How a nasal vaccine could protect the lungs from Valley fever
Mechanisms of vaccine immunity against coccidioidomycosis
A nasal vaccine approach aims to train lung immune cells to protect people who are at risk for Valley fever (coccidioidomycosis).
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11259456 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are studying a weakened-spore nasal vaccine that strongly protects animals from Coccidioides infection to learn how the lung lining creates long-lasting T cell immunity. In mice they use special transgenic tools and cell-tracking reagents to follow protective CD4+ T cells and the roles of bronchiolar club cells and M cells. The team also grows human lung epithelial cells in the lab to compare and translate findings from mice toward humans. The goal is to understand how to prompt durable tissue-resident immunity in the lungs so future vaccines protect people in endemic areas.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who live in or travel to areas where Valley fever is common, including military personnel and others at higher exposure risk, would be the most likely candidates for related future trials.
Not a fit: Those who are not exposed to Coccidioides or who already have unrelated severe lung disease are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this preclinical-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could guide development of a nasal vaccine that provides long-lasting lung immunity to prevent Valley fever.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal studies of this intranasal live-attenuated vaccine have shown strong protection in mice, but human testing has not yet been done.
Where this research is happening
Madison, United States
- University of Wisconsin-Madison — Madison, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Klein, Bruce Steven — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Klein, Bruce Steven
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.