Understanding how viruses interact with human cells and hormones during respiratory infections
Official title: Leveraging Pathogen-Host Networks to Identify Virus-specific and Estradiol-regulated Mechanisms during Respiratory Infection
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10863893 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how viruses like the flu and COVID-19 affect our cells and how the hormone estradiol, which is important for women, might change those effects, helping us understand why women might respond differently to these infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | June 9, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $194,425 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI174080-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10863893 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women who have experienced respiratory infections, particularly those with a history of influenza or COVID-19.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not female or those who do not have a history of respiratory infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how respiratory viruses, like influenza and SARS-CoV-2, interact with human cells and how the hormone estradiol affects these interactions. By using advanced bioinformatics algorithms and existing datasets, the study aims to uncover new pathways that viruses exploit to replicate and alter immune responses, particularly in women. The research will analyze gene expression data from nasal cells of female donors treated with estradiol to identify specific mechanisms involved in viral infections. This approach could lead to a better understanding of sex-specific responses to respiratory infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments and preventive strategies for respiratory infections, particularly for women who may be more vulnerable.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding virus-host interactions, but this specific approach using dynamic network analysis is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shoemaker, Jason Edward — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Shoemaker, Jason Edward
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.