1
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Kellner S, Berlin S. Rescuing tri-heteromeric NMDA receptor function: the potential of pregnenolone-sulfate in loss-of-function GRIN2B variants. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:235. [PMID: 38795169 PMCID: PMC11127902 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-024-05243-x] [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: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/27/2024]
Abstract
N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs emerging from GRIN genes) are tetrameric receptors that form diverse channel compositions in neurons, typically consisting of two GluN1 subunits combined with two GluN2(A-D) subunits. During prenatal stages, the predominant channels are di-heteromers with two GluN1 and two GluN2B subunits due to the high abundance of GluN2B subunits. Postnatally, the expression of GluN2A subunits increases, giving rise to additional subtypes, including GluN2A-containing di-heteromers and tri-heteromers with GluN1, GluN2A, and GluN2B subunits. The latter emerge as the major receptor subtype at mature synapses in the hippocampus. Despite extensive research on purely di-heteromeric receptors containing two identical GRIN variants, the impact of a single variant on the function of other channel forms, notably tri-heteromers, is lagging. In this study, we systematically investigated the effects of two de novo GRIN2B variants (G689C and G689S) in pure, mixed di- and tri-heteromers. Our findings reveal that incorporating a single variant in mixed di-heteromers or tri-heteromers exerts a dominant negative effect on glutamate potency, although 'mixed' channels show improved potency compared to pure variant-containing di-heteromers. We show that a single variant within a receptor complex does not impair the response of all receptor subtypes to the positive allosteric modulator pregnenolone-sulfate (PS), whereas spermine completely fails to potentiate tri-heteromers containing GluN2A and -2B-subunits. We examined PS on primary cultured hippocampal neurons transfected with the variants, and observed a positive impact over current amplitudes and synaptic activity. Together, our study supports previous observations showing that mixed di-heteromers exhibit improved glutamate potency and extend these findings towards the exploration of the effect of Loss-of-Function variants over tri-heteromers. Notably, we provide an initial and crucial demonstration of the beneficial effects of GRIN2B-relevant potentiators on tri-heteromers. Our results underscore the significance of studying how different variants affect distinct receptor subtypes, as these effects cannot be inferred solely from observations made on pure di-heteromers. Overall, this study contributes to ongoing efforts to understand the pathophysiology of GRINopathies and provides insights into potential treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shai Kellner
- Dept. of Neuroscience, Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, 1 Efron Bat Galim, Haifa, 3525433, Israel
| | - Shai Berlin
- Dept. of Neuroscience, Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, 1 Efron Bat Galim, Haifa, 3525433, Israel.
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2
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Cowan QT, Gu S, Gu W, Ranzau BL, Simonson TS, Komor AC. Development of multiplexed orthogonal base editor (MOBE) systems. Nat Biotechnol 2024:10.1038/s41587-024-02240-0. [PMID: 38773305 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-024-02240-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
Base editors (BEs) enable efficient, programmable installation of point mutations while avoiding the use of double-strand breaks. Simultaneous application of two or more different BEs, such as an adenine BE (which converts A·T base pairs to G·C) and a cytosine BE (which converts C·G base pairs to T·A), is not feasible because guide RNA crosstalk results in non-orthogonal editing, with all BEs modifying all target loci. Here we engineer both adenine BEs and cytosine BEs that can be orthogonally multiplexed by using RNA aptamer-coat protein systems to recruit the DNA-modifying enzymes directly to the guide RNAs. We generate four multiplexed orthogonal BE systems that enable rates of precise co-occurring edits of up to 7.1% in the same DNA strand without enrichment or selection strategies. The addition of a fluorescent enrichment strategy increases co-occurring edit rates up to 24.8% in human cells. These systems are compatible with expanded protospacer adjacent motif and high-fidelity Cas9 variants, function well in multiple cell types, have equivalent or reduced off-target propensities compared with their parental systems and can model disease-relevant point mutation combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quinn T Cowan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sifeng Gu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Wanjun Gu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep Medicine, and Physiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Brodie L Ranzau
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Tatum S Simonson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep Medicine, and Physiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Alexis C Komor
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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3
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Baghdassarian HM, Lewis NE. Resource allocation in mammalian systems. Biotechnol Adv 2024; 71:108305. [PMID: 38215956 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108305] [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: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
Cells execute biological functions to support phenotypes such as growth, migration, and secretion. Complementarily, each function of a cell has resource costs that constrain phenotype. Resource allocation by a cell allows it to manage these costs and optimize their phenotypes. In fact, the management of resource constraints (e.g., nutrient availability, bioenergetic capacity, and macromolecular machinery production) shape activity and ultimately impact phenotype. In mammalian systems, quantification of resource allocation provides important insights into higher-order multicellular functions; it shapes intercellular interactions and relays environmental cues for tissues to coordinate individual cells to overcome resource constraints and achieve population-level behavior. Furthermore, these constraints, objectives, and phenotypes are context-dependent, with cells adapting their behavior according to their microenvironment, resulting in distinct steady-states. This review will highlight the biological insights gained from probing resource allocation in mammalian cells and tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hratch M Baghdassarian
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Graduate Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Nathan E Lewis
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
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4
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Mariconti M, Dechamboux L, Heckmann M, Gros J, Morel M, Escriou V, Baigl D, Hoffmann C, Rudiuk S. Intracellular Delivery of Functional Proteins with DNA-Protein Nanogels-Lipids Complex. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:5118-5127. [PMID: 38363821 PMCID: PMC10910493 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c08000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Using functional proteins for therapeutic purposes due to their high selectivity and/or catalytic properties can enable the control of various cellular processes; however, the transport of active proteins inside living cells remains a major challenge. In contrast, intracellular delivery of nucleic acids has become a routine method for a number of applications in gene therapy, genome editing, or immunization. Here we report a functionalizable platform constituting of DNA-protein nanogel carriers cross-linked through streptavidin-biotin or streptactin-biotin interactions and demonstrate its applicability for intracellular delivery of active proteins. We show that the nanogels can be loaded with proteins bearing either biotin, streptavidin, or strep-tag, and the resulting functionalized nanogels can be delivered into living cells after complexation with cationic lipid vectors. We use this approach for delivery of alkaline phosphatase enzyme, which is shown to keep its catalytic activity after internalization by mouse melanoma B16 cells, as demonstrated by the DDAO-phosphate assay. The resulting functionalized nanogels have dimensions on the order of 100 nm, contain around 100 enzyme molecules, and are shown to be transfectable at low lipid concentrations (charge ratio R± = 0.75). This ensures the low toxicity of our system, which in combination with high local enzyme concentration (∼100 μM) underlines potential interest of this nanoplatform for biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Mariconti
- PASTEUR,
UMR8640, Department of Chemistry, PSL University,
Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris 75005 France
| | | | - Marion Heckmann
- Université
Paris Cité, CNRS, INSERM, UTCBS, Paris 75006, France
| | - Julien Gros
- PASTEUR,
UMR8640, Department of Chemistry, PSL University,
Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris 75005 France
| | - Mathieu Morel
- PASTEUR,
UMR8640, Department of Chemistry, PSL University,
Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris 75005 France
| | | | - Damien Baigl
- PASTEUR,
UMR8640, Department of Chemistry, PSL University,
Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris 75005 France
| | - Céline Hoffmann
- Université
Paris Cité, CNRS, INSERM, UTCBS, Paris 75006, France
| | - Sergii Rudiuk
- PASTEUR,
UMR8640, Department of Chemistry, PSL University,
Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris 75005 France
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5
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Calandra F, Siciliano V. Engineered Protease-Responsive RNA-Binding Proteins (RBPs) to Expand the Toolbox of Synthetic Circuits in Mammalian Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2774:59-69. [PMID: 38441758 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3718-0_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Genetically encoded sensor-actuator circuits aim at reprogramming cellular functions and are inspired by intracellular networks: from the input signal (sensor) to the desired output response (actuator). In the last years, circuits with posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression have aroused great interest for their potential in the biomedical space. Posttranscriptional modulation can be achieved with ribozymes, riboswitches (simple regulatory elements based on RNA secondary structures), noncoding RNAs, and RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). RBPs are proteins that recognize specific motifs on the mRNA target inducing mRNA decay or translation inhibition. The use of RBPs deriving from different species in mammalian cells has allowed to create sophisticated and multilayered regulatory networks, addressing the previous limitation of regulatory orthogonal parts that can be assembled in synthetic devices. In this chapter, we describe the engineering and tests of protease-responsive RNA-binding proteins (L7Ae and MS2-cNOT7) to expand the toolbox of synthetic circuits in mammalian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiana Calandra
- Synthetic and Systems Biology lab for Biomedicine, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia-IIT, Naples, Italy
| | - Velia Siciliano
- Synthetic and Systems Biology lab for Biomedicine, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia-IIT, Naples, Italy.
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6
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Morant L, Petrovic-Erfurth ML, Jordanova A. An Adapted GeneSwitch Toolkit for Comparable Cellular and Animal Models: A Proof of Concept in Modeling Charcot-Marie-Tooth Neuropathy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16138. [PMID: 38003325 PMCID: PMC10670994 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216138] [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: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Investigating the impact of disease-causing mutations, their affected pathways, and/or potential therapeutic strategies using disease modeling often requires the generation of different in vivo and in cellulo models. To date, several approaches have been established to induce transgene expression in a controlled manner in different model systems. Several rounds of subcloning are, however, required, depending on the model organism used, thus bringing labor-intensive experiments into the technical approach and analysis comparison. The GeneSwitch™ technology is an adapted version of the classical UAS-GAL4 inducible system, allowing the spatial and temporal modulation of transgene expression. It consists of three components: a plasmid encoding for the chimeric regulatory pSwitch protein, Mifepristone as an inducer, and an inducible plasmid. While the pSwitch-containing first plasmid can be used both in vivo and in cellulo, the inducible second plasmid can only be used in cellulo. This requires a specific subcloning strategy of the inducible plasmid tailored to the model organism used. To avoid this step and unify gene expression in the transgenic models generated, we replaced the backbone vector with standard pUAS-attB plasmid for both plasmids containing either the chimeric GeneSwitch™ cDNA sequence or the transgene cDNA sequence. We optimized this adapted system to regulate transgene expression in several mammalian cell lines. Moreover, we took advantage of this new system to generate unified cellular and fruit fly models for YARS1-induced Charco-Marie-Tooth neuropathy (CMT). These new models displayed the expected CMT-like phenotypes. In the N2a neuroblastoma cells expressing YARS1 transgenes, we observed the typical "teardrop" distribution of the synthetase that was perturbed when expressing the YARS1CMT mutation. In flies, the ubiquitous expression of YARS1CMT induced dose-dependent developmental lethality and pan-neuronal expression caused locomotor deficit, while expression of the wild-type allele was harmless. Our proof-of-concept disease modeling studies support the efficacy of the adapted transgenesis system as a powerful tool allowing the design of studies with optimal data comparability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Morant
- Center for Molecular Neurology, VIB, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerpen, Belgium; (L.M.); (M.-L.P.-E.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Maria-Luise Petrovic-Erfurth
- Center for Molecular Neurology, VIB, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerpen, Belgium; (L.M.); (M.-L.P.-E.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Albena Jordanova
- Center for Molecular Neurology, VIB, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerpen, Belgium; (L.M.); (M.-L.P.-E.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerpen, Belgium
- Molecular Medicine Center, Department of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University-Sofia, 1431 Sofia, Bulgaria
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7
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Makri Pistikou AM, Cremers GAO, Nathalia BL, Meuleman TJ, Bögels BWA, Eijkens BV, de Dreu A, Bezembinder MTH, Stassen OMJA, Bouten CCV, Merkx M, Jerala R, de Greef TFA. Engineering a scalable and orthogonal platform for synthetic communication in mammalian cells. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7001. [PMID: 37919273 PMCID: PMC10622552 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42810-5] [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: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The rational design and implementation of synthetic mammalian communication systems can unravel fundamental design principles of cell communication circuits and offer a framework for engineering of designer cell consortia with potential applications in cell therapeutics. Here, we develop the foundations of an orthogonal, and scalable mammalian synthetic communication platform that exploits the programmability of synthetic receptors and selective affinity and tunability of diffusing coiled-coil peptides. Leveraging the ability of coiled-coils to exclusively bind to a cognate receptor, we demonstrate orthogonal receptor activation and Boolean logic operations at the receptor level. We show intercellular communication based on synthetic receptors and secreted multidomain coiled-coils and demonstrate a three-cell population system that can perform AND gate logic. Finally, we show CC-GEMS receptor-dependent therapeutic protein expression. Our work provides a modular and scalable framework for the engineering of complex cell consortia, with the potential to expand the aptitude of cell therapeutics and diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Maria Makri Pistikou
