Boosting long-lasting lung immune memory against flu
Monocyte-derived galectin-1 promotes tissue-resident memory T cell response
The team is looking at whether a protein made by certain lung immune cells can help long-lived local immune cells better protect people from influenza.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11237180 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you've had the flu, researchers are studying how certain monocytes in the lung produce a protein called galectin-1 that helps local CD8+ tissue-resident memory T cells survive after infection. They trace these immune cells in lung tissue and run lab experiments to test whether increasing galectin-1 or mimicking its signals can make protective lung memory last longer. The goal is to find tissue-specific cues that could be combined with mucosal (for example, intranasal) vaccines to improve and extend protection at the site where flu enters the body. This work is being done in laboratory and preclinical settings at the University of Rochester and could guide future human vaccine studies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who are at risk for influenza, who have had repeated or severe flu, or who would consider enrolling in future nasal vaccine trials would be the most likely candidates to benefit from follow-up studies.
Not a fit: Because this is preclinical laboratory research, people needing immediate treatment for flu or those with unrelated conditions are unlikely to benefit directly right now.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to vaccines or treatments that create longer-lasting lung immunity and reduce flu infections and severe outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research shows intranasal vaccines can create lung tissue-resident T cells but keeping them long-term remains difficult, and the specific role of monocyte-derived galectin-1 is a newer, less-tested idea.
Where this research is happening
Rochester, United States
- University of Rochester — Rochester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kim, Minsoo — University of Rochester
- Study coordinator: Kim, Minsoo
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 below.