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Teixeira AP, Fussenegger M. Synthetic Gene Circuits for Regulation of Next-Generation Cell-Based Therapeutics. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2309088. [PMID: 38126677 PMCID: PMC10885662 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202309088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Arming human cells with synthetic gene circuits enables to expand their capacity to execute superior sensing and response actions, offering tremendous potential for innovative cellular therapeutics. This can be achieved by assembling components from an ever-expanding molecular toolkit, incorporating switches based on transcriptional, translational, or post-translational control mechanisms. This review provides examples from the three classes of switches, and discusses their advantages and limitations to regulate the activity of therapeutic cells in vivo. Genetic switches designed to recognize internal disease-associated signals often encode intricate actuation programs that orchestrate a reduction in the sensed signal, establishing a closed-loop architecture. Conversely, switches engineered to detect external molecular or physical cues operate in an open-loop fashion, switching on or off upon signal exposure. The integration of such synthetic gene circuits into the next generation of chimeric antigen receptor T-cells is already enabling precise calibration of immune responses in terms of magnitude and timing, thereby improving the potency and safety of therapeutic cells. Furthermore, pre-clinical engineered cells targeting other chronic diseases are gathering increasing attention, and this review discusses the path forward for achieving clinical success. With synthetic biology at the forefront, cellular therapeutics holds great promise for groundbreaking treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana P. Teixeira
- Department of Biosystems Science and EngineeringETH ZurichKlingelbergstrasse 48BaselCH‐4056Switzerland
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and EngineeringETH ZurichKlingelbergstrasse 48BaselCH‐4056Switzerland
- Faculty of ScienceUniversity of BaselKlingelbergstrasse 48BaselCH‐4056Switzerland
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Hahn J, Ding S, Im J, Harimoto T, Leong KW, Danino T. Bacterial therapies at the interface of synthetic biology and nanomedicine. NATURE REVIEWS BIOENGINEERING 2024; 2:120-135. [PMID: 38962719 PMCID: PMC11218715 DOI: 10.1038/s44222-023-00119-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Bacteria are emerging as living drugs to treat a broad range of disease indications. However, the inherent advantages of these replicating and immunostimulatory therapies also carry the potential for toxicity. Advances in synthetic biology and the integration of nanomedicine can address this challenge through the engineering of controllable systems that regulate spatial and temporal activation for improved safety and efficacy. Here, we review recent progress in nanobiotechnology-driven engineering of bacteria-based therapies, highlighting limitations and opportunities that will facilitate clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaeseung Hahn
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Suwan Ding
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jongwon Im
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tetsuhiro Harimoto
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kam W. Leong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tal Danino
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Data Science Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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3
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Shao J, Li S, Qiu X, Jiang J, Zhang L, Wang P, Si Y, Wu Y, He M, Xiong Q, Zhao L, Li Y, Fan Y, Viviani M, Fu Y, Wu C, Gao T, Zhu L, Fussenegger M, Wang H, Xie M. Engineered poly(A)-surrogates for translational regulation and therapeutic biocomputation in mammalian cells. Cell Res 2024; 34:31-46. [PMID: 38172533 PMCID: PMC10770082 DOI: 10.1038/s41422-023-00896-y] [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: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Here, we present a gene regulation strategy enabling programmable control over eukaryotic translational initiation. By excising the natural poly-adenylation (poly-A) signal of target genes and replacing it with a synthetic control region harboring RNA-binding protein (RBP)-specific aptamers, cap-dependent translation is rendered exclusively dependent on synthetic translation initiation factors (STIFs) containing different RBPs engineered to conditionally associate with different eIF4F-binding proteins (eIFBPs). This modular design framework facilitates the engineering of various gene switches and intracellular sensors responding to many user-defined trigger signals of interest, demonstrating tightly controlled, rapid and reversible regulation of transgene expression in mammalian cells as well as compatibility with various clinically applicable delivery routes of in vivo gene therapy. Therapeutic efficacy was demonstrated in two animal models. To exemplify disease treatments that require on-demand drug secretion, we show that a custom-designed gene switch triggered by the FDA-approved drug grazoprevir can effectively control insulin expression and restore glucose homeostasis in diabetic mice. For diseases that require instantaneous sense-and-response treatment programs, we create highly specific sensors for various subcellularly (mis)localized protein markers (such as cancer-related fusion proteins) and show that translation-based protein sensors can be used either alone or in combination with other cell-state classification strategies to create therapeutic biocomputers driving self-sufficient elimination of tumor cells in mice. This design strategy demonstrates unprecedented flexibility for translational regulation and could form the basis for a novel class of programmable gene therapies in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawei Shao
- International Institutes of Medicine, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu, Zhejiang, China.
- Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Shichao Li
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xinyuan Qiu
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, College of Science, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jian Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lihang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Research Center of Biological Computation, Zhejiang Laboratory, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Pengli Wang
- Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yaqing Si
- Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuhang Wu
- Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Minghui He
- Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiqi Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Liuqi Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yilin Li
- Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yuxuan Fan
- Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mirta Viviani
- Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Fu
- Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chaohua Wu
- Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ting Gao
- Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lingyun Zhu
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, College of Science, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058, Basel, Switzerland
- Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Hui Wang
- Research Center of Biological Computation, Zhejiang Laboratory, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Mingqi Xie
- Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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Wang X, Zhou X, Kang L, Lai Y, Ye H. Engineering natural molecule-triggered genetic control systems for tunable gene- and cell-based therapies. Synth Syst Biotechnol 2023; 8:416-426. [PMID: 37384125 PMCID: PMC10293594 DOI: 10.1016/j.synbio.2023.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability to precisely control activities of engineered designer cells provides a novel strategy for modern precision medicine. Dynamically adjustable gene- and cell-based precision therapies are recognized as next generation medicines. However, the translation of these controllable therapeutics into clinical practice is severely hampered by the lack of safe and highly specific genetic switches controlled by triggers that are nontoxic and side-effect free. Recently, natural products derived from plants have been extensively explored as trigger molecules to control genetic switches and synthetic gene networks for multiple applications. These controlled genetic switches could be further introduced into mammalian cells to obtain synthetic designer cells for adjustable and fine tunable cell-based precision therapy. In this review, we introduce various available natural molecules that were engineered to control genetic switches for controllable transgene expression, complex logic computation, and therapeutic drug delivery to achieve precision therapy. We also discuss current challenges and prospects in translating these natural molecule-controlled genetic switches developed for biomedical applications from the laboratory to the clinic.
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Jerez-Longres C, Gómez-Matos M, Becker J, Hörner M, Wieland FG, Timmer J, Weber W. Engineering a material-genetic interface as safety switch for embedded therapeutic cells. BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES 2023; 150:213422. [PMID: 37084636 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2023.213422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
Abstract
Encapsulated cell-based therapies involve the use of genetically-modified cells embedded in a material in order to produce a therapeutic agent in a specific location in the patient's body. This approach has shown great potential in animal model systems for treating diseases such as type I diabetes or cancer, with selected approaches having been tested in clinical trials. Despite the promise shown by encapsulated cell therapy, though, there are safety concerns yet to be addressed, such as the escape of the engineered cells from the encapsulation material and the resulting production of therapeutic agents at uncontrolled sites in the body. For that reason, there is great interest in the implementation of safety switches that protect from those side effects. Here, we develop a material-genetic interface as safety switch for engineered mammalian cells embedded into hydrogels. Our switch allows the therapeutic cells to sense whether they are embedded in the hydrogel by means of a synthetic receptor and signaling cascade that link transgene expression to the presence of an intact embedding material. The system design is highly modular, allowing its flexible adaptation to other cell types and embedding materials. This autonomously acting switch constitutes an advantage over previously described safety switches, which rely on user-triggered signals to modulate activity or survival of the implanted cells. We envision that the concept developed here will advance the safety of cell therapies and facilitate their translation to clinical evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Jerez-Longres
- Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestrasse 18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestrasse 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; SGBM - Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine, University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 19a, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Marieta Gómez-Matos
- Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestrasse 18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestrasse 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jan Becker
- Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestrasse 18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestrasse 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Maximilian Hörner
- Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestrasse 18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestrasse 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Franz-Georg Wieland
- Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestrasse 18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; Institute of Physics, University of Freiburg, Hermann-Herder-Strasse 3, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; Freiburg Center for Data Analysis and Modelling (FDM), University of Freiburg, Ernst-Zermelo-Strasse 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jens Timmer
- Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestrasse 18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; Institute of Physics, University of Freiburg, Hermann-Herder-Strasse 3, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; Freiburg Center for Data Analysis and Modelling (FDM), University of Freiburg, Ernst-Zermelo-Strasse 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Wilfried Weber
- INM - Leibniz Institute for New Materials, Campus D2 2, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany; Department of Materials Science and Materials Engineering, Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany; Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestrasse 18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestrasse 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; SGBM - Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine, University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 19a, 79104 Freiburg, Germany.
