Page 22 - GPD-3-2

Gene & Protein in Disease

REVIEW ARTICLE
Application and research progress of CAR-T cell

therapy in autoimmune diseases

1,2
Xiaoxiao Yu 1,2† , Haodong Shang 1,2† , Xinru Shen , Jing Zhang , Ting Chang ,
3
1
3
Zhe Ruan , Yongliang Jia *, and Feng Gao *
1
1,2
1 Department of Neuroimmunology, Henan Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences,
Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
2 BGI College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
3 Department of Neurology, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi,
China

Abstract
The conventional clinical therapies for autoimmune diseases (ADs) lack specificity,
necessitating long-term medication that can lead to serious side effects. In contrast,
chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy for ADs, characterized by fewer side
effects and longer-lasting therapeutic effects, represents a new direction for the
specific treatment of ADs. T cells modified with CAR genes possess the ability to
not only secrete perforin, granzymes, and other molecules that target autoreactive
immune cells but also to lead effector and regulatory T cells into autoimmune
environments, thereby exerting transport, proliferation, and immune regulatory
† These authors contributed equally
to this work. functions. Chimeric autoantibody receptor T cells can recognize and kill autoreactive
cells expressing target autoantibodies through their specific antigens. In this article,
*Corresponding authors:
Feng Gao we comprehensively expound on the application of CAR-T cell therapy in different
(gaoyuanshan@126.com) ADs and summarize the current research progress in this regard. This review aims
Yongliang Jia to enhance the application of CAR-T therapy in AD treatment and facilitate further
(gentrany@gmail.com)
studies aimed at addressing the existing gaps in CAR-T therapy for ADs.
Citation: Yu X, Shang H,
Shen X, et al. Application and
research progress of CAR-T cell Keywords: Autoimmune diseases; Chimeric antigen receptor T cells; T cells
therapy in autoimmune diseases.
Gene Protein Dis. 2024;3(2):2851.
doi: 10.36922/gpd.2851
Received: January 30, 2024 1. Introduction
Accepted: April 24, 2024
Published Online: June 5, 2024 Autoimmune diseases (ADs) are characterized by the loss of immune tolerance to
Copyright: © 2024 Author(s). autoantigens in the body, leading to attacks by the autoimmune system. Examples
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This is an Open-Access article
distributed under the terms of the of ADs include systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and
2
Creative Commons Attribution myasthenia gravis (MG). At present, the worldwide prevalence of ADs, which is on
License, permitting distribution, the rise, is approximately 5 – 20%, with women showing a higher incidence rate.
4,5
3
and reproduction in any medium,
provided the original work is Furthermore, AD-associated complications often affect multiple organs, including
properly cited. the kidneys, lungs, heart, and brain, as well as the joints, muscles, bones, and
Publisher’s Note: AccScience surrounding soft tissues, resulting in inflammation and tissue damage that can cause
Publishing remains neutral with pain, joint deformity, weakness, and mortality. The treatment of ADs is challenging,
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regard to jurisdictional claims in 7
published maps and institutional and once diagnosed, patients typically require long-term or lifelong medication.
affiliations. Complications arising from specific diseases, such as SLE complicated by lupus

Volume 3 Issue 2 (2024) 1 doi: 10.36922/gpd.2851