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Computational Biology Group, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Laboratory for Cell and Tissue Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Glenn A O Cremers
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Computational Biology Group, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Bryan L Nathalia
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Computational Biology Group, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Laboratory for Cell and Tissue Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Theodorus J Meuleman
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Computational Biology Group, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Laboratory for Cell and Tissue Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Center for Living Technologies, Eindhoven-Wageningen-Utrecht Alliance, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Bas W A Bögels
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Computational Biology Group, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Bruno V Eijkens
- Computational Biology Group, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Laboratory for Cell and Tissue Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Anne de Dreu
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Maarten T H Bezembinder
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Computational Biology Group, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Laboratory for Cell and Tissue Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Oscar M J A Stassen
- Laboratory for Cell and Tissue Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Carlijn C V Bouten
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Laboratory for Cell and Tissue Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Maarten Merkx
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Roman Jerala
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- EN-FIST Centre of Excellence, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tom F A de Greef
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
- Computational Biology Group, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
- Laboratory for Cell and Tissue Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
- Center for Living Technologies, Eindhoven-Wageningen-Utrecht Alliance, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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8
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Wells-Holland C, Elfick A. Transfection reflections: fit-for-purpose delivery of nucleic acids. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2023; 24:771-772. [PMID: 37344633 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-023-00627-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Chris Wells-Holland
- UK Centre for Mammalian Synthetic Biology and Institute for Bioengineering, School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Alistair Elfick
- UK Centre for Mammalian Synthetic Biology and Institute for Bioengineering, School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
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9
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Wang C, Karlsson A, Oguin TH, Macintyre AN, Sempowski GD, McCarthy KR, Wang Y, Moody MA, Yuan F. Transient inhibition of lysosomal functions potentiates nucleic acid vaccines. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2306465120. [PMID: 37871214 PMCID: PMC10622924 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2306465120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Nucleic acid vaccines have shown promising results in the clinic against infectious diseases and cancers. To robustly improve the vaccine efficacy and safety, we developed an approach to increase the intracellular stability of nucleic acids by transiently inhibiting lysosomal function in targeted tissues using sucrose. To achieve efficient and localized delivery of sucrose in animals, we designed a biomimetic lipid nanoparticle (LNP) to target the delivery of sucrose into mouse muscle cells. Using this approach, viral antigen expression in mouse muscle after DNA vaccination was substantially increased and prolonged without inducing local or systemic inflammation or toxicity. The same change in antigen expression would be achieved if the vaccine dose could be increased by 3,000 folds, which is experimentally and clinically impractical due to material restrictions and severe toxicity that will be induced by such a high dose of nucleic acids. The increase in antigen expression augmented the infiltration and activation of antigen-presenting cells, significantly improved vaccine-elicited humoral and T cell responses, and fully protected mice against the viral challenge at a low dose of vaccine. Based on these observations, we conclude that transient inhibition of lysosome function in target tissue by sucrose LNPs is a safe and potent approach to substantially improve nucleic acid-based vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunxi Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC27708
| | - Amelia Karlsson
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC27708
| | - Thomas H. Oguin
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC27708
| | - Andrew N. Macintyre
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC27708
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC27708
| | - Gregory D. Sempowski
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC27708
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC27708
| | - Kevin R. McCarthy
- Center for vaccine research, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA15261
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA15261
| | - Yifei Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC27708
| | - M. Anthony Moody
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC27708
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC27708
| | - Fan Yuan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC27708
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10
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Harris MT, Marr MT. The intrinsically disordered region of eIF5B stimulates IRES usage and nucleates biological granule formation. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113283. [PMID: 37862172 PMCID: PMC10680144 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113283] [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: 08/27/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Cells activate stress response pathways to survive adverse conditions. Such responses involve the inhibition of global cap-dependent translation. This inhibition is a block that essential transcripts must escape via alternative methods of translation initiation, e.g., an internal ribosome entry site (IRES). IRESs have distinct structures and generally require a limited repertoire of translation factors. Cellular IRESs have been identified in many critical cellular stress response transcripts. We previously identified cellular IRESs in the murine insulin receptor (Insr) and insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (Igf1r) transcripts and demonstrated their resistance to eukaryotic initiation factor 4F (eIF4F) inhibition. Here, we find that eIF5B preferentially promotes Insr, Igf1r, and hepatitis C virus IRES activity through a non-canonical mechanism that requires its highly charged and disordered N terminus. We find that the N-terminal region of eIF5B can drive cytoplasmic granule formation. This eIF5B granule is triggered by cellular stress and is sufficient to specifically promote IRES activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan T Harris
- Department of Biology and Rosenstiel Basic Medical Sciences Research Center, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02453, USA
| | - Michael T Marr
- Department of Biology and Rosenstiel Basic Medical Sciences Research Center, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02453, USA.
