# IMMUNE MECHANISMS IN EXPERIMENTAL SYPHILIS

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES · 1990 · $205,670

## Abstract

Studies will be initiated or continue to be directed toward the elucidation
of humoral immune mechanisms potentially operative 1) in acquired
experimental syphilis, and 2) following vaccination of rabbits with
Treponema pallidum inactivated by time and Y-irradiation; methods for
assessment will include passive protection, blockage of attachment, in
vitro-in vivo neutralization, T. pallidum immobilization, and an in vitro
radiolabeled staphyloccal protein A microassay.  Studies will also be
initiated or continue to be directed toward the elucidation of operative
cell-mediated immune mechanisms; methods of assessment will include assays
for in vitro phagocytosis and digestion of opsonized T. pallidum by
macrophages (mPhi), in vitro destruction of T. pallidum by
lymphokine-activated mPhi in the presence or absence of specific antibody,
host-resistance to challenge following non-specific and specific in vivo
mPhi activation by purified BCG cell wall skeletons, and in vitro
destruction of T. pallidum by mPhi cationic protein 1.  Functional and
functional-related characteristics of murine monoclonal antibodies directed
specifically against T. pallidum will be determined using several of these
assay systems as a prelude to their use in collaborative studies designed
to isolate putative "protective" immunogens and virulence factor(s) by
affinity chromatography.  Additionally, efforts will continue toward the
development of an experimental congenital syphilis model in the rabbit and
toward the characterization of innate humoral factor(s) which may influence
pathogenesis and resistance in the neonatal rabbit.  These studies should
lead to 1) a more complete understanding of the role of the immune process
during the pathogenesis of the disease; 2) methods for the assessment of
the immune status of patients and potential future vaccinees; and 3) a
sound rationale for the isolation of "protective" immunogens and virulence
factors.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3125237
- **Project number:** 5R01AI012601-14
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
- **SAM.gov UEI:** RN64EPNH8JC6
- **Principal Investigator:** JAMES Nathaniel MILLER
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1990
- **Award amount:** $205,670
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1978-06-01 → 1990-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3125237

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3125237, IMMUNE MECHANISMS IN EXPERIMENTAL SYPHILIS (5R01AI012601-14). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3125237. Licensed CC0.

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