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6
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Liu F, Yuan Y, Zhang W, Fu Y, Yang M, Yang G, Liu H, Shen H, Li L. A highly sensitive and specific fluorescent strategy for the detection of Visfatin based on nonlinear hybridization chain reaction. Microchem J 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2023.108677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
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7
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Audouard E, Michel F, Pierroz V, Kim T, Rousselot L, Gillet-Legrand B, Dufayet-Chauffaut G, Buchmann P, Florea M, Khel A, Altynbekova K, Delgaldo C, Escudero E, Soler ABA, Cartier N, Piguet F, Folcher M. Bioelectronic cell-based device provides a strategy for the treatment of the experimental model of multiple sclerosis. J Control Release 2022; 352:994-1008. [PMID: 36370877 PMCID: PMC9733677 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.11.008] [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: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Wireless powered optogenetic cell-based implant provides a strategy to deliver subcutaneously therapeutic proteins. Immortalize Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells (hMSC-TERT) expressing the bacteriophytochrome diguanylate cyclase (DGCL) were validated for optogenetic controlled interferon-β delivery (Optoferon cells) in a bioelectronic cell-based implant. Optoferon cells transcriptomic profiling was used to elaborate an in-silico model of the recombinant interferon-β production. Wireless optoelectronic device integration was developed using additive manufacturing and injection molding. Implant cell-based optoelectronic interface manufacturing was established to integrate industrial flexible compact low-resistance screen-printed Near Field Communication (NFC) coil antenna. Optogenetic cell-based implant biocompatibility, and device performances were evaluated in the Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model of multiple sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Audouard
- NeuroGenCell, Paris Brain Institute – ICM, INSERM, CNRS, AP-HP, Sorbonne Université; Hôpital de la Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Fanny Michel
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, D-BSSE, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Vanessa Pierroz
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, D-BSSE, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Taeuk Kim
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, D-BSSE, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Lisa Rousselot
- NeuroGenCell, Paris Brain Institute – ICM, INSERM, CNRS, AP-HP, Sorbonne Université; Hôpital de la Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Béatrix Gillet-Legrand
- NeuroGenCell, Paris Brain Institute – ICM, INSERM, CNRS, AP-HP, Sorbonne Université; Hôpital de la Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Gaëlle Dufayet-Chauffaut
- NeuroGenCell, Paris Brain Institute – ICM, INSERM, CNRS, AP-HP, Sorbonne Université; Hôpital de la Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Peter Buchmann
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, D-BSSE, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michael Florea
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, D-BSSE, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Claudia Delgaldo
- Eurecat, Centre Tecnològic de Catalunya, Functional Printing and Embedded Devices Unit, Mataró, Spain
| | - Encarna Escudero
- Eurecat, Centre Tecnològic de Catalunya, Functional Printing and Embedded Devices Unit, Mataró, Spain
| | - Alejandra Ben Aissa Soler
- Eurecat, Centre Tecnològic de Catalunya, Functional Printing and Embedded Devices Unit, Mataró, Spain
| | - Nathalie Cartier
- NeuroGenCell, Paris Brain Institute – ICM, INSERM, CNRS, AP-HP, Sorbonne Université; Hôpital de la Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Francoise Piguet
- NeuroGenCell, Paris Brain Institute – ICM, INSERM, CNRS, AP-HP, Sorbonne Université; Hôpital de la Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Marc Folcher
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, D-BSSE, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland,Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology, IOB, Basel, Switzerland,Corresponding author at: Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, D-BSSE, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland.
