# Core C: B Cell Core

> **NIH NIH P01** · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · 2024 · $240,080

## Abstract

ABSTRACT – B Cell Core
Early development of bNAbs in infants suggest potentially distinct mechanisms in the generation of antibody
breadth due to the highly dynamic nature of the infant immune system. Moreover, we have observed elicitation
of bNAb precursors in infant rhesus monkeys with germline-targeting HIV Env SOSIP immunization. We
hypothesize that induction of bnAb precursor B cells using germline-targeting HIV Env SOSIP immunogens
requires specific innate and microbial interactions which are modifiable to enhance future HIV vaccine strategies,
particularly in early life. In this context, we propose a B Cell Core that will perform in-depth quantification and
characterization of the plasma and B cell responses after BG505 SOSIP GT1.1 immunizations in infant
macaques over time through i) the quantification of the functional activity, avidity and target epitope of polyclonal
plasma antibody responses (Aim 1) and ii) single cell RNA sequencing of antigen-specific B cell analysis (Aim
2) to evaluate the evolution of vaccine-elicited HIV bNAb precursors and relate these responses to innate
immunity (Project 1) and microbial interactions (Project 2). To accomplish this goal, the B Cell Core will draw
on the extensive experience and unique resources in antibody and B cell response characterization of the B Cell
Core Leader Dr. Marit van Gils at Amsterdam UMC and Dr. Sallie Permar at Weill Cornell Medicine.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10852982
- **Project number:** 5P01AI178377-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- **Principal Investigator:** Kristina De Paris
- **Activity code:** P01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $240,080
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-06-01 → 2028-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10852982

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10852982, Core C: B Cell Core (5P01AI178377-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10852982. Licensed CC0.

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