# LYMPHOCYTE DEVELOPMENT

> **NIH NIH R01** · TUFTS UNIVERSITY BOSTON · 1993 · $232,704

## Abstract

This grant is concerned with the ontogenesis of B cells and mutations that
affect it.  The experiments are designed to test a new hypothesis, based on
several novel experiments which explain the origin and phenotype of CD5+ B
cells on the one hand and memory B cells on the other.  The proposal is
that CD5 is induced by slg cross-linking (thymus independent type 2 [TI-2])
antigens, but not thymus dependent (TD), antigens.  In contrast, cognate T
helper-B cell interactions in response to T dependent antigens induce the
generation of memory B cells which remain CD5 and decrease surface j11d.
This model will be extensively tested during this grant period.  This is
important to do because validation of the hypothesis promises to give
insight into several outstanding immunological problems, such as the
origins of the CD5+ cells which are responsible for the production of a
prominent form of autoantibody (so-called "natural" or low-affinity
antibody), and the pathogenesis of chronic lymphatic leukemia which is
characterized by an expansion of CD5+ cells.  Further, the definition of
the conditions for the induction of memory B cells would provide a system
for studying the regulation of the mutation process.  The proposed
experiments are designed to test the basic features of the model.  In
addition, the basis for the regulated expression of CD5 will be determined.
A direct test of a system for inducing somatic mutation in immunoglobulin
in vitro is proposed.  Finally, the basis for a heightened sensitivity of
CD5 cells to deletion by programmed cell death will be examined.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3126435
- **Project number:** 5R01AI015803-15
- **Recipient organization:** TUFTS UNIVERSITY BOSTON
- **SAM.gov UEI:** C1F5LNUF7W86
- **Principal Investigator:** Henry H. Wortis
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1993
- **Award amount:** $232,704
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1979-05-01 → 1997-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3126435

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3126435, LYMPHOCYTE DEVELOPMENT (5R01AI015803-15). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3126435. Licensed CC0.

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