How aging changes the lung's defenses against viruses
Modulation of Lung Immune Responses to Viral Infection
The team is looking at how aging lung cells change local immune defenses against respiratory viruses, with a focus on people over 65.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Jackson Laboratory NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bar Harbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11330386 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This program uses airway cells taken from people of different ages and grows them in lab "air-liquid-interface" cultures that mimic the lung surface. Researchers compare young and older donors to see how aged epithelial cells affect local immune cells and inflammation during viral infections like flu and COVID-19. They combine human samples with experimental infection models and molecular tests to map changes in immune signaling and tissue-resident immunity. The goal is to find epithelial-driven mechanisms that could be targeted to protect older adults from severe respiratory infections.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People aged 65 and older who can donate airway samples or participate at a study clinic, as well as younger volunteers for comparison.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment for a current respiratory infection should not expect direct medical benefit from participating in this lab-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could identify why older adults face worse outcomes from lung viruses and point to ways to boost their lung immunity.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown age-related declines in immunity and lab-grown airway cell models have provided useful clues, but turning these findings into proven treatments is still early.
Where this research is happening
Bar Harbor, United States
- Jackson Laboratory — Bar Harbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Palucka, Anna Karolina — Jackson Laboratory
- Study coordinator: Palucka, Anna Karolina
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.