# DIFFERENTIATION ANTIGENS ON HUMAN T CELL SUBCLASSES

> **NIH NIH R01** · COLUMBIA UNIV NEW YORK MORNINGSIDE · 1991 · $254,038

## Abstract

The human immune response is generated and regulated by a complex
set of cellular interactions between subsets of T cells, B cells
and antigen-presenting macrophages.  The molecules which govern
these interactions are surface membrane glycoproteins which become
expressed during differentiation.  Many of these molecules define
unique subsets of cells and are also intimately involved in the
function of the cells they define.  During the last several years,
our laboratory has been particularly concerned with the CD4 and CD8
molecules which are simultaneously expressed on the majority of
thymocytes, but during terminal differentiation become expressed
on the surface of the mutually exclusive subsets of T cells.
Mounting evidence suggests that these molecules have dual
functions.  First, they are thought to be receptor structures for
conserved regions of MHC molecules (CD4 recognizing class II and
CD8 recognizing class I MHC).  Second, they are involved in
transmitting regulatory signals to T cells during antigen
activation.  In order to more precisely define the immunobiology
of these molecules, we have isolated and sequenced the genes and
cDNA's encoding these molecules.  A major thrust of this renewal
proposal will be to continue to employ recombinant DNA technology
to create mutant CD4 and CD8 molecules and, following gene transfer
to relevant cells and clones, define the structure function
relationships of these molecules.  In addition, we will extend
these studies to other known functionally interesting
differentiation antigens on immunocompetent cells, including CD5
which is expressed on T cells and a subset of B cells.  Finally,
we will employ the monoclonal antibody and gene isolation
technologies which have been used successful to date in the
analysis of DC 4 and CD8 in order to define new cell surface
molecules important in the control of human T cell functions.
Because T cells are known to be intimately involved in the
immunopathology of most immunologic diseases of man, including
AIDS, we believe our studies will contribute basic data that my be
essential to further understanding of these diseases.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3125953
- **Project number:** 5R01AI014969-14
- **Recipient organization:** COLUMBIA UNIV NEW YORK MORNINGSIDE
- **SAM.gov UEI:** F4N1QNPB95M4
- **Principal Investigator:** Leonard Chess
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1991
- **Award amount:** $254,038
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1978-04-01 → 1994-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3125953

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3125953, DIFFERENTIATION ANTIGENS ON HUMAN T CELL SUBCLASSES (5R01AI014969-14). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3125953. Licensed CC0.

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