How beta‑coronaviruses trigger and hide from our early immune defenses
Betacoronaviruses: activation and antagonism of host innate immune responses
This work aims to learn how human beta‑coronaviruses like SARS‑CoV‑2 activate and block early immune responses to help protect people at risk for severe COVID‑19.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11330630 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers compare different human beta‑coronaviruses (for example SARS‑CoV‑2, MERS‑CoV, and OC43) to see how they interact with the cells in our airways. They focus on early antiviral pathways driven by double‑stranded RNA, including interferon signaling and enzymes like RNase L, PKR, and PERK. Using infected respiratory cells and engineered viral mutants, the team examines which viral proteins reduce RNA detection or cause inflammation and cell death. The goal is to identify viral–host interactions that could become targets for drugs to prevent severe lung disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who have had COVID‑19—particularly those who were hospitalized or had severe lung inflammation—could be relevant for related sample donation or future clinical work tied to this research.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate treatment are unlikely to benefit directly because this is laboratory research aimed at informing future therapies rather than providing current care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could point to new drug targets or strategies to prevent or reduce severe COVID‑19 and other betacoronavirus lung disease.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory and animal studies have shown that modifying interferon responses or blocking viral antagonists can lower coronavirus replication, but translating these findings into effective human treatments has been limited so far.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Weiss, Susan R — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Weiss, Susan R
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.