# Memory CD8 T cell localization and protection from influenza

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF IOWA · 2022 · $460,263

## Abstract

Influenza infection is a recurring public health burden and our current strategies of seasonal influenza
vaccination provide suboptimal protection. Thus, it is critical to provide basic, mechanistic insights into the
possibility of universal influenza vaccines and much work is devoted to strategies to induce broadly
neutralizing antibodies. However, in the absence of neutralizing antibodies, the presence of IAV-specific
memory CD8 T cells targeting conserved viral proteins such as NP or M2, which are maintained
systemically as well as in the lung correlate with control of viral titers and reduction of disease symptoms in
humans. Mouse models suggest it is the lung resident memory CD8 T cells (Trm) that enable swift and
robust protection against IAV infection. Thus, establishing a robust long-term Trm population in the lung may
be an important goal for an IAV vaccine with broad coverage. Recent evidence from our laboratories shows
that repetitive encounter with influenza infection to generate quaternary (4M) memory in the lung profoundly
improves the durability of lung Trm and heterosubtypic immunity compared to primary (1M) memory Trm.
Our long-term goal is to understand the biology of IAV-induced Trm and how these cells can be
manipulated to enhance immunity to aid in development of universal influenza vaccines. We will address
this long-term goal with the following specific aims:
Specific Aim 1. Determine the mechanisms underlying improved durability of 4M vs 1M IAV-specific lung
Trm
Specific Aim 2. Determine if IAV-specific 4M lung Trm provide better per cell protection than 1M lung Trm
Specific Aim 3. Dissect the role of 4M vs 1M IAV-specific CD69+CD103+ LN populations

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10317045
- **Project number:** 5R01AI114543-08
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
- **Principal Investigator:** VLADIMIR P BADOVINAC
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $460,263
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2014-11-01 → 2024-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10317045

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10317045, Memory CD8 T cell localization and protection from influenza (5R01AI114543-08). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10317045. Licensed CC0.

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