# HETEROGENEOUS ANTIBODY RESPONSES IN AGING

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE · 1992 · $122,141

## Abstract

The principal goal of this proposal is to analyze the molecular and
cellular events leading to the changes in antigen-specific antibody
repertoire seen in the immune response of the aged.  This will be
accomplished using a murine experimental model of peripheral lymphoid
auto-reconstitution by the bone marrow while the long bones are
shielded.  We will analyze the VH gene usage in the antibody response to
a thymic-independent antigen and determine whether its expression in
aging is a stochastic representation of the available repertoire or is a
skewed antibody response.  This information is crucial to the
understanding of the acquisition of immunity to bacterial agents by the
aged.  We shall also study the role of T cells in the regulation of
antibody repertoire expression.  This will allow us to determine the
role of T cells in the aging immune response.  Anti-viral responses
require collaboration between B and T cells.  Such studies will point
the way towards possible enhancement of the aged's responses to
microbial agents.  Finally, we shall determine the mechanisms leading to
the apparent loss of high-affinity antibody by the aged.  We shall
compare immunological memory acquisition by the young and the aged.
This will allow us to identify modalities under which high-affinity
antibody producing B cells might be augmented in the immune response of
the aged.  Since it is generally recognized that high-affinity antibody
is most effective in fighting-off infections, such data are essential to
our knowledge of the physiology of the immune response of the aged.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3122078
- **Project number:** 1R01AG010118-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE
- **SAM.gov UEI:** Z9CRZKD42ZT1
- **Principal Investigator:** EDMOND A GOIDL
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1992
- **Award amount:** $122,141
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 1992-01-15 → 1994-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3122078

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3122078, HETEROGENEOUS ANTIBODY RESPONSES IN AGING (1R01AG010118-01). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3122078. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*