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11
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Komel T, Bosnjak M, Sersa G, Cemazar M. Expression of GFP and DsRed fluorescent proteins after gene electrotransfer of tumour cells in vitro. Bioelectrochemistry 2023; 153:108490. [PMID: 37356264 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2023.108490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
Fluorescent reporter genes are widely used to study the transfection of various types of primary cells and cell lines. The aim of our research was to investigate the expression dynamics of GFP and DsRed reporter genes individually and combined after gene electrotransfer of plasmids with two different electroporation protocols in B16F10 and CT26 cells in vitro. The cytotoxicity after gene electrotransfer of both plasmids was first determined. Second, the intensity of fluorescence and the percentage of cells transfected with both plasmids individually and in combination were monitored in real time. The results show that the percentage of viability after gene electrotransfer of plasmids using the EP2 pulses was significantly higher compared to the EP1 pulses. In contrast, the percentage of transfected cells and fluorescence intensity were higher after gene electrotransfer with the EP1 pulse protocol. Moreover, the percentage of transfected cells was higher and started earlier in the B16F10 cell line than in the CT26 cell line. However, fluorescence intensity was higher in CT26 cells. Co-expression of fluorescent proteins was achieved only in a small number of cells. In conclusion, this study elucidated some of the dynamics of reporter gene expression in cancer cell lines after gene electrotransfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tilen Komel
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Department of Experimental Oncology, Zaloska 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Medicine, Vrazov trg 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Masa Bosnjak
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Department of Experimental Oncology, Zaloska 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gregor Sersa
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Department of Experimental Oncology, Zaloska 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Health Sciences, Zdravstvena pot 5, SI - 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Maja Cemazar
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Department of Experimental Oncology, Zaloska 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences, Polje 42, SI - 6310 Izola, Slovenia.
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12
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Taniguchi S, Ono Y, Doi Y, Taniguchi S, Matsuura Y, Iwasaki A, Hirata N, Fukuda R, Inoue K, Yamaguchi M, Tashiro A, Egami D, Aoki S, Kondoh Y, Honda K, Osada H, Kumeta H, Saio T, Okiyoneda T. Identification of α-Tocopherol succinate as an RFFL-substrate interaction inhibitor inducing peripheral CFTR stabilization and apoptosis. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 215:115730. [PMID: 37543348 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023]
Abstract
The E3 ubiquitin ligase RFFL is an apoptotic inhibitor highly expressed in cancers and its knockdown suppresses cancer cell growth and sensitizes to chemotherapy. RFFL also participates in peripheral protein quality control which removes the functional cell surface ΔF508-CFTR channel and reduces the efficacy of pharmaceutical therapy for cystic fibrosis (CF). Although RFFL inhibitors have therapeutic potential for both cancer and CF, they remain undiscovered. Here, a chemical array screening has identified α-tocopherol succinate (αTOS) as an RFFL ligand. NMR analysis revealed that αTOS directly binds to RFFL's substrate-binding region without affecting the E3 enzymatic activity. Consequently, αTOS inhibits the RFFL-substrate interaction, ΔF508-CFTR ubiquitination and elimination from the plasma membrane of epithelial cells, resulting in the increased functional CFTR channel. Among the α-tocopherol (αTOL) analogs we tested, only αTOS inhibited the RFFL-substrate interaction and increased the cell surface ΔF508-CFTR, depending on RFFL expression. Similarly, the unique proapoptotic effect of αTOS was dependent on RFFL expression. Thus, unlike other αTOL analogs, αTOS acts as an RFFL protein-protein interaction inhibitor which may explain its unique biological properties among αTOL analogs. Moreover, αTOS may act as a CFTR stabilizer, a novel class of drugs that extend cell surface ΔF508-CFTR lifetime.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sachiho Taniguchi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Kwansei Gakuin University, Hyogo 669-1337, Japan
| | - Yuji Ono
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Kwansei Gakuin University, Hyogo 669-1337, Japan
| | - Yukako Doi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Kwansei Gakuin University, Hyogo 669-1337, Japan
| | - Shogo Taniguchi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Kwansei Gakuin University, Hyogo 669-1337, Japan
| | - Yuta Matsuura
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Kwansei Gakuin University, Hyogo 669-1337, Japan
| | - Ayuka Iwasaki
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Kwansei Gakuin University, Hyogo 669-1337, Japan
| | - Noriaki Hirata
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Kwansei Gakuin University, Hyogo 669-1337, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Fukuda
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Kwansei Gakuin University, Hyogo 669-1337, Japan
| | - Keitaro Inoue
- Department of Bioscience and Bioinformatics, Graduate School of Computer Science and Systems Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Fukuoka 820-8502, Japan
| | - Miho Yamaguchi
- Department of Bioscience and Bioinformatics, Graduate School of Computer Science and Systems Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Fukuoka 820-8502, Japan
| | - Anju Tashiro
- Department of Bioscience and Bioinformatics, Graduate School of Computer Science and Systems Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Fukuoka 820-8502, Japan
| | - Daichi Egami
- Department of Bioscience and Bioinformatics, Graduate School of Computer Science and Systems Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Fukuoka 820-8502, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Aoki
- Department of Bioscience and Bioinformatics, Graduate School of Computer Science and Systems Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Fukuoka 820-8502, Japan
| | - Yasumitsu Kondoh
- Chemical Resource Development Unit, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Kaori Honda
- Chemical Resource Development Unit, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Osada
- Chemical Resource Development Unit, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Kumeta
- Faculty of Advanced Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0810, Japan
| | - Tomohide Saio
- Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - Tsukasa Okiyoneda
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Kwansei Gakuin University, Hyogo 669-1337, Japan.
