Synthetic receptor-based cell therapies for autoimmune diseases: an update

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Cell Therapy
• Autoimmune Diseases

Background:

• Autoimmune diseases are a growing global health concern.
• Current treatments for autoimmunity require further advancement.
• Synthetic receptor-based cell therapies, adapted from oncology, are emerging as a promising treatment avenue.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current strategies for adoptive cell therapies in autoimmune diseases.
• To analyze the advantages and disadvantages of different therapeutic approaches.
• To inform the future design of cell-based treatments for autoimmunity.

Main Methods:

• Review of basic, translational, and clinical studies on cell therapies for autoimmune diseases.
• Analysis of two main strategies: elimination of autoreactive cells (e.g., CAR-T, CAAR-T) and rebalancing the immune environment (e.g., CAR-Treg).
• Evaluation of synthetic systems (Split-CAR, SynNotch, MESA, GEMS, SNIPR) and off-the-shelf approaches (in vitro transcribed mRNA).

Main Results:

• Two primary strategies for cell therapy in autoimmunity are identified: autoreactive cell elimination and immune environment rebalancing.
• Synthetic biology tools and off-the-shelf approaches can enhance the efficacy and safety of these therapies.
• Both strategies present distinct advantages and disadvantages that need careful consideration.

Conclusions:

• Adoptive cell therapies, utilizing engineered cells and synthetic systems, hold significant potential for treating autoimmune diseases.
• A comprehensive understanding of the pros and cons of each approach is crucial for clinical translation.
• Future research should focus on optimizing these strategies for improved patient outcomes in autoimmune conditions.