# Investigating the Effect of Antibody Mediated Feedback on B Cell Clonal Selection

> **NIH NIH F30** · WEILL MEDICAL COLL OF CORNELL UNIV · 2021 · $51,036

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
High affinity antibody titers elicited by infection or vaccination form the basis for protection against reinfection.
However, preexisting antigen-specific titers are also associated with diminished secondary B cell responses to
the same antigen. This concept, termed antibody mediated feedback, remains poorly defined at the
mechanistic level. Elucidation of the mechanisms and outcomes of antibody feedback on B cell clonal selection
is required to develop immunization strategies that target conserved epitopes on repeatedly encountered
evolving pathogens.
To study antibody mediated feedback in a physiologic setting, I propose to develop an oligoclonal B cell
adoptive transfer mouse model with only three specificities to different epitopes on influenza hemagglutinin
(HA). In my preliminary work, I have characterized three monoclonal antibodies that bind to distinct sites on
HA. In parallel, I have genetically engineered the ability to delete plasma cells. Combining these two models
will allow for the removal of immunoglobulin of one specificity from a system with a simplified B cell repertoire.
Observing the outcomes of B cell clonal selection upon removal of specific antibodies will provide insight into
the precise mechanism by which antibody mediated feedback operates.
I am an MD/PhD student at the Weill Cornell/Memorial Sloan Kettering/Rockefeller Tri-Institutional Program,
performing the proposed research in the laboratory of Dr. Gabriel Victora at The Rockefeller University. My
long-term goal is to become a physician scientist who balances patient care with running an independent
research program at an academic institution. The plan outlined in this proposal, along with the support and
mentorship provided by Dr. Victora, Dr. Nussenzweig, my thesis research committee, and the Tri-Institutional
administrative faculty will help me achieve my career goals.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10154586
- **Project number:** 1F30AI157448-01
- **Recipient organization:** WEILL MEDICAL COLL OF CORNELL UNIV
- **Principal Investigator:** Alexandru Barbulescu
- **Activity code:** F30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $51,036
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-01-15 → 2025-01-14

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10154586

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10154586, Investigating the Effect of Antibody Mediated Feedback on B Cell Clonal Selection (1F30AI157448-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10154586. Licensed CC0.

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