Researchers have developed a novel neuroimmunotherapy for Alzheimer’s disease by engineering astrocytes to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs). While traditional treatments rely on antibodies that often require high doses and repeated administration, this CAR-A therapy enables a one-time, noninvasive delivery to transform brain cells into "super-phagocytes." These specialized cells are designed to specifically target and clear amyloid-β aggregates, which are primary drivers of neurodegeneration. In mouse models, a single treatment significantly reduced existing plaque burden and effectively prevented new amyloid accumulation while decreasing damage to surrounding neurons. The study also found that these engineered astrocytes communicate with microglia, shifting the brain's immune environment toward a more protective, homeostatic state. Ultimately, this platform offers a customizable and scalable strategy for treating complex neurodegenerative conditions beyond typical oncology applications.

References:

• Chen Y, Liu Y, Nguyen K, et al. Targeting amyloid-β pathology by chimeric antigen receptor astrocyte (CAR-A) therapy[J]. Science, 2026, 391(6789): eads3972.