# S. MANSONI VITELLOGENESIS AND GRANULOMA FORMATION

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · 1992 · $304,202

## Abstract

In schistosomiasis,  the deposition of parasite ova within
tissues is the initial event in a complex pathophysiological
cascade which is characterized by granuloma formation and term-
inates in hepatic fibrosis and related clinical sequela.  We have
developed an in vitro model of granuloma formation which has
provided a vehicle to study granuloma formation and fibrosis and
the regulation of these phenomena.  These studies will analyze
the cellular constituents of granulomatous hypersen-sitivity and
their modes of interaction at the molecular level.  To accomplish
this goal four major approaches are anticipated:  1.  The use of
collagen matrix beads:  These beads permit the in vitro
development of a three-dimensional  recapitulation of the in vivo
granuloma and facilitate the evaluation of cellular constituents,
interaction and the role of antigens, growth, chemotactic, and
adherence factors in granuloma formation.  2. Assessment of the
role of T regulatory factors:  Evidence for the production and
role of defined "T regulatory" factors such as interleukins,
interferon, and growth factors will be sought.  In addition,
regulatory factors, bearing specific phenotypic determinants and
an antigen receptor, have been produced from the T cells obtained
from infected mice.  These factors specifically inhibit in vitro
and in  vivo granuloma formation; when analyzed for structure and
function the factors promise to be important regulatory
molecules.  3. T cell cloning technology:  We have previously
reported T clones capable of inducing in vitro granuloma and,
more recently, have developed technology to produce suppressor T
clones.  These T clones will be used to analyze specific
interactions of the regulatory populations.  In addition, they
will be used to define immunogenic epitopes relevant toward
granuloma formation or its regulation.  4. Application of
molecular biological analysis:  The ultimate goal of these
studies is to understand the specific molecular signals for the
development and modulation of granulomatous hypersensitivity for
the production and activation of various T regulatory and
molecules or pathways is anticipated using multiple modes of
analyses including a Confocal microscope.  This information will
be applied to the long range goal of reducing morbidity in
schistosomiasis by directed immunomodulation of granulomatous
hypersensitivity.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3126057
- **Project number:** 5R01AI015193-13
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
- **SAM.gov UEI:** GM1XX56LEP58
- **Principal Investigator:** S M PHILLIPS
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1992
- **Award amount:** $304,202
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1978-12-01 → 1993-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3126057

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3126057, S. MANSONI VITELLOGENESIS AND GRANULOMA FORMATION (5R01AI015193-13). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3126057. Licensed CC0.

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