How the immune system changes long-term after infections or treatments

Durable Alteration of the Human Immune system after Infection or Immunotherapy

NIH-funded research Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11080909

This research aims to understand how our immune system changes and recovers after fighting off infections like COVID-19 or after receiving treatments like vaccines.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMassachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project IDNIH-11080909 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Our immune system is complex, and this research looks at how it changes over time, not just at one moment. We want to understand how the immune system reacts to infections like COVID-19 and hepatitis C, and how it responds to treatments like vaccines. By studying these changes closely, we hope to learn why some people develop long-term issues after illness and how we can improve immune responses. This includes looking at why some people experience long COVID symptoms and how our bodies remember past infections or vaccinations.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This research is relevant for individuals who have experienced infections like COVID-19 or Hepatitis C, or those who have received immunotherapies such as vaccines.

Not a fit: Patients without a history of significant infections or immunotherapies may not directly benefit from this specific research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to prevent or treat long-term immune problems after infections and improve how vaccines work.

How similar studies have performed: While much is known about immune responses, this approach focuses on dynamic, high-resolution studies of immune system changes, offering novel insights beyond static observations.

Where this research is happening

Boston, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.