Sensing and responding to allergic response cytokines through a genetically encoded circuit

Abstract

While constantly rising, the prevalence of allergies is globally one of the highest among chronic diseases. Current treatments of allergic diseases include the application of anti-histamines, immunotherapy, steroids, and anti-immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. Here we report mammalian cells engineered with a synthetic signaling cascade able to monitor extracellular pathophysiological levels of interleukin 4 and interleukin 13, two main cytokines orchestrating allergic inflammation. Upon activation of transgenic cells by these cytokines, designed ankyrin repeat protein (DARPin) E2_79, a non-immunogenic protein binding human IgE, is secreted in a precisely controlled and reversible manner. Using human whole blood cell culturing, we demonstrate that the mammalian dual T helper 2 cytokine sensor produces sufficient levels of DARPin E2_79 to dampen histamine release in allergic subjects exposed to allergens. Hence, therapeutic gene networks monitoring disease-associated cytokines coupled with in situ production, secretion and systemic delivery of immunomodulatory biologics may foster advances in the treatment of allergies.