# H-2D HETEROGENEITY: IMMUNOGENETIC & MOLECULAR STUDIES

> **NIH NIH R01** · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · 1988 · $157,071

## Abstract

Qualitative and quantitative differences in the expression of class I major
histocompatibility antigens have pronounced effects on immune T cell
functions such as rejection of neoplastic and virus infected cells.  As a
model system to study heterogeneity of class I genes we have focused our
attention on the murine H-2D region genes and their products.  Recent
studies by us and others have defined several features of D region genes
that distinguish them from other class I genes.  We propose here to exploit
these unique features of the D region to investigate unresolved questions
of the evolution and regulation of class I genes.  Our immunogenetic
efforts will also continue in pursuit of new wild-derived haplotypes that
express novel mutations or recombinations of D region genes.  However the
maor thrust of this renewal application will be the use of nucleic acid
techniques to study questions regarding the heterogeneity of D region
genes.  Methods used will include:  a) Southern and Northern hybridization
analyses using low copy number probes and b) cloning select genes,
confirming their identity by expression and sequencing them for structural
comparisons.  Questions investigated will include:  l) Determining the role
of duplication in the haplotype disparities in the number of D region genes
- this will be approached by comparing the genes of the Dq region that has
been shown to encode 3 structurally-similar molecules; 2) Studying an
example of apparent genetic recombination that resulted in the acquisition
of a new D region gene in one of three independently derived strains
carrying the Dw3 region; 3) Investigating the genomic basis of the Ld-like
prototypic structure that has been found to be shared by several D region
gene products, and; 4) Probing the regulation of class I genes by
determining the molecular basis for the lower expression of surface Ld and
by comparing mutant mouse strains and cell lines with previously found
aberrancies in Ld and/or Dd expression.  In summary these studies will
elucidate the genetic basis of the regulation and extensive polymorphism of
class I genes in the D region.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3129059
- **Project number:** 5R01AI019687-06
- **Recipient organization:** WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- **SAM.gov UEI:** L6NFUM28LQM5
- **Principal Investigator:** TED Howard HANSEN
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1988
- **Award amount:** $157,071
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1983-09-01 → 1991-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3129059

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3129059, H-2D HETEROGENEITY: IMMUNOGENETIC & MOLECULAR STUDIES (5R01AI019687-06). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3129059. Licensed CC0.

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