# IL-17-dependent RNA binding proteins in immunity to mucosal candidiasis

> **NIH NIH R03** · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · 2020 · $78,250

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
IL-17 is the signature cytokine of a relatively new CD4+ T helper subset, known as
“Th17” cells. IL-17 is an essential mediator of immunity to extracellular microbes,
especially fungi such as Candida albicans. Humans lacking Th17 cells, IL-17 signaling or
where IL-17 is neutralized are susceptible to mucosal C. albicans infections, particularly
oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC, thrush). Although considerable research effort has
focused on how Th17 cells are generated and regulated, the mechanisms by which IL-
17 and its receptor mediate specific downstream signals in relevant disease processes
such as candidiasis have received far less attention. Our studies of OPC in mice
identified an IL-17-dependent novel RNA binding protein that promotes IL-17-dependent
signaling. Here we propose to create a mouse with a conditional deletion in the gene
encoding this RBP and simultaneously knock-in an epitope tag order to define its
mechanistic role in immunity to C. albicans. We will also perform parallel analyses in
human oral epithelial cells to determine the relevance of this RBP in the human immune
system.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9844449
- **Project number:** 5R03AI144439-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
- **Principal Investigator:** Sarah L Gaffen
- **Activity code:** R03 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $78,250
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-01-03 → 2020-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9844449

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9844449, IL-17-dependent RNA binding proteins in immunity to mucosal candidiasis (5R03AI144439-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9844449. Licensed CC0.

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