Targeting SARS-CoV-2 infection through CAR-T-like bispecific T cell engagers incorporating ACE2

dc.contributor.authorDogan, Mikail
dc.contributor.authorKozhaya, Lina
dc.contributor.authorPlacek, Lindsey
dc.contributor.authorKarabacak, Fatih
dc.contributor.authorYigit, Mesut
dc.contributor.authorUnutmaz, Derya
dc.date.accessioned2023-02-21T12:34:52Z
dc.date.available2023-02-21T12:34:52Z
dc.date.issued2022-01-01
dc.description.abstractObjectives. Despite advances in antibody treatments and vaccines, COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection remains a major health problem resulting in excessive morbidity and mortality and the emergence of new variants has reduced the effectiveness of current vaccines. Methods. Here, as a proof-of-concept, we engineered primary CD8 T cells to express SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein-specific CARs, using the extracellular region of ACE2 and demonstrated their highly specific and potent cytotoxicity towards Spike-expressing target cells. To improve on this concept as a potential therapeutic, we developed a bispecific T cell engager combining ACE2 with an anti-CD3 scFv (ACE2-Bite) to target infected cells and the virus. Results. As in CAR-T cell approach, ACE2-Bite endowed cytotoxic cells to selectively kill Spike-expressing targets. Furthermore, ACE2-Bite neutralized the pseudoviruses of SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2 wild-type, and variants including Delta and Omicron, as a decoy protein. Remarkably, ACE2-Bite molecule showed a higher binding and neutralization affinity to Delta and Omicron variants compared to SARS-CoV-2 wild-type Spike proteins. Conclusion. In conclusion, these results suggest the potential of this approach as a variant-proof, therapeutic strategy for future SARS-CoV-2 variants, employing both humoral and cellular arms of the adaptive immune response.
dc.description.issue10
dc.description.volume11
dc.identifier.doi10.1002/cti2.1421
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/11443/1827
dc.identifier.urihttp://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cti2.1421
dc.identifier.wosWOS:000870828300001
dc.publisherWILEY
dc.relation.ispartofCLINICAL \& TRANSLATIONAL IMMUNOLOGY
dc.subjectACE2-Bite
dc.subjectCAR-T cell
dc.subjectCOVID-19
dc.subjectDelta
dc.subjectOmicron
dc.subjectSARS-CoV-2
dc.titleTargeting SARS-CoV-2 infection through CAR-T-like bispecific T cell engagers incorporating ACE2
dc.typeArticle

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