# Type I interferons in tolerance in the steady state

> **NIH NIH P01** · UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA · 2020 · $371,739

## Abstract

Summary
Type I interferons are a powerful cytokine family that play an essential role in innate immune protection from
viruses. In addition to their direct anti-viral activities, they strongly activate multiple cells of the adaptive
immune system, including APC, B cells, and T cells. Interestingly, interferons are expressed in the thymus in
the steady state, in the absence of infections. In this project, we propose to systematically define the role that
thymic type I interferon plays in immunological self-tolerance. We hypothesize that type I interferons are critical
to promote tolerance to self-epitopes that are usually only displayed during infections. Aim 1 will determine
what stimuli promote thymic medullary epithelial cells to produce IFNb. Aim 2 will determine the consequences
of IFNb expression on tolerance to conventional and inflammation induced self antigens. Aim 3 will determine
if autoimmunity results in the absence of thymic IFNb, particularly when mice are challenged by infections.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9994826
- **Project number:** 5P01AI035296-26
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
- **Principal Investigator:** Kristin A. Hogquist
- **Activity code:** P01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $371,739
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1997-09-15 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9994826

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9994826, Type I interferons in tolerance in the steady state (5P01AI035296-26). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9994826. Licensed CC0.

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