# REGULATION OF MUCOSAL IMMUNOCOMPETENCE IN THE AGING RAT

> **NIH NIH R01** · IDAHO STATE UNIVERSITY · 1990 · $93,597

## Abstract

The rapid expansion of the aged population, the increased incidence of
gastrointestinal infections and diseases ad the age-related decline in
immunocompetence demonstrated the need for a comprehensive, quantitative
analysis of the mucosal immune system as a function of age.  In spite of
the considerable research on the effects of aging on immunocompetence, the
mucosal immune system has not been accorded significant attention.
Furthermore, recent evidence for our laboratory suggests that an age-
dependent decline in immunoglobulin A producing cells in the lamina propria
of the intestine, and a concomitant decline in nonimmune tissue secretion
dimeric immunoglobulin A (digA), e.g. a decline in the levels of
hepatobiliary secretion of digA due to loss of receptors may affect mucosal
immunity.  While current dogma states that aging affects cell-mediated
immune responses more markedly than the humoral response, these and other
data suggest that intrinsic alteration in B-lymphocyte or non-lymphoid
elements may also play a role in this immunodeficiency.  The overall aim of
the proposed project is to understand the role of receptor-mediated IgA
transport in the intestinal immune response and how mucosal
immunocompetence is affected by aging.  In order to achieve this goal, we
propose to examine the effect of animal age on the synthesis and
subcellular processing of the hepatic Iga receptor, secretory component,
and the role of secretory component-mediated transport of immunoglobulin A
in the intestinal immune response in the aging Fischer 344 rat.  In
addition, mechanisms by which the intestinal immune response to a specific
antigen e.g. cholera toxin, results in homing of specific anti-cholera
toxin producing cells to liver and the intestinal tract will be examined.
The proposed studies will provide important information concerning 1) the
intrinsic role of the IgA receptor in the transport of Iga in the
intestinal immune response, 2) the role of tissue specific homing of primed
lymphocytes to site for secretion of IgA and 3) the effect of aging on
these functions.  In addition, these studies will also increase our current
knowledge of the subcellular mechanisms involved in the processing of
molecules internalized via receptor-mediated endocytosis and the mechanisms
by which cells respond in the mucosal immune system.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3120260
- **Project number:** 5R01AG008552-02
- **Recipient organization:** IDAHO STATE UNIVERSITY
- **SAM.gov UEI:** JJC9GJJJL4M7
- **Principal Investigator:** CHRISTOPHER K DANIELS
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1990
- **Award amount:** $93,597
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1989-01-01 → 1991-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3120260

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3120260, REGULATION OF MUCOSAL IMMUNOCOMPETENCE IN THE AGING RAT (5R01AG008552-02). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3120260. Licensed CC0.

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