# Monkey Alcohol Tissue Research Resource (MATRR)

> **NIH NIH R24** · OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $52,056

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19, is responsible for a continuing pandemic with over 2 million
infected individuals and 115,000 deaths in the US as of June 11, 2020 with cases still rising. Similar to the
respiratory diseases caused by the SARS and MERS coronaviruses, COVID-19 is characterized by fatigue,
cough, fever, sputum production, dyspnea, and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). ARDS is the
result of excessive lung inflammation causing the accumulation of fluid and inflammatory cell debris and
leading to decreased gas exchange and oxygen levels, and eventual multi-organ failure. The leading
hypothesis for the molecular basis of SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis is that an aberrant induction of pro-
inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and soluble mediators lead to a debilitating cytokine storm that in turn
results in severe lung tissue damage (3-6). Current studies suggest a major role for myeloid cell subsets in the
development of the cytokine storm, but the precise roles of pro-inflammatory alveolar monocytes and
macrophages have not been thoroughly examined and animal or human subject studies. SARS-CoV-2
disruption to daily routines and social settings have led to increased sales and consumption of alcoholic
beverages. As chronic heavy alcohol consumption compromises lung health and immunity leading to increased
susceptibility to both bacterial and viral pulmonary infections, and is a risk factor for ARDS. Thus, chronic
heavy alcohol drinking could increase the chances of COVID-19 infection and exacerbate the disease course.
However, there are no longitudinal studies in controlled populations that provide both precise measures of lung
function with exact measures of alcohol consumption in human subjects. In this proposal we will obtain a
pulmonary functional test (PFT), a clinical diagnostic of lung infection (CT) and alveolar macrophages to the
R24 AA01943 Monkey Alcohol Tissue Research Resource (MATRR). This added capacity will be a resource
for investigators to understand
19
the potentially complex relationships between alcohol consumption and COVID-
related-outcomes and to enhance the nation's response to the current pandemic.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10430303
- **Project number:** 3R24AA019431-12S1
- **Recipient organization:** OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Erich Baker
- **Activity code:** R24 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $52,056
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2010-09-20 → 2025-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10430303

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10430303, Monkey Alcohol Tissue Research Resource (MATRR) (3R24AA019431-12S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10430303. Licensed CC0.

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