How B and T cells diversify their antibodies and stay healthy by managing DNA repair
Official title: APE1 downregulation promotes somatic hypermutation and predisposes lymphocytes toward apoptosis for selection
Funded at Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester · NIH-11441023 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to understand how a key DNA repair enzyme, APE1, is reduced during immune development to let antibody diversity happen while keeping cells safe.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project start | July 20, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $83,750 |
| NIH project number | 1R03AI202886-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11441023 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include individuals with immune system conditions or those contributing samples for related research, such as blood donors or patients undergoing routine immunology testing.
✕Less likely to help
People without immune-related conditions or involvement in related sample collection may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how B and T cells develop a broad set of antibodies. It focuses on AP endonuclease 1 (APE1) downregulation during stages when DNA breaks and mutations are common, and how that helps selection while preventing dangerous damage. The work also explores APE2’s role in creating mutations needed for antibody diversity. Findings could clarify how immune cells balance building diversity with reducing genomic instability. The grant uses a small, targeted human-relevant model to connect molecular mechanisms to immune health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of how immune cells produce diverse antibodies could inform strategies to improve vaccine responses and prevent immune-related diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows APE1/APE2 pathways influence DNA repair and mutation processes in immune cells, supporting potential translational relevance.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
Worcester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schrader, Carol E — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Schrader, Carol E
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.