Multiple Sclerosis arises when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own cells. CD4+ helper T cells target the neurons’ outer coating. This insulation-like layer protects nerve fibers. Damaged nerves can’t convey electrical impulses to other body regions, impeding communication between the brain, spinal cord, and other organs.
Demyelination appears differently in each individual. MS-related nerve degeneration produces numbness, tingling, tiredness, and decreased eyesight. Steroids and physical therapy help relieve MS flare-ups and relapses, but no cure exists.
CAR T Therapy
One million Americans have this autoimmune illness, multiple sclerosis. Symptoms, including numbness, double vision, and tremor, might cripple the brain and nerves.
Treatments merely fix the issue, not cure it. CAR T treatment may fill in gaps. While the treatment is best recognized for cancer treatments, it has shown promise in treating lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. Researchers are now applying this to MS.
CAR T Cells Target Autoimmunity
New research published in Science Immunology uses CAR T Therapy to treat MS. The treatment uses Chimeric Antigen Receptor T lymphocytes to attack cancerous cells.
Scientists link novel receptors to a patient’s excised killer T cells to generate CAR T cells. This combines the detection capability of an antibody with killer T cell machinery.
When reinfused into the body, CAR T cells have a heightened capacity to detect and kill cells carrying a particular biological tag or antigen.
This CAR T design is effective against cancer but not autoimmunity without modifying the chimeric antigen receptor. The CAR T cell must now target self-reactive helper T cells that promote autoimmune illness.
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CAR T Cell Design For Multiple Sclerosis
Researchers generated a chimeric antigen receptor that binds to MS-related mouse helper T cell receptors in this work. The signaling molecules were the same. A protein complex replaced the antigen-detection antibody region.
It uses a major histocompatibility class II (MHC II) molecule with a flexible linker and a peptide. The team could simply adjust the