# Novel genetic tools for the analysis of plasmacytoid dendritic cell function in vivo

> **NIH NIH R21** · NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · 2020 · $211,875

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) represent a distinct innate immune cell type capable of rapid and
massive production of type I interferon in response to viruses. pDCs play an important role in both innate
and adaptive immune responses to viral infections, whereas aberrant activation of pDCs contributes to
autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus. Major questions about the role and molecular
basis of pDC function still remain unanswered, largely due to the absence of pDC-specific Cre deleter and
fluorescent reporter strains. The overall goal of this project is to develop novel genetic tools for functional
analysis of pDCs. In Aim 1, we will use a candidate pDC-specific gene as a driver to express Cre
recombinase in pDCs in vivo. We will examine the specificity and efficiency of Cre recombination in the
resulting strain and use it in a proof-of-principle gene targeting in vivo. In Aim 2, we will use the same
approach to generate a pDC-specific fluorescent reporter strain and use it to explicitly visualize pDC in
tissue sections. Collectively, these studies address a major unmet need for model systems to study pDC
function, and therefore would facilitate in vivo studies of innate immunity.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9975706
- **Project number:** 5R21AI147501-02
- **Recipient organization:** NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** Boris Reizis
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $211,875
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-07-10 → 2021-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9975706

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9975706, Novel genetic tools for the analysis of plasmacytoid dendritic cell function in vivo (5R21AI147501-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9975706. Licensed CC0.

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