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13
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Dickson KA, Field N, Blackman T, Ma Y, Xie T, Kurangil E, Idrees S, Rathnayake SNH, Mahbub RM, Faiz A, Marsh DJ. CRISPR single base-editing: in silico predictions to variant clonal cell lines. Hum Mol Genet 2023; 32:2704-2716. [PMID: 37369005 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddad105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Engineering single base edits using CRISPR technology including specific deaminases and single-guide RNA (sgRNA) is a rapidly evolving field. Different types of base edits can be constructed, with cytidine base editors (CBEs) facilitating transition of C-to-T variants, adenine base editors (ABEs) enabling transition of A-to-G variants, C-to-G transversion base editors (CGBEs) and recently adenine transversion editors (AYBE) that create A-to-C and A-to-T variants. The base-editing machine learning algorithm BE-Hive predicts which sgRNA and base editor combinations have the strongest likelihood of achieving desired base edits. We have used BE-Hive and TP53 mutation data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) ovarian cancer cohort to predict which mutations can be engineered, or reverted to wild-type (WT) sequence, using CBEs, ABEs or CGBEs. We have developed and automated a ranking system to assist in selecting optimally designed sgRNA that considers the presence of a suitable protospacer adjacent motif (PAM), the frequency of predicted bystander edits, editing efficiency and target base change. We have generated single constructs containing ABE or CBE editing machinery, an sgRNA cloning backbone and an enhanced green fluorescent protein tag (EGFP), removing the need for co-transfection of multiple plasmids. We have tested our ranking system and new plasmid constructs to engineer the p53 mutants Y220C, R282W and R248Q into WT p53 cells and shown that these mutants cannot activate four p53 target genes, mimicking the behaviour of endogenous p53 mutations. This field will continue to rapidly progress, requiring new strategies such as we propose to ensure desired base-editing outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristie-Ann Dickson
- Translational Oncology Group, Faculty of Science, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Natisha Field
- Translational Oncology Group, Faculty of Science, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Tiane Blackman
- Translational Oncology Group, Faculty of Science, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Yue Ma
- Translational Oncology Group, Faculty of Science, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Tao Xie
- Translational Oncology Group, Faculty of Science, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Ecem Kurangil
- Translational Oncology Group, Faculty of Science, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Sobia Idrees
- Faculty of Science, School of Life Sciences, Centre for Inflammation, Centenary Institute and the University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Senani N H Rathnayake
- Respiratory Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology (RBMB), Faculty of Science, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Rashad M Mahbub
- Respiratory Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology (RBMB), Faculty of Science, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Alen Faiz
- Respiratory Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology (RBMB), Faculty of Science, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Deborah J Marsh
- Translational Oncology Group, Faculty of Science, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
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14
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Di Blasi R, Pisani M, Tedeschi F, Marbiah MM, Polizzi K, Furini S, Siciliano V, Ceroni F. Resource-aware construct design in mammalian cells. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3576. [PMID: 37328476 PMCID: PMC10275982 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39252-4] [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: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Resource competition can be the cause of unintended coupling between co-expressed genetic constructs. Here we report the quantification of the resource load imposed by different mammalian genetic components and identify construct designs with increased performance and reduced resource footprint. We use these to generate improved synthetic circuits and optimise the co-expression of transfected cassettes, shedding light on how this can be useful for bioproduction and biotherapeutic applications. This work provides the scientific community with a framework to consider resource demand when designing mammalian constructs to achieve robust and optimised gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Di Blasi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, UK
- Imperial College Centre for Synthetic Biology, South Kensington Campus, London, UK
| | - Mara Pisani
- Synthetic and Systems Biology lab for Biomedicine, Instituto Italiano di Tecnologia-IIT, Largo Barsanti e Matteucci, Naples, Italy
- Open University affiliated centre, Milton Keynes, UK
| | - Fabiana Tedeschi
- Synthetic and Systems Biology lab for Biomedicine, Instituto Italiano di Tecnologia-IIT, Largo Barsanti e Matteucci, Naples, Italy
- University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Masue M Marbiah
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, UK
- Imperial College Centre for Synthetic Biology, South Kensington Campus, London, UK
| | - Karen Polizzi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, UK
- Imperial College Centre for Synthetic Biology, South Kensington Campus, London, UK
| | - Simone Furini
- Department of Electrical, Electronic and Information Engineering ″Guglielmo Marconi", University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy
| | - Velia Siciliano
- Synthetic and Systems Biology lab for Biomedicine, Instituto Italiano di Tecnologia-IIT, Largo Barsanti e Matteucci, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesca Ceroni
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, UK.
