Emerging mammalian gene switches for controlling implantable cell therapies. (October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Madderson, Oliver; Teixeira, Ana Palma; Fussenegger, Martin
• Is Part Of: Current opinion in chemical biology. Volume 64(2021)
• Page Start: 98
• Page End: 105
• Publication Date: 2021-10
• Subjects: Bioorganic chemistry -- Periodicals; Biology -- Periodicals; Biochemistry -- Periodicals; Clinical biochemistry -- Periodicals; Biochemistry -- Periodicals; Chimie bio-organique -- Périodiques; Biologie -- Périodiques; 572.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2021.05.012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1367-5931

Abstract

Abstract: Engineered cell-based therapies have emerged as a new paradigm in modern medicine, with several engineered T cell therapies currently approved to treat blood cancers and many more in clinical development. Tremendous progress in synthetic biology over the past two decades has allowed us to program cells with sophisticated sense-and-response modules that can effectively control therapeutic functions. In this review, we highlight recent advances in mammalian synthetic gene switches, focusing on devices designed for therapeutic applications. Although many gene switches responding to endogenous or exogenous molecular signals have been developed, the focus is shifting towards achieving remote-controlled production of therapeutic effectors by stimulating implanted engineered cells with traceless physical signals, such as light, electrical signals, magnetic fields, heat or ultrasound. Highlights: Synthetic gene circuits can be controlled by many exogenous chemical and physical signals. Chemical inducers have most frequently been used but have drawbacks for in vivo applications. There are many emerging strategies for traceless remote control of engineered cell therapies. Challenges remain for the interfacing of biology with electronic medical devices.