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CAR-T cell treatment of CNS Autoimmunity

Award Number: R01AI165771
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 06/13/2022
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 05/31/2027

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CAR-T cell treatment of CNS Autoimmunity - PROJECT SUMMARY An immense need for selective and antigen-specific immunotherapy without global immunosuppression exists for autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and a closely related condition known as myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody disease (MOGAD). This has prompted exploration of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell utilization to specifically eliminate autoreactive cells. We have created a unique version of CAR T cells in which peptide MHCII (pMHCII) was fused with signaling domains in order to recognize specific T cell receptors (TCRs). In preliminary studies we demonstrate that these pMHCII-CAR T cells specifically recognize a cognate TCR in vitro and can selectively kill antigen-specific CD4 T cells in vivo. Efficient depletion of high affinity MOG-specific CD4 T cells was associated with prevention of MOG-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of MS. Modifications in pMHCII-CAR construction led to greater efficiency in eliminating lower-affinity MOG-reactive T cells which was associated with resolution of ongoing EAE. These data suggest an “activation energy” model of autoimmunity analogous to that of a chemical reaction, in which higher affinity self-reactive T cells are needed to provide the activation energy to initiate autoimmunity, but lower affinity T cells are capable of sustaining the autoimmune “reaction.” To address the hypothesis that CAR T cell technology can be used to eliminate auto-antigen-specific T cells and abrogate central nervous system (CNS) autoimmunity in mice and humans without global immunosuppression, we have formulated three specific aims. In Aim 1 we will improve the efficiency of low affinity T cell deletion in vivo. In Aim 2, we will test whether we can successfully target autoreactive CD4 T cells specific to all T cell epitopes of a protein in mice, as we predict that such an approach would be useful for treatment of human disease where the T cell autoantigen is identified by an autoantibody. Finally, in Aim 3, we will directly test whether MOGAD patients show an increased frequency of MOG-specific T cells using pMHCII-CARs for antigen discovery. In sum, our proposed studies will explore the “activation energy” model of autoimmunity and establish an optimal CAR T cell approach to eliminate low affinity autoreactive TCR specificities for the treatment of ongoing autoimmune disease. Finally, we will begin to translate these murine observations to human pMHCII-CAR T cells and assess their potential utility in a relevant human autoimmune CNS disease.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $1,365,252 )
2025	2025	WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY, THE	1 BROOKINGS DR	SAINT LOUIS	MO	63130	SAINT LOUIS	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	001	4	6/5/2025	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$1,365,252
2025	2024	WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY, THE	1 BROOKINGS DR	SAINT LOUIS	MO	63130	SAINT LOUIS	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	3	6/5/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $1,365,252

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $682,626 )
2024	2024	WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY, THE	ONE BROOKINGS DR	SAINT LOUIS	MO	63110	SAINT LOUIS CITY	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	3	5/23/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$682,626
														Subtotal = $682,626

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $683,358 )
2023	2023	WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY, THE	ONE BROOKINGS DR	SAINT LOUIS	MO	63130	SAINT LOUIS	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	2	5/12/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$683,358
														Subtotal = $683,358

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $671,939 )
2022	2022	WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY, THE	ONE BROOKINGS DR	SAINT LOUIS	MO	63130	SAINT LOUIS	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	1	6/9/2022	NEW	$671,939
														Subtotal = $671,939

Grand Total All Awards = $3,403,175

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CAR-T cell treatment of CNS Autoimmunity

Award Number: R01AI165771

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 06/13/2022

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 05/31/2027

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