Researchers at Washington University engineered astrocytes to express chimeric antigen receptors (CAR‑As) that target amyloid‑β and reported dramatic effects in mouse models: a single prophylactic injection prevented plaque formation and treatment of animals with existing pathology halved amyloid burden. The findings were published in Science and describe a novel CNS‑directed cell therapy approach. The team delivered CAR‑A cells into mouse brains and observed targeted recruitment of phagocytic mechanisms that removed amyloid deposits, without repeated high‑dose antibody infusions. Investigators noted additional work is required to optimize safety, dosing and off‑target effects before clinical translation. Astrocytes are glial cells that support neurons and modulate brain homeostasis; reprogramming them to clear pathological aggregates represents a distinct immunotherapy strategy from microglia‑targeted antibodies and could reduce treatment frequency and systemic toxicity.