CD19-targeting CAR T cells protect from ANCA-induced acute kidney injury.
Ann Rheum Dis 2024;
83:499-507. [PMID:
38182404 PMCID:
PMC10958264 DOI:
10.1136/ard-2023-224875]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitides (AAV) are life-threatening systemic autoimmune diseases manifesting in the kidneys as necrotizing crescentic glomerulonephritis (NCGN). ANCA antigens are myeloperoxidase (MPO) or proteinase 3. Current treatments include steroids, cytotoxic drugs and B cell-depleting antibodies. The use of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells in autoimmune diseases is a promising new therapeutic approach. We tested the hypothesis that CAR T cells targeting CD19 deplete B cells, including MPO-ANCA-producing B cells, thereby protecting from ANCA-induced NCGN.
METHODS
We tested this hypothesis in a preclinical MPO-AAV mouse model. NCGN was established by immunisation of MPO-/- mice with murine MPO, followed by irradiation and transplantation with haematopoietic cells from wild-type mice alone or together with either CD19-targeting CAR T cells or control CAR T cells.
RESULTS
CD19 CAR T cells efficiently migrated to and persisted in bone marrow, spleen, peripheral blood and kidneys for up to 8 weeks. CD19 CAR T cells, but not control CAR T cells, depleted B cells and plasmablasts, enhanced the MPO-ANCA decline, and most importantly protected from NCGN.
CONCLUSION
Our proof-of-principle study may encourage further exploration of CAR T cells as a treatment for ANCA-vasculitis patients with the goal of drug-free remission.
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