# IMMUNE REGULATION INDUCED BY ENTERIC ANTIGEN EXPOSURE

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF IOWA · 1987 · $68,525

## Abstract

The purpose of this proposal is to define the mechanisms responsible for
the induction of immunologic tolerance by the enteric presentation of
antigen.  Specific aims include using an in vitro culture system recently
developed in our laboratory to further define the cells which mediate this
form of tolerance (T suppressor cells) and the cellular targets of this
suppression.  This proposal will also investigate the molecular basis
underlying this immunologic circuit by evaluating the properties of soluble
mediators released by cloned T suppressor cell lines.  An additional aim of
this proposal is to evaluate the mechanism responsible for the resistance
of autoimmune-prone NZB mice to tolerance induced by antigen feeding.
Establishing a clear association between oral tolerance defects and
clinically significant autoimmunity will influence concepts of the
pathogenesis of autoimmune disease.  A final goal is to evaluate the
functional status of the mucosal immune system in spontaneously autoimmune
mice; this would represent the first such study to date.  Defects in the
mucosal immune system may result in excessive stimulation by enteric
derived antigens, loss of functional T suppressor activity, and the
appearance or worsening of the clinical manifestations of autoimmunity.
The long-range purposes of pursuing these aims are:  1) to improve our
understanding of the role of the enteric immune system in maintaining
immunologic homeostasis; and 2) to explore the possible connection between
defects in enteric immune function and the manifestations of autoimmunity.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3156942
- **Project number:** 5R01AR034748-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
- **SAM.gov UEI:** Z1H9VJS8NG16
- **Principal Investigator:** JOHN S. COWDERY
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $68,525
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1985-04-01 → 1988-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3156942

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3156942, IMMUNE REGULATION INDUCED BY ENTERIC ANTIGEN EXPOSURE (5R01AR034748-03). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3156942. Licensed CC0.

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