1
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Bressler EM, Adams S, Liu R, Colson YL, Wong WW, Grinstaff MW. Boolean logic in synthetic biology and biomaterials: Towards living materials in mammalian cell therapeutics. Clin Transl Med 2023; 13:e1244. [PMID: 37386762 PMCID: PMC10310979 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The intersection of synthetic biology and biomaterials promises to enhance safety and efficacy in novel therapeutics. Both fields increasingly employ Boolean logic, which allows for specific therapeutic outputs (e.g., drug release, peptide synthesis) in response to inputs such as disease markers or bio-orthogonal stimuli. Examples include stimuli-responsive drug delivery devices and logic-gated chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells. In this review, we explore recent manuscripts highlighting the potential of synthetic biology and biomaterials with Boolean logic to create novel and efficacious living therapeutics. MAIN BODY Collaborations in synthetic biology and biomaterials have led to significant advancements in drug delivery and cell therapy. Borrowing from synthetic biology, researchers have created Boolean-responsive biomaterials sensitive to multiple inputs including pH, light, enzymes and more to produce functional outputs such as degradation, gel-sol transition and conformational change. Biomaterials also enhance synthetic biology, particularly CAR T and adoptive T cell therapy, by modulating therapeutic immune cells in vivo. Nanoparticles and hydrogels also enable in situ generation of CAR T cells, which promises to drive down production costs and expand access to these therapies to a larger population. Biomaterials are also used to interface with logic-gated CAR T cell therapies, creating controllable cellular therapies that enhance safety and efficacy. Finally, designer cells acting as living therapeutic factories benefit from biomaterials that improve biocompatibility and stability in vivo. CONCLUSION By using Boolean logic in both cellular therapy and drug delivery devices, researchers have achieved better safety and efficacy outcomes. While early projects show incredible promise, coordination between these fields is ongoing and growing. We expect that these collaborations will continue to grow and realize the next generation of living biomaterial therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric M. Bressler
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Biological Design CenterBoston UniversityBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Sarah Adams
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Biological Design CenterBoston UniversityBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Rong Liu
- Division of Thoracic SurgeryDepartment of SurgeryMassachusetts General HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Yolonda L. Colson
- Division of Thoracic SurgeryDepartment of SurgeryMassachusetts General HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Wilson W. Wong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Biological Design CenterBoston UniversityBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Mark W. Grinstaff
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Biological Design CenterBoston UniversityBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Department of Chemistry and Department of Biomedical EngineeringBoston UniversityBostonMassachusettsUSA
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2
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Wu J, Zhang B, Lin N, Gao J. Recent nanotechnology-based strategies for interfering with the life cycle of bacterial biofilms. Biomater Sci 2023; 11:1648-1664. [PMID: 36723075 DOI: 10.1039/d2bm01783k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Biofilm formation plays an important role in the resistance development in bacteria to conventional antibiotics. Different properties of the bacterial strains within biofilms compared with their planktonic states and the protective effect of extracellular polymeric substances contribute to the insusceptibility of bacterial cells to conventional antimicrobials. Although great effort has been devoted to developing novel antibiotics or synthetic antibacterial compounds, their efficiency is overshadowed by the growth of drug resistance. Developments in nanotechnology have brought various feasible strategies to combat biofilms by interfering with the biofilm life cycle. In this review, recent nanotechnology-based strategies for interfering with the biofilm life cycle according to the requirements of different stages are summarized. Additionally, the importance of strategies that modulate the bacterial biofilm microenvironment is also illustrated with specific examples. Lastly, we discussed the remaining challenges and future perspectives on nanotechnology-based strategies for the treatment of bacterial infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahe Wu
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Cancer Pharmacology and Toxicology Research of Zhejiang Province, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China. .,Institute of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
| | - Bo Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Cancer Pharmacology and Toxicology Research of Zhejiang Province, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China.
| | - Nengming Lin
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Cancer Pharmacology and Toxicology Research of Zhejiang Province, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China.
