Engineered T Cells with Chimeric Receptors for HIV Targeting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for HIV, such as combination therapies, face challenges with viral resistance due to non-adherence and the inability to effectively mount productive immune responses, particularly as HIV targets and compromises CD4+ T cells, leading to compromised immune systems and progression to AIDS.
Innovation Solution
Engineered immune cells, such as T cells, are equipped with chimeric receptors (CRs) and co-receptors (CCORs) that specifically recognize and bind to HIV targets like CCR5 and CD4, incorporating anti-HIV antibody moieties for enhanced recognition and signaling, and co-stimulatory domains for activation, while reducing CCR5 expression to increase resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If combination therapies are used to treat HIV, then viral suppression is improved, but viral resistance develops due to non-adherence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses engineered T cells as intermediaries that express chimeric receptors (anti-CD4, anti-CCR5, anti-CXCR4) to recognize and eliminate HIV-infected cells. These engineered immune cells serve as a mediator between the immune system and the virus, providing reliable viral suppression without requiring strict adherence to combination therapy regimens, thereby preventing the development of viral resistance.
2Productivity
If HIV targets CD4+ T cells, then viral replication is enhanced, but immune system function is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harm caused by HIV targeting CD4+ T cells into a benefit by engineering T cells with chimeric receptors that specifically recognize HIV-infected cells through their surface markers (CD4, CCR5, CXCR4). The engineered T cells are then activated to kill the infected cells, transforming the virus's preferred target into the basis for selective elimination of infected cells while preserving healthy immune function.
3Measurement precision
If chimeric receptors are engineered to recognize multiple HIV targets, then recognition specificity is improved, but receptor complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the recognition function into separate chimeric receptors, each targeting a specific HIV-associated marker (CD4, CCR5, or CXCR4). Rather than creating a single complex multi-specific receptor, the system uses multiple simpler receptors that work together to identify and eliminate infected cells, thereby maintaining high recognition specificity while managing receptor complexity through functional segmentation.
Data Source
AI summary
Immune cells (such as T cells) comprising a chimeric receptor (CR), a chimeric co-receptor (CCOR), and/or a co-receptor (COR) are provided.