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Alizadeh S, Esmaeili A, Barar J, Omidi Y. Optogenetics: A new tool for cancer investigation and treatment. BIOIMPACTS 2022; 12:295-299. [PMID: 35975208 PMCID: PMC9376163 DOI: 10.34172/bi.2021.22179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
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Despite the progress made in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, it has remained the second cause of death in industrial countries. Cancer is a complex multifaceted disease with unique genomic and proteomic hallmarks. Optogenetics is a biological approach, in which the light-sensitive protein modules in combination with effector proteins that trigger reversibly fundamental cell functions without producing a long-term effect. The technology was first used to address some key issues in neurology. Later on, it was also used for other diseases such as cancer. In the case of cancer, there exist several signaling pathways with key proteins that are involved in the initiation and/or progression of cancer. Such aberrantly expressed proteins and the related signaling pathways need to be carefully investigated in terms of cancer diagnosis and treatment, which can be managed with optogenetic tools. Notably, optogenetics systems offer some advantages compared to the traditional methods, including spatial-temporal control of protein or gene expression, cost-effective and fewer off-target side effects, and reversibility potential. Such noticeable features make this technology a unique drug-free approach for diagnosis and treatment of cancer. It can be used to control tumor cells, which is a favorable technique to investigate the heterogeneous and complex features of cancerous cells. Remarkably, optogenetics approaches can provide us with outstanding tool to extend our understanding of how cells perceive, respond, and behave in meeting with complex signals, particularly in terms of cancer evasion from the anticancer immune system functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siamak Alizadeh
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
- Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Biomedicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Abolghasem Esmaeili
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Jaleh Barar
- Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Biomedicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Yadollah Omidi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33328, USA
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Jadav A, Truong K. Creation of a synthesis-friendly inflammation-inducible promoter suitable for cell therapy. Integr Biol (Camb) 2021; 13:230-236. [PMID: 34632498 DOI: 10.1093/intbio/zyab015] [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: 04/18/2021] [Revised: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
The development of 'smart' cell-based therapeutics requires cells that first recognize conditions consistent with disease (e.g. inflammation) and then subsequently release therapeutic proteins, thereby reducing potential toxicity from otherwise continuous expression. Promoters containing NF-κB response elements are often used as reporters of inflammation; however, endogenous promoters have crosstalk with other pathways, and current synthetic promoters have many exact sequence repeats of NF-κB response elements which make them both difficult to synthesize and inherently genetically unstable. Herein, a synthesis-friendly inflammation-inducible promoter (named SFNp) was created by the packing of 14 NF-κB response elements, which have no repeats >9 bp, followed by a minimal cytomegalovirus promoter. In stably expressing human embryonic kidney 293 cells, we assessed the ability of SFNp to inducibly transcribe genes for reporting expression, changing cell morphology, and performing cell fusion. These experiments represent simple milestones for potentially using SFNp in the development of cell-based therapeutics. As strongly repeated DNA can compromise the long-term stability of genetic circuits, new designs used in 'smart' cell therapy will become more reliant on synthesis-friendly components like SFNp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anish Jadav
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G9, Canada
| | - Kevin Truong
- Institute of 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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Kojima R, Fussenegger M. Engineering Whole Mammalian Cells for Target-Cell-Specific Invasion/Fusion. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2018; 5:1700971. [PMID: 30027033 PMCID: PMC6051388 DOI: 10.1002/advs.201700971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2017] [Revised: 03/27/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Live mammalian cells are equipped with a synthetic cell invasion system that enables their target-specific insertion into other live mammalian cells. By conjugating RhoA activator to a transmembrane protein that is segregated from cell-cell interface when specific cell contact occurs, polarization of RhoA activity is synthetically induced inside the cells in response to specific cell contact. This polarization is a sufficient condition for invader cells to selectively penetrate cells expressing a target antigen. Further, when an acid-responsive fusogenic protein is expressed on invader cells, invader/receiver cell fusion occurs after invasion, and the invader's intracellular contents are released into the recipient's cytosol. It is shown that this system can be used for specific cell ablation. This synthetic-biology-inspired cell invasion/fusion system might open the door to using whole mammalian cells for cargo delivery purposes or for ablation of a specific cell type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryosuke Kojima
