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Qian W, Good MC. Peeking under the hood of early embryogenesis: Using tools and synthetic biology to understand native control systems and sculpt tissues. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2023; 141:43-49. [PMID: 35525819 PMCID: PMC9633583 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.04.016] [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: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Early embryogenesis requires rapid division of pluripotent blastomeres, regulated genome activation, precise spatiotemporal signaling to pattern cell fate, and morphogenesis to shape primitive tissue architectures. The complexity of this process has inspired researchers to move beyond simple genetic perturbation into engineered devices and synthetic biology tools to permit temporal and spatial manipulation of the control systems guiding development. By precise alteration of embryo organization, it is now possible to advance beyond basic analytical strategies and directly test the sufficiency of models for developmental regulation. Separately, advances in micropatterning and embryoid culture have facilitated the bottom-up construction of complex embryo tissues allowing ex vivo systems to recapitulate even later stages of development. Embryos fertilized and grown ex vivo offer an excellent opportunity to exogenously perturb fundamental pathways governing embryogenesis. Here we review the technologies developed to thermally modulate the embryo cell cycle, and optically regulate morphogen and signaling pathways in space and time, specifically in the blastula embryo. Additionally, we highlight recent advances in cell patterning in two and three dimensions that have helped reveal the self-organizing properties and gene regulatory networks guiding early embryo organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenchao Qian
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA,Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Matthew C. Good
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA,Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA,Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA,Lead Contact,Correspondence: (M.C.G), Address: 421 Curie Blvd, 1151 Biomedical Research Building, Philadelphia PA 19104
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2
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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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Fan H, Barnes C, Hwang H, Zhang K, Yang J. Precise modulation of embryonic development through optogenetics. Genesis 2022; 60:e23505. [PMID: 36478118 PMCID: PMC9847014 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23505] [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: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The past decade has witnessed enormous progress in optogenetics, which uses photo-sensitive proteins to control signal transduction in live cells and animals. The ever-increasing amount of optogenetic tools, however, could overwhelm the selection of appropriate optogenetic strategies. In this work, we summarize recent progress in this emerging field and highlight the application of opsin-free optogenetics in studying embryonic development, focusing on new insights gained into optical induction of morphogenesis, cell polarity, cell fate determination, tissue differentiation, neuronal regeneration, synaptic plasticity, and removal of cells during development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huaxun Fan
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Collin Barnes
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Hyojeong Hwang
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61802, USA
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA,Authors for correspondence: Kai Zhang, Ph.D., , 600 South Mathews Avenue, 314 B Roger Adams Laboratory,Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA, Phone: 1-217-300-0582; Jing Yang, Ph.D., , 2001 S Lincoln Ave, VMBSB3411, Urbana, Illinois 61802, USA, Phone: 1-217-333-6825
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61802, USA,Authors for correspondence: Kai Zhang, Ph.D., , 600 South Mathews Avenue, 314 B Roger Adams Laboratory,Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA, Phone: 1-217-300-0582; Jing Yang, Ph.D., , 2001 S Lincoln Ave, VMBSB3411, Urbana, Illinois 61802, USA, Phone: 1-217-333-6825
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4
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Wang Q, Huang X, Su Y, Yin G, Wang S, Yu B, Li H, Qi J, Chen H, Zeng W, Zhang K, Verkhratsky A, Niu J, Yi C. Activation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway mitigates blood-brain barrier dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease. Brain 2022; 145:4474-4488. [PMID: 35788280 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awac236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that causes age-dependent neurological and cognitive declines. The treatments for AD pose a significant challenge, because the mechanisms of disease are not being fully understood. Malfunction of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is increasingly recognized as a major contributor to the pathophysiology of AD, especially at the early stages of the disease. However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly characterized, while few molecules can directly target and improve BBB function in the context of AD. Here, we showed dysfunctional BBB in AD patients reflected by perivascular accumulation of blood-derived fibrinogen in the hippocampus and cortex, accompanied by decreased tight junction proteins Claudin-5 and glucose transporter Glut-1 in the brain endothelial cells (BECs). In the APPswe/PS1dE9 (APP/PS1) mouse model of AD, BBB dysfunction started at 4 months of age and became severe at 9 months of age. In the cerebral microvessels of APP/PS1 mice and Aβ-treated BECs, we found suppressed Wnt/β-catenin signaling triggered by an increase of GSK3β activation, but not an inhibition of the AKT pathway or switching to the Wnt/planar cell polarity pathway. Furthermore, using our newly developed optogenetic tool for controlled regulation of LRP6 (upstream regulator of the Wnt signaling) to activate Wnt/β-catenin pathway, BBB malfunction was restored by preventing Aβ-induced BEC impairments and promoting the barrier repair. In conclusion, targeting LRP6 in the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in the brain endothelium can alleviate BBB malfunction induced by Aβ, which may be a potential treatment strategy for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Wang
- Research Centre, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Histology and Embryology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaomin Huang
- Research Centre, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yixun Su
- Research Centre, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Histology and Embryology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Guowei Yin
- Research Centre, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shouyu Wang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Bin Yu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hui Li
- Research Centre, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Histology and Embryology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Junhua Qi
- Research Centre, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hui Chen
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Wen Zeng
- Department of Cell Biology, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Alexei Verkhratsky
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,Achucarro Center for Neuroscience, IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, 48011 Bilbao, Spain
| | - Jianqin Niu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chenju Yi
- Research Centre, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
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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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6
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Garabedian MV, Good MC. OptoLRP6 Illuminates Wnt Signaling in Early Embryo Development. J Mol Biol 2021; 433:167053. [PMID: 34015280 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2021.167053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Mikael V Garabedian
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania, PA 19104, United States
| | - Matthew C Good
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania, PA 19104, United States; Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, PA 19104, United States.
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