# REGULATION OF B CELL CLONAL DIVERSITY

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM · 1988 · $166,788

## Abstract

The objective of these studies is to analyze the ontogenetic development
and subsequent regulation of B cell diversity.  This objective will be
sought by determination of early V region gene expression, idiotype
anti-idiotype interactions and subsequent effects of environmental antigens
on B cells.  Cell hybridization will be used to isolate cloned lines
representative of fusion products of pre-B cells.  These cell lines will be
used to analyze cellular mechanisms involved in the expression of V genes
and immunoglobulin synthesis by direct methodology at a stage before
extrinsic antigen can select antibody repertoires.  Later stages of B cell
development will be analyzed by clonal assays, immunofluorescence and the
use of anti-idiotype antibodies as serological probes.  The effects of
idiotype and anti-idiotype interactions on establishment of the antibody
repertoire will be analyzed by direct examination of the interacting cells
involved using appropriate markers to each cellular element, combined with
the immortalization of idiotypic and anti-idiotypic cells using B cell
hybridization.  Generation of V region diversity within clones of antigen
stimulated B cells will be analyzed using panels of monoclonal
anti-idiotype antibodies.  The information learned by detailed analyses of
idiotypy in the response to Alpha l-3 dextran will be applied to in vivo
studies on the role of these antibodies in protection against enteric
microorganisms.

By using a combination of (i) cell hybridization to isolate B cell clones
expressing idiotype and anti-idiotype activity, (ii) clonal assays to
investigate the immunoglobulin synthesizing potential of clonal precursors,
and (iii) the analysis of responses to bacterial antigens it is planned to
integrate basic studies on B cell differentiation with a detailed analysis
of the immune response to naturally occurring enteric organisms.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3125881
- **Project number:** 5R01AI014782-11
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM
- **SAM.gov UEI:** YND4PLMC9AN7
- **Principal Investigator:** John Franklin Kearney
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1988
- **Award amount:** $166,788
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1978-09-01 → 1989-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3125881

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3125881, REGULATION OF B CELL CLONAL DIVERSITY (5R01AI014782-11). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3125881. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*