In:
eLife, eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd, Vol. 4 ( 2015-12-08)
Abstract:
Optogenetics is a technique that has been used to study nerve cells for several years. It involves genetically engineering these cells to produce proteins from light-sensitive bacteria, and results in nerve cells that will either send, or stop sending, nerve impulses when they are exposed to a particular color of light. Neuroscientists have learned a lot about brain circuits using the technique, and now researchers in many other fields are giving it a try. There are, however, several challenges to using optogenetics in other types of cells. Nerve cells create a tiny electrical impulses when they are activated, which helps them quickly transmit messages. But other types of cells use more diverse means to communicate and transmit signals. This means that optogenetics techniques must be adapted. Additionally, many cells are located deep in the body and so getting the light to them can be difficult. He, Zhang et al. have now developed an optogenetic system (termed “Opto-CRAC”) that can control immune cells buried deep in tissue. The action of immune cells can be tuned by controlling the flow of calcium ions through gate-like proteins in their membranes. He, Zhang et al. genetically engineered immune cells so that a calcium gate-controlling protein became light sensitive. When the cells were exposed to a blue light the calcium ion gates opened. When the light was turned off, the gates closed. More intense light caused more calcium to enter into the cells. Further experiments then revealed that exposing these engineered immune cells to blue light in the laboratory could trigger an immune response. The next obstacle was getting light to immune cells in a live animal. So, He, Zhang et al. used specific nanoparticles that have been shown to help transmit light deep within tissue. In these experiments, mice were injected with the light-sensitive immune cells and the nanoparticles. Then, a near-infrared laser beam that can transmit into the tissues was pointed at the mice. This caused calcium channels to open in the engineered cells deep in the mice. Finally, further experiments were used to show that this light-based stimulation could boost an immune response to aid the killing of cancer cells. Other scientists will likely use the technique to help them study immune, heart, and other types of cells that use calcium to communicate.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
2050-084X
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.10024.001
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.10024.002
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.10024.003
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.10024.004
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.10024.005
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.10024.006
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.10024.007
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.10024.008
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.10024.009
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.10024.010
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.10024.011
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.10024.012
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.10024.013
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.10024.014
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.10024.015
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.10024.016
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.10024.017
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.10024.018
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.10024.019
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.10024.020
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.10024.021
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.10024.022
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.10024.023
Language:
English
Publisher:
eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd
Publication Date:
2015
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2687154-3
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