Researchers investigate technical ‘own’ immune cells to attack and destroy coronavirus-infected cells
Redesigning the coronavirus patient’s ‘own’ immune cells to target and destroy virus infected tissues could be key to treating the disease, researchers say
- Researchers say the therapy involves extracting immune cells, called T lymphocytes, from the bloodstream of a coronavirus patient
- Then, receptors on the surface of the cells are designed to recognize cells infected with the virus so that they can recognize and destroy them
- This form of immunotherapy is currently used to fight other infectious diseases such as cancer, HIV and hepatitis B.
- In the U.S., there are currently more than 800,000 cases of the virus and nearly 43,000 deaths
- Read more about how you can help people affected by COVID
Scientists at Duke-NUS Medical School are investigating how virus-targeted receptors can be developed on the body’s own immune cells to target the new coronavirus.
These receptors are often used in cancer immunotherapy, where they are adapted to recognize cancer cells to destroy them.
In this case, the cells would be trained to recognize the virus to effectively kill the virus-infected tissues.
The researchers say this would effectively treat patients without sending them to a hospital.
Researchers say the therapy involves extracting immune cells called T lymphocytes from the bloodstream of a coronavirus patient. Pictured: CAR receptors attacking cancer cells
Then, receptors on the surface of the cells are designed to recognize cells infected with the virus so that they can recognize and destroy them. Pictured: Healthcare workers transport a man with a mechanical gas mask and oxygen cylinder from Harlem, New York, April 20
“This therapy is traditionally used in the treatment of cancer, by redirecting patients’ lymphocytes to find and kill the cancer cells,” said lead author Dr. Anthony Tanoto Tan, senior research fellow at Duke’s Emerging Infectious Diseases program. NUS.
However, its potential against infectious diseases and specific viruses has not been investigated.
For the comment, published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine, the team explained that therapy consists of extracting immune cells called T lymphocytes from the bloodstream of a coronavirus patient.
Next, researchers identify T cell receptors (TCR), which are embedded in the cell’s membrane, and chimeric antigen receptors (CAR).
CARs are artificial T-cell receptors generated in a laboratory that allow the immune system to recognize virus-infected cells.
“We state that some infections, such as HIV and [Hepatitis B virus], could be a perfect target for this therapy, especially if lymphocytes are developed using an approach that keeps them active for a limited time to minimize potential side effects, “said Dr. Tan.
The researchers warn that the costs for this type of immunotherapy are too high for most viruses, because they require specialized medical personnel and equipment.
In addition, there is no timeline for how long a patient should undergo treatment so that it could be indefinite.
For the cheapest and most effective option, the team suggests using a combination of antivirals and CAR / TCR T cells to kill the virus-infected cells.
This appears to work against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), a cousin of the new virus.
“We have shown that T cells can be diverted to the coronavirus responsible for SARS,” said lead author Dr. Antonio Bertoletti of Duke-NUS’s EID program.
“Our team has now started to investigate the potential of CAR / TCR T cell immunotherapy to control the COVID-19 causative virus, SARS-CoV-2, and to protect patients from its symptomatic effects.”
In the U.S., there are currently more than 800,000 cases of the virus and nearly 43,000 deaths.
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