Gene-engineered CAR T-cells and macrophages to treat Aspergillus fumigatus infection (A08*)

• Subject Area: Immunology
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 210879364

Project A8N focuses on the genetic engineering of T-cells and macrophages to direct their specificity to A. fumigatus for adoptive immunotherapy of invasive aspergillosis. A8N will pursue three complementary and synergistic strategies to augment and fine tune the activity of A. fumigatus-specific CAR (Af-CAR) T-cells. One strategy is to use a Dectin-based co-receptor to enhance reactivity and selectivity of Af-CAR T-cells. Another strategy is to express an inducible IL-12 reporter gene in Af-CAR T-cells to augment the recruitment and activation of innate immune cells. In parallel, the anti-fungal activity of macrophages that are equipped with the Af-CAR will be evaluated alone and in combination with Af-CAR T-cells.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 124: Pathogenic Fungi and their Human Host: Networks of Interaction - FungiNet
• Applicant Institution: Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Hermann Einsele; Professor Dr. Michael Hudecek