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Zhang ZJ, Ding LY, Zuo XL, Feng H, Xia Q. A new paradigm in transplant immunology: At the crossroad of synthetic biology and biomaterials. MED 2023:S2666-6340(23)00142-3. [PMID: 37244257 DOI: 10.1016/j.medj.2023.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients require meticulously tailored immunosuppressive regimens to minimize graft loss and mortality. Traditional approaches focus on inhibiting effector T cells, while the intricate and dynamic immune responses mediated by other components remain unsolved. Emerging advances in synthetic biology and material science have provided novel treatment modalities with increased diversity and precision to the transplantation community. This review investigates the active interface between these two fields, highlights how living and non-living structures can be engineered and integrated for immunomodulation, and discusses their potential application in addressing the challenges in SOT clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Jie Zhang
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Centre of Transplantation and Immunology, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Lu-Yue Ding
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Xiao-Lei Zuo
- Shanghai Engineering Research Centre of Transplantation and Immunology, Shanghai 200127, China; School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules and National Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Hao Feng
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Centre of Transplantation and Immunology, Shanghai 200127, China; Shanghai Institute of Transplantation, Shanghai 200127, China; Punan Branch (Shanghai Punan Hospital), Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China.
| | - Qiang Xia
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Centre of Transplantation and Immunology, Shanghai 200127, China; Shanghai Institute of Transplantation, Shanghai 200127, China.
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2
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Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment with Molecularly Targeted Therapy and Concurrent Radiotherapy—A Review. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065858. [PMID: 36982933 PMCID: PMC10052930 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide for both men and women. Surgery can be offered as a radical treatment at stages I and II and selected cases of stage III (III A). Whereas at more advanced stages, combined modalities of treatment are applied: radiochemotherapy (IIIB) and molecularly targeted treatment (small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors, VEGF receptor inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, and immunological treatment with monoclonal antibodies). Combination treatment, composed of radiotherapy and molecular therapy, is increasingly employed in locally advanced and metastatic lung cancer management. Recent studies have indicated a synergistic effect of such treatment and modification of immune response. The combination of immunotherapy and radiotherapy may result in the enhancement of the abscopal effect. Anti-angiogenic therapy, in combination with RT, is associated with high toxicity and should be not recommended. In this paper, the authors discuss the role of molecular treatment and the possibility of its concurrent use with radiotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
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3
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Szatkowska L, Sieczek J, Tekiela K, Ziętek M, Stachyra-Strawa P, Cisek P, Matkowski R. Outcomes of Patients with Metastatic Melanoma-A Single-Institution Retrospective Analysis. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14071672. [PMID: 35406444 PMCID: PMC8997072 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14071672] [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] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: This study assessed risk factors and the results of treatment with anti-PD-1 antibodies and BRAF/MEK inhibitors for advanced malignant melanoma. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 52 patients treated with immunotherapy and BRAF/MEK inhibitors for disseminated malignant melanoma. Results: The median follow-up was 31 months (6−108 months). The median PFS1 was 6 months (1−44 months). Second-line systemic treatment was applied in 27 patients (52%). The median PFS2 was 2 months (0−27 months), and the median OS was 31 months (6−108 months). Among the analyzed risk factors, only the presence of the BRAF mutation was statistically significant for disease recurrence after surgery. In patients undergoing anti-BRAF/MEK therapy, the median PFS1 was 7 months, and in patients undergoing mono-immunotherapy, 4 months. The 12- and 24-month PFS1 rates in the group treated with BRAF inhibitors were 29 and 7%, respectively, and in patients treated with mono-immunotherapy 13 and 0%, respectively (Z = 1.998, p = 0.04). The type of treatment used had no effect on OS (Z = 0.237, p > 0.05). Conclusion: Patients with the V600 mutation should be closely monitored. In the event of disease recurrence, treatment with BRAF/MEK inhibitors should be considered. The type of treatment used has no effect on OS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidia Szatkowska
- Clinical Department of Cardiology, 4th Military Hospital, Rudolfa Weigla 5, 50-981 Wrocław, Poland
- Correspondence:
| | - Jan Sieczek
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Provincial Specialist Hospital, Kamieńskiego 73A, 51-124 Wrocław, Poland;
| | - Katarzyna Tekiela
- Department of Oncology, Lower Silesian Oncology, Pulmonology and Hematology Center, Plac Hirszfelda 12, 53-413 Wrocław, Poland;
| | - Marcin Ziętek
- Department of Oncology, Wrocław Medical University, wyb. L. Pasteura 1, 50-367 Wrocław, Poland; (M.Z.); (R.M.)