| | - Jianqing Gao
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
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3
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Stephens K, Bentley WE. Quorum Sensing from Two Engineers’ Perspectives. Isr J Chem 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/ijch.202200083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Stephens
- Thayer School of Engineering Dartmouth College Hanover NH USA
- Center for Bioenergy Innovation Oak Ridge National Laboratory Oak Ridge TN USA
| | - William E. Bentley
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering University of Maryland College Park MD USA
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research University of Maryland College Park MD USA [e]Robert E. Fischell Institute for Biomedical Devices University of Maryland College Park MD USA
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4
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de Rossi J, Arefeayne Y, Robinson A, Segatori L. Emerging technologies for genetic control systems in cellular therapies. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2022; 78:102833. [PMID: 36334445 PMCID: PMC10091305 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2022.102833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Progress in synthetic biology has enabled the construction of designer cells that sense biological inputs, and, in response, activate user-defined biomolecular programs. Such engineered cells provide unique opportunities for treating a wide variety of diseases. Current strategies mostly rely on cell-surface receptor systems engineered to convert binding interactions into activation of a transcriptional program. Genetic control systems are emerging as an appealing alternative to receptor-based sensors as they overcome the need for receptor engineering and result in cellular behaviors that operate over therapeutically relevant timescales. Genetic control systems include synthetic gene networks, RNA-based sensors, and post-translational tools. These technologies present fundamental challenges, including the requirement for precise integration with innate pathways, the need for parts orthogonal to existing circuitries, and the metabolic burden induced by such complex cell engineering endeavors. This review discusses the challenges in the design of genetic control systems for cellular therapies and their translational applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacopo de Rossi
- Systems, Synthetic, and Physical Biology, Rice University, Houston, United States
| | - Yafet Arefeayne
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, United States
| | - Ashley Robinson
- Systems, Synthetic, and Physical Biology, Rice University, Houston, United States
| | - Laura Segatori
- Systems, Synthetic, and Physical Biology, Rice University, Houston, United States; Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, United States; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Rice University, Houston, United States; Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, United States.
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5
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Mansouri M, Ray PG, Franko N, Xue S, Fussenegger M. Design of programmable post-translational switch control platform for on-demand protein secretion in mammalian cells. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 51:e1. [PMID: 36268868 PMCID: PMC9841418 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2022] [Revised: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of novel strategies to program cellular behaviors is a central goal in synthetic biology, and post-translational control mediated by engineered protein circuits is a particularly attractive approach to achieve rapid protein secretion on demand. We have developed a programmable protease-mediated post-translational switch (POSH) control platform composed of a chimeric protein unit that consists of a protein of interest fused via a transmembrane domain to a cleavable ER-retention signal, together with two cytosolic inducer-sensitive split protease components. The protease components combine in the presence of the specific inducer to generate active protease, which cleaves the ER-retention signal, releasing the transmembrane-domain-linked protein for trafficking to the trans-Golgi region. A furin site placed downstream of the protein ensures cleavage and subsequent secretion of the desired protein. We show that stimuli ranging from plant-derived, clinically compatible chemicals to remotely controllable inducers such as light and electrostimulation can program protein secretion in various POSH-engineered designer mammalian cells. As proof-of-concept, an all-in-one POSH control plasmid encoding insulin and abscisic acid-activatable split protease units was hydrodynamically transfected into the liver of type-1 diabetic mice. Induction with abscisic acid attenuated glycemic excursions in glucose-tolerance tests. Increased blood levels of insulin were maintained for 12 days.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maysam Mansouri
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Preetam Guha Ray
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nik Franko
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Shuai Xue
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +41 61 387 31 60; Fax: +41 61 387 39 88;
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6
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Stefanov BA, Fussenegger M. Biomarker-driven feedback control of synthetic biology systems for next-generation personalized medicine. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:986210. [PMID: 36225597 PMCID: PMC9548536 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.986210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Many current clinical therapies for chronic diseases involve administration of drugs using dosage and bioavailability parameters estimated for a generalized population. This standard approach carries the risk of under dosing, which may result in ineffective treatment, or overdosing, which may cause undesirable side effects. Consequently, maintaining a drug concentration in the therapeutic window often requires frequent monitoring, adversely affecting the patient’s quality of life. In contrast, endogenous biosystems have evolved finely tuned feedback control loops that govern the physiological functions of the body based on multiple input parameters. To provide personalized treatment for chronic diseases, therefore, we require synthetic systems that can similarly generate a calibrated therapeutic response. Such engineered autonomous closed-loop devices should incorporate a sensor that actively tracks and evaluates the disease severity based on one or more biomarkers, as well as components that utilize these molecular inputs to bio compute and deliver the appropriate level of therapeutic output. Here, we review recent advances in applications of the closed-loop design principle in biomedical implants for treating severe and chronic diseases, highlighting translational studies of cellular therapies. We describe the engineering principles and components of closed-loop therapeutic devices, and discuss their potential to become a key pillar of personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- ETH Zürich, Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, Basel, Switzerland
