How the mouth and upper airway start immune defenses against COVID-19
Initiation of immune responses to SARS COV2 in the oral cavity and upper airway
This work looks at how the mouth and nasal passages trigger the body's early immune response to SARS-CoV-2 in people with COVID-19.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tulane University of Louisiana NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Orleans, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11307064 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will collect nasal and oral samples from people with COVID-19 and use single-cell gene profiling to see which cells the virus infects and how each cell responds. They will compare antiviral responses in directly infected cells and nearby bystander cells and link those responses to how sick people become. The team will study multiple mouth sites, including the gums, to understand sites that may drive inflammation or viral persistence. Findings will be compared across a diverse group of participants to identify patterns tied to worse outcomes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with recent SARS-CoV-2 infection or early COVID-19 symptoms who can provide nasal and oral samples and attend visits at the study site.
Not a fit: People who are not infected with SARS-CoV-2 or those with very late-stage, multi-system COVID-19 are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to ways to strengthen early antiviral defenses in the nose and mouth to reduce the risk of severe COVID-19.
How similar studies have performed: Prior nasal single-cell studies have shown that weaker early antiviral responses in the nose link to worse outcomes, while focused study of the oral cavity is more novel.
Where this research is happening
New Orleans, United States
- Tulane University of Louisiana — New Orleans, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Glover, Sarah C — Tulane University of Louisiana
- Study coordinator: Glover, Sarah C
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.