Understanding how Seoul hantavirus avoids immune defenses
Mapping the virus-host interactions that determine interferon resistance of Seoul orthohantavirus
This project aims to understand how a specific hantavirus, called Seoul virus, manages to hide from the body's natural immune response in both animals and people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Albuquerque, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11161377 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Hantaviruses can cause serious illness in people, leading to severe inflammation in blood vessels. These viruses are usually carried by rodents without making them sick, partly because the virus can suppress the animal's immune system. This work looks closely at how the Seoul hantavirus specifically resists the body's first line of defense, called interferon, in cells from both rats and humans. By comparing how the virus behaves in different cell types, we hope to uncover the specific ways it avoids being detected and eliminated.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research does not directly involve patient participation but focuses on understanding the mechanisms of hantavirus infection relevant to those at risk of or suffering from hantavirus disease.
Not a fit: Patients not affected by hantavirus infections would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to prevent or treat severe hantavirus infections by targeting the virus's ability to evade the immune system.
How similar studies have performed: While the general concept of viral immune evasion is well-established, this specific investigation into Seoul hantavirus's interferon resistance mechanisms in different host cells represents a novel and targeted approach.
Where this research is happening
Albuquerque, United States
- University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr — Albuquerque, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kell, Alison — University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr
- Study coordinator: Kell, Alison
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.