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Stefanov BA, Mansouri M, Charpin-El Hamri G, Fussenegger M. Sunlight-Controllable Biopharmaceutical Production for Remote Emergency Supply of Directly Injectable Therapeutic Proteins. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2202566. [PMID: 36084222 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202202566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Biopharmaceutical manufacturing requires specialized facilities and a long-range cold supply chain for the delivery of the therapeutics to patients. In order to produce biopharmaceuticals in locations lacking such infrastructure, a production process is designed that utilizes the trigger-inducible release of large quantities of a stored therapeutic protein from engineered endocrine cells within minutes to generate a directly injectable saline solution of the protein. To illustrate the versatility of this approach, it is shown that not only insulin, but also glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), nanoluciferase (NLuc), and the model biopharmaceutical erythropoietin (EPO) can be trigger-inducibly released, even when using biologically inactive insulin as a carrier. The facilitating beta cells are engineered with a controllable TRPV1-mediated Ca2+ influx that induces the fusion of cytoplasmic storage vesicles with the membrane, leading to the release of the stored protein. When required, the growth medium is exchanged for saline solution, and the system is stimulated with the small molecule capsaicin, with a hand-warming pack, or simply by using sunlight. Injection of insulin saline solution obtained in this way into a type-1 diabetes mouse model results in the regulation of blood glucose levels. It is believed that this system will be readily adaptable to deliver various biopharmaceutical proteins at remote locations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bozhidar-Adrian Stefanov
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Mattenstrasse 26, Basel, 4058, Switzerland
| | - Maysam Mansouri
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Mattenstrasse 26, Basel, 4058, Switzerland
| | - Ghislaine Charpin-El Hamri
- Département Génie Biologique, Institut Universitaire de Technologie, Villeurbanne, Cedex F-69622, France
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Mattenstrasse 26, Basel, 4058, Switzerland
- Faculty of Life Science, University of Basel, Basel, 4058, Switzerland
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9
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Mahameed M, Fussenegger M. Engineering autonomous closed-loop designer cells for disease therapy. iScience 2022; 25:103834. [PMID: 35243222 PMCID: PMC8857602 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.103834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Mahameed
- ETH Zurich, Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- ETH Zurich, Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Faculty of Life Science, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
- Corresponding author
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10
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Burgos-Morales O, Gueye M, Lacombe L, Nowak C, Schmachtenberg R, Hörner M, Jerez-Longres C, Mohsenin H, Wagner H, Weber W. Synthetic biology as driver for the biologization of materials sciences. Mater Today Bio 2021; 11:100115. [PMID: 34195591 PMCID: PMC8237365 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2021.100115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Materials in nature have fascinating properties that serve as a continuous source of inspiration for materials scientists. Accordingly, bio-mimetic and bio-inspired approaches have yielded remarkable structural and functional materials for a plethora of applications. Despite these advances, many properties of natural materials remain challenging or yet impossible to incorporate into synthetic materials. Natural materials are produced by living cells, which sense and process environmental cues and conditions by means of signaling and genetic programs, thereby controlling the biosynthesis, remodeling, functionalization, or degradation of the natural material. In this context, synthetic biology offers unique opportunities in materials sciences by providing direct access to the rational engineering of how a cell senses and processes environmental information and translates them into the properties and functions of materials. Here, we identify and review two main directions by which synthetic biology can be harnessed to provide new impulses for the biologization of the materials sciences: first, the engineering of cells to produce precursors for the subsequent synthesis of materials. This includes materials that are otherwise produced from petrochemical resources, but also materials where the bio-produced substances contribute unique properties and functions not existing in traditional materials. Second, engineered living materials that are formed or assembled by cells or in which cells contribute specific functions while remaining an integral part of the living composite material. We finally provide a perspective of future scientific directions of this promising area of research and discuss science policy that would be required to support research and development in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- O. Burgos-Morales
- École Supérieure de Biotechnologie de Strasbourg - ESBS, University of Strasbourg, Illkirch, 67412, France
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, 79104, Germany
| | - M. Gueye
- École Supérieure de Biotechnologie de Strasbourg - ESBS, University of Strasbourg, Illkirch, 67412, France
| | - L. Lacombe
- École Supérieure de Biotechnologie de Strasbourg - ESBS, University of Strasbourg, Illkirch, 67412, France
| | - C. Nowak
- École Supérieure de Biotechnologie de Strasbourg - ESBS, University of Strasbourg, Illkirch, 67412, France
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, 79104, Germany
| | - R. Schmachtenberg
- École Supérieure de Biotechnologie de Strasbourg - ESBS, University of Strasbourg, Illkirch, 67412, France
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, 79104, Germany
| | - M. Hörner
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, 79104, Germany
- Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, 79104, Germany
