# Project Three: Assessing effects of anti-CD52g Mabs on STD pathogens in semen

> **NIH NIH R01** · BOSTON UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CAMPUS · 2020 · $412,502

## Abstract

The goal of Project 3 is to determine whether Human Contraception Antibody (HCA) binds to and
neutralizes STI pathogens in semen. The rationale behind these experiments is our observation
that the male reproductive tract restricted antigen CD52g, which is the target of HCA. inserts via
GPI anchor into the plasma membrane of leukocytes and parasites in semen. We hypothesize
that HCA will bind to and neutralize HIV infected cells in semen, as well as enveloped viruses that
pick up CD52g from infected CD52g-coated cells in the male genital tract. Results of these
studies will demonstrate whether HCA has dual activity as a contraceptive agent and STI
microbicide.
Our Specific Aims are:
1. Determine whether CD52g attaches to seminal leukocytes, STI viruses (HIV-1, HSV-2 and
ZIKV) and Trichomonas vaginalis.
2. Determine whether HCA binds to HIV-infected seminal leukocytes, STI viruses and
Trichomonas vaginalis. and inhibits their ability to infect target cells.
3. Determine whether seminal leukocytes, viruses and parasites that are coated with CD52g
agglutinate with each other or with sperm after treatment with HCA.
4. Determine whether HCA and engineered variants of HCA trap CD52g-coated leukocytes, STI
viruses and parasites in cervical mucus (collaboration with Project 2)

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9977700
- **Project number:** 5R01HD095630-04
- **Recipient organization:** BOSTON UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CAMPUS
- **Principal Investigator:** Deborah J Anderson
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $412,502
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-09-13 → 2022-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9977700

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9977700, Project Three: Assessing effects of anti-CD52g Mabs on STD pathogens in semen (5R01HD095630-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9977700. Licensed CC0.

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