# MATERNAL-FETAL INTERACTIONS AND THE IMMUNE RESPONSE

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · 1994 · $190,726

## Abstract

The long-term objective of this application is the definition at the
molecular level of the RT1.E-grc region of the major histocompatibility
complex (MHC) of the rat, and it continues the work performed during the
preceding grant period.  The specific aims are threefold.  First,
alloantisera and monoclonal antibodies will be raised against class I
antigens encoded by this region using inbred, congenic and recombinant
strains from our colony.  They will be used primarily to identify the
antigens encoded by genes in this region.  Second, the physical mapping of
the rat MHC by pulse field gel electrophoresis will be completed by linking
the fragments of the central region that have already been identified and
by a more detailed analysis of the class I regions.  Third, the detailed
molecular analysis of the RT1.grc region will build on pst work utilizing
the genomic library generated from the R21 strain (Eu-grc+).  Chromosome
walking will be used to link the cosmid clones in this region.  The class I
genes isolated from this region will be sequenced; specific probes will be
prepared for each of the genes; their developmental control will be
determined; and their expression will be studied by northern analysis and
by immunological identification of the expressed antigens.  Since a
critical part of our work is to identify and characterize genes in the grc
region that affect development and susceptibility to cancer, the
differences between the grc+ and grc- strains will be identified.  Finally,
transfection of unique grc+ sequences into grc- cell lines and the
subsequent change in phenotype of these cell lines will be used to assess
the biological activity of these sequences.

The work described here is critical to exploring the central hypothesis of
our laboratory:  MHC-linked genes are evolutionarily important and have a
central role in the control of growth and differentiation, the genesis of
developmental abnormalities and susceptibility to cancer.  This hypothesis
is based on experimental evidence from the rat and from a number of other
species and on extensive clinical evidence in humans.  The experimental
system in the rat will provide an unique approach to investigating these
MHC-linked genes, which may include tumor suppressor gene.  In addition,
understanding the structure and function of the rat MHC is important for
the study of comparative genetics and for the use of the rat as an
experimental animal.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 2196622
- **Project number:** 5R01HD008662-19
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
- **SAM.gov UEI:** MKAGLD59JRL1
- **Principal Investigator:** THOMAS J GILL
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1994
- **Award amount:** $190,726
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1974-09-01 → 1996-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/2196622

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 2196622, MATERNAL-FETAL INTERACTIONS AND THE IMMUNE RESPONSE (5R01HD008662-19). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/2196622. Licensed CC0.

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