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Deng X, Peng D, Yao Y, Huang K, Wang J, Ma Z, Fu J, Xu Y. Optogenetic therapeutic strategies for diabetes mellitus. J Diabetes 2024; 16:e13557. [PMID: 38751366 PMCID: PMC11096815 DOI: 10.1111/1753-0407.13557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common chronic disease affecting humans globally. It is characterized by abnormally elevated blood glucose levels due to the failure of insulin production or reduction of insulin sensitivity and functionality. Insulin and glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 replenishment or improvement of insulin resistance are the two major strategies to treat diabetes. Recently, optogenetics that uses genetically encoded light-sensitive proteins to precisely control cell functions has been regarded as a novel therapeutic strategy for diabetes. Here, we summarize the latest development of optogenetics and its integration with synthetic biology approaches to produce light-responsive cells for insulin/GLP-1 production, amelioration of insulin resistance and neuromodulation of insulin secretion. In addition, we introduce the development of cell encapsulation and delivery methods and smart bioelectronic devices for the in vivo application of optogenetics-based cell therapy in diabetes. The remaining challenges for optogenetics-based cell therapy in the clinical translational study are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Deng
- Department of EndocrinologyChildren's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child HealthHangzhouChina
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, MOE Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Cardio‐Cerebral Vascular Detection Technology and Medicinal Effectiveness Appraisal, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Clinical Evaluation and Translational ResearchZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Dandan Peng
- Department of EndocrinologyChildren's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child HealthHangzhouChina
| | - Yuanfa Yao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, MOE Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Cardio‐Cerebral Vascular Detection Technology and Medicinal Effectiveness Appraisal, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Clinical Evaluation and Translational ResearchZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Ke Huang
- Department of EndocrinologyChildren's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child HealthHangzhouChina
| | - Jinling Wang
- Department of EndocrinologyChildren's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child HealthHangzhouChina
| | - Zhihao Ma
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, MOE Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Cardio‐Cerebral Vascular Detection Technology and Medicinal Effectiveness Appraisal, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Clinical Evaluation and Translational ResearchZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Junfen Fu
- Department of EndocrinologyChildren's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child HealthHangzhouChina
| | - Yingke Xu
- Department of EndocrinologyChildren's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child HealthHangzhouChina
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, MOE Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Cardio‐Cerebral Vascular Detection Technology and Medicinal Effectiveness Appraisal, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Clinical Evaluation and Translational ResearchZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
- Binjiang Institute of Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
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Chen Z, Stoukides DM, Tzanakakis ES. Light-Mediated Enhancement of Glucose-Stimulated Insulin Release of Optogenetically Engineered Human Pancreatic Beta-Cells. ACS Synth Biol 2024; 13:825-836. [PMID: 38377949 PMCID: PMC10949932 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
Enhancement of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) in exogenously delivered pancreatic β-cells is desirable, for example, to overcome the insulin resistance manifested in type 2 diabetes or to reduce the number of β-cells for supporting homeostasis of blood sugar in type 1 diabetes. Optogenetically engineered cells can potentiate their function with exposure to light. Given that cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) mediates GSIS, we surmised that optoamplification of GSIS is feasible in human β-cells carrying a photoactivatable adenylyl cyclase (PAC). To this end, human EndoC-βH3 cells were engineered to express a blue-light-activated PAC, and a workflow was established combining the scalable manufacturing of pseudoislets (PIs) with efficient adenoviral transduction, resulting in over 80% of cells carrying PAC. Changes in intracellular cAMP and GSIS were determined with the photoactivation of PAC in vitro as well as after encapsulation and implantation in mice with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. cAMP rapidly rose in β-cells expressing PAC with illumination and quickly declined upon its termination. Light-induced amplification in cAMP was concomitant with a greater than 2-fold GSIS vs β-cells without PAC in elevated glucose. The enhanced GSIS retained its biphasic pattern, and the rate of oxygen consumption remained unchanged. Diabetic mice receiving the engineered β-cell PIs exhibited improved glucose tolerance upon illumination compared to those kept in the dark or not receiving cells. The findings support the use of optogenetics for molecular customization of the β-cells toward better treatments for diabetes without the adverse effects of pharmacological approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zijing Chen
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States
| | - Demetrios M. Stoukides
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States
| | - Emmanuel S. Tzanakakis
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States
- Department
of Developmental, Molecular and Cell Biology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, United States
- Graduate
Program in Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics and Pharmacology
and Drug Development, Tufts University School
of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, United States
- Clinical
and Translational Science Institute, Tufts
Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, United States
