# Immune Cells and Secretory Pathways Leading to Human Systemic Autoimmunity

> **NIH NIH U19** · WEILL MEDICAL COLL OF CORNELL UNIV · 2020 · $2,419,315

## Abstract

Abstract
As the COVID-19 pandemic was considered to have a limited impact in children, a severe multi-inflammatory
syndrome that specifically affects children (MIS-C) has recently emerged. MIS-C phenotypes include a
combination of typical/atypical Kawasaki disease (KD) and toxic shock syndrome. Unlike adults with COVID-19,
however, most children display gastrointestinal symptoms but fail to present significant respiratory involvement.
A subset of patients develops coronary artery aneurysms, as seen in KD. Importantly, while a large body of
studies on adult responses to SARS-CoV-2 is being reported, knowledge gaps about the immune responses to
SARS-CoV-2 in children remain disproportionally large.
 We hypothesize that a comprehensive systems analysis approach that incorporates high-resolution
immunologic assays is required to efficiently identify the most relevant immune factors that contribute
to the pathogenesis of COVID-19 related-MIS-C and to determine its subsequent outcomes. For these
reasons, we have assembled an experienced multidisciplinary team to study COVID-19 related MIS-C. We will
leverage expertise in pediatric clinical research together with application of high-resolution multi-omics and
analytical tools to characterize the immune system dysregulation underlying MIS-C. Towards this end, we will
examine longitudinal samples and will compare the results with those of matched healthy controls with and
without previous exposure to SARS-CoV-2. This study offers a unique opportunity to carefully dissect the
contributions of the different components of the immune system to the most severe form of SARS-CoV-
2 responses in children.
 Our specific Aims are 1) to define the clinical variables and risk factors associated with MIS-C and
establish a longitudinal sample biorepository, 2) to identify innate immunity parameters associated with
SARS-CoV-2 infection-related MIS-C, and 3) to characterize specific anti-SARS-CoV2 adaptive immune
responses in patients with MIS-C.
This proposal will address major knowledge gaps in MIS-C pathogenesis in children. Completion of the project
goals will lead to better understanding of dysregulated immune pathways and to the identification of novel
biomarkers and therapeutic targets for this new syndrome.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10209399
- **Project number:** 3U19AI144301-02S1
- **Recipient organization:** WEILL MEDICAL COLL OF CORNELL UNIV
- **Principal Investigator:** Maria Virginia Pascual
- **Activity code:** U19 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $2,419,315
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2020-08-25 → 2022-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10209399

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10209399, Immune Cells and Secretory Pathways Leading to Human Systemic Autoimmunity (3U19AI144301-02S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10209399. Licensed CC0.

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