- Faculty of Life Science, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Martin Fussenegger,
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7
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Li Y, Feng T, Wang Y. The role of bacterial signaling networks in antibiotics response and resistance regulation. MARINE LIFE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 4:163-178. [PMID: 37073223 PMCID: PMC10077285 DOI: 10.1007/s42995-022-00126-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Excessive use of antibiotics poses a threat to public health and the environment. In ecosystems, such as the marine environment, antibiotic contamination has led to an increase in bacterial resistance. Therefore, the study of bacterial response to antibiotics and the regulation of resistance formation have become an important research field. Traditionally, the processes related to antibiotic responses and resistance regulation have mainly included the activation of efflux pumps, mutation of antibiotic targets, production of biofilms, and production of inactivated or passivation enzymes. In recent years, studies have shown that bacterial signaling networks can affect antibiotic responses and resistance regulation. Signaling systems mostly alter resistance by regulating biofilms, efflux pumps, and mobile genetic elements. Here we provide an overview of how bacterial intraspecific and interspecific signaling networks affect the response to environmental antibiotics. In doing so, this review provides theoretical support for inhibiting bacterial antibiotic resistance and alleviating health and ecological problems caused by antibiotic contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuying Li
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 China
- Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 China
| | - Tao Feng
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 China
- Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 China
| | - Yan Wang
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 China
- Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 China
- Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao, 266071 China
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8
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Mahameed M, Fussenegger M. Engineering autonomous closed-loop designer cells for disease therapy. iScience 2022; 25:103834. [PMID: 35243222 PMCID: PMC8857602 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.103834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Mahameed
- ETH Zurich, Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- ETH Zurich, Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Faculty of Life Science, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
- Corresponding author
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9
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CRISPR-Based Genetic Switches and Other Complex Circuits: Research and Application. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11111255. [PMID: 34833131 PMCID: PMC8621321 DOI: 10.3390/life11111255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
CRISPR-based enzymes have offered a unique capability to the design of genetic switches, with advantages in designability, modularity and orthogonality. CRISPR-based genetic switches operate on multiple levels of life, including transcription and translation. In both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, deactivated CRISPR endonuclease and endoribonuclease have served in genetic switches for activating or repressing gene expression, at both transcriptional and translational levels. With these genetic switches, more complex circuits have been assembled to achieve sophisticated functions including inducible switches, non-linear response and logical biocomputation. As more CRISPR enzymes continue to be excavated, CRISPR-based genetic switches will be used in a much wider range of applications.
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10
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Mansouri M, Xue S, Hussherr MD, Strittmatter T, Camenisch G, Fussenegger M. Smartphone-Flashlight-Mediated Remote Control of Rapid Insulin Secretion Restores Glucose Homeostasis in Experimental Type-1 Diabetes. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2021; 17:e2101939. [PMID: 34227232 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202101939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Emerging digital assessment of biomarkers by linking health-related data obtained from wearable electronic devices and embedded health and fitness sensors in smartphones is opening up the possibility of creating a continuous remote-monitoring platform for disease management. It is considered that the built-in flashlight of smartphones may be utilized to remotely program genetically engineered designer cells for on-demand delivery of protein-based therapeutics. Here, the authors present smartphone-induced insulin release in β-cell line (iβ-cell) technology for traceless light-triggered rapid insulin secretion, employing the light-activatable receptor melanopsin to induce calcium influx and membrane depolarization upon illumination. This iβ-cell-based system enables repeated, reversible secretion of insulin within 15 min in response to light stimulation, with a high induction fold both in vitro and in vivo. It is shown that programmable percutaneous remote control of implanted microencapsulated iβ-cells with a smartphone's flashlight rapidly reverses hyperglycemia in a mouse model of type-1 diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maysam Mansouri