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Bolonduro OA, Chen Z, Lai YR, Cote M, Rao AA, Liu H, Tzanakakis ES, Timko BP. An Integrated Optogenetic and Bioelectronic Platform for Regulating Cardiomyocyte Function. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.15.571704. [PMID: 38168441 PMCID: PMC10760153 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.15.571704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
We report an integrated optogenetic and bioelectronic platform for stable and long-term modulation and monitoring of cardiomyocyte function in vitro. Optogenetic inputs were achieved through expression of a photoactivatable adenylyl cyclase (bPAC), that when activated by blue light caused a dose-dependent and time-limited increase in autonomous cardiomyocyte beat rate. Bioelectronic readouts were achieved through an integrated planar multi-electrode array (MEA) that provided real-time readouts of electrophysiological activity from 32 spatially-distinct locations. Irradiation at 27 μW/mm2 resulted in a ca. 14% increase in beat rate within 20-25 minutes, which remained stable for at least 2 hours. The beating rate could be cycled through repeated "on" and "off' states, and its magnitude was a monotonic function of irradiation intensity. Our integrated platform opens new avenues in bioelectronic medicine, including closed-loop feedback systems, with potential applications for cardiac regulation including arrhythmia diagnosis and intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zijing Chen
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Tufts University
| | - Yan-Ru Lai
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University
| | - Megan Cote
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University
| | | | - Haitao Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University
- General Surgery Department, Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310052, China
| | - Emmanuel S. Tzanakakis
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Tufts University
- Cell, Molecular and Developmental Biology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University
- Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Tufts Medical Center
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Choi J, Shin E, Lee J, Devarasou S, Kim D, Shin JH, Choi JH, Heo WD, Han YM. Light-stimulated insulin secretion from pancreatic islet-like organoids derived from human pluripotent stem cells. Mol Ther 2023; 31:1480-1495. [PMID: 36932674 PMCID: PMC10188912 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Optogenetic techniques permit non-invasive, spatiotemporal, and reversible modulation of cellular activities. Here, we report a novel optogenetic regulatory system for insulin secretion in human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived pancreatic islet-like organoids using monSTIM1 (monster-opto-Stromal interaction molecule 1), an ultra-light-sensitive OptoSTIM1 variant. The monSTIM1 transgene was incorporated at the AAVS1 locus in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) by CRISPR-Cas9-mediated genome editing. Not only were we able to elicit light-induced intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) transients from the resulting homozygous monSTIM1+/+-hESCs, but we also successfully differentiated them into pancreatic islet-like organoids (PIOs). Upon light stimulation, the β-cells in these monSTIM1+/+-PIOs displayed reversible and reproducible [Ca2+]i transient dynamics. Furthermore, in response to photoexcitation, they secreted human insulin. Light-responsive insulin secretion was similarly observed in monSTIM1+/+-PIOs produced from neonatal diabetes (ND) patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Under LED illumination, monSTIM1+/+-PIO-transplanted diabetic mice produced human c-peptide. Collectively, we developed a cellular model for the optogenetic control of insulin secretion using hPSCs, with the potential to be applied to the amelioration of hyperglycemic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jieun Choi
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunji Shin
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinsu Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Dongkyu Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jennifer H Shin
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Ho Choi
- Department of Pediatrics, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Won Do Heo
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea.
| | - Yong-Mahn Han
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea; Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea.
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Emerging molecular technologies for light-mediated modulation of pancreatic beta-cell function. Mol Metab 2022; 64:101552. [PMID: 35863638 PMCID: PMC9352964 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2022.101552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Optogenetic modalities as well as optochemical and photopharmacological strategies, collectively termed optical methods, have revolutionized the control of cellular functions via light with great spatiotemporal precision. In comparison to the major advances in the photomodulation of signaling activities noted in neuroscience, similar applications to endocrine cells of the pancreas, particularly insulin-producing β-cells, have been limited. The availability of tools allowing light-mediated changes in the trafficking of ions such as K+ and Ca2+ and signaling intermediates such as cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), renders β-cells and their glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) amenable to optoengineering for drug-free control of blood sugar. Scope of review The molecular circuit of the GSIS in β-cells is described with emphasis on intermediates which are targetable for optical intervention. Various pharmacological agents modifying the release of insulin are reviewed along with their documented side effects. These are contrasted with optical approaches, which have already been employed for engineering β-cell function or are considered for future such applications. Principal obstacles are also discussed as the implementation of optogenetics is pondered for tissue engineering and biology applications of the pancreas. Major Conclusions Notable advances in optogenetic, optochemical and photopharmacological tools are rendering feasible the smart engineering of pancreatic cells and tissues with light-regulated function paving the way for novel solutions for addressing pancreatic pathologies including diabetes.
