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Calabretta MM, Michelini E. Current advances in the use of bioluminescence assays for drug discovery: an update of the last ten years. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024; 19:85-95. [PMID: 37814480 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2023.2266989] [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: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Bioluminescence is a well-established optical detection technique widely used in several bioanalytical applications, including high-throughput and high-content screenings. Thanks to advances in synthetic biology techniques and deep learning, a wide portfolio of luciferases is now available with tuned emission wavelengths, kinetics, and high stability. These luciferases can be implemented in the drug discovery and development pipeline, allowing high sensitivity and multiplexing capability. AREAS COVERED This review summarizes the latest advancements of bioluminescent systems as toolsets in drug discovery programs for in vitro applications. Particular attention is paid to the most advanced bioluminescence-based technologies for drug screening over the past 10 years (from 2013 to 2023) such as cell-free assays, cell-based assays based on genetically modified cells, bioluminescence resonance energy transfer, and protein complementation assays in 2D and 3D cell models. EXPERT OPINION The availability of tuned bioluminescent proteins with improved emission and stability properties is vital for the development of bioluminescence assays for drug discovery, spanning from reporter gene technology to protein-protein techniques. Further studies, combining machine learning with synthetic biology, will be necessary to obtain new tools for sustainable and highly predictive bioluminescent drug discovery platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Maddalena Calabretta
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), IRCCS St. Orsola Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisa Michelini
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), IRCCS St. Orsola Hospital, Bologna, Italy
- Health Sciences and Technologies Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research (HSTICIR), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Calabretta MM, Gregucci D, Michelini E. New synthetic red- and orange-emitting luciferases to upgrade in vitro and 3D cell biosensing. Analyst 2023; 148:5642-5649. [PMID: 37791570 DOI: 10.1039/d3an01251d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Bioluminescence (BL), i.e., the emission of light in living organisms, has become an indispensable tool for a plethora of applications including bioassays, biosensors, and in vivo imaging. Current efforts are focused on the obtainment of new luciferases having optimized properties, such as improved thermostability at 37 °C, pH-insensitive emission, high quantum yield, extended kinetics and red-shifted emission. To address these issues we have obtained two new synthetic luciferases, an orange and a red-emitting luciferase, which were designed to achieve high sensitivity (BoLuc) and multiplexing capability (BrLuc) for in vitro and in vivo biosensing using as a starting template a recently developed thermostable synthetic luciferase (BgLuc). Both luciferases were characterized in terms of emission behaviour and thermal and pH stability showing promising features as reporter proteins and BL probes. As proof-of-principle application, an inflammation assay based on Human Embryonic Kidney (HEK293T) 3D cell cultures was developed using either the orange or the red-emitting mutant. The assay provided good analytical performance, with limits of detection for Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNFα) of 0.06 and 0.12 ng mL-1 for BoLuc and BrLuc, respectively. Moreover, since these luciferases require the same substrate, D-luciferin, they can be easily implemented in dual-color assays with a significant reduction of total cost per assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Maddalena Calabretta
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy.
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico S. Orso-la-Malpighi, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Denise Gregucci
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy.
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico S. Orso-la-Malpighi, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisa Michelini
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy.
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico S. Orso-la-Malpighi, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Health Sciences and Technologies Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research (HSTICIR), University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy
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A Luciferase Mutant with Improved Brightness and Stability for Whole-Cell Bioluminescent Biosensors and In Vitro Biosensing. BIOSENSORS 2022; 12:bios12090742. [PMID: 36140127 PMCID: PMC9496056 DOI: 10.3390/bios12090742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The availability of new bioluminescent proteins with tuned properties, both in terms of emission wavelength, kinetics and protein stability, is highly valuable in the bioanalytical field, with the potential to improve the sensitivity and analytical performance of the currently used methods for ATP detection, whole-cell biosensors, and viability assays among others. We present a new luciferase mutant, called BgLuc, suitable for developing whole-cell biosensors and in vitro biosensors characterized by a bioluminescence maximum of 548 nm, narrow emission bandwidth, favorable kinetic properties, and excellent pH- and thermo-stabilities at 37 and 45 °C and pH from 5.0 to 8.0. We assessed the suitability of this new luciferase for whole-cell biosensing with a cell-based bioreporter assay for Nuclear Factor-kappa B (NF-kB) signal transduction pathway using 2D and 3D human embryonic kidney (HEK293T) cells, and for ATP detection with the purified enzyme. In both cases the luciferase showed suitable for sensitive detection of the target analytes, with better or similar performance than the commercial counterparts.
