# Novel transcription factors modulating the development and function of pDCs and pDC-related cells

> **NIH NIH R21** · STANFORD UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $238,057

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and pDC-related cells are developmentally related innate immune cells
capable of performing multiple functions essential for successful antiviral immune responses, including type I
interferon secretion and T cell activation. The identity, i.e., development and function, of pDCs and pDC-related
cells is controlled by the precise interaction of transcription factors (TFs). Tight regulation of transcriptional
programs is essential to promote the appropriate response to pathogens while avoiding damage to healthy
tissues. Thus, it is critical to unravel the transcriptional regulation of pDCs and pDC-related cells. Using a high-
dimensional unbiased approach, we have recently discovered two conserved TFs that are specific and highly
active in pDCs and pDC-related cells but not in other DC subsets. In two specific aims, we propose to explore
the role of these TFs in determining the development and function of pDCs and pDC-related cells. To achieve
our goal, we will take advantage of novel conditional knockout mouse models, transcription factor-
overexpressing human cell lines, and high-dimensional approaches already established in our lab. We anticipate
that findings from this proposal will bring into light novel mechanisms of transcriptional regulation that result in
the positive outcome of innate immune responses against viruses. Importantly, our integrated approach will
incorporate analyses of both mouse and human DCs; thus, it can reveal features that are conserved between
species. This proposal has the potential to impact the rational design of therapeutic strategies by exploring
regulatory programs determining the identity of key antiviral innate cells.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10288643
- **Project number:** 1R21AI163775-01
- **Recipient organization:** STANFORD UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Juliana Idoyaga
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $238,057
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-07-01 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10288643

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10288643, Novel transcription factors modulating the development and function of pDCs and pDC-related cells (1R21AI163775-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10288643. Licensed CC0.

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