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Defining the proviral role of DnaJA1 in immune regulation and gammaherpesvirus infection

Award Number: F31AI194704
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 05/07/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 05/06/2028

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Defining the proviral role of DnaJA1 in immune regulation and gammaherpesvirus infection - Project Summary Human gammaherpesviruses, Epstein Barr virus (EBV) and Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), establish lifelong latent infection in >95% adults worldwide and are associated with several cancers, including B cell lymphomas. Poor control of viral infection, defined by elevated viral reactivation and latent viral load, precedes oncogenesis. However, due to the extreme species specificity of gammaherpesviruses, mechanisms underlying EBV and KSHV-driven lymphomagenesis remain poorly understood. To overcome this limitation, our lab utilizes murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (MHV68), a natural rodent pathogen sharing genetic, biologic, and pathogenic features of human gammaherpesviruses, including lymphomagenesis. The MHV68 experimental system allows us to study host mechanisms that control chronic viral infection in an intact host. Using the MHV68 model, my preliminary data establish that DnaJA1, a ubiquitously expressed host protein chaperone, supports viral DNA synthesis during lytic replication, viral reactivation, and establishment of latency. Importantly, we have uncovered that DnaJA1 is transcriptionally repressed by interferon regulatory factor-1 (IRF-1), which attenuates MHV68 lytic replication and establishment of latency. Thus, I hypothesize that suppression of DnaJA1 is one mechanism by which IRF-1 attenuates gammaherpesvirus infection. The proposed studies aim to determine mechanisms by which DnaJA1 supports viral DNA replication and attenuates the host immune response to support chronic viral infection. The proposed studies support a highly interdisciplinary training by taking advantage of virology, immunology, and molecular-based approaches to advance our understanding of host-virus interactions and immune control of chronic infection. Successful completion of the proposed aims has the potential to identify therapeutic targets to control chronic gammaherpesvirus infection and limit the development of virus-driven lymphomagenesis.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $50,114 )
2026	2026	THE MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN, INC.	8701 WATERTOWN PLANK RD	MILWAUKEE	WI	53226	MILWAUKEE	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	1	5/7/2026	NEW	$50,114
2026	2026	THE MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN, INC.	8701 WATERTOWN PLANK RD	MILWAUKEE	WI	53226	MILWAUKEE	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	001	1	5/7/2026	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $50,114

Grand Total All Awards = $50,114

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Defining the proviral role of DnaJA1 in immune regulation and gammaherpesvirus infection

Award Number: F31AI194704

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 05/07/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 05/06/2028

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