# "HSV1-Induced NMDA Receptor Encephalitis: a De Novo Murine Model of Autoimmune Encephalitis"

> **NIH NIH K08** · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · 2021 · $196,810

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY / ABSTRACT:
The goals of this Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award (K08) are to A) obtain
theoretical and hands-on training in 1) rodent magnetic resonance (MR) and positron emission tomography
(PET) molecular imaging and 2) virology and immunology, B) apply this training towards developing a rodent
model of viral-induced autoimmune encephalitis, and C) to use the resulting data to create a successful R01
application in the final years of this K08. This award will be a crucial stepping-stone towards my overall goal of
developing into an independent autoimmune neurologist that sees patients and studies these diseases in the
laboratory, contributing to earlier diagnoses and better treatments for these disabling disorders.
Autoimmune encephalitis can be fatal and can lead to significant disability. It is difficult to gather enough
patients with autoimmune encephalitis for clinical trials. There is a published rodent model of NMDA receptor
(NMDAR) encephalitis. However, it relies on the adoptive transfer of human anti-NMDAR antibodies into the
brains of mice. In order to study the pathogenesis of these disorders, it would be particularly important to
develop an animal model of NMDAR encephalitis which does not rely on exogenous antibodies. It has been
recently recognized in humans that some cases of NMDAR encephalitis are triggered by herpes simplex virus
(HSV) encephalitis. Rodent models of HSV encephalitis are established. Preliminary work by our lab showed
that some mice with HSV encephalitis make anti-NMDAR antibodies. This research proposal aims to
demonstrate the pathogenicity of these antibodies and to use this model to better understand the patho-
physiology of NMDAR encephalitis. This will be done by using targeted molecular imaging to understand the
mechanisms as well as profiling the immune responses involved in this autoimmune neurologic disorder.
I am a board-certified Harvard-trained neurologist with specific clinical fellowship training in autoimmune
neurology through the Mayo Clinic. I have obtained the top clinical training available in this field. Furthermore,
I have gained additional experience in basic research within this topic by spending time in the laboratory of the
renowned autoimmune neurologist Dr. Josep Dalmau, one of my co-mentors on this project. I bring a solid
grounding in molecular biology, gained through my Ph.D. studies. In addition, I have a strong publication and
funding record. The research career development plan outlined within this proposal will equip me with a better
understanding of virology and immunology and the latest methodologies within these fields that can be applied
to uncover the pathophysiology of parainfectious autoimmune neurologic disorders. The research environment
across the MGH, Harvard, and MIT campuses is outstanding and my mentors have the relevant and necessary
expertise to guide this career development plan. I am a full time faculty member in the ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10066374
- **Project number:** 5K08NS101084-05
- **Recipient organization:** MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** JENNY J LINNOILA
- **Activity code:** K08 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $196,810
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-04-01 → 2022-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10066374

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10066374, "HSV1-Induced NMDA Receptor Encephalitis: a De Novo Murine Model of Autoimmune Encephalitis" (5K08NS101084-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10066374. Licensed CC0.

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