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, Basel, CH-4058, Switzerland
| | - Shuai Xue
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, Basel, CH-4058, Switzerland
| | - Marie-Didiée Hussherr
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, Basel, CH-4058, Switzerland
| | - Tobias Strittmatter
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, Basel, CH-4058, Switzerland
| | - Gieri Camenisch
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, Basel, CH-4058, Switzerland
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, Basel, CH-4058, Switzerland
- Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 26, Basel, CH-4058, Switzerland
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11
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Sedlmayer F, Woischnig AK, Unterreiner V, Fuchs F, Baeschlin D, Khanna N, Fussenegger M. 5-Fluorouracil blocks quorum-sensing of biofilm-embedded methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in mice. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:e73. [PMID: 33856484 PMCID: PMC8287944 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic-resistant pathogens often escape antimicrobial treatment by forming protective biofilms in response to quorum-sensing communication via diffusible autoinducers. Biofilm formation by the nosocomial pathogen methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is triggered by the quorum-sensor autoinducer-2 (AI-2), whose biosynthesis is mediated by methylthioadenosine/S-adenosylhomocysteine nucleosidase (MTAN) and S-ribosylhomocysteine lyase (LuxS). Here, we present a high-throughput screening platform for small-molecular inhibitors of either enzyme. This platform employs a cell-based assay to report non-toxic, bioavailable and cell-penetrating inhibitors of AI-2 production, utilizing engineered human cells programmed to constitutively secrete AI-2 by tapping into the endogenous methylation cycle via ectopic expression of codon-optimized MTAN and LuxS. Screening of a library of over 5000 commercial compounds yielded 66 hits, including the FDA-licensed cytostatic anti-cancer drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Secondary screening and validation studies showed that 5-FU is a potent quorum-quencher, inhibiting AI-2 production and release by MRSA, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli and Vibrio harveyi. 5-FU efficiently reduced adherence and blocked biofilm formation of MRSA in vitro at an order-of-magnitude-lower concentration than that clinically relevant for anti-cancer therapy. Furthermore, 5-FU reestablished antibiotic susceptibility and enabled daptomycin-mediated prevention and clearance of MRSA infection in a mouse model of human implant-associated infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferdinand Sedlmayer
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Anne-Kathrin Woischnig
- Laboratory of Infection Biology, Department of Biomedicine, University and University Hospital Basel, Hebelstrasse 20, CH-4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Vincent Unterreiner
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR), Chemical Biology and Therapeutics (CBT), CH-4033, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Florian Fuchs
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR), Chemical Biology and Therapeutics (CBT), CH-4033, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Baeschlin
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR), Chemical Biology and Therapeutics (CBT), CH-4033, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nina Khanna
- Laboratory of Infection Biology, Department of Biomedicine, University and University Hospital Basel, Hebelstrasse 20, CH-4031 Basel, Switzerland
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital of Basel, Petersgraben 4, CH-4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland
- Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland
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12
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Imoro N, Shilovskikh VV, Nesterov PV, Timralieva AA, Gets D, Nebalueva A, Lavrentev FV, Novikov AS, Kondratyuk ND, Orekhov ND, Skorb EV. Biocompatible pH-Degradable Functional Capsules Based on Melamine Cyanurate Self-Assembly. ACS OMEGA 2021; 6:17267-17275. [PMID: 34278113 PMCID: PMC8280711 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c01124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Development of adaptive self-regulating materials and chemical-biological systems-self-healing, self-regulating, etc.-is an advanced modern trend. The very sensitive pH-controlled functionality of supramolecular assemblies is a very useful tool for chemical and biochemical implementations. However, the assembly process can be tuned by various factors that can be used for both better functionality control and further functionalization such as active species, e.g., drugs and dyes, and encapsulation. Here, the effect of a dye, sodium fluorescein (uranine) (FL), on the formation of a self-assembled melamine cyanurate (M-CA) structure is investigated and calculated with density functional theory (DFT) and molecular dynamics. Interestingly, the dye greatly affects the self-assembly process at early stages from the formation of dimers, trimers, and tetramer to nucleation control. The supramolecular structure disassembly and subsequent release of trapped dye occurred under both high- and low-pH conditions. This system can be used for time-prolonged bacterial staining and development of supramolecular capsules for the system chemistry approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nfayem Imoro
- ITMO
University, Lomonosova str. 9, St. Petersburg 191002, Russian Federation
| | | | - Pavel V. Nesterov
- ITMO
University, Lomonosova str. 9, St. Petersburg 191002, Russian Federation
| | | | - Dmitry Gets
- ITMO
University, Lomonosova str. 9, St. Petersburg 191002, Russian Federation
| | - Anna Nebalueva
- ITMO
University, Lomonosova str. 9, St. Petersburg 191002, Russian Federation
| | - Filipp V. Lavrentev
- ITMO
University, Lomonosova str. 9, St. Petersburg 191002, Russian Federation
| | | | - Nikolay D. Kondratyuk
- Moscow
Institute of Physics and Technology, 9 Institutskiy per., Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region 141701, Russian Federation
- Joint
Institute for High Temperatures of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 13 Izhorskaya Bd 2, Moscow 125412, Russian Federation
