# INDUCTION OF IMMUNE TOLERANCE TO DNA:  THERAPY FOR SLE

> **NIH NIH R01** · IMMUNE DISEASE INSTITUTE, INC. · 1987 · $316,573

## Abstract

This proposal concerns the development of an immunologically specific
therapy of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).  Since this autoimmune
disease may stem from a failure of self tolerance, we propose induction of
tolerance to autoantigens as a treatment.  In view of the importance of
immune complexes containing antibodies to nucleic acid antigens in SLE, the
induction of tolerance to those antigens might provide a specific therapy
for the disease.  This idea is supported by evidence that tolerance to
autoantigens can be induced by tolerogen (i.e., autoantigens covalently
linked to isologous IgG).  In addition, we have been able to link fragments
of DNA long enough to accommodate the combining size of anti DNA antibodies
made either by mice or humans with SLE to isologous IgG.  Preliminary
findings suggest that these tolerogens a) influence murine lupus, and b)
diminish anti DNA antibodies in peripheral blood lymphocytes from SLE
patients in vitro.  This renewal seeks to confirm and extend these
preliminary observations.  We will determine if murine lupus in females of
both BFW1 and MRL +/+ strain mice can be prevented or treated.  We will
also determine which DNA fragments conjugated to human gamma globulin are
the best tolerogens to suppress either spontaneous or antigen induced
antibodies to nucleic acid antigens in vitro.  The goal is to develop the
data bases for the induction of unresponsiveness to DNA in SLE patient.  In
addition, DNA digest linked to either KLH or tetanus toxoid will be used to
develop an antigen specific model using normal lymphoid cells from various
sources or SLE patient's PBL to study some aspects of the cellular
mechanisms of both immunity and tolerance in humans in vitro.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3157758
- **Project number:** 5R01AR036830-03
- **Recipient organization:** IMMUNE DISEASE INSTITUTE, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** YVES R BOREL
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $316,573
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1985-07-01 → 1991-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3157758

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3157758, INDUCTION OF IMMUNE TOLERANCE TO DNA:  THERAPY FOR SLE (5R01AR036830-03). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3157758. Licensed CC0.

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