# Development of lung T cell responses in infant respiratory immunity

> **NIH NIH U01** · COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES · 2021 · $741,976

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 has resulted in a worldwide pandemic. Infection with SARS-CoV-2 causes a
spectrum of disease symptoms ranging from asymptomatic and mild/self-limited disease, to severe disease
associated with significant lung damage and high levels of morbidity and mortality. As all individuals are
immunologically naïve to this virus and there are currently no targeted treatments or vaccines against SARS-
CoV-2, protection and recovery depend on our own immune responses and supportive clinical care. Initially,
children experienced largely asymptomatic or mild disease with severe disease resulting in significant lung
injury a rare occurrence. However, a new multisystem inflammatory disorder in children (MIS-C) related to
SARS-CoV-2 has emerged as a late complication of infection. Children with MIS-C commonly present with
cardiac dysfunction and shock, most closely resembling Kawasaki disease and toxic shock syndrome.
Importantly, some children presenting with MIS-C have been reported to develop coronary artery aneurysms, a
finding common to Kawasaki disease. The significant amount of mild/self-limited disease in children contrasted
with the excessive inflammation associated with SARS-CoV-2 suggests distinct immune responses.
Additionally, the long-term implications, particularly to the cardiovascular system, of early life infection with
SARS-CoV-2 remain unknown. We hypothesize that these distinct clinical manifestations in children, including
lack of symptomatic respiratory infection to SARS-Cov-2 is due to a robust and enhanced T cell response. The
aims of this proposal are to 1) Establish pediatric patient cohorts for comparing outcomes and immune
responses across the spectrum of pediatric COVID-19 disease, 2) Define the pediatric immune response to
SARS-CoV-2 and how it differs across the clinical spectrum of disease, and 3) Define the incidence of and
patient characteristics associated with sustained adverse cardiac outcomes for children with MIS-C and
pediatric COVID-19. This project proposes to provide new insights into the pediatric immune and long-term
complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection by employing a multi-disciplinary approach utilizing a team of
investigators including immunologists, pediatricians, and pediatric subspecialists (cardiology/critical care
medicine). These studies will provide invaluable insight that will help guide future decision making for treatment
and preventative strategies for children.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10221314
- **Project number:** 3U01AI100119-09S1
- **Recipient organization:** COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES
- **Principal Investigator:** Donna L. Farber
- **Activity code:** U01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $741,976
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2020-12-03 → 2022-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10221314

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10221314, Development of lung T cell responses in infant respiratory immunity (3U01AI100119-09S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10221314. Licensed CC0.

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