Where antibody-making cells live and how long they last in the nose
Defining mucosal plasma cell origin, residence, and longevity in the upper airway
Researchers are looking at how antibody-making cells live and persist in the upper airway and olfactory tissues to help protect people from infections like COVID-19.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11233303 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project maps antibody-secreting plasma cells that sit inside the nasal and olfactory tissues and are needed to block infections of the sense of smell. The team will determine when these local plasma cells take up residence, where exactly they live within the olfactory tissue, and how long they survive compared with antibody-producing cells in the bone marrow. They will use tissue analyses and cellular tracking methods to locate and characterize these cells and their antibody output. The goal is to understand why blood antibodies often fail to protect the olfactory mucosa so vaccines can be improved to give better local protection.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people willing to provide nasal or olfactory tissue samples or nasal swabs, including those with recent upper respiratory infections such as COVID-19.
Not a fit: People with conditions unrelated to the upper airway or who cannot provide nasal samples are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could guide vaccines or therapies that create long-lasting antibody protection inside the nose and prevent reinfection and smell loss.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work shows blood antibodies often fail to protect the olfactory mucosa and that local plasma cells are necessary, but detailed timing, location, and longevity of these cells remain largely untested.
Where this research is happening
Durham, United States
- Duke University — Durham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Moseman, E. Ashley — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Moseman, E. Ashley
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.