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Lower Silesian Oncology, Pulmonology and Hematology Center, Plac Hirszfelda 12, 53-413 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Paulina Stachyra-Strawa
- Department of Radiotherapy, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 7, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (P.S.-S.); (P.C.)
| | - Paweł Cisek
- Department of Radiotherapy, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 7, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (P.S.-S.); (P.C.)
| | - Rafał Matkowski
- Department of Oncology, Wrocław Medical University, wyb. L. Pasteura 1, 50-367 Wrocław, Poland; (M.Z.); (R.M.)
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Lower Silesian Oncology, Pulmonology and Hematology Center, Plac Hirszfelda 12, 53-413 Wrocław, Poland
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4
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Abstract
Proteins play a key role in living organisms. The study of proteins and their dynamics provides information about their functionality, catalysis and potential alterations towards pathological diseases. Several techniques are used for studying protein dynamics, e.g., magnetic resonance, fluorescence imaging techniques, mid-infrared spectroscopy and biochemical assays. Spectroscopic analysis, based on the use of terahertz (THz) radiation with frequencies between 0.1 and 15 THz (3–500 cm−1), was underestimated by the biochemical community. In recent years, however, the potential of THz spectroscopy in the analysis of both simple structures, such as polypeptide molecules, and complex structures, such as protein complexes, has been demonstrated. The THz absorption spectrum provides some information on proteins: for small molecules the THz spectrum is dominated by individual modes related to the presence of hydrogen bonds. For peptides, the spectral information concerns their secondary structure, while for complex proteins such as globular proteins and viral glycoproteins, spectra also provide information on collective modes. In this short review, we discuss the results obtained by THz spectroscopy in the protein dynamics investigations. In particular, we will illustrate advantages and applications of THz spectroscopy, pointing out the complementary information it may provide.
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5
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The use of supercytokines, immunocytokines, engager cytokines, and other synthetic cytokines in immunotherapy. Cell Mol Immunol 2022; 19:192-209. [PMID: 35043005 PMCID: PMC8803834 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-021-00786-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytokines exert powerful immunomodulatory effects that are critical to physiology and pathology in humans. The application of natural cytokines in clinical studies has not been clearly established, and there are often problems associated with toxicity or lack of efficacy. The key reasons can be attributed to the pleiotropy of cytokine receptors and undesired activation of off-target cells. With a deeper understanding of the structural principles and functional signals of cytokine-receptor interactions, artificial modification of cytokine signaling through protein engineering and synthetic immunology has become an increasingly feasible and powerful approach. Engineered cytokines are designed to selectively target cells. Herein, the theoretical and experimental evidence of cytokine engineering is reviewed, and the "supercytokines" resulting from structural enhancement and the "immunocytokines" generated by antibody fusion are described. Finally, the "engager cytokines" formed by the crosslinking of cytokines and bispecific immune engagers and other synthetic cytokines formed by nonnatural analogs are also discussed.
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Abstract
The ability to read, write, and edit genomic information in living organisms can have a profound impact on research, health, economic, and environmental issues. The CRISPR/Cas system, recently discovered as an adaptive immune system in prokaryotes, has revolutionized the ease and throughput of genome editing in mammalian cells and has proved itself indispensable to the engineering of immune cells and identification of novel immune mechanisms. In this review, we summarize the CRISPR/Cas9 system and the history of its discovery and optimization. We then focus on engineering T cells and other types of immune cells, with emphasis on therapeutic applications. Last, we describe the different modifications of Cas9 and their recent applications in the genome-wide screening of immune cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Segi Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Cedric Hupperetz
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Seongjoon Lim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Chan Hyuk Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
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7
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Kim S, Hupperetz C, Lim S, Kim CH. Genome editing of immune cells using CRISPR/Cas9. BMB Rep 2021; 54:59-69. [PMID: 33298251 PMCID: PMC7851445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 03/31/2024] Open
Abstract
The ability to read, write, and edit genomic information in living organisms can have a profound impact on research, health, economic, and environmental issues. The CRISPR/Cas system, recently discovered as an adaptive immune system in prokaryotes, has revolutionized the ease and throughput of genome editing in mammalian cells and has proved itself indispensable to the engineering of immune cells and identification of novel immune mechanisms. In this review, we summarize the CRISPR/ Cas9 system and the history of its discovery and optimization. We then focus on engineering T cells and other types of immune cells, with emphasis on therapeutic applications. Last, we describe the different modifications of Cas9 and their recent applications in the genome-wide screening of immune cells. [BMB Reports 2021; 54(1): 59-69].
