T cells redirected by a chimeric antigen receptor efficiently control Hepatitis B Virus replication in an immunocompetent mouse model

Background & Aims: Current antivirals suppress HBV but do not clear the infection. For virus clearance strong effector T cell responses are needed, which are sparse in chronically infected individuals. Cell therapy using T cells redirected by HBV-specific receptors may clear HBV and help to prevent and treat HBV-associated liver cancer. We designed a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) that is composed of a single chain antibody fragment binding to HBsAg and CD28/CD3z signaling domains. This study aimed to proof feasibility of this approach in vivo addressing the following challenges: (i) T cell-depletion to generat…