# Multi-dimensional comparison of differentially pathogenic coronaviruses (CoV) in human lung tissue

> **NIH NIH R21** · ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI · 2022 · $211,250

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY:
SARS-CoV-2 is a novel coronavirus and the cause of the current global pandemic. This outbreak started in
December of 2019 and has now spread over the entire world. SARS-CoV-2 is a respiratory pathogen that
causes COVID-19, which has been the cause of more than 2.6 million deaths worldwide, with over 538,000
deaths in the US alone as of March 2021. The primary pathology caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection in humans
is in the lungs. In this proposal, we seek to study the early events following coronavirus infection by infecting
human lung tissue ex vivo. In order to understand the mechanism by which SARS-CoV-2 causes such severe
disease outcomes, we will compare two coronavirus strains, SARS-CoV-2 (which is highly pathogenic) and
NL63 (which is mildly pathogenic) in humans. In Aim 1, we will identify differences in viral replication kinetics,
infected cell types, and the inflammatory response. In Aim 2, we will characterize the host response to infection
using mass spectrometry-based proteomics. Understanding these complex virus:host components in a human
system and how these differ between coronaviruses will lead to new hypotheses for in vivo susceptibility and
identify new drug targets for therapeutic development.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10495237
- **Project number:** 5R21AI164043-02
- **Recipient organization:** ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI
- **Principal Investigator:** Jeffrey R Johnson
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $211,250
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-09-24 → 2023-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10495237

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10495237, Multi-dimensional comparison of differentially pathogenic coronaviruses (CoV) in human lung tissue (5R21AI164043-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10495237. Licensed CC0.

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