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Mansouri M, Fussenegger M. Therapeutic cell engineering: designing programmable synthetic genetic circuits in mammalian cells. Protein Cell 2022; 13:476-489. [PMID: 34586617 PMCID: PMC9226217 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-021-00876-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell therapy approaches that employ engineered mammalian cells for on-demand production of therapeutic agents in the patient's body are moving beyond proof-of-concept in translational medicine. The therapeutic cells can be customized to sense user-defined signals, process them, and respond in a programmable and predictable way. In this paper, we introduce the available tools and strategies employed to design therapeutic cells. Then, various approaches to control cell behaviors, including open-loop and closed-loop systems, are discussed. We also highlight therapeutic applications of engineered cells for early diagnosis and treatment of various diseases in the clinic and in experimental disease models. Finally, we consider emerging technologies such as digital devices and their potential for incorporation into future cell-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maysam Mansouri
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058, Basel, Switzerland.
- Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058, Basel, Switzerland.
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Guan N, Gao X, Ye H. Engineering of optogenetic devices for biomedical applications in mammalian synthetic biology. ENGINEERING BIOLOGY 2022; 6:35-49. [PMID: 36969102 PMCID: PMC9996731 DOI: 10.1049/enb2.12022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2021] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene- and cell-based therapies are the next frontiers in the field of medicine. Both are transformative and innovative therapies; however, a lack of safety data limits the translation of such promising technologies to the clinic. Improving the safety and promoting the clinical translation of these therapies can be achieved by tightly regulating the release and delivery of therapeutic outputs. In recent years, the rapid development of optogenetic technology has provided opportunities to develop precision-controlled gene- and cell-based therapies, in which light is introduced to precisely and spatiotemporally manipulate the behaviour of genes and cells. This review focuses on the development of optogenetic tools and their applications in biomedicine, including photoactivated genome engineering and phototherapy for diabetes and tumours. The prospects and challenges of optogenetic tools for future clinical applications are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ningzi Guan
- Synthetic Biology and Biomedical Engineering LaboratoryBiomedical Synthetic Biology Research CenterShanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory BiologyInstitute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life SciencesEast China Normal UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Xianyun Gao
- Synthetic Biology and Biomedical Engineering LaboratoryBiomedical Synthetic Biology Research CenterShanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory BiologyInstitute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life SciencesEast China Normal UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Haifeng Ye
- Synthetic Biology and Biomedical Engineering LaboratoryBiomedical Synthetic Biology Research CenterShanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory BiologyInstitute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life SciencesEast China Normal UniversityShanghaiChina
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8
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Current advances and future prospects in production of recombinant insulin and other proteins to treat diabetes mellitus. Biotechnol Lett 2022; 44:643-669. [DOI: 10.1007/s10529-022-03247-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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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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Keshmiri Neghab H, Soheilifar MH, Grusch M, Ortega MM, Esmaeeli Djavid G, Saboury AA, Goliaei B. The state of the art of biomedical applications of optogenetics. Lasers Surg Med 2021; 54:202-216. [PMID: 34363230 DOI: 10.1002/lsm.23463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Optogenetics has opened new insights into biomedical research with the ability to manipulate and control cellular activity using light in combination with genetically engineered photosensitive proteins. By stimulating with light, this method provides high spatiotemporal and high specificity resolution, which is in contrast to conventional pharmacological or electrical stimulation. Optogenetics was initially introduced to control neural activities but was gradually extended to other biomedical fields. STUDY DESIGN In this paper, firstly, we summarize the current optogenetic tools stimulated by different light sources, including lasers, light-emitting diodes, and laser diodes. Second, we outline the variety of biomedical applications of optogenetics not only for neuronal circuits but also for various kinds of cells and tissues from cardiomyocytes to ganglion cells. Furthermore, we highlight the potential of this technique for treating neurological disorders, cardiac arrhythmia, visual impairment, hearing loss, and urinary bladder diseases as well as clarify the mechanisms underlying cancer progression and control of stem cell differentiation. CONCLUSION We sought to summarize the various types of promising applications of optogenetics to treat a broad spectrum of disorders. It is conceivable to expect that optogenetics profits a growing number of patients suffering from a range of different diseases in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoda Keshmiri Neghab
