Generation of robust resident memory T cells in barrier tissues through skin vaccination

NIH RePORTER · NIH · R01 · $443,750 · view on reporter.nih.gov ↗

Abstract

SUMMARY COVID 19, the lower respiratory disease caused by the 2019 nCov virus, is the latest betacoronavirus to cause epidemic disease in humans. Previously, SARS and MERS, both cause by related viruses, emerged and fell dormant as epidemics. Betacoronaviruses use homologous “Spike” proteins to bind mammalian cells for entry and infection, and most vaccines are being built to generate neutralizing antibodies to the unique 2019 nCov Spike protein. In contrast, we are trying to create a “universal” betacoronavirus vaccine base on T cell immunity, using proteins conserved between all known coronaviruses as immunogens. These proteins, expressed by MVA vectors and delivered by epidermal disruption, should provide broad and durable pulmonary immunity to past, present, and future betacoronavirus threats.

Key facts

NIH application ID
10408492
Project number
3R01AI127654-05S1
Recipient
BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL
Principal Investigator
Rachael Ann Clark
Activity code
R01
Funding institute
NIH
Fiscal year
2021
Award amount
$443,750
Award type
3
Project period
2021-06-07 → 2022-11-30