# Contribution of Innate-like Tregs for Preventing Tissue Inflammation

> **NIH NIH R01** · RBHS-ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON MEDICAL SCHOOL · 2021 · $232,059

## Abstract

Abstract
Summary for administrative supplement:
Based in part our studies performed under the parent R01, we now recognize that subpopulations of T cells
have distinct, innate-like effector functions that lead to the modification of other immune cells. These effector
functions are directly enabled by master regulator BTB-ZF transcription factors. PLZF (ZBTB16) expressing
natural killer T cells, for example, continuously produce IL-4, which directly impacts the function of naïve CD8 T
cells. The innate-like Tregs identified by our current studies, impact tissue homeostasis and macrophage
function by the continuous release of IL-10. Our most recent studies have identified yet another BTB-ZF gene
that we hypothesize controls the function of subsets of human CD8 T cells. Experiments proposed in this
administrative supplement will analyze lymphocytes expressing these transcription factors in the response to
SARS-CoV-2. Fatal infection is hypothesized to be a consequence of an inadequate innate immune response.
In contrast, the devasting cytokine storms that lead to multiorgan inflammatory syndrome (MIS) are considered
to be due, at least in part, to an overzealous innate immune response. The participation of innate-like
lymphocytes has not yet been considered or evaluated.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10412729
- **Project number:** 3R01AI122757-05S1
- **Recipient organization:** RBHS-ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON MEDICAL SCHOOL
- **Principal Investigator:** Derek B. Sant'Angelo
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $232,059
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2021-06-21 → 2023-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10412729

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10412729, Contribution of Innate-like Tregs for Preventing Tissue Inflammation (3R01AI122757-05S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10412729. Licensed CC0.

---

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