Immune cells engineered to remove amyloid from the brain
Amyloid Beta CAR Macrophages: a cell engineering strategy to clear pathogenic proteins
Engineered macrophages designed to seek and remove harmful amyloid protein from the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11251198 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project builds lab-made brain macrophages that are given special receptors to recognize and engulf amyloid beta, the protein that builds up in Alzheimer’s. Researchers are developing ways to deliver these engineered cells into the brain and to control inflammatory signals so the cells clear amyloid without causing harmful brain inflammation. Most testing so far is in animal and lab models to see if the cells engraft, eat plaques, and change disease markers. If those steps work and are safe, the team plans to move the approach toward human testing.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would likely be people diagnosed with amyloid-positive Alzheimer’s disease who might be eligible for future cell-based therapy trials.
Not a fit: People without amyloid-related Alzheimer’s, those with very advanced dementia, or those ineligible for invasive brain cell delivery are unlikely to benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce amyloid buildup and potentially slow or improve symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
How similar studies have performed: Antibody-based therapies have removed amyloid but sometimes caused inflammation, while directly engineered immune cells for brain amyloid clearance are largely novel and remain at the preclinical stage.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gill, Saar — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Gill, Saar
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.