# FUNCTIONAL & PHENOTYPIC ANALYSIS OF T-CELLS IN FIV-FAIDS

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS · 1990 · $197,513

## Abstract

A feline lentivirus resembling human immunodeificency virus (HIV) was
siolated in our laboratory from domestic cats with immunodeficiency
syndrome and was named feline immunodeiciency virus (FIV). The hallmark
of FIV infection in cats is the increased susceptibility of the infected
animals to secondary infections much similar to what has been observed
for HIV infection of humans. In addition, there are experimental results
suggesting a defect in T cell immunity in the infected cats. The use of
FIV infection of cats as a small animal model for human AIDS should
therefore be considered because it is far more economical, more rapid,
and much closer model for human AIDS that those of feline leukemia virus
or by other animal lentiviruses with the exception of the primate models.

The purpose of this project is to use the FIV model of AIDs to evaluate
the role of T lymphocytes in the immunopathogenesis of FIV-FAIDS. In this
study, feline reagents and functional assays needed to evaluate feline T
lymphocyte network will be developed. These reagents and procedures will
then be used to monitor the T-cell functions during various stages of FIV
infection in cats. This study will also attempt to address the following
points of FIV infection which is still unknown: (1) The identity of the
T-cell subset(s) that is/are infected by FIV and the role of T cells as
antigen presenting cells. (2) If subsets of T-cells deficiencies do exist
then the role of these deficiencies in the immunopathogensis of FIV-
FAIDS. The overall significance of this project is to identify the
mechanism(s) by which AIDS occurs in animals and to develop immunological
approaches that could be used to prevent AIDS virus infection. The
results from these studies should help identify prophylaptic and
therapeutic strategies that will help combat HIV infection of humans.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3177632
- **Project number:** 5R01CA039016-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS
- **SAM.gov UEI:** TX2DAGQPENZ5
- **Principal Investigator:** Janet K. Yamamoto
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1990
- **Award amount:** $197,513
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1989-07-15 → 1992-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3177632

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3177632, FUNCTIONAL & PHENOTYPIC ANALYSIS OF T-CELLS IN FIV-FAIDS (5R01CA039016-05). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3177632. Licensed CC0.

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