# CD138 Regulates Competition of Antibody Secreting Cells for Survival

> **NIH NIH R01** · ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE · 2024 · $489,154

## Abstract

Abstract
Vaccinations are one of the most beneficial and cost-effective public health programs. Unfortunately,
many vaccines need repeated boosting to maintain antibody levels. In particular, humoral responses are
weaker in older adults for a number of reasons. For example, immunization with live measles virus
produces antibody titers that are maintained for 50 years, while protein vaccines, such as tetanus or
anthrax toxin, require routine booster shots every five years to maintain antibody titer. The reasons for
this variability are poorly understood, but as steady-state antibody titers are directly dependent on long-
lived antibody secreting cells (LLASCs), these cells may be dying over time. The factors that control
LLASC survival in the are poorly understood, but are critically important for all humoral-based vaccines.
Survival of LLASCs is chiefly mediated by soluble cytokines, such as APRIL, CXCL12 in the BM by resident
cells. The presentation of these factors and the organization of the niche that supports these cells is
unclear. In this proposal, we explore how LLASC retention in clusters or niches, their cellular dynamics
controls their survival and competition, and how the niche is organized and maintained. These pathways
can regulate longevity of humoral responses.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10981011
- **Project number:** 2R01HL141491-07A1
- **Recipient organization:** ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** David R Fooksman
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $489,154
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2018-04-01 → 2028-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10981011

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10981011, CD138 Regulates Competition of Antibody Secreting Cells for Survival (2R01HL141491-07A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-28 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10981011. Licensed CC0.

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