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Publication Date - 12/3/1999

7. NIH-Mucosal Immunity inPathogenesis/Prevention of Human Disease

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) invites applications for investigator initiated basic and preclinical research into the human mucosal immune system and its regulation. Included are the gastrointestinal, oral, respiratory, reproductive, and urinary mucosa, with their specialized lymphoreticular structures and cells.

The goal of this program announcement (PA) is to increase high quality research on the mechanisms of response of the human mucosal immune system to the mechanisms of disease specific antigens. Research is sought on the pathogenesis of human diseases related to dysregulation of the mucosal system.

Examples of research areas include, but are not limited to, the following:

• trafficking and homing of lymphocytes to and from mucosal surfaces and the role of such trafficking in human infection, disease, and recovery;
• role of IEL in the development of tolerance or immunity;
• production, secretion, and function of IgA and other immunoglobulins in human mucosal immunity;
• role of microbes in initiating mucosal inflammation;
• mechanism of pathogen strain differences that increase or decrease infectivity at mucosal versus systemic sites;
• development and analysis of various vectors and vaccine strategies designed to induce a specific mucosal immune response to disease antigens that could protect against infection.

The support mechanism is the NIH research project grant (R01) and FIRST award (R29). Applications for R01 grants may request up to five years of support and applications for R29 grants must request five years of support.

Applications are due at the NIH Center for Scientific Review on or before FEBRUARY 1, June 1, or OCTOBER 1, 2000.

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