UC San Diego

Although Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cells have been proven to be powerful in eradicating tumors. However, its non-specific activity against normal tissues and cells has been a major problem. Here, utilizing the activation of transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1) under heat, the translocation of nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) triggered by Calcium influx, and the recombination effects of Cre-lox system, we have developed a system to remotely manipulate the expression of proteins in cells under the control of both heat and drugs. The significance of this project is to provide a method to precisely control the activities of CAR T cells within targeted local tissues.