# IMMUNOLOGIC STUDY OF HUMAN HLA AND MOUSE H-2 ANTIGENS

> **NIH NIH R01** · DUKE UNIVERSITY · 1989 · $359,640

## Abstract

The objective is to gain precise knowledge of certain cell surface markers
especially those of lymphoid cells, and how each can serve as a
differentiation signal or trigger the activities of another cell.  Most of
the effort is directed at components of the major histocompatibility
complex of man, HLA, which includes two distinct types of antigen, Class I
and Class II.  Only 3 Class I molecules have been identified although over
30 genes exist.  One of our aims is to determine if other genes in this
cluster (which we call a congener) are operational in cells of certain
tissue such as thymus or vascular endothelium or if some develop only at
specific stages of differentiation.  Another aim is to produce monoclonal
antibodies to the Class I and Class II antigens.  The Class II congener
includes at least 9 functioning genes but only 3 or 4 of the products,
transmembranous glycoprotein heterodimers can clearly be distinguished.
Having produced monoclonal antibodies to at least some of the individual
Class II glycoproteins and to the 2 or more epitopes probably carried by
each, we wish to know if each molecule has separate function and we ask the
complementary question "do the different epitopes of the same molecule even
have different function".  We believe that the answers to these questions
will help us understand why some people form antibodies after transfusion
and some do not, why some reject kidneys and others do not, and how we
might, through such detailed analyses understand and control immune
responses in health and in diseases such as AIDS and autoimmunity.  Since
we can learn about cellular function by an analysis of mutant cells, we
propose to screen for somatic mutants.  We shall also look for new markers
of B lymphocytes and plasma cells.  In a separate series of experiments in
mice we plan to study the way that the MHC molecules are transported to the
surface of the phagocytic cell since this may help us understand the way
that highly complex molecules function as antigens.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3124465
- **Project number:** 5R01AI008897-21
- **Recipient organization:** DUKE UNIVERSITY
- **SAM.gov UEI:** TP7EK8DZV6N5
- **Principal Investigator:** D. BERNARD AMOS
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1989
- **Award amount:** $359,640
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1974-10-01 → 1990-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3124465

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3124465, IMMUNOLOGIC STUDY OF HUMAN HLA AND MOUSE H-2 ANTIGENS (5R01AI008897-21). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3124465. Licensed CC0.

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