Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40016240›Full record

ArticleNature communications2025

Aspirin-responsive gene switch regulating therapeutic protein expression.

Jinbo Huang, Ana Palma Teixeira, Ting Gao, Shuai Xue, Mingqi Xie, Martin Fussenegger

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Nature communications, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
7citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

7 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Review
  3. Review
  4. Article
  5. Programming Next-Generation Synthetic Biosensors by Genetic Circuit Design.Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany) · 2026
    Review
  6. Traceless Regulation of Genetic Circuitry.Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany) · 2026
    Review
  7. A SAMBA for chemically induced proximity.Nature chemical biology · 2025
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Jinbo HuangDepartment of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0902-6357
Ana Palma TeixeiraDepartment of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland.
Ting GaoWestlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
Shuai XueDepartment of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland.
Mingqi XieWestlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5657-532X
Martin FusseneggerDepartment of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland. fussenegger@bsse.ethz.ch.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8545-667X

Funding

EC | EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation H2020 | H2020 Priority Excellent Science | H2020 European Research Council (H2020 Excellent Science - European Research Council) ElectroGene 785800Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung (Swiss National Science Foundation) NCCR Molecular Systems Engineering
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Current small-molecule-regulated synthetic gene switches face clinical limitations such as cytotoxicity, long-term side-effects and metabolic disturbances. Here, we describe an advanced synthetic platform inducible by risk-free input medication (ASPIRIN), which is activated by acetylsalicylic acid (ASA/aspirin), a multifunctional drug with pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, and cardiovascular benefits. To construct ASPIRIN, we repurpose plant salicylic acid receptors NPR1 and NPR4. Through domain truncations and high-throughput mutant library screening, we enhance their ASA sensitivity. Optimized NPR1 fused with a membrane-tethering myristoylation signal (Myr-NPR1) forms a complex with NPR4, which is fused with a DNA binding domain (VanR) and a transactivation domain (VP16). ASA induces dissociation of the Myr-NPR1/NPR4-VanR-VP16 complex, allowing nuclear translocation of NPR4-VanR-VP16 to activate VanR-operator-controlled gene expression. In male diabetic mice implanted with microencapsulated ASPIRIN-engineered cells, ASA regulates insulin expression, restores normoglycemia, alleviates pain and reduces biomarkers of diabetic neuropathy and inflammation. We envision this system will pave the way for aspirin-based combination gene therapies.

Indexed as

AspirinGene Expression RegulationAnimalsDiabetes Mellitus, ExperimentalHEK293 CellsHumansInsulinMaleMiceMice, Inbred C57BLAspirinInsulin

Identifiers

PMID40016240
PMCPMC11868571

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.