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Affiliation(s)
- Segi Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Cedric Hupperetz
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Seongjoon Lim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Chan Hyuk Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
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8
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Parasar B, Chang PV. Engineered Th17 Cell Differentiation Using a Photoactivatable Immune Modulator. J Am Chem Soc 2020; 142:18103-18108. [PMID: 32975936 PMCID: PMC11100974 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c07485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
T helper 17 (Th17) cells, an important subset of CD4+ T cells, help to eliminate extracellular infectious pathogens that have invaded our tissues. Despite the critical roles of Th17 cells in immunity, how the immune system regulates the production and maintenance of this cell type remains poorly understood. In particular, the plasticity of these cells or their dynamic ability to trans-differentiate into other CD4+ T cell subsets remains mostly uncharacterized. Here, we report a synthetic immunology approach using a photoactivatable immune modulator (PIM) to increase Th17 cell differentiation on demand with spatial and temporal precision to help elucidate this important and dynamic process. In this chemical strategy, we developed a latent agonist that upon photochemical activation releases a small-molecule ligand that targets the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and ultimately induces Th17 cell differentiation. We used this chemical tool to control AhR activation with spatiotemporal precision within cells and to modulate Th17 cell differentiation on demand using UV light illumination. We envision that this approach will enable an understanding of the dynamic functions and behaviors of Th17 cells in vivo during immune responses and in mouse models of inflammatory disease.
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9
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Banstola A, Jeong JH, Yook S. Immunoadjuvants for cancer immunotherapy: A review of recent developments. Acta Biomater 2020; 114:16-30. [PMID: 32777293 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2020.07.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy evolved as a new treatment modality to eradicate tumor cells and has gained in popularity after its successful clinical transition. By activating antigen-presenting cells (APCs), and thus, inducing innate or adaptive immune responses, immunoadjuvants have become promising tools for cancer immunotherapy. Different types of immunoadjuvants such as toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists, exosomes, and metallic and plant-derived immunoadjuvants have been studied for their immunological effects. However, the clinical use of immunoadjuvants is limited by short response rates and various side-effects. The rapid progress made in the development of nanoparticle systems as immunoadjuvant carrier vehicles has provided potential carriers for cancer immunotherapy. In this review article, we describe different types of immunoadjuvants, their limitations, modes of action, and the reasons for their clinical adoption. In addition, we review recent progress made in the nanoparticle-based immunoadjuvant field and on the combined use of nanoparticle-based immunoadjuvants and chemotherapy, phototherapy, radiation therapy, and immune checkpoint inhibitor-based therapy. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Cancer immunotherapy emerged as a new hope for treating malignant tumors. Different types of immunoadjuvants serve as an important tool for cancer immunotherapy by activating an innate or adaptive immune response. Limitation of free immunoadjuvant has paved the path for the development of nanoparticle-based immunoadjuvant therapy with the hope of prolonging the therapeutic efficacy. This review highlights the recent advancement made in nanoparticle-based immunoadjuvant therapy in modulating the adaptive and innate immune system. The application of the combinatorial approach of chemotherapy, phototherapy, radiation therapy adds synergy in nanoparticle-based immunoadjuvant therapy. It will broaden the reader's understanding on the recent progress made in immunotherapy with the aid of immunoadjuvant-based nanosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asmita Banstola
- College of Pharmacy, Keimyung University, Daegu, 42601, Republic of Korea
| | - Jee-Heon Jeong
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk 38541, Republic of Korea.
| | - Simmyung Yook
- College of Pharmacy, Keimyung University, Daegu, 42601, Republic of Korea.
