Progress and limitations in engineering cellular adhesion for research and therapeutics.

Area of Science:

• Cell Biology
• Biotechnology
• Molecular Engineering

Background:

• Intercellular interactions are fundamental to multicellular life.
• Existing methods for directing cell interactions using endogenous cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) suffer from off-target effects and unintended signaling.
• Programmable domains like coiled coils (CCs), nanobody-antigen systems, and single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) offer novel approaches for engineered CAMs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To discuss essential molecular and systems-level properties for engineered CAMs.
• To present the helixCAM platform as a benchmark for engineered CAMs.
• To propose diverse applications for engineered CAMs across various biological fields.

Main Methods:

• Review and discussion of desirable properties for engineered CAMs.
• Utilizing programmable domains (coiled coils, nanobody-antigen, ssDNA) for cell interaction control.
• Benchmarking engineered CAMs using the helixCAM platform.

Main Results:

• Identified key properties for designing effective engineered CAMs.
• Demonstrated the potential of programmable domains for precise cell interaction control.
• Highlighted the versatility of engineered CAMs through proposed applications.

Conclusions:

• Engineered CAMs provide a powerful tool to overcome limitations of endogenous CAMs.
• Current engineered CAMs are adaptable for diverse research applications in basic and translational science.
• Further development of engineered CAMs will significantly expand their capabilities and impact.