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Bioluminescence Sensing in 3D Spherical Microtissues for Multiple Bioactivity Analysis of Environmental Samples. SENSORS 2022; 22:s22124568. [PMID: 35746350 PMCID: PMC9229012 DOI: 10.3390/s22124568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The development of predictive in vitro sensing tools able to provide rapid information on the different bioactivities of a sample is of pivotal importance, not only to monitor environmental toxicants, but also to understand their mechanisms of action on diverse molecular pathways. This mechanistic understanding is highly important for the characterization of toxicological hazards, and for the risk assessment of chemicals and environmental samples such as surface waters and effluents. Prompted by this need, we developed and optimized a straightforward bioluminescent multiplexed assay which enables the measurement of four bioactivities, selected for their relevance from a toxicological perspective, in bioluminescent microtissues. The assay was developed to monitor inflammatory, antioxidant, and toxic activity, and the presence of heavy metals, and was successfully applied to the analysis of river water samples, showing potential applicability for environmental analyses. The assay, which does not require advanced equipment, can be easily implemented in general laboratories equipped with basic cell culture facilities and a luminometer.
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Calabretta MM, Lopreside A, Montali L, Zangheri M, Evangelisti L, D'Elia M, Michelini E. Portable light detectors for bioluminescence biosensing applications: A comprehensive review from the analytical chemist's perspective. Anal Chim Acta 2022; 1200:339583. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2022.339583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Finger AM. In Vitro Assays for Measuring Intercellular Coupling Among Peripheral Circadian Oscillators. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2482:153-167. [PMID: 35610425 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2249-0_10] [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: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Circadian clocks can be found in nearly all eukaryotic organisms, as well as certain bacterial strains, including commensal microbiota. Exploring intercellular coupling among cell-autonomous circadian oscillators is crucial for understanding how cellular ensembles generate and sustain coherent circadian rhythms on the tissue level, and thus, rhythmic organ functions. Here we describe a protocol for studying intercellular coupling among peripheral circadian oscillators using three-dimensional spheroid cultures in order to measure coupling strength within peripheral clock networks. We use cell spheroids to simulate in vivo tissue integrity, as well as to increase complexity of cell-cell interactions and the abundance of potential coupling factors. Circadian rhythms are monitored using live-cell imaging of spheroids equipped with circadian reporters over several days.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Marie Finger
- Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute for Medical Immunology, Laboratory of Chronobiology, Berlin, Germany.
- Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany.
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Advancing Tumor Microenvironment Research by Combining Organs-on-Chips and Biosensors. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1379:171-203. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-04039-9_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Calabretta MM, Alvarez-Diduk R, Michelini E, Merkoçi A. ATP Sensing Paper with Smartphone Bioluminescence-Based Detection. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2525:297-307. [PMID: 35836078 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2473-9_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP) is the primary energy carrier in all living organisms, and its detection in living cells represents a well-established approach. ATP-driven bioluminescence (BL) relying on the D-luciferin-luciferase reaction is a bioanalytical tool widely employed for monitoring hygiene and microbial contamination of foods.Here, we report a straightforward method for ATP BL detection using an ATP sensing paper fabricated with an alternative freeze-dry procedure. The assay can be easily implemented in laboratories equipped with (i) freeze-drying, wax printing, and 3D printing technologies and (ii) instrumentation for BL detection such as benchtop luminometers and portable light detectors including a smartphone camera without the need for additional equipment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Maddalena Calabretta
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi, Bologna, Italy
| | - Ruslan Alvarez-Diduk
- Nanobioelectronics and Biosensors Group, Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), CSIC, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elisa Michelini
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Arben Merkoçi
- Nanobioelectronics and Biosensors Group, Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), CSIC, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
- Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain.
