Disease Focus: COVID-19
Chimeric Antigen Receptor Targeting Spike Glycoprotein of SARS-cov2
Research Objective We expect to generate iPSC derived NK cells expressing a CAR against SARS-cov2 that could be used as an off-the-shelf therapy for COVID-19 Impact The proposed studies will provide a novel therapeutic approach to boost the cellular immunity against SARS-cov2, especially for high risk populations. Major Proposed Activities Construction of SARS-cov2 CAR constructs […]
Pro-healing biomaterial for treating lung inflammation associated with COVID-19
Research Objective Pro-healing biomaterial to treat lung inflammation and promote recovery. Impact COVID-19 associated acute respiratory distress syndrome Major Proposed Activities Evaluate biomaterial for ability to reduce lung inflammation in rodent model Evaluate biomaterial for ability to recruit stem cells in the lung Evaluate biomaterial for ability to improve lung function in rodent model Evaluate […]
Persistent Off-the-Shelf meACE2-CAR-IL-15 NK Cells Derived from CD34(+) Cord Blood Stem Cells to Prevent and Treat COVID-19
Research Objective To develop and characterize meACE-2-CAR-IL15 NK cells expressing a mutated ACE2 and IL-15, allowing specific killing of SARS-CoV-2-infected cells and long in vivo persistence of the engineered cells. Impact To provide a timely, novel, and effective cell therapy for COVID-19, which has no FDA-approved vaccines and only remdesivir has received an emergency-use approval. […]
Identifying HLA Class I Restricted Peptides That Induce CD8+ T Cells Against SARS-CoV-2
Research Objective A vaccine to help prevent COVID-19 Impact There is a clear need for a vaccine to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus that is effective, can be rapidly produced and can be scaled for worldwide demand. Major Proposed Activities Identify structural regions of SARS-Cov-2 that can inhibit viral entry Identify potential regions […]
Application of PGE2/BPV, a muscle stem cell targeting therapeutic, to the treatment of COVID-19 associated diaphragm atrophy
Research Objective Intramuscular delivery of 2 repurposed FDA approved drugs to activate diaphragm stem cells to augment regeneration and restore strength to COVID-19 patients with diaphragm atrophy from ventilation. Impact Currently effective treatments are lacking for diaphragm atrophy due to ventilation to treat COVID-19. Our treatment will promote full recovery of such patients. Major Proposed […]
Development of a novel PIKFYVE kinase inhibitor for the treatment of COVID-19
Research Objective Alveolar type II cells are the stem cells of the lung, and they are killed by SARS-CoV-2. We will determine if a novel PIKFYVE kinase inhibitor prevents SARS-CoV-2 infection of type II cells. Impact Although PIKFYVE inhibition blocks SARS-CoV-2 infection, no known PIKFYVE inhibitors have suitable drug-like properties. We would validate a novel […]
Biomaterial vaccine to enhance the formation of SARS-CoV-2-specific T memory stem cells
Research Objective The objective of this project is to develop an injectable biomaterial platform that can induce TMSCs and boost immunoactivation to vaccines against SARS-CoV-2, which will help protect elderly people. Impact This approach will boost T memory stem cell production to enhance immunization, and address the low/weak immunoresponses to vaccines, especially in the elderly […]
Stem cell-based rapid identification of SARS-CoV-2 T cell epitopes and T cell receptors for therapeutic use
Research Objective We will identify SAR-CoV-2 T cell epitopes for vaccine development and specific TCRs for adoptive T cell therapy using a stem cell-based platform to generate specialized dendritic cells in vitro. Impact New methods to rapidly identify T cell epitopes would greatly accelerate development of vaccines and TCR-based therapeutics, and in the setting of […]
Repurposing Aminoadamantane Nitrate Compounds to Inhibit SARS-CoV-2 Viral Activity and to Protect the Brain from Viral-Related Damage
Research Objective The objective is to screen a series of aminoadamantane nitrate compounds for their ability to protect hiPSC-derived neurons from SARS-CoV-2-related damage and to block SARS-CoV-2 activity. Impact If successful, our screen would identify a drug candidate for further development that would protect neurons from SARS-CoV-2-related damage and also inhibit SARS-CoV-2 activity. Major Proposed […]
Identifying a lead compound for COVID19 using high throughput screening with lung stem cell organoids
Research Objective We propose to use a lung stem cell based organoid to identify a new compound for COVID-19 by screening a library of FDA approved compounds that could be repurposed for COVID-19 infection. Impact If successful, we will find a therapy to treat COVID-19 infection and prevent the lung complications that are so deadly. […]