A method of creating antigen-specific, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells capable of secreting regenerative growth factors upon activation of said CAR. In one embodiment said regenerative CAR-T cells possess a CAR capable of selectively recognizing damaged tissue. In one embodiment said CAR recognizes damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) such as ATP, HMGB-1, matricryptins, cold-inducible RNA-binding protein, histones and mitochondrial DNA. Upon activation of said CAR said regenerative CAR-T cell is induced to produce one or more regenerative growth factors. In some embodiments the invention provides a suicide gene in said regenerative CAR-T cells in order to remove said cells after their therapeutic purpose is completed.