# T GONDII--ANTIGENIC CHARACTERIZATION AND IMMUNITY

> **NIH NIH R01** · DARTMOUTH COLLEGE · 1993 · $231,439

## Abstract

The long term goals of this continuing R-01 proposal are to further
understand the immunology of the opportunistic pathogen, Toxoplasma gondii.
Although the development of a protective vaccine would be the ideal
achievement, the complex antigenic character of the eucaryote first must
be understood.  Earlier studies have dealt with the identification and
isolation of those toxoplasma antigens that induce host immunity.  These
studies have resulted in the development of a scheme for elucidating the
humoral and cellular response to this obligate intracellular parasite that
is a significant cause of morbidity in neonates and those afflicted with
AIDS.  Over the next five years, further investigation into the antigenic
character of T. gondii is proposed.  The first specific aim will be to
evaluate the cellular immune response to various T. gondii antigens
including the major surface protein, P30.  By T cell clonal analysis those
antigens that induce a lymphoproliferative response will be identified.
Those T cell exhibiting cytotoxicity against T. gondii will be evaluated.
We will determine if the cytotoxic T cells are MHC restricted.  The
functional helper T cell response induced by these parasite antigens during
infection of resistant and susceptible inbred mouse strains will be
studied.  The paradoxical immune response observed in mice to P30 will be
further investigated by developing a panel of mouse and human P30 antigen
specific T cell clones.  The critical immune epitopes necessary for
stimulation of the protective T cells will be identified, characterized and
synthesized in vitro.  The parasite antigen that induces the RTg1 cloned
human cytotoxic T cell line will be isolated and characterized by
immunochemical and molecular approaches.The second specific aim is to
further evaluate a panel of antibody resistant mutants that exhibit
decreased virulence in vivo.  These mutants will be phenotyped in vivo and
their ability to induce proliferation of T cell clones assessed.  Virulence
factors associated with the antibody resistant mutants will be assessed by
in vitro transformation studies.  These antigen deficient mutants will be
used to investigate antigen presentation in an MHC restricted system.  All
of these specific aims will define strategies to augment the host immune
response to this opportunistic infection.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3128945
- **Project number:** 5R01AI019613-09
- **Recipient organization:** DARTMOUTH COLLEGE
- **SAM.gov UEI:** EB8ASJBCFER9
- **Principal Investigator:** LLOYD H KASPER
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1993
- **Award amount:** $231,439
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1983-01-01 → 1996-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3128945

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3128945, T GONDII--ANTIGENIC CHARACTERIZATION AND IMMUNITY (5R01AI019613-09). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3128945. Licensed CC0.

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