Scientists at an American clinic have developed an immunotherapy strategy, which in the future may become the main treatment for a whole range of autoimmune diseases.
Innovative CAR-MSC technique
A new technique involves combining chimeric antigen receptors with mesenchymal stromal cells, resulting in modified stem cells – CAR-MSC. The novel approach demonstrates the potential to more precisely target inflammatory disease foci and improve immunosuppression.
The role of cells in therapy for autoimmune diseases
The combination approach utilizes mesenchymal stromal cells, which are found in various tissues of the body, including bone marrow, adipose tissue, and cord blood. These cells have the unique ability to turn into specific cell types such as bone, cartilage, and fat cells. In the context of autoimmune diseases, mesenchymal stromal cells play a crucial role by “calming” the immune system, controlling inflammation, and promoting immune tolerance. They help prevent the body’s own tissues from being attacked, making them a promising therapeutic tool for treating autoimmune conditions.
Functions of chimeric antigenic receptors
Modified CAR-MSC cells are equipped with chimeric antigenic receptors and become a kind of molecular tools designed to recognize disease-specific markers. Chimeric antigenic receptors fulfill three essential functions:
- Targeting and attaching to specific markers on diseased cells;
- acting as an anchor so that receptors remain bound to the target;
- initiating signal transduction to activate a potent immune response.
Advantages of CAR-MSC application in autoimmune diseases
One of the key advantages of CAR-MSCs is their ability to act selectively, not suppressing the entire immune system, but only regulating the activity of inflammatory processes. This is particularly important for patients with autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease, where excessive immune activation leads to damage to the body’s own tissues.
Experimental studies have shown that the use of CAR-MSCs can not only reduce inflammation but also promote regeneration of damaged tissues. This is due to their ability to secrete bioactive substances such as anti-inflammatory cytokines and growth factors that promote cellular repair. In addition, these cells can participate in reprogramming the immune response, helping the body to reestablish the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory signals.
Current challenges in CAR-MSC therapy for autoimmune diseases
Despite promising results, CAR-MSC therapy is still at the stage of clinical trials, and scientists have a number of complex issues to resolve. In particular, the long-term safety of the method, the likelihood of side effects, and the stability of the modified cells in the patient’s body need to be clarified. Research is also underway to determine the optimal dosage and methods of cell administration to achieve the best therapeutic effect in autoimmune diseases.
An important area of further research is the development of individualized treatment strategies that take into account the specific features of the immune system of a particular patient. This may include personalized selection of antigenic targets and optimization of methods of cell cultivation and modification for autoimmune diseases.
Opportunities for combination therapy
A promising direction is the combination of CAR-MSC with other therapies such as targeted therapy, monoclonal antibodies and genetic engineering. An integrated approach can increase the effectiveness of therapy, minimize side effects and improve prognosis for patients with severe autoimmune diseases.
In addition, the potential of incorporating CAR-MSC into regenerative medicine to treat complications of autoimmune diseases, such as joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis or neurodegenerative changes in multiple sclerosis, is being explored. This may open up new possibilities for restoring function to affected organs and tissues.
The future of CAR-MSC therapy
Despite the current stage of research, experts expect that CAR-MSC therapy may gain an important place in medical practice in the coming decades. Advances in genome editing technologies, improved cell culture techniques, and improved delivery strategies will make this therapy more accessible and safer for a wide range of patients.
There is also the potential to integrate CAR-MSC with artificial intelligence and bioengineering to predict treatment efficacy and tailor the therapy to each patient’s individual characteristics. This could lead to a new generation of precision medicine that can effectively combat autoimmune diseases without significant side effects.
Expanding the clinical potential of CAR-MSC therapy of autoimmune diseases
In addition to its applications in autoimmune diseases, ongoing research is exploring the use of CAR-MSC in other conditions where immune dysregulation plays a role. For example, researchers are investigating its potential for treating chronic inflammatory diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and psoriasis, as well as complications arising from organ transplantation, where immune rejection poses a significant challenge.
Furthermore, the ability of CAR-MSC to influence immune modulation suggests possible applications in addressing age-related immune disorders. As the aging process is often associated with chronic low-grade inflammation (inflammaging), CAR-MSC therapy could offer new opportunities for managing age-related degenerative conditions and improving overall health in elderly patients.
Conclusion
CAR-MSC technology opens new horizons in the treatment of autoimmune diseases by offering the possibility of targeted regulation of the immune response and repair of damaged tissues. Although the technique still requires refinement and further clinical trials, its future potential may significantly improve the quality of life of patients with autoimmune pathologies. The introduction of such innovative approaches into clinical practice may become a revolutionary step in modern medicine.
