# NK T Cell Interactions with NK Cells During Viral Infection

> **NIH NIH R01** · BROWN UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $67,994

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV), the mouse homolog of human CMV, is a well-characterized model system
for the study of CMV infection in a mammalian host. There is a growing interest in the anti-viral role of MHC
class Ib-restricted T cells, referred to as non-classical T cells. During the previous funding period, using mice
deficient in conventional CD8+ T cells or CD1d-restricted NKT cells, we showed that non-classical T cells
contribute significantly to the immune response to MCMV infection. Our preliminary data also demonstrate that
a subset of non-classical CD8+ T cells, likely restricted by the Qa-1 molecule, is sufficient to protect against
MCMV induced lethality. We therefore hypothesized that non-classical T cells may substitute for NK cells and
conventional T cells when their effector responses are impaired during viral immuno-evasion. The objective of
Shanelle project is to understand how non-classical T cells contribute to the immune response to viral
infections. To accomplish these goals, we generated and acquired a variety of unique tools and animal models.
These include KbDbQa-1 deficient animals and a large number of MCMV mutants. In her first project, Shanelle
will identify the MCMV peptide(s) presented by Qa-1. In Specific Aim 2, she will determine the role of Myd88
during iNKT cell response to MCMV. Her project fills a major gap in our understanding of the role of non-
classical T cells during viral infection. The results from these studies are likely to have relevance to infections
caused by other viruses and aid in the design of strategies directed at manipulating non-classical T cells.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10204343
- **Project number:** 3R01AI046709-18S1
- **Recipient organization:** BROWN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Laurent Brossay
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $67,994
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2000-09-30 → 2023-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10204343

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10204343, NK T Cell Interactions with NK Cells During Viral Infection (3R01AI046709-18S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10204343. Licensed CC0.

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