Role of surfactant protein A variant and sex in neonatal RSV infection
Official title: The role of surfactant protein-A genetic variant and sex in pathogenesis of neonatal respiratory syncytial virus infection
Funded at Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr · NIH-11389409 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A 5-year program to understand why certain genetic variants and being male make newborns more vulnerable to RSV, with training to become an independent researcher.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hershey, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $173,881 |
| NIH project number | 5K08HL169727-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11389409 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Newborns and young children at risk for severe RSV, particularly those with SP-A genetic variants.
✕Less likely to help
Children without the SP-A variant or those not affected by neonatal RSV may see indirect benefits through broader knowledge gains.
What this research studies
This grant supports Dr. Gandhi's transition to an independent investigator studying how innate lung defenses respond to RSV in newborns. The project uses a humanized neonatal mouse model carrying a SP-A variant to explore how genetics and sex affect the SP-A/SP-R210 pathway in RSV infection. It combines basic science with translational aims to uncover mechanisms that could guide future therapies or vaccines. The plan includes training activities to build expertise in lung immunity and host defense relevant to pediatric respiratory infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could lead to targeted strategies to reduce RSV severity in newborns, especially those with specific SP-A variants.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests SP-A variants and male sex influence RSV severity, supporting this line of investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
Hershey, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gandhi, Chintan K — Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Gandhi, Chintan K
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.