# SUPPRESSOR CELLS IN CANCER & IMMUNODIFICIENCIES

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · 1988 · $161,509

## Abstract

Defects in immunoregulatory mechanisms have been associated with
several serious disease states, notably, autoimmunity, cancer and
immunodeficiencies.  Among the latter the acquired immunodeficiency
syndrome (AIDS) has become a major threat to public health.  The
present investigations will examine the cellular and molecular
mechanisms underlying various immunodeficiency states and will
attempt to develop an experimental basis for potential new
therapies to reverse these conditions.  Thus it is proposed to
complete the biochemical purification and characterization of the
previously described, lymphocyte-derived soluble suppressor factor
(SSF), an approximately 17 kd polypeptide capable of down--
regulating several different lymphocyte functions in vitro,
particularly natural killer cell activity.  Preliminary studies
have demonstrated that SSF may be a natural lectin which binds to
target cells by recognizing specific glycosylated residues.
Additional experiments will define the specific mode of action of
SSF.  A major aim of these studies is the development of
methodologies to produce preparative amounts of SSF.  Attempts will
be made to clone cell lines constitutively producing SSF or,
preferably, to isolate and clone its structural gene for the
production of recombinant product.  The development of a molecular
probe for SSF may also permit the examination of SSF gene
activation in various clinical conditions.  Concomitant production
of heteroantisera and monoclonal antibodies to SSF will be used to
develop a quantitative immunoassay and an immunoaffinity
purification method.  The long range goal of this project is the
application of these experimental findings in the development of
new immunotherapeutic reagents for the treatment of patients with
cancer and immunodeficiencies including AIDS.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3173445
- **Project number:** 2R01CA035922-07A2
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR
- **SAM.gov UEI:** GNJ7BBP73WE9
- **Principal Investigator:** STANLEY A SCHWARTZ
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1988
- **Award amount:** $161,509
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 1983-09-30 → 1991-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3173445

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3173445, SUPPRESSOR CELLS IN CANCER & IMMUNODIFICIENCIES (2R01CA035922-07A2). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3173445. Licensed CC0.

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