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10
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Choe JH, Williams JZ, Lim WA. Engineering T Cells to Treat Cancer: The Convergence of Immuno-Oncology and Synthetic Biology. ANNUAL REVIEW OF CANCER BIOLOGY-SERIES 2020. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-cancerbio-030419-033657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
T cells engineered to recognize and kill tumor cells have emerged as powerful agents for combating cancer. Nonetheless, our ability to engineer T cells remains relatively primitive. Aside from CAR T cells for treating B cell malignancies, most T cell therapies are risky, toxic, and often ineffective, especially those that target solid cancers. To fulfill the promise of cell-based therapies, we must transform cell engineering into a systematic and predictable science by applying the principles and tools of synthetic biology. Synthetic biology uses a hierarchical approach—assembling sets of modular molecular parts that can be combined into larger circuits and systems that perform defined target tasks. We outline the toolkit of synthetic modules that are needed to overcome the challenges of solid cancers, progress in building these components, and how these modules could be used to reliably engineer more effective and precise T cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph H. Choe
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology and Cell Design Initiative, University of California, San Francisco, California 94158, USA
| | - Jasper Z. Williams
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology and Cell Design Initiative, University of California, San Francisco, California 94158, USA
| | - Wendell A. Lim
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology and Cell Design Initiative, University of California, San Francisco, California 94158, USA
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11
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Gorbet MJ, Ranjan A. Cancer immunotherapy with immunoadjuvants, nanoparticles, and checkpoint inhibitors: Recent progress and challenges in treatment and tracking response to immunotherapy. Pharmacol Ther 2019; 207:107456. [PMID: 31863820 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2019.107456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation are accepted as the preferred treatment modalities against cancer, but in recent years the use of immunotherapeutic approaches has gained prominence as the fourth treatment modality in cancer patients. In this approach, a patient's innate and adaptive immune systems are activated to achieve clearance of occult cancerous cells. In this review, we discuss the preclinical and clinical immunotherapeutic (e.g., immunoadjuvants (in-situ vaccines, oncolytic viruses, CXC antagonists, device activated agents), organic and inorganic nanoparticles, and checkpoint blockade) that are under investigation for cancer therapy and diagnostics. Additionally, the innovations in imaging of immune cells for tracking therapeutic responses and limitations (e.g., toxicity, inefficient immunomodulation, etc.) are described. Existing data suggest that if immune therapy is optimized, it can be a real and potentially paradigm-shifting cancer treatment frontier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael-Joseph Gorbet
- Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74074, USA
| | - Ashish Ranjan
- Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74074, USA.
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12
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Huber AD, Chen T. Discovering Anti-cancer Immune Enhancers in a Miniaturized Immune-Tumor Microenvironment. Cell Chem Biol 2019; 26:314-316. [PMID: 30901558 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2019.03.004] [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] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
In this issue of Cell Chemical Biology, Mo et al. (2019) report the development and validation of a co-culture system with cancer and immune cells that is suitable for high-throughput screening. The method is an important step forward in technologies for identifying cancer-cell-specific immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew D Huber
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Taosheng Chen
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA.
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13
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Nowak K, Jabłońska E, Ratajczak-Wrona W. Immunomodulatory effects of synthetic endocrine disrupting chemicals on the development and functions of human immune cells. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2019; 125:350-364. [PMID: 30743143 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.01.078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Revised: 01/27/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are added to food, cosmetics, plastic packages, and children's toys and have thus become an integral part of the human environment. In the last decade, there has been increasing interest in the effect of EDCs on human health, including their impact on the immune system. So far, researchers have proved that EDCs (e.g. bisphenols, phthalates, triclosan, phenols, propanil, tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, diethylstilbestrol, tributyltin (TBT), and parabens) affect the development, functions, and lifespan of immune cells (e.g., monocytes, neutrophils, mast cells, eosinophils, lymphocytes, dendritic cells, and natural killers). In this review, we have summarized the current knowledge of the multivariable influence of EDCs on immune cells and underlined the novel approach to EDC studies, including dose-dependent effects and low-dose effects. We discuss critically the possible relationship between exposure to EDCs and immunity related diseases (e.g. allergy, asthma, diabetes, and lupus). Moreover, based on the literature, we construct a model of possible mechanisms of EDC action on immune cells at cellular, molecular, and epigenetic levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Nowak
- Department of Immunology, Medical University of Bialystok, Poland.
| | - Ewa Jabłońska
- Department of Immunology, Medical University of Bialystok, Poland
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14
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Abstract
Breakthroughs in gene synthesis has allowed synthetic biologists the ability to design any DNA sequence of interest, enabling the possibility to create complex systems inside cells with novel functions to tackle problems in immunology. Synthetic immunology of mammalian cells expressing natural or synthetic genes can guide and induce immune responses in patients. Through recent developments in engineering chimeric receptors, it is now feasible to customize control over engineered cells to target the disease sites with specificity. These cells can avoid immune rejection if derived from expandable cell types (e.g., stem cells or T cells) and then can be grown in abundance before implantation. However, safety concerns of engineered cells in circulation necessitates the development of a wide range of mechanisms to kill cells after their therapeutic life ends. This therapeutic effect is still predominantly the secretion of therapeutic proteins, but novel therapeutic interventions have been explored by synthetic biologists. In the pursuit of engineering new cell functions for synthetic immunology, it is possible that many problems previously thought intractable may actually be possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niema Binth Mohammad
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering , University of Toronto , 164 College Street , Toronto , Ontario M5S 3G9 , Canada
| | - Candice Chee Ka Lam
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering , University of Toronto , 164 College Street , Toronto , Ontario M5S 3G9 , Canada
| | - Kevin Truong
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering , University of Toronto , 164 College Street , Toronto , Ontario M5S 3G9 , Canada.,Edward S. Rogers, Sr. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering , University of Toronto , 10 King's College Circle , Toronto , Ontario M5S 3G4 , Canada
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15
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Chen LC, Chen YY. Outsmarting and outmuscling cancer cells with synthetic and systems immunology. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2019; 60:111-118. [PMID: 30822698 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2019.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2018] [Revised: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Adoptive T-cell therapy has shown remarkable clinical efficacy in treating refractory hematological cancers. However, challenges presented by solid tumors impede the applicability of adoptive T-cell therapy to the majority of cancers. In order to engineer effective T-cell therapies targeting solid tumors, two synergistic design criteria-T-cell therapeutic programs and anti-tumor T-cell chassis-should be taken into consideration. Recent advances in synthetic biology have enabled genetic programming of therapeutic sense-and-respond modalities in T cells. Furthermore, systems-level integration of multi-omics datum have allowed researchers to holistically profile robust anti-tumor T-cell populations. In this review, we feature novel strategies that can be incorporated into adoptive T-cell therapy design-ushering in a new paradigm of solid tumor treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurence C Chen
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
| | - Yvonne Y Chen
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States; Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy Center at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States.
