Surface autoantigen

Surface autoantigens recognized by Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) domains represent a specialized class of therapeutic targets used to treat autoimmune diseases with high precision. These antigens are self-proteins typically expressed on the surface of target cells or recognized by the B-cell receptors (BCRs) of autoreactive B cells. In Chimeric Autoantibody Receptor (CAAR) T-cell therapy, the CAR extracellular domain consists of the autoantigen itself, which serves to identify and eliminate B cells producing pathogenic autoantibodies. In contrast, CAR-Regulatory T-cell (CAR-Treg) therapy utilizes CARs that recognize tissue-specific autoantigens to recruit suppressive T cells to sites of inflammation, thereby restoring immune tolerance. Key examples of these targets include Desmoglein 3 in pemphigus vulgaris and Muscle-specific kinase (MuSK) in myasthenia gravis. By focusing on these specific molecules, CAR-based therapies aim to provide long-term disease remission while avoiding the systemic side effects of broad immunosuppressants.

Other names

Disease-relevant surface autoantigens recognized by CAR domainsPathogenic autoantigenCAAR-T targetCAR-Treg targetSelf-antigen

Chimeric receptors (CARs or CAARs) are engineered to recognize specific surface autoantigens or the B-cell receptors (BCRs) that bind them, leading to either the selective destruction of pathogenic B cells or the localized suppression of the immune response in affected tissues.