# Physical Resources Core

> **NIH NIH P01** · DUKE UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $887,468

## Abstract

ABSTRACT_Core 1
Fc receptors (FcRs) are cell surface proteins that interact with antibody Fc domains to mediate effector cell
responses that contribute to the antiviral functionality of antibodies. The diversity of antibodies (isotypes,
subclasses, allotypes) and FcRs (types, gene polymorphisms, isoforms) influences antiviral antibody effector
functions by modulating the interactions between antigen–antibody immune complexes and FcRs. However,
the relative combined contributions of these key variables to protective outcomes in human and rhesus
macaque (RM) active and passive immunization studies are unknown. Thus, there is a critical need to
characterize how different antibody isotypes, subclasses, allotypes, and FcR alleles impact species-specific
FcR-dependent antibody effector functions in order to understand how immunoprophylaxis trials conducted in
the RM model can predict outcomes in humans. The overall goal of the Physical Resources Core is to develop
and provide this Program with the tools, reagents, samples, and nucleic acid sequence datasets and analyses
needed for translation of FcR and antibody Fc genetic diversity among humans and RM to phenotypes,
effector functions, and study outcomes. To achieve this, the Physical Resources Core brings together an
innovative team of investigators with extensive experience and expertise in the generation, validation, and
analysis of next-generation sequencing data; and in the development, production, validation, distribution, and
application of novel immunology reagents and materials that are not commercially available. Guided by strong
preliminary data, and using a combination of gold-standard and state-of-the art approaches, the Physical
Resources Core will achieve the objective of supporting Research Projects 1, 2, 3 and the Overall Program
through focus on completion of three Specific Aims:
Aim 1. Quantify human FcR diversity in HIV-1 clinical trial participants.
Aim 2. Define antibody Fc allotype diversity in humans and RM.
Aim 3. Provide immunology reagents and services.
Fulfillment of the aims of the Core will be significant and impactful because it will lead to identification of the
combinations of nAb and nnAb and effector cell biology for improved understanding of in situ functions. This
will provide a roadmap to improve testing accuracy and evaluations of both future active, and
immunoprophylaxis, vaccine candidates in human clinical trials. The Physical Resources Core will help
generate knowledge essential to accomplishing the Overall Goal of this Program: to determine the impact of
antibody allotype and FcR genotype on antiviral outcomes in vitro and in vivo, thus informing how antibody Fc
effector functions can be used to improve antibody-based vaccine strategies, increase the relative antiviral
activity of HIV-1 specific antibody subclasses, and augment broad-neutralizing antibody-based prophylactic
and therapeutic approaches.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10258148
- **Project number:** 1P01AI162242-01
- **Recipient organization:** DUKE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Justin Joseph Pollara
- **Activity code:** P01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $887,468
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-08-25 → 2026-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10258148

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10258148, Physical Resources Core (1P01AI162242-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10258148. Licensed CC0.

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