# IDIOTYPES OF T AND B LYMPHOCYTES

> **NIH NIH R01** · YALE UNIVERSITY · 1987 · $181,657

## Abstract

The central focus of the proposed research is to determine the genetic and
regulatory influences determining the quantity and quality of antibody produced
in an immune response.  In particular, we are examining the response to a
defined hapten by inbred mice.  We have characterized the genes controlling
expression of antibody bearing a particular idiotype, an antigenic determinant
borne by anti-2,4-dinitrophenyl (DNP) antibody in certain strains of inbred
mice.  Genes encoding the variable regions of both light and heavy
immunoglobulin polypeptide chains are involved in the expression of this
idiotype.  Secondly, we have determined the kinetics of idiotype of expression.
The idiotype is transiently dominant during secondary antibody responses.
Third, we have examined the question of whether this regulation of idiotype can
also account for the regulation of the expression of different constant region
of immunoglobulin gene products.  Our results suggest that the regulation of
constant region gene expression is an independent process from the regulation of
variable region gene products.  Finally, we have sought an explanation of the
reason for preferential expression of this particular idiotype.  We have found
that the idiotype is found in significant amounts in normal serum, but in that
form does not bind the antigen DNP.  We have prepared such idiotype positive,
non-DNP binding material as a monoclonal antibody in order to determine the
antigens which induce its expression.  It is our hypothesis that this idiotypic
material activates a set of idiotype-specific helper T cells, which in turn
activate DNP-specific, idiotypic B cells also activated by conventional helper T
cells.  We are currently testing this hypothesis.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3125555
- **Project number:** 5R01AI013766-11
- **Recipient organization:** YALE UNIVERSITY
- **SAM.gov UEI:** FL6GV84CKN57
- **Principal Investigator:** CHARLES A JANEWAY
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $181,657
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1977-04-01 → 1989-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3125555

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3125555, IDIOTYPES OF T AND B LYMPHOCYTES (5R01AI013766-11). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-24 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3125555. Licensed CC0.

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