# IMMUNITY AND LATENCY IN CHLAMYDIAL INFECTIONS

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON · 1987 · $109,686

## Abstract

The aim of this project is to understand parameters associated with
immunity against chlamydial infection and the response that occurs
subsequent to immunization or infection.  A murine-C. psittaci model will
be employed for much of the proposed work.  Special attention will be paid
to distinguishing events that lead to protective immunity as opposed to
immune-mediated latency.  The latter phenomenon has been partially defined
during the first 3 years of this project.  Chlamydial latency will be
studied in detail by completing the identification of the latency-inducing
lymphokine, comparing in vitro induced latency with in vivo activated
peritoneal cells and cryptically infected cells in culture.  Mechanisms of
latency will be investigated by establishing metabolic changes that
accompany host cell activation and alterations of the metabolite pool that
may lead to reversal of the active state.  Comparisons will be made between
gamma-interferon-like lymphokine activity and the known actions induced by
interferons.  Similarities and distinctions will be sought in lymphokine
activity and antiviral mechanisms induced in interfron-treated cells.
Immunity will be studied in comparative experiments involving active
infections and immunizations using subcutaneous inoculation of viable
chlamydiae, chlamydial cell envelope, and purified envelope components.
Induction of IgM, IgG, and IgA will be measured by an indirect fluorescence
test.  Neutralizing antibody levels in serum and secretions will also be
measured.  Specific and non-specific blastogenesis, cytotoxic effector cell
activity, antibody secretion via a plaque assay and lymphokine induction
will be incorporated into all infection and immunization protocols.
Evidence for immunosuppression will also be sought with the plaque assay to
unrelated thymus dependent and independent antigens and also in the
blastogenic assay.  Results will help elucidate immune effector mechanisms
against Chlamydia and distinguish protective from non-protective immunity.
The long term goal of the investigation is to help establish if chlamydial
vaccines are feasible, and if so, define the conditions that promote
protective immunity.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3129194
- **Project number:** 5R01AI019782-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON
- **SAM.gov UEI:** LCLSJAGTNZQ7
- **Principal Investigator:** Gerald Irwin Byrne
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $109,686
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1982-08-01 → 1988-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3129194

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3129194, IMMUNITY AND LATENCY IN CHLAMYDIAL INFECTIONS (5R01AI019782-04). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-24 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3129194. Licensed CC0.

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