Genetic engineering of chimeric antigen receptors using lamprey derived variable lymphocyte receptors.

ABSTRACT: Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) are used to redirect effector cell specificity to selected cell surface antigens. Using CARs, antitumor activity can be initiated in patients with no prior tumor specific immunity. Although CARs have shown promising clinical results, the technology remains limited by the availability of specific cognate cell target antigens. To increase the repertoire of targetable tumor cell antigens we utilized the immune system of the sea lamprey to generate directed variable lymphocyte receptors (VLRs). VLRs serve as membrane bound and soluble immune effectors analogous but not homologous to immunoglobulins. They have a fundamentally different structure than immunoglobulin (Ig)-based antibodies while still demonstrating high degrees of specificity and affinity. To test

SUBMITTER: Moot R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5142425 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature