# Natural killer cell receptor-expressing B cells as regulators of mucosal immunity in SIV infection

> **NIH NIH R21** · DUKE UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $177,986

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Recently, a seemingly novel innate immune cell subset bearing features of natural killer (NK) and B cells was
identified in mice. So-called NKB cells appear as first responders to viral infections at mucosal surfaces, but the
full functional niche remains unknown and prior to our recent studies it has been unclear if these cells existed in
higher order primates. In our recently published findings (Manickam et al., AIDS 2018) and new preliminary
data we found that phenotypically analogous populations of NKB cells can be found systemically in humans and
non-human primates, but are enriched in spleen, similar to mice. Furthermore, NKB cells had stable surface
expression of non-secreted IgM and IgA, and are massively expanded in colonic tissues during chronic SIV
infection. In this new proposal we will rigorously test we will test the overarching hypothesis that NKB cells are
early responders at mucosal sites of infection and activation of this cell type is critical to initiate anti-
HIV/SIV innate immune responses through two focused specific aims: (1) Identify transcriptomic and
functional signatures of NKB cells under homeostatic conditions; and (2) Identify the role(s) and
functional significance of mucosal NKB cells in SIV infection. The outcomes of this proposal will provide
the first detailed analyses of NKB cells during lentivirus infection and potentially means to target these unique
cells for immunotherapeutics or vaccine strategies.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10451069
- **Project number:** 7R21AI145678-03
- **Recipient organization:** DUKE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Roger Keith Reeves
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $177,986
- **Award type:** 7
- **Project period:** 2021-09-01 → 2022-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10451069

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10451069, Natural killer cell receptor-expressing B cells as regulators of mucosal immunity in SIV infection (7R21AI145678-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10451069. Licensed CC0.

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