Multidimensional control of therapeutic human cell function with synthetic gene circuits

• DOI: 10.1126/science.ade0156
• Publication Date: 2022-12-15T18:57:24Z
• Authors: Hui-Shan Li; Divya V. Israni; Keith A. Gagnon; Kok Ann Gan; Michael H. Raymond; Jeffry D. Sander; Kole T. Roybal; J. Keith Joung; Wilson W. Wong; Ahmad S. Khalil
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; 03 medical and health sciences; T-Lymphocytes; Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy; Genes, Synthetic; Humans; Gene Regulatory Networks; Synthetic Biology; Zinc Fingers; Genetic Engineering; Transcription Factors

Synthetic gene circuits that precisely control human cell function could expand the capabilities of gene- and cell-based therapies. However, platforms for developing circuits in primary human cells that drive robust functional changes in vivo and have compositions suitable for clinical use are lacking. Here, we developed synthetic zinc finger transcription regulators (synZiFTRs), which are compact and based largely on human-derived proteins. As a proof of principle, we engineered gene switches and circuits that allow precise, user-defined control over therapeutically relevant genes in primary T cells using orthogonal, US Food and Drug Administration–approved small-molecule inducers. Our circuits can instruct T cells to sequentially activate multiple cellular programs such as proliferation and antitumor activity to drive synergistic therapeutic responses. This platform should accelerate the development and clinical translation of synthetic gene circuits in diverse human cell types and contexts.