# Sex and Age Differences in Immunity to Influenza (SADII) - Sex/Gender Influences Supplement

> **NIH NIH U54** · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $163,750

## Abstract

SEX AND AGE DIFFERENCES IN IMMUNITY TO INFLUENZA (SADII) SUMMARY
The NIH Office of Research on Women’s Health (ORWH) should support a Specialized Center of Research
Excellence (SCORE) on sex differences in influenza immunity because despite having antivirals and vaccines,
influenza remains a significant public health threat, causing approximately 100,000 hospitalizations, 30,000
deaths, and approximately $7 billion in lost productivity in the United States, alone. Sex and age are emerging
as two host variables that significantly impact the pathogenesis of influenza virus infection and responses to
influenza vaccines. The Sex and Age Differences in Immunity to Influenza (SADII, pronounced sādē) SCORE
will leverage the internationally recognized research, resources, and educational opportunities at Johns
Hopkins University to transform women’s health and impact the development of and policy decisions about
influenza vaccine programs, including universal influenza vaccines. The overarching hypothesis being tested
through the SADII SCORE Research Projects is that female-biased vaccine-induced immunity to influenza
viruses is age-dependent and reflects both hormonal and genetic differences between the sexes that impact
immune responses (i.e., both effector and memory) to influenza vaccine antigens. SADII will bring together
investigators focused on 1) seasonal influenza vaccination in an existing age and sex stratified human
population; 2) animal models that can test hypotheses and mechanisms of action that are inferred from studies
in human populations; and 3) the contributions of age, frailty, sex, and gender to vaccine outcomes using
quantitative and qualitative statistical models. By using the combined expertise in our research groups, SADII
is uniquely positioned to identify the biological basis behind sex and age differences in immune responses to
influenza vaccination and disseminate those findings to the broader research, clinical, and public health
communities. The overarching mission of the SADII SCORE will be achieved through the following Specific
Aims: 1) To provide leadership and oversight of the SADII SCORE and collaboration with other entities at
Johns Hopkins and elsewhere to develop a translational research program focused on sex and age differences
in immunology and infectious diseases; 2) To systematically evaluate sex differences in vaccine-induced
immune responses across the life course using translational approaches involving human studies and
mechanistic animal models; and 3) To meet the career enhancement needs of diverse translational scientists
studying sex differences at Johns Hopkins and beyond. We are prepared to transform women’s health, sex,
and gender research into a signature initiative at Johns Hopkins and in the fields of microbiology and
immunology.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10093232
- **Project number:** 3U54AG062333-03S1
- **Recipient organization:** JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** SABRA L. KLEIN
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $163,750
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2018-09-30 → 2023-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10093232

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10093232, Sex and Age Differences in Immunity to Influenza (SADII) - Sex/Gender Influences Supplement (3U54AG062333-03S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10093232. Licensed CC0.

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