Characterization of an engineered live bacterial therapeutic for the treatment of phenylketonuria in a human gut-on-a-chip

Engineered bacteria (synthetic biotics) represent a new class of therapeutics that leverage the tools of synthetic biology. Translational testing strategies are required to predict synthetic biotic function in the human body. Gut-on-a-chip microfluidics technology presents an opportunity to characterize strain function within a simulated human gastrointestinal tract. Here, we apply a human gut-chip model and a synthetic biotic designed for the treatment of phenylketonuria to demonstrate dose-dependent production of a strain-specific biomarker, to describe human tissue responses to the engineered strain, and to show reduced blood phenylalanine accumulation after administration of the engineered strain. Lastly, we show how in vitro gut-chip models can be used to construct mechanistic models of strain activity and recapitulate the behavior of the engineered strain in a non-human primate model. These data demonstrate that gut-chip models, together with mechanistic models, provide a framework to predict the function of candidate strains in vivo. Engineered live bacteria could represent a new class of therapeutic treatment for human disease. Here, the authors use a human gut-on-a-chip microfluidics system to characterize an engineered live bacterial therapeutic, designed for the treatment of phenylketonuria, and to construct mathematical models that predict therapeutic strain function in non-human primates.

Automated summary

Engineered bacteria, or synthetic biotics, utilize synthetic biology tools for therapeutic purposes and require translational testing to predict their function in the human body. Gut-on-a-chip microfluidics technology allows for characterization of strain function within a simulated human gastrointestinal tract, providing a framework to predict the function of candidate strains in vivo.