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering (D‐BSSE)ETH ZurichMattenstrasse 264058BaselSwitzerland
- Graduate School of MedicineThe University of Tokyo7‐3‐1 HongoBunkyo‐kuTokyo113‐0033Japan
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering (D‐BSSE)ETH ZurichMattenstrasse 264058BaselSwitzerland
- Faculty of ScienceUniversity of BaselMattenstrasse 264058BaselSwitzerland
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Mosabbir AA, Qudrat A, Truong K. Engineered cell migration to lesions linked to autoimmune disease. Biotechnol Bioeng 2017; 115:1028-1036. [PMID: 29251350 DOI: 10.1002/bit.26523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Revised: 11/11/2017] [Accepted: 12/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The damaging and degenerative effects in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and Crohn's disease often manifests as the formation of lesions that feature a high local concentration of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). GM-CSF along with other pro-inflammatory factors form a positive feedback loop that ultimately perpetuate the lesions. Hence, to engineer chemotaxis to GM-CSF, we created a new chimeric GM-CSF receptor alpha subunit (GMRchi) that was coupled with a previously engineered Ca2+ -activated RhoA. When these proteins were expressed in mammalian cells, it allowed migration to chemical and cellular sources of GM-CSF. As a possible therapeutic intervention, we further implemented the mechanism of cell-cell membrane fusion and subsequent death. Since the microenvironment of lesions is more than just GM-CSF secretion, the further ability to recognize a combination of other features such as tissue markers will be needed for greater specificity. Nonetheless, this work represents a first step to enable cell-based therapy of autoimmune lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah Al Mosabbir
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anam Qudrat
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kevin Truong
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Qudrat A, Truong K. Autonomous Cell Migration to CSF1 Sources via a Synthetic Protein-Based System. ACS Synth Biol 2017; 6:1563-1571. [PMID: 28478671 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.7b00076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Inflammatory lesions, often seen in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis and cancer, feature an acidic (i.e., low pH) microenvironment rampant with cytokines, such as CSF1. For potential therapeutic intervention targeted at these CSF1 sources, we have assembled a system of four proteins inside a cell (i.e., HEK293) that initially had no natural CSF1-seeking ability. This system included a newly engineered CSF1 chimera receptor (named CSF1Rchi), the previously engineered Ca2+ activated RhoA (i.e., CaRQ), vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein G (VSVG) and thymidine kinase (TK). The binding of CSF1 to the CSF1Rchi generated a Ca2+ signal that activated CaRQ-mediated cellular blebbing, allowing autonomous cell migration toward the CSF1 source. Next, the VSVG protein allowed these engineered cells to fuse with the CSF1 source cells, upon low pH induction. Finally, these cells underwent death postganciclovir treatment, via the TK suicide mechanism. Hence, this protein system could potentially serve as the basis of engineering a cell to target inflammatory lesions in diseases featuring a microenvironment with high levels of CSF1 and low pH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anam Qudrat
- 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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Qudrat A, Wong J, Truong K. Engineering mammalian cells to seek senescence-associated secretory phenotypes. J Cell Sci 2017; 130:3116-3123. [PMID: 28754685 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.206979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the removal of senescent cells in model organisms has been linked to rejuvenation and increased lifespan, senotherapies have emerged to target senescent cells for death. In particular, interleukin-6 (IL6) is a prominent senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) and, thus, seeking IL6 could potentially localize engineered cells to senescent cells for therapeutic intervention. Here, we engineered a chimeric IL6 receptor (IL6Rchi) that generates a Ca2+ signal in response to IL6 stimulation. When IL6Rchi was co-expressed with an engineered Ca2+-activated RhoA (CaRQ), it enabled directed migration to IL6 in cells that have no such natural ability. Next, the removal of target cells was accomplished by the mechanism of membrane fusion and subsequent death. This work represents a first step towards engineering a cell to target senescent cells that secrete high levels of IL6. For increased specificity to senescent cells, it will likely be necessary for an engineered cell to recognize multiple SASPs simultaneously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anam Qudrat
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3G9, Canada
| | - Janice Wong