| | - Nikita D. Orekhov
- Moscow
Institute of Physics and Technology, 9 Institutskiy per., Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region 141701, Russian Federation
- Joint
Institute for High Temperatures of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 13 Izhorskaya Bd 2, Moscow 125412, Russian Federation
- Bauman
Moscow State Technical University, 2nd Baumanskaya Str., 5, Moscow 105005, Russia
| | - Ekaterina V. Skorb
- ITMO
University, Lomonosova str. 9, St. Petersburg 191002, Russian Federation
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13
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Smart-watch-programmed green-light-operated percutaneous control of therapeutic transgenes. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3388. [PMID: 34099676 PMCID: PMC8184832 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23572-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Wearable smart electronic devices, such as smart watches, are generally equipped with green-light-emitting diodes, which are used for photoplethysmography to monitor a panoply of physical health parameters. Here, we present a traceless, green-light-operated, smart-watch-controlled mammalian gene switch (Glow Control), composed of an engineered membrane-tethered green-light-sensitive cobalamin-binding domain of Thermus thermophilus (TtCBD) CarH protein in combination with a synthetic cytosolic TtCBD-transactivator fusion protein, which manage translocation of TtCBD-transactivator into the nucleus to trigger expression of transgenes upon illumination. We show that Apple-Watch-programmed percutaneous remote control of implanted Glow-controlled engineered human cells can effectively treat experimental type-2 diabetes by producing and releasing human glucagon-like peptide-1 on demand. Directly interfacing wearable smart electronic devices with therapeutic gene expression will advance next-generation personalized therapies by linking biopharmaceutical interventions to the internet of things.
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14
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Du P, Zhao H, Zhang H, Wang R, Huang J, Tian Y, Luo X, Luo X, Wang M, Xiang Y, Qian L, Chen Y, Tao Y, Lou C. De novo design of an intercellular signaling toolbox for multi-channel cell-cell communication and biological computation. Nat Commun 2020; 11:4226. [PMID: 32839450 PMCID: PMC7445162 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17993-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Intercellular signaling is indispensable for single cells to form complex biological structures, such as biofilms, tissues and organs. The genetic tools available for engineering intercellular signaling, however, are quite limited. Here we exploit the chemical diversity of biological small molecules to de novo design a genetic toolbox for high-performance, multi-channel cell-cell communications and biological computations. By biosynthetic pathway design for signal molecules, rational engineering of sensing promoters and directed evolution of sensing transcription factors, we obtain six cell-cell signaling channels in bacteria with orthogonality far exceeding the conventional quorum sensing systems and successfully transfer some of them into yeast and human cells. For demonstration, they are applied in cell consortia to generate bacterial colony-patterns using up to four signaling channels simultaneously and to implement distributed bio-computation containing seven different strains as basic units. This intercellular signaling toolbox paves the way for engineering complex multicellularity including artificial ecosystems and smart tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei Du
- CAS Key Laboratory of Microbial, Physiological, and Metabolic Engineering and Institute of Microbiology, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Huiwei Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Microbial, Physiological, and Metabolic Engineering and Institute of Microbiology, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.,College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, 100149, China
| | - Haoqian Zhang
- Bluepha Co., Ltd, ZGC Science Park, Changping, Beijing, 102206, China.,Center for Quantitative Biology, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Ruisha Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Microbial, Physiological, and Metabolic Engineering and Institute of Microbiology, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.,College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, 100149, China
| | - Jianyi Huang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Microbial, Physiological, and Metabolic Engineering and Institute of Microbiology, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.,College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, 100149, China
| | - Ye Tian
- CAS Key Laboratory of Microbial, Physiological, and Metabolic Engineering and Institute of Microbiology, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Xudong Luo
- CAS Key Laboratory of Microbial, Physiological, and Metabolic Engineering and Institute of Microbiology, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Xunxun Luo
- CAS Key Laboratory of Microbial, Physiological, and Metabolic Engineering and Institute of Microbiology, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.,College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, 100149, China
| | - Min Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Microbial, Physiological, and Metabolic Engineering and Institute of Microbiology, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Yanhui Xiang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1068 Xueyuan Avenue, University Town, Nanshan, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Long Qian
- Center for Quantitative Biology, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Yihua Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Microbial, Physiological, and Metabolic Engineering and Institute of Microbiology, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.,College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, 100149, China
| | - Yong Tao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Microbial, Physiological, and Metabolic Engineering and Institute of Microbiology, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China. .,College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, 100149, China.
