Optimizing environmental conditions for enhanced interleukin production in Nicotiana benthamiana and Nicotiana tabacum: insights and strategies

Plant-based systems for producing recombinant proteins, including therapeutic proteins like interleukins, have gained considerable interest due to their affordability, scalability, and lower risk of contamination with human pathogens. Nicotiana benthamiana and Nicotiana tabacum, both widely used as model plants in molecular farming, have emerged as promising platforms for the production of interleukins - cytokines that play vital roles in immune regulation. The production of interleukins in plants, particularly in N.benthamiana and N.tabacum, has emerged as a promising strategy for synthesizing these essential cytokines, which are crucial for both research and therapeutic applications. While interleukins are traditionally produced using mammalian expression systems, plant-based platforms offer a cost-effective and scalable alternative. This review focuses on the key environmental factors influencing interleukin production in N.benthamiana and N.tabacum, specifically examining the effects of light, temperature, humidity, soil composition, and nutrient availability. We discuss how specific conditions, including controlled lighting regimes and temperature optimization, can significantly enhance yield and protein quality. The roles of abiotic stresses are also evaluated, as stress responses can either positively or negatively influence protein expression and folding. Additionally, the review addresses advanced techniques for optimizing expression levels, such as genetic modifications, the use of specific promoters, and the application of plant growth regulators. These strategies are discussed in the context of their ability to enhance the accumulation of interleukins in N.benthamiana and N.tabacum, improving both the quantity and functionality of the produced cytokines. By integrating knowledge from studies on environmental manipulation, genetic optimization, and plant physiology, this review provides insights into how best to tailor growing conditions in molecular farming. Such optimizations can make plant-based platforms more efficient, reliable, and commercially viable for producing biologically active interleukins, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional mammalian cell-based systems for pharmaceutical protein production.