# Characterizing a transcriptional control region within the Type I interferon gene cluster

> **NIH NIH R21** · NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · 2022 · $254,250

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Type I interferons (IFN-I) provide the first line of defense against viruses and play a pivotal role in coordinating
the innate and adaptive immune responses. The presence of infectious viruses triggers a cascade of events
leading to the activation of IFN-I genes that further induce the expression of a large battery of antiviral proteins.
This antiviral program is something that must be selectively induced only when appropriate as chronic
signaling is associated with severe inflammatory phenotypes and autoimmunity. These so called
‘interferonopathies’ are a clinically heterogenic group of diseases that are becoming increasingly recognized
and speak to the importance of silencing the IFN-I locus in the absence of infection. Here we propose to
define how a conserved gene called Kelch-Like Family Member 9 (KLHL9), which is found in the center of the
IFN-I gene cluster, ensures the transcriptional repression of the region in the absence of virus infection. This
proposed research will advance the understanding of how the IFN system functions at the center of immune
and inflammatory diseases, and should also lead to a better understanding as to the molecular cause of at
least a subset of interferonopathies.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10506860
- **Project number:** 1R21AI171083-01
- **Recipient organization:** NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** Benjamin R. tenOever
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $254,250
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-05-19 → 2024-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10506860

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10506860, Characterizing a transcriptional control region within the Type I interferon gene cluster (1R21AI171083-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-29 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10506860. Licensed CC0.

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