Targeting integrin αvβ3 by chimeric antigen receptor neural stem cell (CAR-NSC) therapy for stroke

Rust, R.; Weber, R. Z.; Rentsch, N. H.; Achon Buil, B.; Habib, P.; Bodenmann, C.; Zurcher, K. J.; Uhr, D.; Meier, D.; Generali, M.; Zemke, M.; Konietzko, U.; Saito, H.; Hoerstrup, S. P.; Nitsch, R. M.; Tackenberg, C.

doi:10.64898/2026.04.11.717950

bioRxiv · 10.64898/2026.04.11.717950

Targeting integrin αvβ3 by chimeric antigen receptor neural stem cell (CAR-NSC) therapy for stroke

Rust, R.·Weber, R. Z.·Rentsch, N. H.·Achon Buil, B.·Habib, P.·Bodenmann, C.·Zurcher, K. J.·Uhr, D.·Meier, D.·Generali, M.·Zemke, M.·Konietzko, U.·Saito, H.·Hoerstrup, S. P.·Nitsch, R. M.·Tackenberg, C.

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Abstract

Stroke remains a leading cause of adult disability due to the brains limited regenerative capacity. Although stem cell therapies show favorable safety and feasibility profiles in early clinical trials, poor spatial retention and limited engagement with peri-infarct salvageable tissue constrain efficacy. Here, we engineered human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural stem cells (NSC) with a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-like architecture to enable targeted recognition of injury-associated cues. Specifically, cells were modified to express a membrane-anchored single chain variable fragment (scFv) targeting integrin v{beta}3, a receptor selectively upregulated in peri-infarct vasculature after stroke. Engineered CAR-NSC retained progenitor identity and selectively bound recombinant integrin v{beta}3 in vitro. Following focal transplantation into a photothrombotic stroke mouse model, CAR-NSC displayed broader dispersion within peri-infarct tissue and covered a greater proportion of the ischemic lesion compared to non-binding control-CAR-NSC. CAR-NSC grafts extended longer neurites that aligned more closely with the lesion border. In addition, CAR-NSC transplantation reduced microglial activation and was associated with increased vascular density and blood-brain barrier integrity in the peri-infarct zone. Together, these findings establish a CAR-like NSC strategy for stroke to direct the spatial distribution and tissue engagement of transplanted cells. Molecular targeting of injury-associated cues may improve the precision and regenerative efficacy of cell-based therapies for stroke and related neurological disorders.

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Rust, R., Weber, R. Z., Rentsch, N. H., Achon Buil, B., Habib, P., Bodenmann, C., Zurcher, K. J., Uhr, D., Meier, D., Generali, M., Zemke, M., Konietzko, U., Saito, H., Hoerstrup, S. P., Nitsch, R. M., Tackenberg, C.. 2026-04-14. Targeting integrin αvβ3 by chimeric antigen receptor neural stem cell (CAR-NSC) therapy for stroke. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.04.11.717950

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