Definition

A preparation of autologous T lymphocytes that have been engineered to express a chimeric autoantibody receptor (CAAR) containing the autoantigen desmoglein-3 (desmoglein 3; DSG3) that is fused to the co-stimulatory domain of 4-1BB (CD137) and the T-cell receptor signaling domain of CD3zeta (CD3z), with potential immunomodulatory activity. Upon administration, the autologous DSG3 chimeric autoantibody receptor T cells (CAART) DSG3-CAART specifically recognize and induce selective toxicity in aberrant B cells expressing DSG3 autoantibodies. This inhibits the production of DSG3 autoantibodies. DSG3 is a protein expressed in desmosomes that plays an important role in cell adhesion. DSG3 autoantibodies are produced and expressed by aberrant B cells in the autoimmune disease mucosal-dominant pemphigus vulgaris.