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Defining post-transcriptional mechanisms that control CD8 T cell longevity, proliferation and differentiation

Award Number: R01AI146188
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 12/06/2019
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 11/30/2024

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Defining post-transcriptional mechanisms that control CD8 T cell longevity, proliferation and differentiation - PROJECT SUMMARY CD8 T cells play a critical role in the elimination of infected and cancerous host cells. The success of these immune responses depends on the proper maintenance (survival and proliferation) and precise differentiation of CD8 T cells. Upon antigen stimulation, activated antigen-specific CD8 T cells undergo clonal expansion and differentiate into effector lymphocytes with cytolytic function. Although the majority of effector cells die after antigen clearance, a few antigen-specific cells survive and form long-lived protective memory CD8 T cells. However, during chronic infection and cancer, the immune response is often compromised: CD8 T cells exhibit defects in survival and proliferation, fail to form memory cells and instead are diverted to differentiate into exhausted cells which are characterized by the loss of effector function. Thus, it is of utmost importance to understand the underlying mechanisms that regulate the maintenance and differentiation of CD8 T cells. We have already demonstrated that let-7-mediated posttranscriptional mechanism controls the differentiation and function of effector T cells. Furthermore, our preliminary results suggest that modulation of let-7 levels have a profound impact on the maintenance of T cells, memory formation and diversion into exhaustion. To investigate the molecular mechanisms of let-7 regulation in CD8 T cells we propose the following aims: Aim-1 will determine the molecular basis of let-7-mediated effects on CD8 T cell maintenance: bcl-2-dependent survival and cdc34-driven proliferation. Aim-2 will dissect let-7-mediated mechanisms that guide CD8 T cell differentiation: Eomes-dependent and Eomes-independent molecular programs. To address these aims we will analyze the maintenance and differentiation of CD8 T cells with different levels of let-7 microRNAs into effector, memory and exhausted T lymphocytes using infection and tumor models. We expect to identify novel posttranscriptional mechanisms that regulate the outcome of CD8 T cell-mediated immune responses. It is anticipated that these experiments will define let-7 as a new therapeutic target.


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: 2024 ( Subtotal = $524,725 )
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS	101 COMMONWEALTH AVE	AMHERST	MA	01003	HAMPSHIRE	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	001	5	5/15/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$52,472
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS	COMMONWEALTH AVE	AMHERST	MA	01003	HAMPSHIRE	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	5	11/16/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$472,253
														Subtotal = $524,725

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $540,675 )
2023	2023	UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS	COMMONWEALTH AVE	AMHERST	MA	01003	HAMPSHIRE	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	4	11/17/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$540,675
														Subtotal = $540,675

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $540,675 )
2022	2022	UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS	COMMONWEALTH AVE	AMHERST	MA	01003	HAMPSHIRE	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	3	11/15/2021	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$540,675
														Subtotal = $540,675

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $555,221 )
2021	2021	UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS	COMMONWEALTH AVE	AMHERST	MA	01003	HAMPSHIRE	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	2	11/27/2020	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$555,221
														Subtotal = $555,221

Issue Date FY: 2020 ( Subtotal = $520,929 )
2020	2020	UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS	COMMONWEALTH AVE	AMHERST	MA	01003	HAMPSHIRE	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	1	12/6/2019	NEW	$520,929
														Subtotal = $520,929

Grand Total All Awards = $2,682,225

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Defining post-transcriptional mechanisms that control CD8 T cell longevity, proliferation and differentiation

Award Number: R01AI146188

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 12/06/2019

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 11/30/2024

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