# Characterization of Lamprey B cells and Antibodies

> **NIH NIH R01** · EMORY UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $444,712

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
As one of two extant jawless vertebrates, lampreys occupy a pivotal position for study of the evolution of our
adaptive immune system. The proposed studies build on previous findings indicating that interactive B- and
T-like lymphocytes are fundamental features of the adaptive immune system in both jawless and jawed
vertebrates, although jawless vertebrates generate variable lymphocyte receptors (VLR) for antigen recognition
by combinatorial conversion of incomplete VLRA, VLRB and VLRC germ-line genes into fully assembled VLR
genes using neighboring leucine-rich repeat (LRR) sequences as templates. Prior studies indicate that
whereas VLRA & VLRC gene assemblies coincide with expression of cytidine deaminase 1 (CDA1) in the
thymus equivalent gill region, concurrent VLRB and CDA2 expression occurs primarily in hematopoietic tissues.
A comprehensive analysis is proposed to elucidate the development, distribution and function of the VLRB B-
like cells and their antibody products in lampreys. The first specific aim is to elucidate the generation,
diversification and expression of the VLRB antibody repertoire, with special emphasis on the role of newly
identified CDA2 isoforms. The second specific aim is to define the composition and functional capabilities of
three key receptors of lamprey B-like lymphocytes, namely the composite VLRB receptor, IL-17D receptor and
BAFF/APRIL receptors, through the use of complementary and novel strategies to amplify the assessable VLRB
lymphocyte population. The third specific aim is to generate specific VLRB antibodies against human tumor cell
antigens and to modify them for diagnostic and potential therapeutic uses. The overall goals of these studies
are to better understand basic aspects of B cell biology in a jawless vertebrate, in particular the mechanism of
generating VLRB antibody diversity, and to exploit the advantages of lamprey antibodies for biomedical
purposes.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10141179
- **Project number:** 5R01AI072435-15
- **Recipient organization:** EMORY UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Max Dale Cooper
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $444,712
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2007-01-15 → 2023-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10141179

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10141179, Characterization of Lamprey B cells and Antibodies (5R01AI072435-15). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10141179. Licensed CC0.

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