How infants' nose-and-throat immune defenses fight RSV
Elucidating Mechanisms of Mucosal Immune Protection Against Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Infants
This work looks at how newborns' mucosal immune responses, especially interferon-alpha and IgA antibodies, help protect infants from RSV infection.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| 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-11160457 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers compare immune responses in newborn mice and samples from human infants to understand why babies make weak mucosal IgA after RSV exposure. They focus on the role of type I interferon (IFN‑α) in triggering protective IgA in the airways. The team uses controlled infections in neonatal mouse models and analyzes human infant samples to trace the IFN‑α → IgA pathway. Findings will guide ways to boost mucosal immunity in the youngest infants to lower severe RSV and repeat infections.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be newborns or infants whose parents agree to provide airway or blood samples or to enroll in linked observational protocols at participating hospitals.
Not a fit: Adults, older children, or infants who cannot provide samples or are not enrolled at participating sites would not directly benefit from this mechanistic research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to boost babies' nasal and airway immunity and help prevent severe RSV illness and later lung problems.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal and human studies show interferon and mucosal IgA are linked to protection and recent antibody and maternal vaccine approaches have reduced severe RSV, but directly restoring neonatal IFNα-driven IgA is a newer, less-tested approach.
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: Cormier, Stephania a — Louisiana State Univ A&m Col Baton Rouge
- Study coordinator: Cormier, Stephania a
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.