Using engineered macrophages to clear harmful proteins in Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Amyloid Beta CAR Macrophages: a cell engineering strategy to clear pathogenic proteins
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11010782 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to help people with Alzheimer's by using specially designed immune cells to better clear harmful proteins from the brain, which could lead to improved treatments for the 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 start | January 21, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $644,077 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS129737-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11010782 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or those at high risk for developing the condition.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other forms of dementia unrelated to amyloid beta pathology may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new approach to help clear amyloid beta proteins, which are linked to Alzheimer's disease, using specially engineered macrophages. These immune cells are designed to target and remove the amyloid beta proteins more effectively than current treatments. The study aims to understand how these engineered macrophages interact with amyloid beta in the brain and whether they can reduce inflammation associated with Alzheimer's. By improving the way the brain clears these harmful proteins, the research hopes to provide a more effective treatment option for patients with Alzheimer's disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a novel therapy that significantly improves the clearance of amyloid beta proteins in Alzheimer's patients, potentially slowing disease progression.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been various approaches to targeting amyloid beta, this specific method using engineered macrophages is novel and has not been extensively tested in clinical settings.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gill, Saar — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Gill, Saar
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Comparing universal and guideline-directed genetic testing for young adults with cancer
This study is looking at whether a broader genetic test can help young adults with cancer find inherited risks that regular tests might miss, so they can get better treatment and care tailored just for them.
-
Better, searchable data for human pain biology
A data integration center will standardize, combine, and share molecular and cellular data from human pain research to help scientists understand how pain works and to accelerate discoveries.
-
Understanding how sweat glands form and work to help burn and skin injury patients
A study at the University of Pennsylvania looks at how sweat glands develop and function, with the goal of informing treatments for people who suffer traumatic skin injuries.
-
Cardiovascular risk planning and reduction for men with prostate cancer
A program to better predict and reduce heart disease risk in men treated for prostate cancer, especially older patients.
-
Understanding how a special airway cell helps protect and repair breathing passages
A researcher is studying a newly found airway cell called the hillock to see how it protects the airways and helps repair them after injury, with the aim of helping people with asthma, COPD, or bronchiectasis.
-
Defining TMJ cartilage progenitors and their regulatory niche for TMJ regeneration
Researchers are studying the cells that could help repair the jaw’s cartilage in TMJ osteoarthritis to lay the groundwork for regenerative therapies.
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.