# SPECIFICITY OF INDIVIDUAL HELPER T LYMPHOCYTES

> **NIH NIH R01** · NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY · 1987 · $160,512

## Abstract

The long range goal of the proposed research is to gain a more
complete understanding of the molecular basis of the specificity
and function of helper T lymphocytes in the initiation and
promotion of antibody responses.  The proposed experiments are
based on recent findings in this laboratory and others that the
activation of T cells to soluble protein antigens requires the
processing of the native antigen to release a peptide fragment
containing the T cell antigenic determinant which is held on the
surface of an antigen presenting cell where it is recognized by
helper T cell in conjunction with Ia.  Once stimulated by its
antigenic peptide and Ia T cells secrete nonspecific growth and
differentiation factors which can activate resting B cells.  B cells
are capable of functioning as antigen presenting cells and
moreover, B cells which bind an antigen are far more efficient in
presenting that antigen to T cells, maximally activating  T cells
at greatly reduced antigen concentrations as compared to B cells
which cannot bind antigen.  Thus, under limiting antigen
concentrations such as may occur in vivo only antigen specific B
cells may be capable of functioning as APC and attracting helper
T cells to their surface where growth and differentiation factors
are released, providing a mechanism by which nonspecific helper
factors can be selectively delivered to antigen-specific B cells.
This application represents a continuation of studies of the helper
T cell response to the globular protein antigen, cytochrome c.  It
is intended to define (1) the specificity of T cells for protein
antigens focusing on the structural features of proteins and
peptides which allow them to function as T cell antigens.  (2) the
capacity of B cells to interact with helper T cells as antigen
presenting cells and as potential targets of immunoregulatory
phenomenon, and (3) the repercussion of the T cell's activation by
antigen presented by B cells as compared to macrophages or
dendritic cells with respect to the induction or prevention of
tolerance, the activation of B cells to antibody secretion and the
induction of memory B cell differentiation.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3128316
- **Project number:** 2R01AI018939-04
- **Recipient organization:** NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
- **SAM.gov UEI:** EXZVPWZBLUE8
- **Principal Investigator:** Susan K Pierce
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $160,512
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 1984-09-30 → 1990-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3128316

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3128316, SPECIFICITY OF INDIVIDUAL HELPER T LYMPHOCYTES (2R01AI018939-04). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3128316. Licensed CC0.

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