How aging weakens immune response to severe respiratory viruses
Age related loss of immune resilience during response to severe respiratory viral infections
Researchers are comparing immune responses in older versus younger people with severe lung infections like COVID-19 and flu to find why older adults get sicker.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11359619 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses blood and airway samples collected from people with COVID-19 or influenza and compares gene activity between older and younger patients. Scientists will use transcriptomic methods to look for patterns of immune signals, focusing on weaker type I interferon responses and stronger inflammatory injury in older adults. They will link these molecular signatures to clinical outcomes such as viral load, respiratory failure, and recovery. The team aims to pinpoint age-related immune changes that could guide better treatments for older patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults hospitalized with COVID-19 or influenza, particularly people over 65 or those with severe respiratory symptoms.
Not a fit: People without a current respiratory viral infection or those with mild, outpatient illness are unlikely to get direct benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help predict which older patients are at highest risk and suggest new ways to boost antiviral defenses or reduce harmful inflammation.
How similar studies have performed: Previous reports have shown age-related immune differences in COVID-19 and flu, and applying transcriptomic profiling to link these signatures to outcomes is promising but still emerging.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- New York University School of Medicine — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Segal, Leopoldo Nicolas — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Segal, Leopoldo Nicolas
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.