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16
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Nowak K, Jabłońska E, Ratajczak-Wrona W. Neutrophils life under estrogenic and xenoestrogenic control. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2019; 186:203-211. [PMID: 30381249 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2018.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Revised: 10/16/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Over 100 years ago, scientists had identified cells that represent the most abundant population of peripheral blood leukocytes; they called this population neutrophils. Day by day, the knowledge specific to neutrophils is augmented with new and often surprising aspects and facts about neutrophils' life or death. Estrogens (estrone, estriol, and estradiol) are relevant for the regulation of immune responses that are related with neutrophils. An understanding of the molecular mechanism of the action of endogenous hormones allows us to predict the effects of the substances that commonly occur in an environment with estrogen-like properties (xenoestrogens (e.g., bisphenol A, DDT, tributyltin, polychlorinated biphenyls, nonylphenol and octylphenol)). Therefore, we summarize current literature on the impact of estrogens and xenoestrogens, on each aspect of neutrophil life, as well as describe its mechanism of actions in neutrophils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Nowak
- Department of Immunology, Medical University of Bialystok, Poland.
| | - Ewa Jabłońska
- Department of Immunology, Medical University of Bialystok, Poland
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17
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Timmis K. Environmental microbiology - the next 20 years: bioconnectivity and meta'omics 2.0. Environ Microbiol 2018; 20:1949-1954. [PMID: 29750400 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.14236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Timmis
- Institute of Microbiology, Technical University Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
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18
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Sedlmayer F, Aubel D, Fussenegger M. Synthetic gene circuits for the detection, elimination and prevention of disease. Nat Biomed Eng 2018; 2:399-415. [PMID: 31011195 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-018-0215-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 03/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In living organisms, naturally evolved sensors that constantly monitor and process environmental cues trigger corrective actions that enable the organisms to cope with changing conditions. Such natural processes have inspired biologists to construct synthetic living sensors and signalling pathways, by repurposing naturally occurring proteins and by designing molecular building blocks de novo, for customized diagnostics and therapeutics. In particular, designer cells that employ user-defined synthetic gene circuits to survey disease biomarkers and to autonomously re-adjust unbalanced pathological states can coordinate the production of therapeutics, with controlled timing and dosage. Furthermore, tailored genetic networks operating in bacterial or human cells have led to cancer remission in experimental animal models, owing to the network's unprecedented specificity. Other applications of designer cells in infectious, metabolic and autoimmune diseases are also being explored. In this Review, we describe the biomedical applications of synthetic gene circuits in major disease areas, and discuss how the first genetically engineered devices developed on the basis of synthetic-biology principles made the leap from the laboratory to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferdinand Sedlmayer
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Dominique Aubel
- IUTA Département Génie Biologique, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland. .,Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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19
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Ho P, Chen YY. Synthetic Biology in Immunotherapy and Stem Cell Therapy Engineering. Synth Biol (Oxf) 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/9783527688104.ch17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Ho
- University of California; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering; 420 Westwood Plaza, Boelter Hall 5532, Los Angeles CA 90095 USA
| | - Yvonne Y. Chen
- University of California; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering; 420 Westwood Plaza, Boelter Hall 5532, Los Angeles CA 90095 USA
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20
