# Sex and Age Differences in Immunity to Influenza (SADII)

> **NIH NIH U54** · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $39,734

## Abstract

Summary of funded parent award: Sex and Age Differences in Immunity to Influenza
Despite the availability of 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 per
year 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) Specialized Center of Research Excellence (SCORE)
leverages the internationally recognized research, resources, and educational opportunities at Johns Hopkins
University to transform women’s health and impact policy decisions about influenza vaccine programs,
including universal influenza vaccines. The overarching hypothesis of the SADII SCORE Research Projects is
that female-biased, vaccine-induced immunity to influenza viruses is age-dependent and reflects both
hormonal, genetic, and social differences between the sexes that impact immune responses (i.e., both effector
and memory) to influenza vaccine antigens and outcomes. SADII brings 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 statistical models and qualitative
research. By using the combined expertise in our research groups, SADII is uniquely positioned to identify the
basis behind sex, age, and gender 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 and gender 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:** 10261763
- **Project number:** 3U54AG062333-03S2
- **Recipient organization:** JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** SABRA L. KLEIN
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $39,734
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2018-09-30 → 2023-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10261763

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10261763, Sex and Age Differences in Immunity to Influenza (SADII) (3U54AG062333-03S2). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10261763. Licensed CC0.

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