Boosting natural antiviral defenses with a community mentoring program
Enhancing Innate Anti-Viral Resistance Through A Community-Based Intervention
This project seeks to strengthen older, socioeconomically disadvantaged African-Americans' natural antiviral response using a community mentoring program called Generation Exchange.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11065474 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be invited to join a randomized trial of 160 older African-American men and women living in a disadvantaged urban community. Participants will be randomly assigned to take part in an intergenerational mentoring program called Generation Exchange or to a comparison group. Researchers will collect blood samples before and after the program to measure immune signals called Type I interferons and markers of inflammation tied to stress. The team will also use surveys and program activities that promote purpose, social connection, and pro-social engagement to try to lower stress-related immune changes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are older African-American adults living in a socioeconomically disadvantaged urban area who can participate in community-based mentoring activities.
Not a fit: Younger people, those not living in the targeted community, or individuals unable to take part in the mentoring activities may not receive benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could boost antiviral immune responses and lower harmful inflammation, potentially reducing vulnerability to viral illnesses like COVID-19.
How similar studies have performed: Prior observational and laboratory studies link higher eudaimonic well-being with reduced stress-related inflammatory gene activity, but randomized trials using intergenerational mentoring to boost antiviral interferon responses are novel.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- University of California Los Angeles — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cole, Steve W — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Cole, Steve W
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.