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Miho E, Yermanos A, Weber CR, Berger CT, Reddy ST, Greiff V. Computational Strategies for Dissecting the High-Dimensional Complexity of Adaptive Immune Repertoires. Front Immunol 2018; 9:224. [PMID: 29515569 PMCID: PMC5826328 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2017] [Accepted: 01/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The adaptive immune system recognizes antigens via an immense array of antigen-binding antibodies and T-cell receptors, the immune repertoire. The interrogation of immune repertoires is of high relevance for understanding the adaptive immune response in disease and infection (e.g., autoimmunity, cancer, HIV). Adaptive immune receptor repertoire sequencing (AIRR-seq) has driven the quantitative and molecular-level profiling of immune repertoires, thereby revealing the high-dimensional complexity of the immune receptor sequence landscape. Several methods for the computational and statistical analysis of large-scale AIRR-seq data have been developed to resolve immune repertoire complexity and to understand the dynamics of adaptive immunity. Here, we review the current research on (i) diversity, (ii) clustering and network, (iii) phylogenetic, and (iv) machine learning methods applied to dissect, quantify, and compare the architecture, evolution, and specificity of immune repertoires. We summarize outstanding questions in computational immunology and propose future directions for systems immunology toward coupling AIRR-seq with the computational discovery of immunotherapeutics, vaccines, and immunodiagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enkelejda Miho
- Department for Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
- aiNET GmbH, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alexander Yermanos
- Department for Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Cédric R. Weber
- Department for Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christoph T. Berger
- Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Internal Medicine, Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sai T. Reddy
- Department for Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Victor Greiff
- Department for Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Immunology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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21
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Roybal KT, Lim WA. Synthetic Immunology: Hacking Immune Cells to Expand Their Therapeutic Capabilities. Annu Rev Immunol 2018; 35:229-253. [PMID: 28446063 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-immunol-051116-052302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The ability of immune cells to survey tissues and sense pathologic insults and deviations makes them a unique platform for interfacing with the body and disease. With the rapid advancement of synthetic biology, we can now engineer and equip immune cells with new sensors and controllable therapeutic response programs to sense and treat diseases that our natural immune system cannot normally handle. Here we review the current state of engineered immune cell therapeutics and their unique capabilities compared to small molecules and biologics. We then discuss how engineered immune cells are being designed to combat cancer, focusing on how new synthetic biology tools are providing potential ways to overcome the major roadblocks for treatment. Finally, we give a long-term vision for the use of synthetic biology to engineer immune cells as a general sensor-response platform to precisely detect disease, to remodel disease microenvironments, and to treat a potentially wide range of challenging diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kole T Roybal
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143;
| | - Wendell A Lim
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, California 94158;
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22
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Zhang Y, Wang J, Cheng H, Sun N, Liu M, Wu Z, Pei R. Inducible Bcl-2 gene RNA interference mediated by aptamer-integrated HDV ribozyme switch. Integr Biol (Camb) 2017; 9:619-626. [PMID: 28548675 DOI: 10.1039/c7ib00029d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The regulation of RNA interference (RNAi) could be a powerful method for the study of temporal and dose dependent effects of gene expression. In this study, we designed the hepatitis delta virus (HDV) ribozyme with an embedded theophylline aptamer as the sensor domain and the pri-miRNA of endogenous gene Bcl-2 as the effector domain to engineer an RNAi-regulatory device in MCF-7 cells. The system allowed us to control gene expression by adding theophylline into the culture media in a dose dependent fashion. This is the pioneering application of ribozyme switches to activate RNAi for modulating endogenous genes in mammalian cells. The platform sets the stage for investigations of other endogenous genes that regulate various biological functions such as differentiation, cell division or cell death, and provides a promising interface with other universal RNAi-based decision-making circuits that operate in mammalian cells. It can be used to study more genes associated with cancer and screen for potential drug targets for gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Zhang
- School of Life Science, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China and CAS Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215123, China. and CAS Key Laboratory of Ion Beam Bioengineering, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
| | - Jine Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215123, China.
| | - Hui Cheng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215123, China.
| | - Na Sun
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215123, China.
| | - Min Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215123, China.
| | - Zhengyan Wu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Ion Beam Bioengineering, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
| | - Renjun Pei
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215123, China.
