Engineered immune cells to reduce brain inflammation and clear tau in Alzheimer's
Human iPSC-Derived Chimeric Antigen Receptor Macrophages to Modulate Inflammation and Combat Tau-Induced Pathology
This project tries lab-grown, engineered immune cells to calm brain inflammation and help remove harmful tau proteins in people with Alzheimer's and related dementias.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11258978 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will make macrophages from human stem cells (iPSC) and genetically program them with chimeric antigen receptors so they can find and engulf tau protein and inflammatory signals. They will test a set of engineered designs in laboratory systems and in preclinical models to pick the safest and most active candidates. The work adapts immune cell therapy methods developed for cancer and applies them to Alzheimer's-related tau pathology and chronic brain inflammation. The aim is to create a candidate cell therapy that could move into human trials if preclinical results are promising.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Future clinical trials would likely enroll people with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias who show evidence of tau pathology, although the current grant focuses on preclinical development.
Not a fit: People whose dementia is not driven by tau protein, or those needing immediate symptom relief, are unlikely to benefit from this early-stage work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could become a new type of treatment that reduces harmful brain inflammation and clears tau, potentially slowing or reversing symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have performed: Immune cell therapies like CAR-T have had major success in cancer, and early lab studies of CAR-equipped macrophages are promising, but applying engineered macrophages to clear tau in Alzheimer's is largely new and untested in humans.
Where this research is happening
Minneapolis, United States
- University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sachs, Jonathan N — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Sachs, Jonathan N
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.