# B Cell Mechanisms of Tolerance Following Infant Peanut Consumption

> **NIH NIH K23** · CHILDREN'S RESEARCH INSTITUTE · 2022 · $178,500

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
This proposal details a 5-year plan to provide the candidate, Dr. Adora Lin, with the knowledge and expertise
to become an independent investigator in the field of Allergy and Immunology. The proposed research is a
novel investigation of the role of B cells in the development of peanut allergy versus tolerance in infants
deemed at high risk for peanut allergy. Although studies suggest that early introduction of peanut to high-risk
infants can influence the development of peanut allergy versus tolerance, with accompanying changes in
peanut-specific immunoglobulin levels, the biology of the B cells producing these immunoglobulins and
regulatory mechanisms mediating these changes are unknown. The candidate will evaluate the B cell
response to IL-10, regulatory B cells (B regs), and the B cell transcriptome in samples collected from infants at
high risk for peanut allergy, both prior to peanut introduction and during peanut consumption or avoidance. The
specific aims of the project are: 1) To determine whether increased B cell responsiveness to IL-10 and
increased B reg frequency and function identify infants at high risk for peanut allergy who tolerate peanut, 2)
To evaluate whether regular peanut consumption augments B cell responsiveness to IL-10 and B reg
frequency and function in infants at high risk for peanut allergy, and 3) To define the B cell transcription
signature associated with peanut tolerance. Findings from this research will address significant gaps in our
knowledge regarding the impact of B cells during the critical early period that shapes food allergy versus
tolerance. These findings may be leveraged into future studies evaluating novel biomarkers for distinguishing
food allergy versus tolerance, new diagnostic methods, improved monitoring of allergen immunotherapy, and B
cell-targeted interventions for food allergy. This research will also provide new insights into B cell biology, B
regs, and the B cell transcriptome during infancy. The candidate has assembled an outstanding team of NIH-
funded mentors, who have committed their time, expertise, and resources to facilitate the candidate's research
and career goals. Dr. Bollard is a world-renowned translational immunologist and expert in adoptive T cell
therapies. Dr. Guerrerio is a leading expert in food allergy pathogenesis. Dr. Freishtat has extensive expertise
in transcriptomics and systems biology. The candidate will participate in coursework designed to provide her
with further skills in advanced biostatistics, clinical study design, next-generation sequencing, bioinformatics,
and various areas of professional development. She will benefit from an ideal scientific, educational, and
clinical environment provided by her primary institution, Children's National Medical Center, enhanced by
training opportunities at the George Washington University and National Institutes of Health. In summary, this
proposal describes a relevant and feasible research proje...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10451706
- **Project number:** 5K23AI153543-03
- **Recipient organization:** CHILDREN'S RESEARCH INSTITUTE
- **Principal Investigator:** Adora A Lin
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $178,500
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-08-01 → 2023-05-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10451706

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10451706, B Cell Mechanisms of Tolerance Following Infant Peanut Consumption (5K23AI153543-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10451706. Licensed CC0.

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