| abstract |
Multispecific chimeric receptor DNA sequences, expression cassettes and vectors containing these sequences as well as cells containing the chimeric DNA and chimeric receptor proteins expressed from the sequences are provided in the present invention. The multispecific chimeric receptor DNA and amino acid sequences comprise at least three domains that do not naturally exist together: (1) a multispecific binding domain comprising at least two extracellular inducer-responsive clustering domains which serves to bind at least one specific inducer molecule; (2) a transmembrane domain; and (3) a cytoplasmic domain which contains either a proliferation signaling domain that signals cells to divide, and effector function signaling domain which directs a host cell to perform its specialized function, or both an effector function signaling domain and a proliferation signaling domain. Optionally, the multispecific chimeric receptors may contain one or more intracellular inducer-responsive clustering domains attached to one or more cytoplasmic signaling domains or the transmembrane domain. The present invention also includes methods of using cells expressing these chimeric receptors for treatment of cancer, and autoimmune and infectious diseases. |