Near-infrared photoactivatable control of Ca(2+) signaling and optogenetic immunomodulation. uri icon

abstract

  • The application of current channelrhodopsin-based optogenetic tools is limited by the lack of strict ion selectivity and the inability to extend the spectra sensitivity into the near-infrared (NIR) tissue transmissible range. Here we present an NIR-stimulable optogenetic platform (termed 'Opto-CRAC') that selectively and remotely controls Ca(2+) oscillations and Ca(2+)-responsive gene expression to regulate the function of non-excitable cells, including T lymphocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells. When coupled to upconversion nanoparticles, the optogenetic operation window is shifted from the visible range to NIR wavelengths to enable wireless photoactivation of Ca(2+)-dependent signaling and optogenetic modulation of immunoinflammatory responses. In a mouse model of melanoma by using ovalbumin as surrogate tumor antigen, Opto-CRAC has been shown to act as a genetically-encoded 'photoactivatable adjuvant' to improve antigen-specific immune responses to specifically destruct tumor cells. Our study represents a solid step forward towards the goal of achieving remote and wireless control of Ca(2+)-modulated activities with tailored function.

altmetric score

  • 149.534

author list (cited authors)

  • He, L., Zhang, Y., Ma, G., Tan, P., Li, Z., Zang, S., ... Zhou, Y.

citation count

  • 162

complete list of authors

  • He, Lian||Zhang, Yuanwei||Ma, Guolin||Tan, Peng||Li, Zhanjun||Zang, Shengbing||Wu, Xiang||Jing, Ji||Fang, Shaohai||Zhou, Lijuan||Wang, Youjun||Huang, Yun||Hogan, Patrick G||Han, Gang||Zhou, Yubin

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