Restoring youthful flu vaccine responses in older adults
Identification of Metabolic and Immune Deficits in the Aged Population and Their Restoration to Achieve Youthful Anti-Influenza Vaccine Responsiveness
This project works to bring back younger-style immune responses to seasonal flu vaccines in adults, especially people 65 and older, by studying immune cells and their metabolism.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dana-Farber Cancer Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11226587 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We compare immune responses in younger and older adults before and after seasonal flu vaccination by collecting blood samples and analyzing specific immune cells called T follicular helper, T follicular regulatory, and B cells. The team examines cellular metabolism, including mitochondrial function and one-carbon metabolism, to see how these pathways change with age. Laboratory 'rescue' experiments on cells from participants will test whether fixing metabolic defects can restore stronger antibody responses. Findings are intended to point toward new vaccine ingredients, adjuvants, or drugs that could help vaccines work better in older people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are adults willing to receive the seasonal influenza vaccine and provide blood samples before and after vaccination, especially people age 65 and older and a comparison group of younger adults.
Not a fit: People who are not getting a seasonal flu vaccine, are younger than the study's lower age limit, or have medical conditions that prevent blood draws or participation in vaccine-related studies may not directly benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to vaccines, adjuvants, or treatments that help older adults make stronger protective antibodies against influenza.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research has shown some ways to boost vaccine responses in older adults, but combining detailed immune-cell subset analysis with metabolic rescue experiments is a relatively new and experimental approach.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Dana-Farber Cancer Inst — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Marasco, Wayne a. — Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
- Study coordinator: Marasco, Wayne 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.