# GENETICS, STRUCTURE, AND EXPRESSION OF IA ANTIGENS

> **NIH NIH R01** · STANFORD UNIVERSITY · 1988 · $186,392

## Abstract

The long-term objective of this research project is to elucidate the
genetic and biochemical mechanisms responsible for variability in the
structure and expression of murine Ia antigens.  This variability is of
major importance in determining immune response potential, due to its
effects on T-cell activation.  The planned experiments are designed to
probe the extent and origin of variability in Ia antigen structure and the
mechanisms by which it affects immune responsiveness.  Specifically,
polymorphic regions of Ia proteins that participate in T-cell activation
will be identified by a combination of approaches including DNA cloning,
gene transfection, site-specific mutagenesis, and T-cell proliferation
assays.  A variety of phenomena contribute to the variability in expression
of the E Alpha and E Beta Ia chains, such as the lack of synthesis of EBeta
chains in f and q haplotype mice, the low levels of EAlpha expression in
strain A.TFR5, and the preferential association of certain allelic
combinations of EAlpha and EBeta chains.  The molecular mechanisms that are
responsible for these differences will be examined by analysis of the
specific genes and mRNAs for EAlpha and EBeta.  Finally, the functional
significance of Ia antigen variability in an outbred population will be
studied.  The extent and basis of polymorphism in Ia antigen structure and
expression will be characterized in homozygous mouse stocks derived from a
local population of wild mice, using serological, protein chemical, and
molecular approaches.  In parallel, these mice will be tested for their
ability to respond to a series of antigens for which the genetics of
responsiveness had been well-defined in inbred strains.

The Ia analogues in man, controlled by the D region of the HLA complex,
have been implicated in genetically-determined predisposition to a variety
of diseases.  The information gained from the proposed research should
provide insights into genetic and evolutionary processes contributing to
variation in immune responsivenss in man.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3126396
- **Project number:** 5R01AI015732-10
- **Recipient organization:** STANFORD UNIVERSITY
- **SAM.gov UEI:** HJD6G4D6TJY5
- **Principal Investigator:** PATRICIA P JONES
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1988
- **Award amount:** $186,392
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1979-05-01 → 1989-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3126396

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3126396, GENETICS, STRUCTURE, AND EXPRESSION OF IA ANTIGENS (5R01AI015732-10). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3126396. Licensed CC0.

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