# Epigenetic regulation of pathogen-specific effector and memory CD4 T cells

> **NIH NIH F31** · UNIVERSITY OF IOWA · 2021 · $32,613

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Pathogen-specific, functionally distinct subsets of CD4 helper T cells, including T follicular helper (Tfh) and T
helper type 1 (Th1) subsets, are critical for orchestrating the induction and maturation of innate and adaptive
immune responses. Proper genetic programming of Tfh and Th1 differentiation is required for regulating immune
responses to clear primary infections and promote long-lived memory CD4 T cell-mediated protection against
pathogen re-exposures. Genetic approaches to study CD4 T cell differentiation have been largely focused on
transcriptional programming, but gene regulation is also critically tied to epigenetic modifications, which
represents a major knowledge gap in our understanding of CD4 T cell biology. In this project, the applicant will
investigate the role of Ten-eleven-translocation (TET) family members in the formation and function of effector
and memory Th1 and Tfh cell subsets. New preliminary data show substantial CD4 T cell developmental skewing
towards Tfh fates in the absence of specific TET family members. The goals of this project are to use conditional
genetic and chimeric approaches, coupled with robust systems of infectious disease immunology, to establish
fundamentally new and mechanistic understanding of the role and function of epigenetic programming in
governing Tfh and Th1 CD4 cell fate. The first set of objectives are to evaluate the function CD4 T cells lacking
specific TET family members. The second set of objectives are to study the molecular genetic mechanisms
governing CD4 T cell differentiation. At the successful completion of the proposed research, the applicant will
have acquired skillsets that involve the generation and analysis of high-dimensional data sets, undertaken in an
intellectually and scientifically rich environment of intensive and interdisciplinary mentorship. Additionally, this
fellowship application provides critical opportunities to develop skills in conducting experimental investigations
and communicating results to a broad scientific audience, which will position the applicant to succeed as an
independent investigator to address the challenges posed by emerging infectious diseases.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10311459
- **Project number:** 1F31AI164640-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
- **Principal Investigator:** Jordan Taylor Johnson
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $32,613
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-09-01 → 2023-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10311459

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10311459, Epigenetic regulation of pathogen-specific effector and memory CD4 T cells (1F31AI164640-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10311459. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*