# T cell modulation of COVID-19 disease

> **NIH NIH R21** · TULANE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA · 2021 · $255,000

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
The novel coronavirus that emerged in late 2019, termed SARS-CoV-2, quickly spread throughout the world
and has, to date, infected millions and killed hundreds of thousands. This virus is shockingly complex in that
the majority of infected individuals show few overt symptoms (though some data suggest they may have
lasting damage nonetheless) but are largely healthy. In contrast, a small fraction of infected individuals exhibit
a range of serious symptoms including pneumonia, acute respiratory distress, clotting disorders, and even
death. The mechanisms that underly mild versus severe symptoms are not fully understood but immune
mechanisms appear to play a role. Thus, we need to understand the roles of particular immune cells in order to
understand the disease and properly treat it. Of particular interest is the role of CD8 T cells (CTL) in disease
outcome. In this project we will use the rhesus macaque model of SARS-CoV-2 infection to assess the
importance of CTL and other CD8+ cells in disease. In aim 1, we will deplete animals of all cells that express
the CD8a molecule, including CTL and NK cells, and assess their ability to clear the virus. In aim 2, we will
target only CTL for depletion and likewise assess their importance. In aim 3, we will use cells in the lab to
assess how CTL interact with virus infected cells. Together, this project will comprehensively assess the
importance of CTL in COVID-19 disease or protection from it.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10239822
- **Project number:** 1R21AI161567-01
- **Recipient organization:** TULANE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
- **Principal Investigator:** Nicholas James Maness
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $255,000
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-09-20 → 2023-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10239822

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10239822, T cell modulation of COVID-19 disease (1R21AI161567-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-11 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10239822. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*