Fat tissue inflammation and leptin's role in COVID-19 and flu lung infections
The role of adipocyte-drive inflammation and leptin pathway in pulmonary viral infections caused by SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A viruses
This project looks at how inflamed fat tissue and the hormone leptin change lung responses to COVID-19 and flu in people with obesity or type 2 diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Louisiana State Univ A&m Col Baton Rouge NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baton Rouge, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11115631 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will examine how dysfunctional fat cells and altered leptin signaling change lung immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A. They will use lab models including cultured adipocytes, airway cells, and animal infection models, and analyze fat-derived secreted factors and leptin-linked pathways. Experiments aim to determine whether these changes make airway and alveolar cells more permissive to viral replication and increase lung injury. The goal is to identify leptin-related targets that could lead to treatments to protect people with obesity or type 2 diabetes from severe viral lung disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with obesity and/or type 2 diabetes who are at higher risk for severe respiratory viral infections.
Not a fit: People without metabolic disease or those with non-viral lung conditions may not directly benefit from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new therapies that reduce the risk of severe COVID-19 and influenza in people with obesity or type 2 diabetes.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies link obesity and altered leptin levels to worse flu and COVID-19 outcomes, but targeting leptin pathways as treatments remains largely untested.
Where this research is happening
Baton Rouge, United States
- Louisiana State Univ A&m Col Baton Rouge — Baton Rouge, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Carossino, Mariano — Louisiana State Univ A&m Col Baton Rouge
- Study coordinator: Carossino, Mariano
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.