# Evaluation of Antigen-Specific Immune Interactions with Commensal Bacteria in Neonates

> **NIH NIH U01** · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $290,924

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
The commensal bacteria that colonize the neonatal gastrointestinal tract may exert long lasting effects on the
immune system, as alterations in the neonatal microbiota have been associated with the development of
diseases later in life such as asthma, allergy, or inflammatory bowel disease. However, little is known about the
antigen-specific immune response to neonatal commensal bacteria. The premise of this grant, therefore, is that
determining the initial antigen-specific T and B cell response to commensal bacteria is fundamental to
understanding how neonatal commensal bacteria may exert long-lasting effects on the immune system. Here,
we will leverage our experience with TCR repertoires and commensal bacterial reactivity in adult mice to
characterize to T cell response in neonates (Aim 1). We will also examine the role of maternal IgA and how it
affects the early T and B cell response (Aim 2). Finally, we will ask whether these early adaptive responses are
disrupted by ante-partum antibiotics or neonatal infections, potentially setting the stage for abnormal mucosal
immune homeostasis (Aim 3). Thus, these data will generate a deeper understanding of the antigen-specific
neonatal immune response and its unique role in the ontogeny of the immune system.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10215479
- **Project number:** 5U01AI131349-05
- **Recipient organization:** WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** CHYI S HSIEH
- **Activity code:** U01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $290,924
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-08-11 → 2022-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10215479

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10215479, Evaluation of Antigen-Specific Immune Interactions with Commensal Bacteria in Neonates (5U01AI131349-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10215479. Licensed CC0.

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