How the protein SAMHD1 changes the immune response to COVID-19
Official title: SAMHD1-mediated regulation of innate immunity during SARS-CoV-2 infection
Funded at University of Iowa · NIH-11230255 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how a protein called SAMHD1 alters immune reactions in lung and immune cells during SARS‑CoV‑2 infection to better understand COVID‑19, especially in older adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Iowa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project start | November 12, 2024 |
| Project end | October 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $233,250 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI181742-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11230255 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants would be adults who have had COVID‑19 or are willing to donate respiratory or blood samples for laboratory research, particularly older adults.
✕Less likely to help
People seeking an immediate treatment or those without COVID‑19 are unlikely to get direct personal benefit from this laboratory-focused project.
What this research studies
Researchers will study human lung epithelial cells and immune cells (like macrophages) to see how SAMHD1 activity and phosphorylation change after SARS‑CoV‑2 exposure. They will use lab-grown primary airway cultures and cell lines, measure viral replication and inflammatory signaling, and map interactions between SAMHD1 and key immune proteins. Some experiments use human-derived samples, so findings aim to reflect real human responses rather than animal-only results. The team plans molecular and biochemical methods to identify whether modifying SAMHD1 could reduce virus levels or harmful inflammation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to limit SARS‑CoV‑2 replication or reduce damaging inflammation in people with COVID‑19.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows SAMHD1 affects antiviral responses in other viral infections, but applying those findings specifically to SARS‑CoV‑2 is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Iowa
Iowa City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wu, Li — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Wu, Li
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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.