- Imperial College Centre for Synthetic Biology, South Kensington Campus, London, UK.
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15
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Nemes B, László S, Zsidó BZ, Hetényi C, Feher A, Papp F, Varga Z, Szőke É, Sándor Z, Pintér E. Elucidation of the binding mode of organic polysulfides on the human TRPA1 receptor. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1180896. [PMID: 37351262 PMCID: PMC10282659 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1180896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Previous studies have established that endogenous inorganic polysulfides have significant biological actions activating the Transient Receptor Potential Ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) receptor. Organic polysulfides exert similar effects, but they are much more stable molecules, therefore these compounds are more suitable as drugs. In this study, we aimed to better understand the mechanism of action of organic polysulfides by identification of their binding site on the TRPA1 receptor. Methods: Polysulfides can readily interact with the thiol side chain of the cysteine residues of the protein. To investigate their role in the TRPA1 activation, we replaced several cysteine residues by alanine via site-directed mutagenesis. We searched for TRPA1 mutant variants with decreased or lost activating effect of the polysulfides, but with other functions remaining intact (such as the effects of non-electrophilic agonists and antagonists). The binding properties of the mutant receptors were analyzed by in silico molecular docking. Functional changes were tested by in vitro methods: calcium sensitive fluorescent flow cytometry, whole-cell patch-clamp and radioactive calcium-45 liquid scintillation counting. Results: The cysteines forming the conventional binding site of electrophilic agonists, namely C621, C641 and C665 also bind the organic polysulfides, with the key role of C621. However, only their combined mutation abolished completely the organic polysulfide-induced activation of the receptor. Discussion: Since previous papers provided evidence that organic polysulfides exert analgesic and anti-inflammatory actions in different in vivo animal models, we anticipate that the development of TRPA1-targeted, organic polysulfide-based drugs will be promoted by this identification of the binding site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balázs Nemes
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Szabolcs László
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Balázs Zoltán Zsidó
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Csaba Hetényi
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Adam Feher
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Ferenc Papp
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Zoltan Varga
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Éva Szőke
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Sándor
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Erika Pintér
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
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16
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Qin C, Xiang Y, Liu J, Zhang R, Liu Z, Li T, Sun Z, Ouyang X, Zong Y, Zhang HM, Ouyang Q, Qian L, Lou C. Precise programming of multigene expression stoichiometry in mammalian cells by a modular and programmable transcriptional system. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1500. [PMID: 36932109 PMCID: PMC10023750 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37244-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Context-dependency of mammalian transcriptional elements has hindered the quantitative investigation of multigene expression stoichiometry and its biological functions. Here, we describe a host- and local DNA context-independent transcription system to gradually fine-tune single and multiple gene expression with predictable stoichiometries. The mammalian transcription system is composed of a library of modular and programmable promoters from bacteriophage and its cognate RNA polymerase (RNAP) fused to a capping enzyme. The relative expression of single genes is quantitatively determined by the relative binding affinity of the RNAP to the promoters, while multigene expression stoichiometry is predicted by a simple biochemical model with resource competition. We use these programmable and modular promoters to predictably tune the expression of three components of an influenza A virus-like particle (VLP). Optimized stoichiometry leads to a 2-fold yield of intact VLP complexes. The host-independent orthogonal transcription system provides a platform for dose-dependent control of multiple protein expression which may be applied for advanced vaccine engineering, cell-fate programming and other therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenrui Qin
- Center for Quantitative Biology, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Joint Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, China
| | - Yanhui Xiang
- Center for Cell and Gene Circuit Design, 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, 518055, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Center for Cell and Gene Circuit Design, 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, 518055, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ruilin Zhang
- Yuanpei College, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, China
| | - Ziming Liu
- Center for Cell and Gene Circuit Design, 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, 518055, Shenzhen, China
| | - Tingting Li
- Center for Cell and Gene Circuit Design, 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, 518055, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhi Sun
- College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Science, 100149, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyi Ouyang
- Center for Quantitative Biology, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, China
| | | | | | - Qi Ouyang
- Center for Quantitative Biology, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, China
| | - Long Qian
- Center for Quantitative Biology, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, China.
| | - Chunbo Lou
- Center for Cell and Gene Circuit Design, 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, 518055, Shenzhen, China.
- College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Science, 100149, Beijing, China.
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17
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A Possible Explanation for the Low Penetrance of Pathogenic KCNE1 Variants in Long QT Syndrome Type 5. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15121550. [PMID: 36559002 PMCID: PMC9782992 DOI: 10.3390/ph15121550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is an inherited cardiac rhythm disorder associated with increased incidence of cardiac arrhythmias and sudden death. LQTS type 5 (LQT5) is caused by dominant mutant variants of KCNE1, a regulatory subunit of the voltage-gated ion channels generating the cardiac potassium current IKs. While mutant LQT5 KCNE1 variants are known to inhibit IKs amplitudes in heterologous expression systems, cardiomyocytes from a transgenic rabbit LQT5 model displayed unchanged IKs amplitudes, pointing towards the critical role of additional factors in the development of the LQT5 phenotype in vivo. In this study, we demonstrate that KCNE3, a candidate regulatory subunit of IKs channels minimizes the inhibitory effects of LQT5 KCNE1 variants on IKs amplitudes, while current deactivation is accelerated. Such changes recapitulate IKs properties observed in LQT5 transgenic rabbits. We show that KCNE3 accomplishes this by displacing the KCNE1 subunit within the IKs ion channel complex, as evidenced by a dedicated biophysical assay. These findings depict KCNE3 as an integral part of the IKs channel complex that regulates IKs function in cardiomyocytes and modifies the development of the LQT5 phenotype.