| | - C. Jerez-Longres
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, 79104, Germany
- Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, 79104, Germany
- Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine - SGBM, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, 79104, Germany
| | - H. Mohsenin
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, 79104, Germany
- Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, 79104, Germany
| | - H.J. Wagner
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, 79104, Germany
- Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, 79104, Germany
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering - D-BSSE, ETH Zurich, Basel, 4058, Switzerland
| | - W. Weber
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, 79104, Germany
- Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, 79104, Germany
- Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine - SGBM, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, 79104, Germany
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11
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Abstract
The ability to detect disease early and deliver precision therapy would be transformative for the treatment of human illnesses. To achieve these goals, biosensors that can pinpoint when and where diseases emerge are needed. Rapid advances in synthetic biology are enabling us to exploit the information-processing abilities of living cells to diagnose disease and then treat it in a controlled fashion. For example, living sensors could be designed to precisely sense disease biomarkers, such as by-products of inflammation, and to respond by delivering targeted therapeutics in situ. Here, we provide an overview of ongoing efforts in microbial biosensor design, highlight translational opportunities, and discuss challenges for enabling sense-and-respond precision medicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Eugenia Inda
- MIT Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
- Research Laboratory of Electronics, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Timothy K. Lu
- MIT Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
- Research Laboratory of Electronics, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
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12
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Liu J, Cao L, Qu JZ, Chen TT, Su ZJ, Hu YL, Wang Y, Yao MD, Xiao WH, Li C, Li B, Yuan YJ. NVD-BM-mediated genetic biosensor triggers accumulation of 7-dehydrocholesterol and inhibits melanoma via Akt1/NF-ĸB signaling. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:15021-15036. [PMID: 32712598 PMCID: PMC7425431 DOI: 10.18632/aging.103562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Aberrant activation of the cholesterol biosynthesis supports tumor cell growth. In recent years, significant progress has been made by targeting rate-limiting enzymes in cholesterol biosynthesis pathways to prevent carcinogenesis. However, precise mechanisms behind cholesterol degradation in cancer cells have not been comprehensively investigated. Here, we report that codon optimization of the orthologous cholesterol 7-desaturase, NVD-BM from Bombyx mori, significantly slowed melanoma cell proliferation and migration, and inhibited cancer cell engraftment in nude mice, by converting cholesterol to toxic 7-dehydrocholesterol. Based on these observations, we established a synthetic genetic circuit to induce melanoma cell regression by sensing tumor specific signals in melanoma cells. The dual-input signals, RELA proto-oncogene (RELA) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1), activated NVD-BM expression and repressed melanoma cell proliferation and migration. Mechanically, we observed that NVD-BM decreased Akt1-ser473 phosphorylation and inhibited cytoplasmic RELA translocation. Taken together, NVD-BM was identified as a tumor suppressor in malignant melanoma, and we established a dual-input biosensor to promote cancer cell regression, via Akt1/NF-κB signaling. Our results demonstrate the potential therapeutic effects of cholesterol 7-desaturase in melanoma metabolism, and provides insights for genetic circuits targeting 7-dehydrocholesterol accumulation in tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Liu
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Lei Cao
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Jun-Ze Qu
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Ting-Ting Chen
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Genome Stability and Disease Prevention, Carson International Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Zi-Jie Su
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Genome Stability and Disease Prevention, Carson International Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Yun-Long Hu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, Department of Pathogen Biology, Shenzhen University, Health Science Center, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Ming-Dong Yao
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Wen-Hai Xiao
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Chun Li
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Bo Li
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, Department of Pathogen Biology, Shenzhen University, Health Science Center, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Ying-Jin Yuan
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
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13
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Abstract
The engineering of living cells and microbes is ushering in a new era of cancer therapy. Due to recent microbiome studies indicating the prevalence of bacteria within the human body and specifically in tumor tissue, bacteria have generated significant interest as potential targets for cancer therapy. Notably, a multitude of empirical studies over the past decades have demonstrated that administered bacteria home and grow in tumors due to reduced immune surveillance of tumor necrotic cores. Given their specificity for tumors, bacteria present a unique opportunity to be engineered as intelligent delivery vehicles for cancer therapy with synthetic biology techniques. In this review, we discuss the history, current state, and future challenges associated with using bacteria as a cancer therapy.
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14
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Liao MJ, Din MO, Tsimring L, Hasty J. Rock-paper-scissors: Engineered population dynamics increase genetic stability. Science 2019; 365:1045-1049. [PMID: 31488693 PMCID: PMC6988775 DOI: 10.1126/science.aaw0542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Advances in synthetic biology have led to an arsenal of proof-of-principle bacterial circuits that can be leveraged for applications ranging from therapeutics to bioproduction. A unifying challenge for most applications is the presence of selective pressures that lead to high mutation rates for engineered bacteria. A common strategy is to develop cloning technologies aimed at increasing the fixation time for deleterious mutations in single cells. We adopt a complementary approach that is guided by ecological interactions, whereby cyclical population control is engineered to stabilize the functionality of intracellular gene circuits. Three strains of Escherichia coli were designed such that each strain could kill or be killed by one of the other two strains. The resulting "rock-paper-scissors" dynamic demonstrates rapid cycling of strains in microfluidic devices and leads to an increase in the stability of gene circuit functionality in cell culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Liao
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- BioCircuits Institute, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - M Omar Din
- BioCircuits Institute, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Lev Tsimring
- BioCircuits Institute, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- San Diego Center for Systems Biology, University of California-San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Jeff Hasty
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- BioCircuits Institute, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- San Diego Center for Systems Biology, University of California-San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
- Molecular Biology Section, Division of Biological Science, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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15
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Healy CP, Deans TL. Genetic circuits to engineer tissues with alternative functions. J Biol Eng 2019; 13:39. [PMID: 31073328 PMCID: PMC6500048 DOI: 10.1186/s13036-019-0170-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 04/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Persistent and complex problems arising with respect to human physiology and pathology have led to intense investigation into therapies and tools that permit more targeted outcomes and biomimetic responses to pathological conditions. A primary goal in mammalian synthetic biology is to build genetic circuits that exert fine control over cell behavior for next-generation biomedical applications. In pursuit of this, synthetic biologists have engineered cells endowed with genetic circuits with sensor that are capable of reacting to a variety of stimuli and responding with targeted behavior. Here, we highlight how synthetic biology approaches are being used to program cells with novel functions for therapeutic applications, and how they can be used in stem cells to improve differentiation outcomes. These approaches open the possibilities for engineering synthetic tissues for employing personalized medicine and to develop next-generation biomedical therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- C P Healy
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112 USA
| | - T L Deans
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112 USA
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16
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Harimoto T, Singer ZS, Velazquez OS, Zhang J, Castro S, Hinchliffe TE, Mather W, Danino T. Rapid screening of engineered microbial therapies in a 3D multicellular model. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:9002-9007. [PMID: 30996123 PMCID: PMC6500119 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1820824116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Synthetic biology is transforming therapeutic paradigms by engineering living cells and microbes to intelligently sense and respond to diseases including inflammation, infections, metabolic disorders, and cancer. However, the ability to rapidly engineer new therapies far outpaces the throughput of animal-based testing regimes, creating a major bottleneck for clinical translation. In vitro approaches to address this challenge have been limited in scalability and broad applicability. Here, we present a bacteria-in-spheroid coculture (BSCC) platform that simultaneously tests host species, therapeutic payloads, and synthetic gene circuits of engineered bacteria within multicellular spheroids over a timescale of weeks. Long-term monitoring of bacterial dynamics and disease progression enables quantitative comparison of critical therapeutic parameters such as efficacy and biocontainment. Specifically, we screen Salmonella typhimurium strains expressing and delivering a library of antitumor therapeutic molecules via several synthetic gene circuits. We identify candidates exhibiting significant tumor reduction and demonstrate high similarity in their efficacies, using a syngeneic mouse model. Last, we show that our platform can be expanded to dynamically profile diverse microbial species including Listeria monocytogenes, Proteus mirabilis, and Escherichia coli in various host cell types. This high-throughput framework may serve to accelerate synthetic biology for clinical applications and for understanding the host-microbe interactions in disease sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuhiro Harimoto
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027
