Identifying harmful aging cells that affect COVID-19 outcomes
Official title: Identification of senescent cell types
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-11053495 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how old cells in our bodies might make it harder for older adults to fight off infections like COVID-19, and it hopes to find ways to help improve health for seniors during these tough times.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | March 11, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $535,846 |
| NIH project number | 5P01AI172501-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11053495 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults, particularly those with underlying health conditions that may increase their risk during viral infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are younger and do not have age-related health issues may not benefit directly from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how senescent cells, which accumulate with age, contribute to severe health issues in older adults, particularly during COVID-19 infections. The study aims to understand the role of these cells and their inflammatory secretions in worsening immune responses and increasing the risk of complications like acute respiratory distress syndrome. Using a novel experimental model, researchers will expose mice to community-acquired infections to observe the effects of aging on immune response and mortality. The findings could lead to new strategies for improving health outcomes in elderly patients during viral infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to targeted therapies that reduce the impact of aging on immune response, improving survival rates for older patients during infections like COVID-19.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown that targeting senescent cells can improve health outcomes in age-related conditions, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Niedernhofer, Laura Jane — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Niedernhofer, Laura Jane
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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.