# Innate Lymphoid Cell Aging

> **NIH NIH R01** · RBHS-ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON MEDICAL SCHOOL · 2021 · $223,755

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Under this administrative supplement, we propose to examine impact of innate lymphoid cell
aging on the disease outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection, by adding COVID-19 to the parent
study which examines the innate lymphoid cell aging during influenza infection. The aged
population is particularly susceptible to COVID-19. It is estimated that more than 80% of
individuals who have died from COVID-19 in the U.S. are elderly individuals ≥ 65 years old. The
underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Aging is associated drastic and complicated changes in
the immune system. Aging is associated drastic and complicated changes in the immune
system. The mucosal barrier sites harbor unique subsets of innate and innate-like lymphocytes
implicated in host defense, tissue homeostasis, and tissue repair. Our published and preliminary
data indicate that the long-lived lung-resident innate/innate-like lymphocytes, such as ILC2 and
MAIT cells, undergo tremendous changes with aging. We hypothesize that impaired function of
mature lung ILC2 underpins tissue damage and inflammation observed during SARS-CoV-2
infection with aging, and that boosting the activity of ILC2 will increase host resistance and
tolerance to severe COVID-19 in the elderly individuals. We have recently established a mouse
model of SARS-CoV-2 infection in aged mice. We will further characterize this mouse model,
and will use this model to test whether enhancing ILC2 activity will increase host resistance and
tolerance resistance to COVID-19 in aged mice. We have available for this study a CDC
approved full functioning ABSL3 lab. This supplement will directly address multiple objectives
related to the goals outlined in the COVID-19 notice of special interest. This supplement will
develop aged animal models suitable for studies on pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 infection in
the aging context. The proposal experiments will also elucidate how cellular and molecular
mechanisms of aging impact the treatment, recovery, and repair of tissue and organ systems
during SARS-CoV-2 infection.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10531485
- **Project number:** 7R01AG057782-06
- **Recipient organization:** RBHS-ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON MEDICAL SCHOOL
- **Principal Investigator:** Qi yang
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $223,755
- **Award type:** 7
- **Project period:** 2021-09-30 → 2023-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10531485

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10531485, Innate Lymphoid Cell Aging (7R01AG057782-06). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10531485. Licensed CC0.

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