# STRUCTURE AND DIVERSITY IN THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

> **NIH NIH R01** · MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY · 1987 · $210,604

## Abstract

The overall goal of this research is to explore the range of immunoglobulin
(Ig) diversity within and between species.  The work is divided into two
main projects.  1. Diversity of Lambda chains in mouse immunoglobulins.
The variable (V) as well as the constant (C) regions of the lambda chains
in inbred mice are encoded by a very limited number of germ-line genes.  To
obtain insight into the extent of somatic diversification of these genes,
we are determining the amino acid sequence of a number of Lambda V
regions.  We also wish to establish correlations between limited changes in
sequence and the three-dimensional structure and function of
Lambda-containing antibodies.  In contrast to inbred strains, randomly-bred
wild mice appear to have a greatly expanded number of genes for Lambda C
regions.  It is not known, however, how many of these genes are actually
used in Ig synthesis.  We will investigate the expression of Lambda genes
in wild mice by studying Lambda chain production and gene rearrangements in
hybridomas obtained by fusing spleen cells from wold mice with myeloma
cells from BALB/c mice.  2. The immune system in developing amphibians.
The first major group of vertebrates to possess more than one Ig class are
the anuran amphibians.  Since these animals have a free-living larval form,
they are excellent subjects for investigations of the development of the
immune system from both a phylogenetic and ontogenetic perspective.  To
evaluate changes in Ig synthesis during development and to determine
similarities and differences from mammalian immune responses, we have been
characterizing the Igs in adult and larval Rana catesbeiana.  In addition,
we plan to utilize recombinant DNA technology to investigate the structure
and organization of Ig genes in Xenopus laevis.  The proposed studies may
provide insight into the evolution of mechanisms for generating antibody
diversity.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3124397
- **Project number:** 5R01AI008054-21
- **Recipient organization:** MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
- **SAM.gov UEI:** E2NYLCDML6V1
- **Principal Investigator:** LISA A STEINER
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $210,604
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1978-09-01 → 1988-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3124397

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3124397, STRUCTURE AND DIVERSITY IN THE IMMUNE SYSTEM (5R01AI008054-21). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3124397. Licensed CC0.

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