Abstract: The present invention concerns providing chimeric natural killer cell receptor (CNK) constructs, genetically engineered T cells expressing such constructs (CNK-T), genetically engineered natural killer cells expressing such constructs (CNK-NK), and the use of CNK-T and CNK-NK to treat a variety of disease states. Specifically, the CNK are designed to target any types of infected, transformed, autoreactive, senescent and stressed cells overexpressing NKG2D ligands. Compared with native T cells and native natural killer cells, the CNK-T and CNK-NK are shown to have improved sensitivity in initiating cytotoxicity against the tumor cells and viral cells in absence or presence of the second genetically modification. Moreover, by incorporating the CNK into the chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) system, the genetically engineered T cells expressing such constructs (CNK/CAR-T) display enhanced sensitivity and superior cytotoxicity against tumor cells.

Abstract: The invention discloses chimeric endocytic receptor CER-based constructs for activating and regulating immune response, and method for using the same. The CER-based constructs are based on the structure of Fc?RI/? chain and incorporate high-affinity binding domain from receptors or antibodies shown to uptake specific antigen and present the antigen to T cells or B cells to initiate the antigen-specific immune response, Such design has the ability to transform native monocytes or T cells to CER-expressing monocytes (CER-M) or CER-expressing T cells (CER-T) in recognizing and uptake the target antigen and activate subsequent immune responses. Such engineered CER-M or CER-T can be used to treat tumor, viral diseases and autoimmune diseases directly. The endocytosis process with involvement of FcR-? may enhance and coordinate T cell activation in combination with T cell activation by other types of constructs such as CAR.

Abstract: The present invention concerns providing chimeric natural killer cell receptor (CNK) constructs, genetically engineered T cells expressing such constructs (CNK-T), genetically engineered natural killer cells expressing such constructs (CNK-NK), and the use of CNK-T and CNK-NK to treat a variety of disease states. Specifically, the CNK are designed to target any types of infected, transformed, autoreactive, senescent and stressed cells overexpressing NKG2D ligands. Compared with native T cells and native natural killer cells, the CNK-T and CNK-NK are shown to have improved sensitivity in initiating cytotoxicity against the tumor cells and viral cells in absence or presence of the second genetically modification. Moreover, by incorporating the CNK into the chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) system, the genetically engineered T cells expressing such constructs (CNK/CAR-T) display enhanced sensitivity and superior cytotoxicity against tumor cells.

Abstract: The invention discloses chimeric endocytic receptor CER-based constructs for activating and regulating immune response, and method for using the same. The CER-based constructs are based on the structure of Fc?RI/? chain and incorporate high-affinity binding domain from receptors or antibodies shown to uptake specific antigen and present the antigen to T cells or B cells to initiate the antigen-specific immune response, Such design has the ability to transform native monocytes or T cells to CER-expressing monocytes (CER-M) or CER-expressing T cells (CER-T) in recognizing and uptake the target antigen and activate subsequent immune responses. Such engineered CER-M or CER-T can be used to treat tumor, viral diseases and autoimmune diseases directly. The endocytosis process with involvement of FcR-? may enhance and coordinate T cell activation in combination with T cell activation by other types of constructs such as CAR.