# Elucidating the role of nasopharyngeal microbiome in Respiratory Syncytial Virus associated diseases in children

> **NIH NIH R21** · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · 2021 · $212,500

## Abstract

SUMMARY
Early-life changes in the respiratory microbiome appear to have a substantial impact on the risk of developing
respiratory morbidity, including infant infections and recurrent wheezing illnesses. There are currently no primary
preventive strategies for these disorders. Acute respiratory illnesses (ARIs) during infancy, particularly with
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) are a well-known risk factor for childhood asthma. Our preliminary data
suggests that presence of Lactobacillus and Staphylococcus in nasopharynx during acute RSV infection is
associated to be protective for the year 2 wheezing outcomes, although the mechanisms behind these
associations remain largely unknown. Understanding these relationships could lead to the development of
primary prevention strategies for the development of childhood asthma. Our hypothesis is that specific
function(s) of URT microbiome community, and their interactions modulate host immune responses
during and following RSV ARI, subsequently protecting against development of recurrent wheeze and
childhood asthma. To address our hypotheses, in Aim 1, we plan to use metagenomic sequencing to
characterize URT microbiome community at species level in existing nasal wash samples from a birth cohort in
which first infant RSV infection is captured, and recurrent wheezing illnesses are assessed annually. In Aim 2,
we will perform metatranscriptomic analysis to understand mechanism of Lactobacillus and other URT
microbiome (e.g., Staphylococcus) mediated protection of RSV mediated wheezing through transcriptome-
based analysis of molecular pathways. The proposed investigation will be the first study to use metagenomic
and metatranscriptomic sequencing to describe the early-life microbiome (during RSV infection) and to study its
interactions with the development of childhood asthma. Results from this project could lead to the future
development of primary prevention strategies to reduce acute infant respiratory morbidity and subsequent
childhood asthma. Further, this study will establish a strong basis for clinical trials to use specific bacteria species
(e.g., Lactobacillus spp. or a combination of Lactobacillus spp.) as an immunobiotic intervention to ameliorate
RSV mediated early-life acute and chronic respiratory outcomes.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10200667
- **Project number:** 5R21AI149262-02
- **Recipient organization:** VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Suman Ranjan Das
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $212,500
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-06-23 → 2023-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10200667

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10200667, Elucidating the role of nasopharyngeal microbiome in Respiratory Syncytial Virus associated diseases in children (5R21AI149262-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10200667. Licensed CC0.

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