# A novel T7 phage display technology to detect sarcoidosis specific antigens

> **NIH NIH R01** · WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $503,608

## Abstract

Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease of unknown etiology that occurs worldwide and is characterized by
granuloma formation in different organs. No specific test has been developed to diagnose this disease.
Confirmation of non-caseating granuloma in tissue biopsy of involved organs in the absence of other causes is
the current state of the art for diagnosing sarcoidosis. We propose to test the hypothesis that overall immunity
plays a prominent role in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis, since abnormalities of the immune function and the
presence of various antibodies/autoantibodies occurs in this disorder. Sarcoidosis and tuberculosis have
clinical and pathological similarities. Despite isolation of various components of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
(MTB) from sarcoidosis tissues, sarcoidosis subjects react to tuberculin skin test (PPD) negatively. In contrast
to sarcoidosis latently infected individuals with TB (LTBI) respond to PPD with delayed type hypersensitivity
reaction. Using a high throughput method, we developed a complex cDNA library derived from tissues of
sarcoidosis patients. We constructed a microarray platform from this cDNA library containing large numbers of
sarcoidosis clones and immunoscreened this platform with sera from patients with sarcoidosis, controls and
other respiratory diseases. We identified a panel of biomarkers/classifiers with high sensitivity and specificity
that can discriminate between sera of patients with sarcoidosis, healthy controls other respiratory diseases.
Thus, our technology allows us to test the hypothesis that sarcoidosis is an immune disorder triggered by a
group of specific antigens, which differ from LTBI antigens. Furthermore, these specific antigen peptides are
capable of inducing granuloma in vitro in sarcoidosis peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMCs). To test this
hypothesis, we will selectively biopan our T7 phage cDNA display library with sera of diverse sarcoidosis and
LTBI subjects to select diversified clones to increase the antigen repertoire to construct a comprehensive
antigen microarray platform. Second, we propose to use a large sample size from a diversified population of
sarcoidosis patients and healthy controls as well as subjects with LTBI. We would like to expand test the
bioreactivity of sera obtained independently from cases and controls to identify a panel of diagnostic
biomarkers/classifiers, which can discriminate between sarcoidosis and healthy controls and latent TB.
Furthermore, we will validate the classifiers in independent validation sets and determine whether the
discovered biomarkers/classifiers can determine the clinical outcome, especially in the progressive disease
course. In Aim 3, we will synthesize the antigen peptides to develop an ELISA to determine the titers of
identified antigens. Finally, we test whether these clones are capable of generating granuloma in vitro using
latent, healthy controls and sarcoidosis peripheral mononuclear cells. The overall goal is t...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9866224
- **Project number:** 1R01HL150474-01
- **Recipient organization:** WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Lobelia Samavati
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $503,608
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2019-12-15 → 2023-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9866224

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9866224, A novel T7 phage display technology to detect sarcoidosis specific antigens (1R01HL150474-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-14 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9866224. Licensed CC0.

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