# REGULATION OF PRODUCTION OF GAMMA INTERFERON IN TUMOR

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA · 1990 · $30,963

## Abstract

Arginine vasopressin (AVP) is a neuroendocrine hormone that can positively
regulate the production of lymphokines such as gamma interferon (IFNgamma),
which is evidence that it is a biological response modifier. As such, it
has potential in host defense against cancer, including cancer of the brain
where AVP and its receptor are present as well as cells capable of
producing classic biological response modifiers. The objective of this
proposal is to determine the mechanism by which AVP positively regulates
IFNgamma production at level of ligand-receptor interaction. This will
involve isolation and characterization of the AVP receptor on lymphocytes
and modulation of AVP action at the receptor level by novel AVP-binding
peptides. We plan to achieve the objective by: (1) Further determination of
the structural basis by which AVP-binding peptides convert AVP into an
antagonist of its own action at the level of peptide-peptide interaction
and receptor interaction. (2) Determine if antibodies that specifically
block AVP function do so by binding to the AVP receptor. (3) Use antibodies
to AVP-binding peptides (antireceptor?) to affinity purify AVP receptor.
This will allow for subsequent production of antibodies that are capable of
recognizing a variety of antigenic determinants on the AVP receptor which
is important in receptor detection. (4) Use AVP anti-receptor antibodies to
identify cells in the spleen that express receptor and to screen various
cell lines for receptor expression and modulation. (5) Sequence the
affinity purified AVP receptor. (6) Extend AVP-binding peptide studies to
modulation of AVP vasopressor and antidiuretic activities as these
receptors are perhaps structurally related but functionally different from
the lymphocyte receptor as assessed by agonists and antagonists of AVP. The
proposed studies are important in that they deal with the dynamics of the
structural aspects of AVP and its receptor that may determine the
conditions under which neuropeptides such as AVP function in pleiotropic
fashion as agonists or antagonists, particularly as biological response
modifiers. The studies also result in the development of the reagents and
tools for the ultimate cloning of the AVP receptor.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3177741
- **Project number:** 3R01CA039048-05S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
- **SAM.gov UEI:** NNFQH1JAPEP3
- **Principal Investigator:** HOWARD M JOHNSON
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1990
- **Award amount:** $30,963
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 1984-04-01 → 1991-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3177741

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3177741, REGULATION OF PRODUCTION OF GAMMA INTERFERON IN TUMOR (3R01CA039048-05S1). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3177741. Licensed CC0.

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