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23
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ZHANG YY, CHENG H, SUN Y, WANG JE, WU ZY, PEI RJ. Engineering of Thiamine Pyrophosphate Fluorescent Biosensors Based on Ribozyme Switches in Mammalian Cells. CHINESE JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/s1872-2040(16)60992-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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24
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Smole A, Lainšček D, Bezeljak U, Horvat S, Jerala R. A Synthetic Mammalian Therapeutic Gene Circuit for Sensing and Suppressing Inflammation. Mol Ther 2017; 25:102-119. [PMID: 28129106 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2016.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2016] [Revised: 10/20/2016] [Accepted: 10/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammation, which is a highly regulated host response against danger signals, may be harmful if it is excessive and deregulated. Ideally, anti-inflammatory therapy should autonomously commence as soon as possible after the onset of inflammation, should be controllable by a physician, and should not systemically block beneficial immune response in the long term. We describe a genetically encoded anti-inflammatory mammalian cell device based on a modular engineered genetic circuit comprising a sensor, an amplifier, a "thresholder" to restrict activation of a positive-feedback loop, a combination of advanced clinically used biopharmaceutical proteins, and orthogonal regulatory elements that linked modules into the functional device. This genetic circuit was autonomously activated by inflammatory signals, including endogenous cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced inflammation in mice and serum from a systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sIJA) patient, and could be reset externally by a chemical signal. The microencapsulated anti-inflammatory device significantly reduced the pathology in dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced acute murine colitis, demonstrating a synthetic immunological approach for autonomous anti-inflammatory therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anže Smole
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Duško Lainšček
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Urban Bezeljak
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Simon Horvat
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; EN-FIST Centre of Excellence, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Roman Jerala
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; EN-FIST Centre of Excellence, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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25
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Zhang Y, Wang J, Cheng H, Sun Y, Liu M, Wu Z, Pei R. Conditional control of suicide gene expression in tumor cells with theophylline-responsive ribozyme. Gene Ther 2016; 24:84-91. [DOI: 10.1038/gt.2016.78] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Revised: 10/06/2016] [Accepted: 11/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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26
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Schukur L, Fussenegger M. Engineering of synthetic gene circuits for (re-)balancing physiological processes in chronic diseases. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-SYSTEMS BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2016; 8:402-22. [DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2016] [Revised: 04/12/2016] [Accepted: 04/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lina Schukur
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering; ETH Zurich; Basel Switzerland
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering; ETH Zurich; Basel Switzerland
- Faculty of Science; University of Basel; Basel Switzerland
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27
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Tschofen M, Knopp D, Hood E, Stöger E. Plant Molecular Farming: Much More than Medicines. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY (PALO ALTO, CALIF.) 2016; 9:271-94. [PMID: 27049632 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-anchem-071015-041706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Plants have emerged as commercially relevant production systems for pharmaceutical and nonpharmaceutical products. Currently, the commercially available nonpharmaceutical products outnumber the medical products of plant molecular farming, reflecting the shorter development times and lower regulatory burden of the former. Nonpharmaceutical products benefit more from the low costs and greater scalability of plant production systems without incurring the high costs associated with downstream processing and purification of pharmaceuticals. In this review, we explore the areas where plant-based manufacturing can make the greatest impact, focusing on commercialized products such as antibodies, enzymes, and growth factors that are used as research-grade or diagnostic reagents, cosmetic ingredients, and biosensors or biocatalysts. An outlook is provided on high-volume, low-margin proteins such as industrial enzymes that can be applied as crude extracts or unprocessed plant tissues in the feed, biofuel, and papermaking industries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Tschofen
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, 1190 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Dietmar Knopp
- Institute of Hydrochemistry, Chair for Analytical Chemistry, Technische Universität München, 80333 Munich, Germany
| | - Elizabeth Hood
- Arkansas State University Biosciences Institute, Jonesboro, Arkansas 72467
| | - Eva Stöger
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, 1190 Vienna, Austria;
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28
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Huang ML, Fisher CJ, Godula K. Glycomaterials for probing host-pathogen interactions and the immune response. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2016; 241:1042-53. [PMID: 27190259 DOI: 10.1177/1535370216647811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The initial engagement of host cells by pathogens is often mediated by glycan structures presented on the cell surface. Various components of the glycocalyx can be targeted by pathogens for adhesion to facilitate infection. Glycans also play integral roles in the modulation of the host immune response to infection. Therefore, understanding the parameters that define glycan interactions with both pathogens and the various components of the host immune system can aid in the development of strategies to prevent, interrupt, or manage infection. Glycomaterials provide a unique and powerful tool with which to interrogate the compositional and functional complexity of the glycocalyx. The objective of this review is to highlight some key contributions from this area of research in deciphering the mechanisms of pathogenesis and the associated host response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mia L Huang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Christopher J Fisher
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Kamil Godula
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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29
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ACEMBL Tool-Kits for High-Throughput Multigene Delivery and Expression in Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Hosts. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2016; 896:27-42. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-27216-0_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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30
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Schukur L, Geering B, Charpin-El Hamri G, Fussenegger M. Implantable synthetic cytokine converter cells with AND-gate logic treat experimental psoriasis. Sci Transl Med 2015; 7:318ra201. [PMID: 26676608 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aac4964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by a relapsing-remitting disease course and correlated with increased expression of proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin 22 (IL22). Psoriasis is hard to treat because of the unpredictable and asymptomatic flare-up, which limits handling of skin lesions to symptomatic treatment. Synthetic biology-based gene circuits are uniquely suited for the treatment of diseases with complex dynamics, such as psoriasis, because they can autonomously couple the detection of disease biomarkers with the production of therapeutic proteins. We designed a mammalian cell synthetic cytokine converter that quantifies psoriasis-associated TNF and IL22 levels using serially linked receptor-based synthetic signaling cascades, processes the levels of these proinflammatory cytokines with AND-gate logic, and triggers the corresponding expression of therapeutic levels of the anti-inflammatory/psoriatic cytokines IL4 and IL10, which have been shown to be immunomodulatory in patients. Implants of microencapsulated cytokine converter transgenic designer cells were insensitive to simulated bacterial and viral infections as well as psoriatic-unrelated inflammation. The designer cells specifically prevented the onset of psoriatic flares, stopped acute psoriasis, improved psoriatic skin lesions and restored normal skin-tissue morphology in mice. The antipsoriatic designer cells were equally responsive to blood samples from psoriasis patients, suggesting that the synthetic cytokine converter captures the clinically relevant cytokine range. Implanted designer cells that dynamically interface with the patient's metabolism by detecting specific disease metabolites or biomarkers, processing their blood levels with synthetic circuits in real time, and coordinating immediate production and systemic delivery of protein therapeutics may advance personalized gene- and cell-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Schukur
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Barbara Geering
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland. Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland.
