# SIGNIFICANCE OF ANTINUCLEIC ACID ANTIBODIES IN LUPUS

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCIENCE CENTER · 1987 · $146,168

## Abstract

The biological significance of antibodies to nucleic acids and
nucleoproteins is being investigated with major emphasis on antibodies to
the Sm antigen which appear spontaneously in patients with systemic lupus
erythematosus and in murine models for this disease.  Our previous studies
have shown that antibodies to DNA and RNA are regulated by the thymus and
other lymphoid organs as well as by sex steroid hormones.  These studies
are continuing using monoclonal antibodies to lymphocyte surface antigens
and the fluorescence activated cell sorter.  In addition, new studies are
proposed to investigate the immunoregulation of the spontaneous and induced
antibody response to Sm antigen in MRL/1pr mice and other strains bearing
the 1pr gene.  We will prepare antiidiotypic antisera against monoclonal
anti-Sm antibodies produced by several hybridomas available in our
laboratory.  These antiidiotypic antisera will be used as reagents to
explore cell surface receptors and to search for cross reactive idiotypes.
Specific helper and suppressor T cell subpopulations will be investigated
in an in vitro system measuring anti-Sm antibody and in nude mice which
will be used as an in vivo culture system.  Clones of immunoregulatory T
cells specific for the Sm system will be developed.  Ricin toxin will be
conjugated to the Sm antigen in an attempt to eliminate specific B cells.
The goal of this grant is to restore immunologic control and suppress
autoantibody formation in lupus mice and ultimately in patients.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3155830
- **Project number:** 5R01AR030487-07
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCIENCE CENTER
- **SAM.gov UEI:** C3KXNLTAAY98
- **Principal Investigator:** NORMAN TALAL
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $146,168
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1981-05-01 → 1988-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3155830

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3155830, SIGNIFICANCE OF ANTINUCLEIC ACID ANTIBODIES IN LUPUS (5R01AR030487-07). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3155830. Licensed CC0.

---

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