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Moreira Teixeira L, Mezzanotte L. New bioimaging avenues for organs‐on‐chips by integration of bioluminescence. VIEW 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/viw.20200177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Liliana Moreira Teixeira
- Department of Developmental Bioengineering Technical Medical Centre University of Twente Enschede The Netherlands
| | - Laura Mezzanotte
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam The Netherlands
- Department of Molecular Genetics Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam The Netherlands
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Bergua JF, Álvarez-Diduk R, Hu L, Hassan AHA, Merkoçi A. Improved Aliivibrio fischeri based-toxicity assay: Graphene-oxide as a sensitivity booster with a mobile-phone application. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 406:124434. [PMID: 33307446 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Recently, many bioluminescence-based applications have arisen in several fields, such as biosensing, bioimaging, molecular biology, and human health diagnosis. Among all bioluminescent organisms, Aliivibrio fischeri (A. fischeri) is a bioluminescent bacterium used to carry out water toxicity assays since the late 1970s. Since then, several commercial A. fischeri-based products have been launched to the market, as these bacteria are considered as a gold standard for water toxicity assessment worldwide. However, the aforementioned commercial products rely on expensive equipment, requiring several reagents and working steps, as well as high-trained personnel to perform the assays and analyze the output data. For these reasons, in this work, we have developed for the first time a mobile-phone-based sensing platform for water toxicity assessment in just 5 min using two widespread pesticides as model analytes. To accomplish this, we have established new methodologies to enhance the bioluminescent signal of A. fischeri based on the bacterial culture in a solid media and/or using graphene oxide. Finally, we have addressed the biocompatibility of graphene oxide to A. fischeri, boosting the sensitivity of the toxicity assays and the bacterial growth of the lyophilized bacterial cultures for more user-friendly storage.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Francisco Bergua
- Nanobioelectronics & Biosensors Group, Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), CSIC and BIST, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ruslan Álvarez-Diduk
- Nanobioelectronics & Biosensors Group, Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), CSIC and BIST, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Liming Hu
- Nanobioelectronics & Biosensors Group, Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), CSIC and BIST, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Abdelrahim H A Hassan
- Department of Food Hygiene and Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62511, Egypt
| | - Arben Merkoçi
- Nanobioelectronics & Biosensors Group, Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), CSIC and BIST, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; ICREA, Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, Pg. Lluís Companys 23, 08010 Barcelona, Spain.
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Calabretta MM, Lopreside A, Montali L, Cevenini L, Roda A, Michelini E. A Genetically Encoded Bioluminescence Intracellular Nanosensor for Androgen Receptor Activation Monitoring in 3D Cell Models. SENSORS 2021; 21:s21030893. [PMID: 33572727 PMCID: PMC7865915 DOI: 10.3390/s21030893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for predictive and sensitive in vitro tools for drug discovery. Split complementation assays have the potential to enlarge the arsenal of in vitro tools for compound screening, with most of them relying on well-established reporter gene assays. In particular, ligand-induced complementation of split luciferases is emerging as a suitable approach for monitoring protein–protein interactions. We hereby report an intracellular nanosensor for the screening of compounds with androgenic activity based on a split NanoLuc reporter. We also confirm the suitability of using 3D spheroids of Human Embryonic Kidney (HEK-293) cells for upgrading the 2D cell-based assay. A limit of detection of 4 pM and a half maximal effective concentration (EC50) of 1.7 ± 0.3 nM were obtained for testosterone with HEK293 spheroids. This genetically encoded nanosensor also represents a new tool for real time imaging of the activation state of the androgen receptor, thus being suitable for analysing molecules with androgenic activity, including new drugs or endocrine disrupting molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Maddalena Calabretta
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (M.M.C.); (A.L.); (L.M.); (L.C.); (A.R.)
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Antonia Lopreside
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (M.M.C.); (A.L.); (L.M.); (L.C.); (A.R.)
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Laura Montali
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (M.M.C.); (A.L.); (L.M.); (L.C.); (A.R.)
