# Core C: Humoral and Serological Core

> **NIH NIH U19** · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · 2020 · $286,614

## Abstract

Project Summary
A major goal of this U19 is to determine how PD-1 blockade affects human antibody responses against
different viral antigens. Core C will fully interrogate serum antibody responses against a range of different
viruses from donors undergoing PD-1 therapy in Projects 1 and 2. The Core will standardize assays, complete
assays, and provide computational support for the analyses of complex serological datasets. We will offer
standardized ELISA-based services that quantify antibodies specific for 5 viruses that are relevant for Projects
1 and 2. We will also assess quality of antibody responses through ELISAs that measure relative affinities and
isotype diversity. It is possible that PD-1 blockade affects antiviral antibody responses in more subtle or global
ways. To address this, we will complete serological screens to examine how PD-1 blockade affects antibody
responses to a large fraction of known human viruses. For this, we will use a new array-based assay, termed
‘Viroscan’, that measures antibody binding to >400,000 non-redundant viral peptides. We will also offer
services that intensively analyze antibody responses against a single virus (influenza). All humans are
exposed to influenza virus in childhood and all adult encounters with influenza involve both the recall of
memory B cells and the stimulation of de novo B cell responses. Our influenza virus antigenic analyses will
allow us to determine if PD-1 blockade differentially regulates de novo versus memory antibody responses.
Together, these standardized services will allow for the complete antigenic characterization of serum samples
for Projects 1 and 2.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9897490
- **Project number:** 5U19AI082630-12
- **Recipient organization:** MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Scott Eric Hensley
- **Activity code:** U19 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $286,614
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** — → —

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9897490

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9897490, Core C: Humoral and Serological Core (5U19AI082630-12). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9897490. Licensed CC0.

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