ANID - Millennium Science Initiative - Millennium Institute for Integrative Biology (iBIO), Santiago, Chile.,Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Luis F Larrondo
- ANID - Millennium Science Initiative - Millennium Institute for Integrative Biology (iBIO), Santiago, Chile.,Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Francisco Salinas
- Instituto de Bioquímica y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile.,ANID - Millennium Science Initiative - Millennium Institute for Integrative Biology (iBIO), Santiago, Chile
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Mumford TR, Roth L, Bugaj LJ. Reverse and Forward Engineering Multicellular Structures with Optogenetics. CURRENT OPINION IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING 2020; 16:61-71. [PMID: 33718689 PMCID: PMC7945718 DOI: 10.1016/j.cobme.2020.100250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Understanding how cells self-organize into functional higher-order structures is of great interest, both towards deciphering animal development, as well as for our ability to predictably build custom tissues to meet research and therapeutic needs. The proper organization of cells across length-scales results from interconnected and dynamic networks of molecules and cells. Optogenetic probes provide dynamic and tunable control over molecular events within cells, and thus represent a powerful approach to both dissect and control collective cell behaviors. Here we emphasize the breadth of the optogenetic toolkit and discuss how these methods have already been used to reverse-engineer the design rules of developing organisms. We also offer our perspective on the rich potential for optogenetics to power forward-engineering of tissue assembly towards the generation of bespoke tissues with user-defined properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas R. Mumford
- University of Pennsylvania, Department of Bioengineering, 240 Skirkanich Hall, 210 South 33 Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States
| | - Lee Roth
- University of Pennsylvania, Department of Bioengineering, 240 Skirkanich Hall, 210 South 33 Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States
| | - Lukasz J. Bugaj
- University of Pennsylvania, Department of Bioengineering, 240 Skirkanich Hall, 210 South 33 Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States
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45
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Repina NA, Johnson HJ, McClave T, Kane RS, Schaffer DV. Protocol to Fabricate Engineered Illumination Devices for Optogenetic Control of Cellular Signaling Dynamics. STAR Protoc 2020; 1:100141. [PMID: 33377035 PMCID: PMC7757298 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2020.100141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Optogenetic modulation of protein interactions enables spatiotemporal control of cellular signaling dynamics in a variety of biological systems. However, light patterning by standard microscopes is limited by their complexity, sample throughput, and cost. To address the need for low-cost, user-friendly, and high-throughput photopatterning, we have engineered devices for light activation at variable amplitudes (LAVA). This protocol describes the assembly of LAVA devices, which enable spatial and temporal control of optogenetic stimulation and cellular signaling dynamics in multiwell cell culture plates. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Repina et al. (2020). Fabrication of illumination devices for light activation at variable amplitudes (LAVA) Spatiotemporal control of light illumination in multiwell cell culture plates Overview of optogenetic photostimulation and analysis in LAVA devices
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole A Repina
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.,Graduate Program in Bioengineering, University of California, San Francisco and University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Hunter J Johnson
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.,Graduate Program in Bioengineering, University of California, San Francisco and University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Thomas McClave
- Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 92720, USA
| | - Ravi S Kane
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - David V Schaffer
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.,Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.,Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.,Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
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46
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Mukherjee A, Sudrik C, Hu Y, Arha M, Stathos M, Baek J, Schaffer DV, Kane RS. CL6mN: Rationally Designed Optogenetic Photoswitches with Tunable Dissociation Dynamics. ACS Synth Biol 2020; 9:2274-2281. [PMID: 32794731 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.0c00362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The field of optogenetics uses genetically encoded photoswitches to modulate biological phenomena with high spatiotemporal resolution. We report a set of rationally designed optogenetic photoswitches that use the photolyase homology region of A. thaliana cryptochrome 2 (Cry2PHR) as a building block and exhibit highly efficient and tunable clustering in a blue-light dependent manner. CL6mN (Cry2-mCherry-LRP6c with N mutated PPPAP motifs) proteins were designed by mutating and/or truncating five crucial PPP(S/T)P motifs near the C-terminus of the optogenetic Wnt activator Cry2-mCherry-LRP6c, thus eliminating its Wnt activity. Light-induced CL6mN clusters have significantly greater dissociation half-lives than clusters of wild-type Cry2PHR. Moreover, the dissociation half-lives can be tuned by varying the number of PPPAP motifs, with the half-life increasing as much as 6-fold for a variant with five motifs (CL6m5) relative to Cry2PHR. Finally, we demonstrate the compatibility of CL6mN with previously reported Cry2-based photoswitches by optogenetically activating RhoA in mammalian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhirup Mukherjee
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Chaitanya Sudrik
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York 12180, United States
| | - Yuge Hu
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Manish Arha
- Centre for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York 12180, United States
| | - Mark Stathos
- Bioengineering Graduate Program, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Jieung Baek
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - David V Schaffer
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Ravi S Kane
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
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