Targeted IL-2 to reduce lung inflammation and boost immunity in severe flu
Official title: Harnessing targeted IL-2 to reduce immunopathology and enhance immunity against respiratory virus infection
Funded at University of Central Florida · NIH-11160543 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A targeted form of the immune protein IL-2 is being developed to calm dangerous lung inflammation and strengthen immunity for people with severe influenza and related respiratory virus infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Central Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Orlando, United States) |
| Project start | September 22, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $380,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI165406-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11160543 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People hospitalized with severe influenza or at high risk of ARDS from respiratory viruses, especially those with strong inflammatory responses, would be the most likely candidates for related future trials.
✕Less likely to help
People with mild or early flu, non-viral respiratory illnesses, or those with medical reasons to avoid immune-modulating treatments are unlikely to benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
From your perspective, this project is developing a targeted form of the immune protein IL-2 to calm dangerous lung inflammation while boosting antiviral defenses. The researchers will test this approach in laboratory and animal models of influenza to see if it reduces lung damage, prevents cytokine storms, and improves antibody responses, including when given later in infection. They will also look at whether the IL-2 approach can be used alongside vaccines to broaden and strengthen flu immunity. Results will help determine whether this therapy should move into future human safety and effectiveness studies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce life-threatening lung inflammation in severe flu and improve recovery and vaccine protection.
How similar studies have gone: Targeted or low-dose IL-2 therapies have shown promise in other conditions and laboratory studies, but using IL-2 to both limit lung inflammation and boost antiviral immunity in severe flu is a relatively new application.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Central Florida
Orlando, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Strutt, Tara Marlene — University of Central Florida
- Study coordinator: Strutt, Tara Marlene
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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.