| | - Zakary S Singer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027
| | - Oscar S Velazquez
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027
| | - Joanna Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027
| | - Samuel Castro
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027
| | - Taylor E Hinchliffe
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027
| | - William Mather
- BioCircuits Institute, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Tal Danino
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027;
- Data Science Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027
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17
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Mansouri M, Strittmatter T, Fussenegger M. Light-Controlled Mammalian Cells and Their Therapeutic Applications in Synthetic Biology. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2019; 6:1800952. [PMID: 30643713 PMCID: PMC6325585 DOI: 10.1002/advs.201800952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Revised: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
The ability to remote control the expression of therapeutic genes in mammalian cells in order to treat disease is a central goal of synthetic biology-inspired therapeutic strategies. Furthermore, optogenetics, a combination of light and genetic sciences, provides an unprecedented ability to use light for precise control of various cellular activities with high spatiotemporal resolution. Recent work to combine optogenetics and therapeutic synthetic biology has led to the engineering of light-controllable designer cells, whose behavior can be regulated precisely and noninvasively. This Review focuses mainly on non-neural optogenetic systems, which are often used in synthetic biology, and their applications in genetic programing of mammalian cells. Here, a brief overview of the optogenetic tool kit that is available to build light-sensitive mammalian cells is provided. Then, recently developed strategies for the control of designer cells with specific biological functions are summarized. Recent translational applications of optogenetically engineered cells are also highlighted, ranging from in vitro basic research to in vivo light-controlled gene therapy. Finally, current bottlenecks, possible solutions, and future prospects for optogenetics in synthetic biology are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maysam Mansouri
- Department of Biosystems Science and EngineeringETH ZurichMattenstrasse 26CH‐4058BaselSwitzerland
| | - Tobias Strittmatter
- Department of Biosystems Science and EngineeringETH ZurichMattenstrasse 26CH‐4058BaselSwitzerland
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and EngineeringETH ZurichMattenstrasse 26CH‐4058BaselSwitzerland
- Faculty of ScienceUniversity of BaselMattenstrasse 26CH‐4058BaselSwitzerland
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18
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Hughes RM. A compendium of chemical and genetic approaches to light-regulated gene transcription. Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol 2018; 53:453-474. [PMID: 30040498 DOI: 10.1080/10409238.2018.1487382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
On-cue regulation of gene transcription is an invaluable tool for the study of biological processes and the development and integration of next-generation therapeutics. Ideal reagents for the precise regulation of gene transcription should be nontoxic to the host system, highly tunable, and provide a high level of spatial and temporal control. Light, when coupled with protein or small molecule-linked photoresponsive elements, presents an attractive means of meeting the demands of an ideal system for regulating gene transcription. In this review, we cover recent developments in the burgeoning field of light-regulated gene transcription, covering both genetically encoded and small-molecule based strategies for optical regulation of transcription during the period 2012 till present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert M Hughes
- a Department of Chemistry , East Carolina University , Greenville , NC , USA
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19
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Weisenberger MS, Deans TL. Bottom-up approaches in synthetic biology and biomaterials for tissue engineering applications. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 2018; 45:599-614. [PMID: 29552703 PMCID: PMC6041164 DOI: 10.1007/s10295-018-2027-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2018] [Accepted: 03/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic biologists use engineering principles to design and construct genetic circuits for programming cells with novel functions. A bottom-up approach is commonly used to design and construct genetic circuits by piecing together functional modules that are capable of reprogramming cells with novel behavior. While genetic circuits control cell operations through the tight regulation of gene expression, a diverse array of environmental factors within the extracellular space also has a significant impact on cell behavior. This extracellular space offers an addition route for synthetic biologists to apply their engineering principles to program cell-responsive modules within the extracellular space using biomaterials. In this review, we discuss how taking a bottom-up approach to build genetic circuits using DNA modules can be applied to biomaterials for controlling cell behavior from the extracellular milieu. We suggest that, by collectively controlling intrinsic and extrinsic signals in synthetic biology and biomaterials, tissue engineering outcomes can be improved.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tara L Deans
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA.