| | - Chunbo Lou
- College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, 100149, China. .,CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1068 Xueyuan Avenue, University Town, Nanshan, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
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15
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Stephens K, Bentley WE. Synthetic Biology for Manipulating Quorum Sensing in Microbial Consortia. Trends Microbiol 2020; 28:633-643. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2020.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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16
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Maddela NR, Meng F. Discrepant roles of a quorum quenching bacterium (Rhodococcus sp. BH4) in growing dual-species biofilms. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 713:136402. [PMID: 31955076 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.136402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 12/22/2019] [Accepted: 12/27/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Quorum quenching (QQ) is a promising alternative method for biofilm control. However, a largely unexplored issue is the mechanism through which QQ bacteria interact with biofilm-forming bacteria. Here, we explore inter-species interactions during biofilm development (using 96-well polystyrene plates in a static incubator) between the QQ bacterium Rhodococcus sp. BH4 and sludge bacteria. Experimental results revealed that strain BH4 provoked both competitive (76%) and cooperative (24%) interactions (P < 0.05) in dual-species biofilms after 24 h of incubation (mature biofilm), implying that signal destruction by strain BH4 was strain-dependent. Besides hike in the biofilm biomass (~21%), amount of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) (25-30 times) and particle size (3.5 times) in the Serratia sp. JSB1 biofilm were increased by str. BH4. This suggests that strain BH4 may only have quenching effects against certain bacteria, and that such effects are overlooked at the community level. Taken together, present results imply that in a given biofilm community, not all QS-bacteria interact similarly with Rhodococcus sp. BH4, either because QS-bacteria are tolerant of strain BH4 or QS-bacteria have more than one mechanism for biofilm development. Overall, the QQ-strategy alone seems ineffective at controlling biofilm development, although it may be used in combination with other strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naga Raju Maddela
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China; Instituto de Investigación, Universidad Técnica de Manabí, Portoviejo 130105, Ecuador; Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Técnica de Manabí, Portoviejo 130105, Ecuador; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Fangang Meng
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
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17
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Genetic circuitry for personalized human cell therapy. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2019; 59:31-38. [DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2019.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2018] [Revised: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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18
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Xie M, Fussenegger M. Designing cell function: assembly of synthetic gene circuits for cell biology applications. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2019; 19:507-525. [PMID: 29858606 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-018-0024-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic biology is the discipline of engineering application-driven biological functionalities that were not evolved by nature. Early breakthroughs of cell engineering, which were based on ectopic (over)expression of single sets of transgenes, have already had a revolutionary impact on the biotechnology industry, regenerative medicine and blood transfusion therapies. Now, we require larger-scale, rationally assembled genetic circuits engineered to programme and control various human cell functions with high spatiotemporal precision in order to solve more complex problems in applied life sciences, biomedicine and environmental sciences. This will open new possibilities for employing synthetic biology to advance personalized medicine by converting cells into living therapeutics to combat hitherto intractable diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingqi Xie
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland. .,University of Basel, Faculty of Science, Basel, Switzerland.
