{"title":"Optogenetic control of T cells for immunomodulation.","authors":"Brendan McKee, Siyao Liu, Pauline X Cai, Zimo Yang, Tien-Hung Lan, Yubin Zhou","doi":"10.1042/EBC20253014","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cellular immunotherapy has transformed cancer treatment by harnessing T cells to target malignant cells. However, its broader adoption is hindered by challenges such as efficacy loss, limited persistence, tumor heterogeneity, an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), and safety concerns related to systemic adverse effects. Optogenetics, a technology that uses light-sensitive proteins to regulate cellular functions with high spatial and temporal accuracy, offers a potential solution to overcome these issues. By enabling targeted modulation of T cell receptor signaling, ion channels, transcriptional programming, and antigen recognition, optogenetics provides dynamic control over T cell activation, cytokine production, and cytotoxic responses. Moreover, optogenetic strategies can be applied to remodel the TME by selectively activating immune responses or inducing targeted immune cell depletion, thereby enhancing T cell infiltration and immune surveillance. However, practical hurdles such as limited tissue penetration of visible light and the need for cell- or tissue-specific gene delivery must be addressed for clinical translation. Emerging solutions, including upconversion nanoparticles, are being explored to improve light delivery to deeper tissues. Future integration of optogenetics with existing immunotherapies, such as checkpoint blockade and adoptive T cell therapies, could improve treatment specificity, minimize adverse effects, and provide real-time control over immune responses. By refining the precision and adaptability of immunotherapy, optogenetics promises to further enhance both the safety and efficacy of cancer immunotherapy.</p>","PeriodicalId":11812,"journal":{"name":"Essays in biochemistry","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.6000,"publicationDate":"2025-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Essays in biochemistry","FirstCategoryId":"99","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1042/EBC20253014","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Cellular immunotherapy has transformed cancer treatment by harnessing T cells to target malignant cells. However, its broader adoption is hindered by challenges such as efficacy loss, limited persistence, tumor heterogeneity, an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), and safety concerns related to systemic adverse effects. Optogenetics, a technology that uses light-sensitive proteins to regulate cellular functions with high spatial and temporal accuracy, offers a potential solution to overcome these issues. By enabling targeted modulation of T cell receptor signaling, ion channels, transcriptional programming, and antigen recognition, optogenetics provides dynamic control over T cell activation, cytokine production, and cytotoxic responses. Moreover, optogenetic strategies can be applied to remodel the TME by selectively activating immune responses or inducing targeted immune cell depletion, thereby enhancing T cell infiltration and immune surveillance. However, practical hurdles such as limited tissue penetration of visible light and the need for cell- or tissue-specific gene delivery must be addressed for clinical translation. Emerging solutions, including upconversion nanoparticles, are being explored to improve light delivery to deeper tissues. Future integration of optogenetics with existing immunotherapies, such as checkpoint blockade and adoptive T cell therapies, could improve treatment specificity, minimize adverse effects, and provide real-time control over immune responses. By refining the precision and adaptability of immunotherapy, optogenetics promises to further enhance both the safety and efficacy of cancer immunotherapy.
期刊介绍:
Essays in Biochemistry publishes short, digestible reviews from experts highlighting recent key topics in biochemistry and the molecular biosciences. Written to be accessible for those not yet immersed in the subject, each article is an up-to-date, self-contained summary of the topic.
Bridging the gap between the latest research and established textbooks, Essays in Biochemistry will tell you what you need to know to begin exploring the field, as each article includes the top take-home messages as summary points.
Each issue of the journal is guest edited by a key opinion leader in the area, and whether you are continuing your studies or moving into a new research area, the Journal gives a complete picture in one place.
Essays in Biochemistry is proud to publish Understanding Biochemistry, an essential online resource for post-16 students, teachers and undergraduates. Providing up-to-date overviews of key concepts in biochemistry and the molecular biosciences, the Understanding Biochemistry issues of Essays in Biochemistry are published annually in October.