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18
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Lu Y, Massicano AVF, Gallegos CA, Heinzman KA, Parish SW, Warram JM, Sorace AG. Evaluating the Accuracy of FUCCI Cell Cycle In Vivo Fluorescent Imaging to Assess Tumor Proliferation in Preclinical Oncology Models. Mol Imaging Biol 2022; 24:898-908. [PMID: 35650411 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-022-01739-9] [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: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The primary goal of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of the fluorescence ubiquitination cell cycle indicator (FUCCI) system with fluorescence in vivo imaging compared to 3'-deoxy-3'-[18F]fluorothymidine ([18F]-FLT) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) and biological validation through histology. Imaging with [18F]-FLT PET/CT can be used to noninvasively assess cancer cell proliferation and has been utilized in both preclinical and clinical studies. However, a cost-effective and straightforward method for in vivo, cell cycle targeted cancer drug screening is needed prior to moving towards translational imaging methods such as PET/CT. PROCEDURES In this study, fluorescent MDA-MB-231-FUCCI tumor growth was monitored weekly with caliper measurements and fluorescent imaging. Seven weeks post-injection, [18F]-FLT PET/CT was performed with a preclinical PET/CT, and tumors samples were harvested for histological analysis. RESULTS RFP fluorescent signal significantly correlated with tumor volume (r = 0.8153, p < 0.0001). Cell proliferation measured by GFP fluorescent imaging was correlated with tumor growth rate (r = 0.6497, p < 0.001). Also, GFP+ cells and [18F]-FLT regions of high uptake were both spatially located in the tumor borders, indicating that the FUCCI-IVIS method may provide an accurate assessment of tumor heterogeneity of cell proliferation. The quantification of total GFP signal was correlated with the sum of tumor [18F]-FLT standard uptake value (SUV) (r = 0.5361, p = 0.0724). Finally, histological analysis confirmed viable cells in the tumor and the correlation of GFP + and Ki67 + cells (r = 0.6368, p = 0.0477). CONCLUSION Fluorescent imaging of the cell cycle provides a noninvasive accurate depiction of tumor progression and response to therapy, which may benefit in vivo testing of novel cancer therapeutics that target the cell cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Lu
- Department of Radiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Volker Hall G082, 1670 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
- Graduate Biomedical Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Adriana V F Massicano
- Department of Radiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Volker Hall G082, 1670 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Carlos A Gallegos
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Katherine A Heinzman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Sean W Parish
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Jason M Warram
- O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Anna G Sorace
- Department of Radiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Volker Hall G082, 1670 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA.
- Graduate Biomedical Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA.
- O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA.
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19
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Hilzenrat G, Gill ET, McArthur SL. Imaging approaches for monitoring three-dimensional cell and tissue culture systems. JOURNAL OF BIOPHOTONICS 2022; 15:e202100380. [PMID: 35357086 DOI: 10.1002/jbio.202100380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Revised: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The past decade has seen an increasing demand for more complex, reproducible and physiologically relevant tissue cultures that can mimic the structural and biological features of living tissues. Monitoring the viability, development and responses of such tissues in real-time are challenging due to the complexities of cell culture physical characteristics and the environments in which these cultures need to be maintained in. Significant developments in optics, such as optical manipulation, improved detection and data analysis, have made optical imaging a preferred choice for many three-dimensional (3D) cell culture monitoring applications. The aim of this review is to discuss the challenges associated with imaging and monitoring 3D tissues and cell culture, and highlight topical label-free imaging tools that enable bioengineers and biophysicists to non-invasively characterise engineered living tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geva Hilzenrat
- Bioengineering Engineering Group, School of Science, Computing and Engineering Technologies, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
- Biomedical Manufacturing, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Emma T Gill
- Bioengineering Engineering Group, School of Science, Computing and Engineering Technologies, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
- Biomedical Manufacturing, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sally L McArthur
- Bioengineering Engineering Group, School of Science, Computing and Engineering Technologies, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
- Biomedical Manufacturing, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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20
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Torres M, Hussain H, Dickson AJ. The secretory pathway - the key for unlocking the potential of Chinese hamster ovary cell factories for manufacturing therapeutic proteins. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2022; 43:628-645. [PMID: 35465810 DOI: 10.1080/07388551.2022.2047004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian cell factories (in particular the CHO cell system) have been crucial in the rise of biopharmaceuticals. Mammalian cells have compartmentalized organelles where intricate networks of proteins manufacture highly sophisticated biopharmaceuticals in a specialized production pipeline - the secretory pathway. In the bioproduction context, the secretory pathway functioning is key for the effectiveness of cell factories to manufacture these life-changing medicines. This review describes the molecular components and events involved in the secretory pathway, and provides a comprehensive summary of the intracellular steps limiting the production of therapeutic proteins as well as the achievements in engineering CHO cell secretory machinery. We also consider antibody-producing plasma cells (so called "professional" secretory cells) to explore the mechanisms underpinning their unique secretory function/features. Such understandings offer the potential to further enhancement of the current CHO cell production platforms for manufacturing next generation of biopharmaceuticals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Torres
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,Department of Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science, Biochemical and Bioprocess Engineering Group, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Hirra Hussain
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,Department of Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science, Biochemical and Bioprocess Engineering Group, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Alan J Dickson
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,Department of Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science, Biochemical and Bioprocess Engineering Group, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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21
