Bioengineering cytotoxic T cells to target opportunistic fungal infection

Clinical-grade T cells are genetically modified ex vivo to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) to redirect their specificity to target tumor-associated antigens in vivo. We have developed gene therapy approach to render T cells specific for invasive fungal infections (IFI) due to Aspergillus. We adapted the pattern-recognition receptor Dectin-1 to activate T cells via chimeric CD28 and CD3-zeta (designated D-CAR) upon binding with carbohydrate cell wall in Aspergillus germlings. T cells genetically modified with Sleeping Beauty system to stably express D-CAR were selectively propagated on artificial antigen presenting cells using an approach that is approved by FDA to develop CAR T cells for clinical trials. The D-CAR+ T cells exhibited specificity for beta-1,3-gucan and damaged and thus inhibited hyphal growth of Aspergillus. Treatment of D-CAR+ T cells with steroids did not compromise anti-fungal activity. Thus, we report a clinically-appealing strategy to transfer innate immunity for mycology to cytotoxic T cells.