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Luca Cevenini
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (M.M.C.); (A.L.); (L.M.); (L.C.); (A.R.)
| | - Aldo Roda
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (M.M.C.); (A.L.); (L.M.); (L.C.); (A.R.)
- Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi (INBB), 00136 Rome, Italy
| | - Elisa Michelini
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (M.M.C.); (A.L.); (L.M.); (L.C.); (A.R.)
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi (INBB), 00136 Rome, Italy
- Health Sciences and Technologies-Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research (HST-ICIR), University of Bologna, Ozzano dell’Emilia, 40064 Bologna, Italy
- Correspondence:
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Kucinska M, Plewinski A, Szczolko W, Kaczmarek M, Goslinski T, Murias M. Modeling the photodynamic effect in 2D versus 3D cell culture under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Free Radic Biol Med 2021; 162:309-326. [PMID: 33141030 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2020.10.304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Photodynamic therapy (PDT), mainly as a combined therapy, can still be considered a promising technology for targeted cancer treatment. Besides the several and essential benefits of PDT, there are some concerns and limitations, such as complex dosimetry, tumor hypoxia, and other mechanisms of resistance. In this study, we present how the cell culture model and cell culture conditions may affect the response to PDT treatment. It was studied by applying two different 3D cell culture, non-scaffold, and hydrogel-based models under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. In parallel, a detailed mechanism of the action of zinc phthalocyanine M2TG3 was presented. METHODS Hydrogel-based and tumor spheroids consisting of LNCaP cells, were used as 3D cell culture models in experiments performed under normoxic and hypoxic (1% of oxygen) conditions. Several analyses were performed to compare the activity of M2TG3 under different conditions, such as cytotoxicity, the level of proapoptotic and stress-related proteins, caspase activity, and antioxidant gene expression status. Additionally, we tested bioluminescence and fluorescence assays as a useful approach for a hydrogel-based 3D cell culture. RESULTS We found that M2TG3 might lead to apoptotic cancer cell death and is strongly dependent on the model and oxygen availability. Moreover, the expression of the genes modulated in the antioxidative system in 2D and 3D cell culture models were presented. The tested bioluminescence assay revealed several advantages, such as repetitive measurements on the same sample and simultaneous analysis of different parameters due to the non-lysing nature of this assay. CONCLUSIONS It was shown that M2TG3 can effectively cause cancer cell death via a different mechanism, depending on cell culture conditions such as the model and oxygen availability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malgorzata Kucinska
- Department of Toxicology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Dojazd 30 Street, 60-631, Poznan, Poland.
| | - Adam Plewinski
- Centre for Advanced Technologies, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytet Poznanski 10 Street, 61-614, Poznan, Poland
| | - Wojciech Szczolko
- Department of Chemical Technology of Drugs, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Grunwaldzka 6 Street, 60-780, Poznan, Poland
| | - Mariusz Kaczmarek
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Chair of Medical Biotechnology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Garbary 15 Street, 61-866, Poznan, Poland; Department of Cancer Diagnostics and Immunology, Gene Therapy Unit, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Garbary 15 Street, 61-866, Poznan, Poland
| | - Tomasz Goslinski
- Department of Chemical Technology of Drugs, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Grunwaldzka 6 Street, 60-780, Poznan, Poland
| | - Marek Murias
- Department of Toxicology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Dojazd 30 Street, 60-631, Poznan, Poland; Centre for Advanced Technologies, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytet Poznanski 10 Street, 61-614, Poznan, Poland.
