# EXPRESSION & FUNCTION OF MHC CLASS I AND CLASS II GENES

> **NIH NIH R01** · WADSWORTH CENTER · 1992 · $152,917

## Abstract

The overall goal of this project is to understand the expression
and function of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I
and class II genes.  Part of the study involves analysis of
differentially expressed MHC epitopes and self peptide: MHC
complexes utilizing monoclonal antibodies.  These antibodies will
be produced and used to 1) determine the cellular distribution of
the complexes (immunofluorescence, immunoperoxidase staining), 2)
isolate and characterize self peptides associated with the
complexes (affinity chromatography, HPLC, sequencing; peptide
synthesis), 3) determine intracellularly when and where the
complexes form (electron microscopy), and 4) determine the
influence of the complexes on function (alloreactivity,
autoreactivity, antigen presentation) and on T cell repertoire
development.  Initial study will be conducted with a prototype
monoclonal antibody which reacts with a differentially expressed
epitope on a subset of class II molecules.  Study of class I
genes will also involve determining which Q and TL region genes
encode cell surface proteins, and whether these products function
as restriction elements for cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL).
Expression of Q and TL region products will be analyzed by
production of monoclonal antibodies and cloned alloreactive CTL.
Cells transfected with novel or previously characterized class I
genes will be utilized to facilitate this analysis.  Functional
study of Q and TL region class I products will be done by CTL
analysis.  Initial study will be conducted with a CTL clone which
appears to recognize a novel K-end encoded self peptide
associated with a Q region class I product. Transgenic mice and
transfected cells will be utilized to identify and characterize
the genes involved.  Subsequent study will involve determining
whether virus-specific or minor histocompatibility-specific CTL
clones can be generated which recognize Q or TL region products.
These studies will advance our understanding of the central role
MHC genes play in controlling immune responses, and, hopefully,
will permit the development of better therapeutic regimens for
combatting infectious disease and immunological disorders.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3125704
- **Project number:** 5R01AI014349-14
- **Recipient organization:** WADSWORTH CENTER
- **SAM.gov UEI:** LQK1DD1EYZK9
- **Principal Investigator:** DONAL B. MURPHY
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1992
- **Award amount:** $152,917
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1977-09-01 → 1994-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3125704

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3125704, EXPRESSION & FUNCTION OF MHC CLASS I AND CLASS II GENES (5R01AI014349-14). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3125704. Licensed CC0.

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