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19
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Wu J, Li F, Hu X, Lu J, Sun X, Gao J, Ling D. Responsive Assembly of Silver Nanoclusters with a Biofilm Locally Amplified Bactericidal Effect to Enhance Treatments against Multi-Drug-Resistant Bacterial Infections. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2019; 5:1366-1376. [PMID: 31482119 PMCID: PMC6716126 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.9b00359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial biofilms pose a major threat to public health because they are resistant to most current therapeutics. Conventional antibiotics exhibit limited penetration and weakened activity in the acidic microenvironment of a biofilm. Here, the development of biofilm-responsive nanoantibiotics (rAgNAs) composed of self-assembled silver nanoclusters and pH-sensitive charge reversal ligands, whose bactericidal activity can be selectively boosted in the biofilm microenvironment, is reported. Under neutral physiological conditions, the bactericidal activity of rAgNAs is self-quenched because the toxic silver ions' release is largely inhibited; however, upon entry into the acidic biofilm microenvironment, the rAgNAs not only exhibit charge reversal to facilitate local accumulation and retention but also disassemble into small silver nanoclusters, thus enabling deep penetration and accelerated silver ions release for dramatically amplified bactericidal activity. The superior antibiofilm activity of rAgNAs is demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo, and the mortality rate of mice with multi-drug-resistant biofilm-induced severe pyomyositis can be significantly reduced by rAgNAs treatment, indicating the immense potential of rAgNAs as highly efficient nanoscale antibacterial agents to combat resistant bacterial biofilm-associated infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahe Wu
- Institute
of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biomedical
Engineering of the Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Engineering
& Instrument Science, and Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, P. R.
China
| | - Fangyuan Li
- Institute
of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biomedical
Engineering of the Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Engineering
& Instrument Science, and Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, P. R.
China
| | - Xi Hu
- Institute
of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biomedical
Engineering of the Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Engineering
& Instrument Science, and Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, P. R.
China
| | - Jingxiong Lu
- Institute
of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biomedical
Engineering of the Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Engineering
& Instrument Science, and Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, P. R.
China
| | - Xiaolian Sun
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical
University, Nanjing 210009, P. R. China
| | - Jianqing Gao
- Institute
of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biomedical
Engineering of the Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Engineering
& Instrument Science, and Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, P. R.
China
- E-mail:
| | - Daishun Ling
- Institute
of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biomedical
Engineering of the Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Engineering
& Instrument Science, and Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, P. R.
China
- E-mail:
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20
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Scheller L, Fussenegger M. From synthetic biology to human therapy: engineered mammalian cells. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2019; 58:108-116. [PMID: 30933864 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2019.02.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Revised: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Mammalian synthetic biology has evolved to become a key driver of biomedical innovation in the area of cell therapy. Advances in receptor engineering, immunotherapy and cell implants promise new treatment options for complex diseases. Synthetic receptors have already found applications in cellular immunotherapy for cancer treatment, and are being introduced into the field of cell implants. Here, we discuss prospects for the next generation of engineered mammalian cells for human therapy, highlighting selected recent studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leo Scheller
- 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; University of Basel, Faculty of Science, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058, Basel, Switzerland.
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21
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Kojima R, Fussenegger M. Synthetic Biology: Engineering Mammalian Cells To Control Cell-to-Cell Communication at Will. Chembiochem 2019; 20:994-1002. [PMID: 30589185 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201800682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cell-to-cell communication plays a key role in the regulation of many natural biological processes. Recent advances in mammalian synthetic biology are making it possible to rationally engineer cell-to-cell communication for therapeutic and other purposes. Here, we review state-of-the-art engineering principles to control cell-to-cell communication, focusing on communication between mammalian cells with diffusible factors (e.g., small molecules or exosomes) or direct cell contact, and on interkingdom communication between mammalian cells and bacteria. Potential applications include construction of artificial tissues able to perform complex computations, sophisticated cell-based cancer therapies, use of mammalian cells as a new class of cargo delivery modality, development of design principles to control pattern formation of cell populations, and treatment of infectious diseases. We also discuss the challenges facing practical applications, and possible enabling technologies to overcome them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryosuke Kojima
- Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan.,PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), 4-1-8 Honcho, Kawaguchi, Saitama, 332-0012, Japan
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering (D-BSSE), ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058, Basel, Switzerland.,Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
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22
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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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