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Lopreside A, Calabretta MM, Montali L, Zangheri M, Guardigli M, Mirasoli M, Michelini E. Bioluminescence goes portable: recent advances in whole-cell and cell-free bioluminescence biosensors. LUMINESCENCE 2020; 36:278-293. [PMID: 32945075 DOI: 10.1002/bio.3948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Recent advancements in synthetic biology, organic chemistry, and computational models have allowed the application of bioluminescence in several fields, ranging from well established methods for detecting microbial contamination to in vivo imaging to track cancer and stem cells, from cell-based assays to optogenetics. Moreover, thanks to recent technological progress in miniaturized and sensitive light detectors, such as photodiodes and imaging sensors, it is possible to implement laboratory-based assays, such as cell-based and enzymatic assays, into portable analytical devices for point-of-care and on-site applications. This review highlights some recent advances in the development of whole-cell and cell-free bioluminescence biosensors with a glance on current challenges and different strategies that have been used to turn bioassays into biosensors with the required analytical performance. Critical issues and unsolved technical problems are also highlighted, to give the reader a taste of this fascinating and challenging field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia Lopreside
- Department of Chemistry 'Giacomo Ciamician', University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Laura Montali
- Department of Chemistry 'Giacomo Ciamician', University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, Bologna, Italy
| | - Martina Zangheri
- Department of Chemistry 'Giacomo Ciamician', University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, Bologna, Italy
| | - Massimo Guardigli
- Department of Chemistry 'Giacomo Ciamician', University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, Bologna, Italy.,Interdepartmental Centre for Renewable Sources, Environment, Sea and Energy (CIRI FRAME), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Sant'Alberto 163, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Mara Mirasoli
- Department of Chemistry 'Giacomo Ciamician', University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, Bologna, Italy.,Interdepartmental Centre for Renewable Sources, Environment, Sea and Energy (CIRI FRAME), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Sant'Alberto 163, Ravenna, Italy.,INBB, Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi, Via Medaglie d'Oro, Rome, Italy
| | - Elisa Michelini
- Department of Chemistry 'Giacomo Ciamician', University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, Bologna, Italy.,Interdepartmental Centre for Renewable Sources, Environment, Sea and Energy (CIRI FRAME), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Sant'Alberto 163, Ravenna, Italy.,Health Sciences and Technologies-Interdepartmental Centre for Industrial Research (HST-ICIR), University of Bologna, via Tolara di Sopra 41/E 40064, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy
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Podwin A, Lizanets D, Przystupski D, Kubicki W, Śniadek P, Kulbacka J, Wymysłowski A, Walczak R, Dziuban JA. Lab-on-Chip Platform for Culturing and Dynamic Evaluation of Cells Development. MICROMACHINES 2020; 11:E196. [PMID: 32074950 PMCID: PMC7074672 DOI: 10.3390/mi11020196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
This paper presents a full-featured microfluidic platform ensuring long-term culturing and behavioral analysis of the radically different biological micro-objects. The platform uses all-glass lab-chips and MEMS-based components providing dedicated micro-aquatic habitats for the cells, as well as their intentional disturbances on-chip. Specially developed software was implemented to characterize the micro-objects metrologically in terms of population growth and cells' size, shape, or migration activity. To date, the platform has been successfully applied for the culturing of freshwater microorganisms, fungi, cancer cells, and animal oocytes, showing their notable population growth, high mobility, and taxis mechanisms. For instance, circa 100% expansion of porcine oocytes cells, as well as nearly five-fold increase in E. gracilis population, has been achieved. These results are a good base to conduct further research on the platform versatile applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Podwin
- Faculty of Microsystem Electronics and Photonics, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland; (D.L.); (W.K.); (P.Ś.); (A.W.); (R.W.); (J.A.D.)
| | - Danylo Lizanets
- Faculty of Microsystem Electronics and Photonics, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland; (D.L.); (W.K.); (P.Ś.); (A.W.); (R.W.); (J.A.D.)
| | - Dawid Przystupski
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wrocław Medical University, 50-367 Wrocław, Poland; (D.P.); (J.K.)
| | - Wojciech Kubicki
- Faculty of Microsystem Electronics and Photonics, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland; (D.L.); (W.K.); (P.Ś.); (A.W.); (R.W.); (J.A.D.)
| | - Patrycja Śniadek
- Faculty of Microsystem Electronics and Photonics, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland; (D.L.); (W.K.); (P.Ś.); (A.W.); (R.W.); (J.A.D.)
| | - Julita Kulbacka
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wrocław Medical University, 50-367 Wrocław, Poland; (D.P.); (J.K.)
| | - Artur Wymysłowski
- Faculty of Microsystem Electronics and Photonics, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland; (D.L.); (W.K.); (P.Ś.); (A.W.); (R.W.); (J.A.D.)
| | - Rafał Walczak
- Faculty of Microsystem Electronics and Photonics, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland; (D.L.); (W.K.); (P.Ś.); (A.W.); (R.W.); (J.A.D.)
| | - Jan A. Dziuban
- Faculty of Microsystem Electronics and Photonics, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland; (D.L.); (W.K.); (P.Ś.); (A.W.); (R.W.); (J.A.D.)
