# B Cell/T Cell Interactions in Brucellosis

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-COLUMBIA · 2024 · $383,747

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
 In humans, Brucella spp. can cause a lifelong, debilitating disease, with relapses of undulating fever and
other complications even with antibiotic treatment. No vaccines are currently licensed to prevent human
brucellosis, and mechanisms underlying the ability of Brucella to cause chronic infection are not well known. We
have found B cells enhance susceptibility to Brucella infection by inhibiting CD4+ T cell-mediated immunity. In
this proposal, we will test the hypothesis that B cell antigen presentation skews the CD4+ T cell response during
brucellosis which impairs vaccine efficacy and contributes to chronicity of infection. In Aim #1 of this proposal
we will investigate mechanisms by which B cell antigen presentation affects control of infection and modulates
differentiation of CD4+ T cells into Th1, Th17, or regulatory T cells. In Aim #2 of this proposal, we determine how
follicular interactions between B and CD4+ T cells affect antibody production and CD4+ T cell function and
determine the relative contribution of IgG and IgM to immunity to infection. Collectively, our results will enhance
our knowledge of the pathogenesis of chronic brucellosis and identify immunomodulatory strategies that can be
incorporated into the rational design of brucellosis vaccines

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10729857
- **Project number:** 5R01AI150797-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-COLUMBIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Jerod Skyberg
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $383,747
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-11-18 → 2024-10-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10729857

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10729857, B Cell/T Cell Interactions in Brucellosis (5R01AI150797-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10729857. Licensed CC0.

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