Therapeutic Initiative

Develop Chimeric T-cells as therapeutics to ameliorate fibrosis and potentiate recovery of the failing heart.

WP1, we will define the optimal timing of FAP CART treatment. WP2 will leverage technologic innovations to improve the safety of FAP cell depletion. WP3 will focus on identifying new fibroblast targets to ameliorate fibrosis. Right, picorsirius red staining showing efficacy of FAP CART cells. Adapted from [Aghajanian, H. et al. Targeting cardiac fibrosis with engineered T cells. Nature vol. 573 430–433 (2019)].
WP1, we will define the optimal timing of FAP CART treatment. WP2 will leverage technologic innovations to improve the safety of FAP cell depletion. WP3 will focus on identifying new fibroblast targets to ameliorate fibrosis. Right, picorsirius red staining showing efficacy of FAP CART cells. Adapted from [Aghajanian, H. et al. Targeting cardiac fibrosis with engineered T cells. Nature vol. 573 430–433 (2019)].

Network Members

Jonathan Epstein, MD

Jonathan Epstein, MD

University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Senior Investigator – Therapeutic Initiative

Hao Wu, PhD

Hao Wu, PhD

University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Senior Investigator – Therapeutic Initiative

Haig K. Aghajanian, PhD

Haig K. Aghajanian, PhD

University of Pennsylvania, Early Career Investigator – Therapeutic Initiative

Joel G. Rurik, BS

Joel G. Rurik, BS

University of Pennsylvania, Early Career Investigator – Therapeutic Initiative

Pedro O Mendez-Fernandez

Pedro O Mendez-Fernandez

University of Pennsylvania, Early Career Investigator – Therapeutic Initiative

Peng Hu, PhD

Peng Hu, PhD

University of Pennsylvania, Early Career Investigator – Therapeutic Initiative

Blake Jardin MD/PhD Candidate

Blake Jardin MD/PhD Candidate

University of Pennsylvania, Early Career Investigator – Therapeutic Initiative