# ROLE OF INTERFERONS IN VIRAL INFECTIONS AND NEOPLASIA

> **NIH NIH R01** · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · 1990 · $213,890

## Abstract

The long term objective of this study is to determine the biological role
of the interferon system in virus infection and virus-induced neoplasia by
using mice as a model system.  Clusters of four mouse alpha interferon
genes were cloned and characterized and alpha and beta interferon genes
were localized to chromosome 4, between the Mup and brown locus.  These
genes are expressed in infected mouse cells and code for biologically
active interferons in Escherichi coli.  The present proposal focuses on:
1.) Characterization of the remaining eight alpha interferon genes
identified in the genomic library and determination of whether they are
part of the previously identified cluster; using the recombinant strains
and mice congenic for specific loci, precise mapping of the localization of
alpha and beta interferon genes on the mouse chromosome 4 in relation to
the other known markers.  2.) Analysis of the molecular nature of gene
polymorphism and expression and inducibility of the polymorphic genes.  3.)
The role of a poly G cluster, identified in the promoter region of one of
the alpha interferon genes, in inducibility and expression.  4.) Effect of
mouse genotype, tissue and inducer on the expression of alpha and beta
interferon genes in vivo (using probes specific for each alpha and beta
interferon gene cloned) and the role of interferon in genetic resistance of
certain strains of mice to viral infection.  5.) Analysis of the role of
endogenous interferon in retrovirus replication and induced neoplasia.
These studies will clarify the role of interferon in viral infection and
neoplasia and establish the genetic variability in the interferon system.
The data obtained should help to our understanding of the role of
interferon in virus infection in man and provide a more rational basis for
therapeutic application of interferon in man.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3129125
- **Project number:** 5R01AI019737-08
- **Recipient organization:** JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- **SAM.gov UEI:** FTMTDMBR29C7
- **Principal Investigator:** Paula M Pitha-Rowe
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1990
- **Award amount:** $213,890
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1983-07-01 → 1991-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3129125

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3129125, ROLE OF INTERFERONS IN VIRAL INFECTIONS AND NEOPLASIA (5R01AI019737-08). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3129125. Licensed CC0.

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