Chimeric antigen receptor Treg therapy in transplantation

Trends Immunol. 2024 Jan;45(1):48-61. doi: 10.1016/j.it.2023.11.005. Epub 2023 Dec 19.

Abstract

In the quest for more precise and effective organ transplantation therapies, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) regulatory T cell (Treg) therapies represent a potential cutting-edge advance. This review comprehensively analyses CAR Tregs and how they may address important drawbacks of polyclonal Tregs and conventional immunosuppressants. We examine a growing body of preclinical findings of CAR Treg therapy in transplantation, discuss CAR Treg design specifics, and explore established and attractive new targets in transplantation. In addition, we explore present impediments where future studies will be necessary to determine the efficacy of CAR Tregs in reshaping alloimmune responses and transplant microenvironments to reduce reliance on chemical immunosuppressants. Overall, ongoing studies and trials are crucial for understanding the full scope of CAR Treg therapy in transplantation.

Keywords: antigen-specific immunotherapy; chimeric antigen receptors; regulatory T cells; transplant tolerance.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Immunotherapy, Adoptive
  • Organ Transplantation*
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
  • Receptors, Chimeric Antigen*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory

Substances

  • Receptors, Chimeric Antigen
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell