RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 helixCAM: A Platform for Programmable Cellular Assembly in Bacteria and Human Cells
JF bioRxiv
FD Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
SP 2022.04.19.488034
DO 10.1101/2022.04.19.488034
A1 George Chao
A1 Timothy M. Wannier
A1 Clair Travis
A1 Nathaniel C. Borders
A1 Evan Appleton
A1 Anjali Chadha
A1 Tina Lebar
A1 George M. Church
YR 2022
UL http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2022/04/19/2022.04.19.488034.abstract
AB Interactions between cells are indispensable for creating structure and signaling. The ability to direct precise cell-cell interactions would be powerful for engineering tissues, understanding signaling pathways, and directing immune cell targeting. In humans, intercellular interactions are mediated by cell adhesion molecules (CAMs). However, CAMs are natively expressed by many cells and have cross-reactivity, making them unsuitable for programming specific interactions. Here, we showcase “helixCAM,” a platform for engineering novel CAMs by presenting coiled-coil peptides on the cell surface. helixCAMs were able to create specific cell-cell interactions and direct patterned aggregate formation in bacteria and human cells. We built rationally designed helixCAM libraries and discovered novel high-performance helixCAM pairs. High-affinity helixCAMs were then used for multicellular engineering applications, such as spherical layering, adherent cell targeting, and surface patterning. The helixCAMs are an expandable platform for directing complex multicellular assemblies, and we foresee its utility in tissue engineering, immunology, and developmental biology.Competing Interest StatementThe authors have declared no competing interest.