# GENETIC CONTROL OF ANTIBODY RESPONSES TO POLYSACCHARIDES

> **NIH NIH R01** · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · 1987 · $164,815

## Abstract

The antibody responses of adult humans to certain polysaccharide antigens
appear to be restricted to the IgG2 subclass.  However, comparable data are
not available from children; nor is it known what effect, if any, the
presence of an adjuvant or a carrier protein may have on the subclass
responses to a polysaccharide.  The purposes of the proposed studies are:
1) to establish the normal immune responses of infants, children and adults
to immunization with polysaccharides presented to the host with or without
adjuvants, or as haptens, thus potentially affecting different immune
mechanisms (for example, T-dependent vs T-independent); and 2) to determine
whether immune response genes regulate human antibody responses to
bacterial polysaccharides.  We propose to determine the class and subclass
(IgG1 and IgG2) serum antibody responses of subjects of different ages
immunized with one of three experimental Haemophilus influenzae type b
(Hib) vaccines:  Purified type b capsule (PRP), PRP mixed with pertussis,
and PRP covalently coupled to a protein carrier; and with Meningococcal A/C
vaccine.  Antipolysaccharide antibodies will be measured by ELISA.  For
measurement of subclass antibodies, we will employ highly sensitive and
specific anti-subclass reagents prepared locally, and coupled to biotin.
Most of the subjects participating in these vaccine trials already have
been immunized and have been typed for HLA-A, HLA-B and HLA-DR, as well as
for Gm and Km allotypes (genetic "markers" on immunoglobulin molecules).
The exception is black children in whom an immunogenicity trial with a new
PRP-protein conjugate vaccine will be performed.  Genes associated with
certain markers, especially Km(1) in blacks, previously have been
implicated in regulation of immune responses to PRP and in susceptibility
to Hib diseases.  Therefore, we will be able to search for associations
between specific antibody responses to vaccine, and the presence or absence
of Km(1) or other markers.  The above studies are being conducted in an
outbred population.  We also propose to measure the antibody responses of
members of an inbred Amish population recently immunized with PRP and
Meningococcal A/C vaccines.  In this population, individuals sharing a
haplotype will do so by descent, and therefore share the same linked
genes.  The results of these studies may provide unambiguous documentation
of the existence of genetic regulation of immune responses in humans, and
will contribute to a better understanding of the immune responses of
children to several important bacterial polysaccharide vaccines.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3127564
- **Project number:** 5R01AI017962-06
- **Recipient organization:** WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- **SAM.gov UEI:** L6NFUM28LQM5
- **Principal Investigator:** Dan M. Granoff
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $164,815
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1981-07-01 → 1988-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3127564

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3127564, GENETIC CONTROL OF ANTIBODY RESPONSES TO POLYSACCHARIDES (5R01AI017962-06). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3127564. Licensed CC0.

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