# INTERACTIONS OF CELLULAR AND HUMORAL IMMUNITY

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA · 1989 · $156,537

## Abstract

Studies are planned on the possible role of interferons (IFNS) in modu-
lating the immune response in connective tissue diseases such as SLE and
RA.  Cellular origin, controlling mechanisms of production as well as
influence on in vitro models of humoral and cell-meidated immunity will be
examined with particular attention to acid-labile Alpha IFN (AL Alpha IFN)
which is known to be elevated in SLE serum.  AL Alpha IFN will be isolated
by affinity columns composed of sepharose linked to anti-Alpha IFN  anti-
body.  Comparison of AL Alpha IFN and non acid labile Alpha IFN will be
made for their effects on Natural Killer cell function as well as in vitro
B cell function and T cell activation.  Possible direct participation of
Alpha IFN in immune complex lesions of lupus glomerulonephritis will be
studies in parallel with a wide variety of other chronic renal diseases.
Renal and skin tissue deposition of Alpha IFN will be determined by
indirect immunofluorescence and possible interactions between Alpha IFN and
components of immune complexes or glomerular basement membrane measured.
Synovial tissues from patients with rheumatoid arthritis will be studied
for both a and Gamma IFN production and modulation of Gamma IFN release by
prostaglandin E2 examined, using short-term synovial tissue cell cultures.
The possibility that materials released from co-cultured synovial tissues
may induce IFN production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells will be
studied.  In addition the role of endogenous factors such as anti-lympho-
cyte antibodies, putative autoantigens (DNA, autologous aggregated IgG,
nucleotides, or cucleic acids) in stimulating IFN release will be
examined.  An attempt will also be made to determine whether both Alpha IFN
and Gamma IFN are produced in conjunction with any easily demonstrable
immune control mechanisms.  Finally Gamma IFN wil be studied for its
demonstrable effect on in vitro T and B cell interaction.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3154791
- **Project number:** 5R01AR013824-20
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
- **SAM.gov UEI:** NNFQH1JAPEP3
- **Principal Investigator:** RALPH C WILLIAMS
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1989
- **Award amount:** $156,537
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1988-04-01 → 1991-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3154791

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3154791, INTERACTIONS OF CELLULAR AND HUMORAL IMMUNITY (5R01AR013824-20). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3154791. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*