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20
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Boyle CN, Lutz TA, Le Foll C. Amylin - Its role in the homeostatic and hedonic control of eating and recent developments of amylin analogs to treat obesity. Mol Metab 2017; 8:203-210. [PMID: 29203236 PMCID: PMC5985014 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2017.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2017] [Revised: 11/13/2017] [Accepted: 11/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amylin is a pancreatic β-cell hormone that produces effects in several different organ systems. One of its best-characterized effects is the reduction in eating and body weight seen in preclinical and clinical studies. Amylin activates specific receptors, a portion of which it shares with calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). Amylin's role in the control of energy metabolism relates to its satiating effect, but recent data indicate that amylin may also affect hedonic aspects in the control of eating, including a reduction of the rewarding value of food. Recently, several amylin-based peptides have been characterized. Pramlintide (Symlin®) is currently the only one being used clinically to treat type 1 and type 2 diabetes. However other amylin analogs with improved pharmacokinetic properties are being considered as anti-obesity treatment strategies. Several other studies in obesity have shown that amylin agonists could also be useful for weight loss, especially in combination with other agents. SCOPE OF REVIEW This review will briefly summarize amylin physiology and pharmacology and then focus on amylin's role in food reward and the effects of amylin analogs in pre-clinical testing for anti-obesity drugs. CONCLUSION We propose here that the effects of amylin may be homeostatic and hedonic in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Neuner Boyle
- Institute of Veterinary Physiology and Zurich Centre for Integrative Human Physiology, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Alexander Lutz
- Institute of Veterinary Physiology and Zurich Centre for Integrative Human Physiology, University of Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Christelle Le Foll
- Institute of Veterinary Physiology and Zurich Centre for Integrative Human Physiology, University of Zurich, Switzerland
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21
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Mircetic J, Dietrich A, Paszkowski-Rogacz M, Krause M, Buchholz F. Development of a genetic sensor that eliminates p53 deficient cells. Nat Commun 2017; 8:1463. [PMID: 29133879 PMCID: PMC5684360 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01688-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2015] [Accepted: 10/09/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The TP53 gene fulfills a central role in protecting cells from genetic insult. Given this crucial role it might be surprising that p53 itself is not essential for cell survival. Indeed, TP53 is the single most mutated gene across different cancer types. Thus, both a theoretical and a question of significant practical applicability arise: can cells be programmed to make TP53 an essential gene? Here we present a genetic p53 sensor, in which the loss of p53 is coupled to the rise of HSV-TK expression. We show that the sensor can distinguish both p53 knockout and cells expressing a common TP53 cancer mutation from otherwise isogenic TP53 wild-type cells. Importantly, the system is sensitive enough to specifically target TP53 loss-of-function cells with the HSV-TK pro-drug Ganciclovir both in vitro and in vivo. Our work opens new ways to programming cell intrinsic transformation protection systems that rely on endogenous components. TP53 is mutated in many cancers, a system to detect and selectively eliminate p53 mutant cells is an attractive therapeutic strategy. Here, the authors present a genetic sensor that can detect p53 activity and is coupled to the thymidine kinase gene, which can activate the drug Ganciclovir, resulting in cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jovan Mircetic
- Medical Faculty and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, UCC Section Medical Systems Biology, TU Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Antje Dietrich
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Maciej Paszkowski-Rogacz
- Medical Faculty and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, UCC Section Medical Systems Biology, TU Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Mechthild Krause
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany.,Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology, 01328, Dresden, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany.,National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Frank Buchholz
- Medical Faculty and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, UCC Section Medical Systems Biology, TU Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany. .,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany. .,National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany. .,Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
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