- Department of Photo Healing and Regeneration, Medical Laser Research Center, Yara Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Michael Grusch
- Department of Medicine I, Institute of Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Manoela Marques Ortega
- Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Tumor Biology and Bioactive Compounds, São Francisco University, Bragança Paulista, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gholamreza Esmaeeli Djavid
- Department of Photo Healing and Regeneration, Medical Laser Research Center, Yara Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Akbar Saboury
- Department of Biophysics, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bahram Goliaei
- Department of Biophysics, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
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Oh TJ, Fan H, Skeeters SS, Zhang K. Steering Molecular Activity with Optogenetics: Recent Advances and Perspectives. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2021; 5:e2000180. [PMID: 34028216 PMCID: PMC8218620 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202000180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Optogenetics utilizes photosensitive proteins to manipulate the localization and interaction of molecules in living cells. Because light can be rapidly switched and conveniently confined to the sub-micrometer scale, optogenetics allows for controlling cellular events with an unprecedented resolution in time and space. The past decade has witnessed an enormous progress in the field of optogenetics within the biological sciences. The ever-increasing amount of optogenetic tools, however, can overwhelm the selection of appropriate optogenetic strategies. Considering that each optogenetic tool may have a distinct mode of action, a comparative analysis of the current optogenetic toolbox can promote the further use of optogenetics, especially by researchers new to this field. This review provides such a compilation that highlights the spatiotemporal accuracy of current optogenetic systems. Recent advances of optogenetics in live cells and animal models are summarized, the emerging work that interlinks optogenetics with other research fields is presented, and exciting clinical and industrial efforts to employ optogenetic strategy toward disease intervention are reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teak-Jung Oh
- 600 South Mathews Avenue, 314 B Roger Adams Laboratory, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Huaxun Fan
- 600 South Mathews Avenue, 314 B Roger Adams Laboratory, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Savanna S Skeeters
- 600 South Mathews Avenue, 314 B Roger Adams Laboratory, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Kai Zhang
- 600 South Mathews Avenue, 314 B Roger Adams Laboratory, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
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Mukherjee A, Sudrik C, Hu Y, Arha M, Stathos M, Baek J, Schaffer DV, Kane RS. CL6mN: Rationally Designed Optogenetic Photoswitches with Tunable Dissociation Dynamics. ACS Synth Biol 2020; 9:2274-2281. [PMID: 32794731 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.0c00362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The field of optogenetics uses genetically encoded photoswitches to modulate biological phenomena with high spatiotemporal resolution. We report a set of rationally designed optogenetic photoswitches that use the photolyase homology region of A. thaliana cryptochrome 2 (Cry2PHR) as a building block and exhibit highly efficient and tunable clustering in a blue-light dependent manner. CL6mN (Cry2-mCherry-LRP6c with N mutated PPPAP motifs) proteins were designed by mutating and/or truncating five crucial PPP(S/T)P motifs near the C-terminus of the optogenetic Wnt activator Cry2-mCherry-LRP6c, thus eliminating its Wnt activity. Light-induced CL6mN clusters have significantly greater dissociation half-lives than clusters of wild-type Cry2PHR. Moreover, the dissociation half-lives can be tuned by varying the number of PPPAP motifs, with the half-life increasing as much as 6-fold for a variant with five motifs (CL6m5) relative to Cry2PHR. Finally, we demonstrate the compatibility of CL6mN with previously reported Cry2-based photoswitches by optogenetically activating RhoA in mammalian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhirup Mukherjee
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Chaitanya Sudrik
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York 12180, United States
| | - Yuge Hu
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Manish Arha
- Centre for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York 12180, United States
| | - Mark Stathos
- Bioengineering Graduate Program, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Jieung Baek
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - David V Schaffer
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Ravi S Kane
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
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