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Toktay Y, Dayanc B, Senturk S. Engineering and validation of a dual luciferase reporter system for quantitative and systematic assessment of regulatory sequences in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Sci Rep 2022; 12:6050. [PMID: 35410414 PMCID: PMC9001649 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-09887-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Ongoing research efforts to identify potent regulatory sequences that deliver robust and sustained transgene expression are critical for Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line development technologies to meet the growing demand for recombinant proteins. Here we report the engineering and validation of a highly customizable single vector toolkit that comprises an all-in-one dual luciferase reporter system for quantitative and systematic interrogation of transcriptional regulatory sequences in transient and stable transfectants of CHO cells. To model the execution of the reporter system, we implemented a battery of known constitutive promoters including human CMV-mIE, SV40, HSV-TK, mouse PGK, human EF1α, EF1α short (EFS), human UBC, synthetic CAG, and Chinese hamster EF1α (CHEF1α). Of the nine promoters, CMV-mIE yielded the highest transcriptional activity in transient transfection settings, while CHEF1α was the strongest among a select subset of promoters in stable transfectants of CHO-DG44 pools. Remodeling the vector toolkit to build a dual fluorescent reporter system featured an alternative to bioluminescence based reporters. We infer that the findings of this study may serve as a basis to establish new vectors with weak or strong constitutive promoters. Furthermore, the modular all-in-one architecture of the reporter system proved to be a viable tool for discovering novel regulatory sequences that ensure high levels of transient and stable transgene expression in CHO and perhaps other mammalian cell lines.
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22
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Torres M, Dickson AJ. Reprogramming of Chinese hamster ovary cells towards enhanced protein secretion. Metab Eng 2021; 69:249-261. [PMID: 34929420 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2021.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The deficient secretory phenotype of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells is a major limitation for high-level production of biopharmaceuticals, particularly for those with complex molecular architectures and post-translational modifications. To improve CHO cell secretory capacity, we recently engineered CHO cell hosts to overexpress BLIMP1 (CHOB), in a cell engineering strategy that transformed the cellular machinery and led to significantly higher product yields and cell-specific productivities for different rproteins. Here, as a follow-up to our previous study, we developed new CHO cell hosts that co-overexpress BLIMP1 and XBP1s ( CHOBX ), two transcription factors that together drive the professional secretory function of antibody-producing plasma cells. We found that the CHOBX cells presented an improved performance over that of CHOB cells, with better product yields and cell-specific productivities for a recombinant IgG1 and a 'difficult-to-express' EPO-Fc fusion protein. These improvements in the CHOBX-derived cell lines resulted from a series of physiological and metabolic changes due to the synergetic co-expression of BLIMP1 and XBP1s. Firstly, cells presented an inhibited cell growth and arrested cell cycle in G1/G0 phase, features that were directly linked to BLIMP1 expression levels. Secondly, cells increased protein translation (both overall and recombinant protein), expanded the endoplasmic reticulum and improved their capacity to secrete protein more effectively. Lastly, cells showed a metabolic profile favouring energy production, with a pronounced lactate switch and increased consumption of amino acids. This study highlights the value of transcription factors for reprogramming CHO cells towards a desired phenotype, offering the potential to engineer cells with new functionalities for enhanced manufacturing of recombinant therapeutic proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Torres
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; Department of Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science, Biochemical and Bioprocess Engineering Group, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Alan J Dickson
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; Department of Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science, Biochemical and Bioprocess Engineering Group, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
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Claridge B, Lozano J, Poh QH, Greening DW. Development of Extracellular Vesicle Therapeutics: Challenges, Considerations, and Opportunities. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:734720. [PMID: 34616741 PMCID: PMC8488228 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.734720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) hold great promise as therapeutic modalities due to their endogenous characteristics, however, further bioengineering refinement is required to address clinical and commercial limitations. Clinical applications of EV-based therapeutics are being trialed in immunomodulation, tissue regeneration and recovery, and as delivery vectors for combination therapies. Native/biological EVs possess diverse endogenous properties that offer stability and facilitate crossing of biological barriers for delivery of molecular cargo to cells, acting as a form of intercellular communication to regulate function and phenotype. Moreover, EVs are important components of paracrine signaling in stem/progenitor cell-based therapies, are employed as standalone therapies, and can be used as a drug delivery system. Despite remarkable utility of native/biological EVs, they can be improved using bio/engineering approaches to further therapeutic potential. EVs can be engineered to harbor specific pharmaceutical content, enhance their stability, and modify surface epitopes for improved tropism and targeting to cells and tissues in vivo. Limitations currently challenging the full realization of their therapeutic utility include scalability and standardization of generation, molecular characterization for design and regulation, therapeutic potency assessment, and targeted delivery. The fields' utilization of advanced technologies (imaging, quantitative analyses, multi-omics, labeling/live-cell reporters), and utility of biocompatible natural sources for producing EVs (plants, bacteria, milk) will play an important role in overcoming these limitations. Advancements in EV engineering methodologies and design will facilitate the development of EV-based therapeutics, revolutionizing the current pharmaceutical landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bethany Claridge
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science (LIMS), La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jonathan Lozano
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Qi Hui Poh
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science (LIMS), La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - David W. Greening
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science (LIMS), La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Baker Department of Cardiometabolic Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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