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31
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Abstract
Synthetic biology (SB) is an emerging discipline, which is slowly reorienting the field of drug discovery. For thousands of years, living organisms such as plants were the major source of human medicines. The difficulty in resynthesizing natural products, however, often turned pharmaceutical industries away from this rich source for human medicine. More recently, progress on transformation through genetic manipulation of biosynthetic units in microorganisms has opened the possibility of in-depth exploration of the large chemical space of natural products derivatives. Success of SB in drug synthesis culminated with the bioproduction of artemisinin by microorganisms, a tour de force in protein and metabolic engineering. Today, synthetic cells are not only used as biofactories but also used as cell-based screening platforms for both target-based and phenotypic-based approaches. Engineered genetic circuits in synthetic cells are also used to decipher disease mechanisms or drug mechanism of actions and to study cell-cell communication within bacteria consortia. This review presents latest developments of SB in the field of drug discovery, including some challenging issues such as drug resistance and drug toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pablo Carbonell
- Faculty of Life Sciences, SYNBIOCHEM Centre, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Department of Experimental and Health Sciences (DCEXS), Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics (GRIB), Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
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32
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Schukur L, Geering B, Fussenegger M. Human whole-blood culture system for ex vivo characterization of designer-cell function. Biotechnol Bioeng 2015; 113:588-97. [DOI: 10.1002/bit.25828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2015] [Revised: 08/21/2015] [Accepted: 08/30/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lina Schukur
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering; ETH Zurich; Mattenstrasse 26 CH-4058 Basel Switzerland
| | - Barbara Geering
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering; ETH Zurich; Mattenstrasse 26 CH-4058 Basel Switzerland
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering; ETH Zurich; Mattenstrasse 26 CH-4058 Basel Switzerland
- Faculty of Science; University of Basel; Basel Switzerland
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33
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Garapaty A, Champion JA. Biomimetic and synthetic interfaces to tune immune responses. Biointerphases 2015; 10:030801. [PMID: 26178262 PMCID: PMC4506308 DOI: 10.1116/1.4922798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2015] [Revised: 06/06/2015] [Accepted: 06/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Organisms depend upon complex intercellular communication to initiate, maintain, or suppress immune responses during infection or disease. Communication occurs not only between different types of immune cells, but also between immune cells and nonimmune cells or pathogenic entities. It can occur directly at the cell-cell contact interface, or indirectly through secreted signals that bind cell surface molecules. Though secreted signals can be soluble, they can also be particulate in nature and direct communication at the cell-particle interface. Secreted extracellular vesicles are an example of native particulate communication, while viruses are examples of foreign particulates. Inspired by communication at natural immunological interfaces, biomimetic materials and designer molecules have been developed to mimic and direct the type of immune response. This review describes the ways in which native, biomimetic, and designer materials can mediate immune responses. Examples include extracellular vesicles, particles that mimic immune cells or pathogens, and hybrid designer molecules with multiple signaling functions, engineered to target and bind immune cell surface molecules. Interactions between these materials and immune cells are leading to increased understanding of natural immune communication and function, as well as development of immune therapeutics for the treatment of infection, cancer, and autoimmune disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anusha Garapaty
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 311 Ferst Dr. NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30332
| | - Julie A Champion
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 311 Ferst Dr. NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30332
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