# The molecular and spatial interactions between antibody suppressor CD8+ T cells and B cells that regulate alloantibody production after transplant

> **NIH NIH F32** · OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $74,958

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Donor specific antibodies (DSA) develop in transplant recipients despite immunosuppression and is a significant
cause of acute and chronic graft loss across multiple organs. Antibody mediated rejection (AMR) treatment
options are non-specific, have variable efficacy, and do not improve long-term outcomes. An effective treatment
for AMR remains an unmet need, and a better understanding of mechanisms that regulate humoral immunity
are critical to develop more effective therapies. We have discovered a novel subset of CD8+ T cells (CD8+ TAb-
supp) that suppresses alloantibody production in part through the killing of alloprimed B cells. Notably, adoptive
transfer of CD8+ TAb-supp cells into murine recipients after allogeneic cellular and solid organ transplant results in
decreased alloantibody quantity, improved AMR-associated histopathology, and enhanced graft survival.
Moreover, our lab has determined that a human CD8+ T cell subset with the same phenotype as murine CD8+
TAb-supp cells is detected in the peripheral circulation of human kidney transplant recipients and their quantity
inversely correlates with the development of DSA. The objective of this proposal is to characterise the molecular
mechanisms by which CD8+ TAb-supp cells 1) exert their antibody-suppressive effect upon alloprimed B cells and
2) traffic to and from lymphoid depots. The translational impact of this project is high and as a postdoctoral fellow
and surgery resident I look forward to gaining rigorous training in immunology research and to preparing myself
for a transplant surgeon-scientist career. I chose the Ohio State University (OSU) General Surgery Residency
Program because of its breadth and volume of surgery, including one of the top ten transplant centers in the
country, and the program’s commitment (and protected time) for research training. OSU is one of the largest
public institutions, comprising fifteen colleges and a Graduate School that offers nearly 100 doctoral degree
programs. My training plan includes completion of a doctoral degree through the Biomedical Sciences Graduate
Program with a research emphasis in immunology that includes coursework in advanced immunology, research
ethics, biostatistics, and grant writing. I will pursue research related seminars, workshops, and conferences
offered by the OSU Center for Clinical Translational Science, Comprehensive Transplant Center, Pelotonia
ImmunoOncology Institute, and Diabetes Research Center. I will gain research training and career advice from
my Sponsor (Ginny L. Bumgardner MD PhD) and Co-Sponsor (Peter Stock MD PhD, University of California
San Francisco), both of whom are transplant surgeon-scientists. I will broaden my understanding of immunology
research through interactions with a diverse Career Advisory Committee consisting of Eugene Oltz PhD (Chair,
Microbial Infection and Immunity), Robert Baiocchi MD PhD (Director, OSU Physician Scientist Training
Program), and Willa Hsueh ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10233048
- **Project number:** 1F32AI161844-01
- **Recipient organization:** OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Jing Light Han
- **Activity code:** F32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $74,958
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-04-01 → 2022-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10233048

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10233048, The molecular and spatial interactions between antibody suppressor CD8+ T cells and B cells that regulate alloantibody production after transplant (1F32AI161844-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10233048. Licensed CC0.

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