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Calabretta MM, Montali L, Lopreside A, Michelini E, Roda A. High-Throughput Bioluminescence Imaging and Reporter Gene Assay with 3D Spheroids from Human Cell Lines. Methods Mol Biol 2020; 2081:3-14. [PMID: 31721114 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9940-8_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
3D cell culture models represent an attractive approach to decode intracellular and intercellular signaling, providing biologically relevant information and predictive data. Bioluminescent reporter gene assays and bioluminescence imaging in 3D cell models are very promising bioanalytical tools for several applications.Here we report a very straightforward method for bioluminescence imaging and bioluminescent reporter gene assays in 3D cell-culture models. Both the assays can be easily implemented in laboratories equipped with basic cell culture facilities and instrumentation for bioluminescence detection, that is, low-light detectors connected to inverted microscopes and luminometers, without the need for additional equipment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Laura Montali
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Antonia Lopreside
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisa Michelini
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy. .,INBB, Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi, Rome, Italy. .,Health Sciences and Technologies-Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research (HST-ICIR), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Aldo Roda
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,INBB, Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi, Rome, Italy
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Michelini E, Calabretta MM, Cevenini L, Lopreside A, Southworth T, Fontaine DM, Simoni P, Branchini BR, Roda A. Smartphone-based multicolor bioluminescent 3D spheroid biosensors for monitoring inflammatory activity. Biosens Bioelectron 2019; 123:269-277. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2018.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2018] [Revised: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 09/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Uno K, Murotomi K, Kazuki Y, Oshimura M, Nakajima Y. Bioluminescence-based cytotoxicity assay for simultaneous evaluation of cell viability and membrane damage in human hepatoma HepG2 cells. LUMINESCENCE 2018; 33:616-624. [PMID: 29424036 DOI: 10.1002/bio.3454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2017] [Revised: 12/16/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
We have developed a bioluminescence-based non-destructive cytotoxicity assay in which cell viability and membrane damage are simultaneously evaluated using Emerald luciferase (ELuc) and endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-targeted copepod luciferase (GLuc-KDEL), respectively, by using multi-integrase mouse artificial chromosome (MI-MAC) vector. We have demonstrated that the time-dependent concentration response curves of ELuc luminescence intensity and WST-1 assay, and GLuc-KDEL luminescence intensity and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in the culture medium accompanied by cytotoxicity show good agreement in toxicant-treated ELuc- and GLuc-KDEL-expressing HepG2 stable cell lines. We have clarified that the increase of GLuc-KDEL luminescence intensity in the culture medium reflects the type of cell death, including necrosis and late apoptosis, but not early apoptosis. We have also uncovered a strong correlation between GLuc-KDEL luminescence intensity in the culture medium and the extracellular release of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), a representative damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) molecule. The bioluminescence measurement assay using ELuc and GLuc-KDEL developed in this study can simultaneously monitor cell viability and membrane damage, respectively, and the increase of GLuc-KDEL luminescence intensity in the culture medium accompanied by the increase of cytotoxicity is an index of necrosis and late apoptosis associated with the extracellular release of DAMP molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katsuhiro Uno
- Chromosome Engineering Research Center, Tottori University, Yonago, Tottori, Japan
| | - Kazutoshi Murotomi
- Health Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Takamatsu, Kagawa, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Kazuki
- Chromosome Engineering Research Center, Tottori University, Yonago, Tottori, Japan
| | - Mitsuo Oshimura
- Chromosome Engineering Research Center, Tottori University, Yonago, Tottori, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Nakajima
- Chromosome Engineering Research Center, Tottori University, Yonago, Tottori, Japan.,Health Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Takamatsu, Kagawa, Japan
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