- 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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Mosabbir AA, Truong K. Genomic integration occurs in the packaging cell via unexported lentiviral precursors. Biotechnol Lett 2016; 38:1715-21. [DOI: 10.1007/s10529-016-2164-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2016] [Accepted: 06/16/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Qudrat A, Kim JI, Truong K. The spatiotemporal relationship between local Ca(2+) signaling and P2X2R-activated membrane blebbing. Cell Calcium 2016; 59:164-71. [PMID: 26846906 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceca.2016.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2015] [Revised: 01/12/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian P2X receptors (P2XRs), a family of seven ionotropic purinergic receptors, function as ion channels modulating diverse cellular processes such as secretion, apoptosis and proliferation in response to extracellular ATP. Previously, it was shown that upon ATP stimulus, the P2X7 receptor (a member of P2XR family) triggers plasma membrane (PM) blebbing in HEK293 cells. In this study, we demonstrate that this phenomenon extends to another member of the P2XR family-P2X2 receptor (P2X2R). Similar to P2X7 receptor, P2X2R blebbing is dependent on Ca(2+)-calmodulin and ROCK-I. To elucidate the spatiotemporal relationship between Ca(2+) signaling and blebbing, protein biosensors and switches were used to image and generate Ca(2+) signals, respectively, while observing PM blebbing in cells. Blebbing cannot be initiated by Ca(2+) influx from the endoplasmic reticulum or by Ca(2+) transport across the PM by other Ca(2+) channels. To trigger blebbing, it is necessary for Ca(2+) to enter specifically through the P2X2R. Lastly, a local Ca(2+) signal near a fragment that encodes the intracellular P2X2R C-terminus tail is sufficient to trigger blebbing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anam Qudrat
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College Street, Toronto, ON, Canada M5S 3G9
| | - Jae Ik Kim
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College Street, Toronto, ON, Canada M5S 3G9
| | - Kevin Truong
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College Street, Toronto, ON, Canada M5S 3G9; Edward S. Rogers, Sr. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, 10 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON, Canada M5S 3G4.
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Zhang K, Cui B. Optogenetic control of intracellular signaling pathways. Trends Biotechnol 2014; 33:92-100. [PMID: 25529484 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2014.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2014] [Revised: 10/29/2014] [Accepted: 11/19/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Cells employ a plethora of signaling pathways to make their life-and-death decisions. Extensive genetic, biochemical, and physiological studies have led to the accumulation of knowledge about signaling components and their interactions within signaling networks. These conventional approaches, although useful, lack the ability to control the spatial and temporal aspects of signaling processes. The recently emerged optogenetic tools open exciting opportunities by enabling signaling regulation with superior temporal and spatial resolution, easy delivery, rapid reversibility, fewer off-target side effects, and the ability to dissect complex signaling networks. Here we review recent achievements in using light to control intracellular signaling pathways and discuss future prospects for the field, including integration of new genetic approaches into optogenetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
| | - Bianxiao Cui
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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Conrad KS, Manahan CC, Crane BR. Photochemistry of flavoprotein light sensors. Nat Chem Biol 2014; 10:801-9. [PMID: 25229449 PMCID: PMC4258882 DOI: 10.1038/nchembio.1633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 174] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2014] [Accepted: 08/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Three major classes of flavin photosensors, light oxygen voltage (LOV) domains, blue light sensor using FAD (BLUF) proteins and cryptochromes (CRYs), regulate diverse biological activities in response to blue light. Recent studies of structure, spectroscopy and chemical mechanism have provided unprecedented insight into how each family operates at the molecular level. In general, the photoexcitation of the flavin cofactor leads to changes in redox and protonation states that ultimately remodel protein conformation and molecular interactions. For LOV domains, issues remain regarding early photochemical events, but common themes in conformational propagation have emerged across a diverse family of proteins. For BLUF proteins, photoinduced electron transfer reactions critical to light conversion are defined, but the subsequent rearrangement of hydrogen bonding networks key for signaling remains highly controversial. For CRYs, the relevant photocycles are actively debated, but mechanistic and functional studies are converging. Despite these challenges, our current understanding has enabled the engineering of flavoprotein photosensors for control of signaling processes within cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen S Conrad
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Craig C Manahan
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Brian R Crane
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
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