# Role of Diabetes in MERS Coronavirus Pathogenesis

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE · 2020 · $609,387

## Abstract

Project summary:
Here we seek to identify the role of diabetes in Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus
(MERS-CoV) pathogenesis. MERS-CoV emerged in 2012 in Saudi Arabia leading to over 2200
infections with a ~35% case fatality rate. The majority of lethal MERS-CoV infections are associated
with a comorbidity, with diabetes as the top comorbidity. We have found that MERS-CoV
pathogenesis is exacerbated in a mouse with pre-existing diabetes. We will determine the
mechanism for this enhanced disease by determining the role of the changes in lung architecture,
and immune response. In Aim1 we will determine whether accessibility of the Type 2 alveolar cells,
the target cells for MERS-CoV in the alveoli, is increased in diabetic mice compared to normal mice.
Our data suggests that at the earliest points of infection, the alveoli are highly susceptible to MERS-
CoV but normal mouse Type 2 alveolar cells are not. We will evaluate the mucus and architecture of
the lungs to determine if there is a difference that could explain the differential infection. In Aim 2, we
will determine if the immune response in diabetic mice is different than normal mice. A difference in
the immune response, especially innate immune response, could explain the susceptibility differences
in diabetic and normal mice. In Aim 3 we will determine whether therapeutics that are effective in
normal mice are deficient in diabetic mice with the goal of altering those therapeutics in the future for
more effective therapies for comorbid patients. Together this proposal will determine why diabetic
mice and potentially humans are highly susceptible to MERS-CoV.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10049036
- **Project number:** 1R01AI148166-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE
- **Principal Investigator:** Matthew Bryan Frieman
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $609,387
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-06-16 → 2024-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10049036

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10049036, Role of Diabetes in MERS Coronavirus Pathogenesis (1R01AI148166-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10049036. Licensed CC0.

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