Nonhuman Primate Antibody Resource for Immune Cell Depletion

NIH RePORTER · NIH · P40 · $323,571 · view on reporter.nih.gov ↗

Abstract

Project Summary The Nonhuman Primate Reagent Resource (NHPRR) develops recombinant biological materials to support research with animal models of human diseases. In our parent P40 award, we produce and distribute approximately 400g of recombinant protein reagents per year. Therefore, we have the tools, expertise, and infrastructure to manufacture recombinant reagents and distribute them widely. Very recently, coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) disease (COVID) was declared a pandemic, which prompted the development of new animal models. Unfortunately, the potentially infectious nature of COVID samples has precluded the exchange of reference serum samples among centers developing monkey models of COVID. Thus, our plan is to create safe recombinant reference macaque immunoglobulin standards to facilitate the development and validation of reliable assays for the detection of pathogenic coronaviruses and antiviral antibodies in NHP animal models of COVID. Specifically, this supplement will fund the generation of the following reagents: recombinant coronavirus-reactive rhesus monoclonal IgGs (Aim 1) and NHP serum reference standards (Aim 2). These macaque reference antibody reagents will improve the performance and comparability of antibody-based assays for NHP models by facilitating serum assay development, proficiency training, and inter-laboratory performance comparisons at the NPRCs (see letters of support).

Key facts

NIH application ID
10168817
Project number
3P40OD028116-01S1
Recipient
UNIV OF MASSACHUSETTS MED SCH WORCESTER
Principal Investigator
Kathleen Engelman
Activity code
P40
Funding institute
NIH
Fiscal year
2020
Award amount
$323,571
Award type
3
Project period
2020-01-01 → 2024-12-31