# Mechanistic interrogation of the role of Type I IFN pathway in protection from SARS-CoV-2 infection in nonhuman primates

> **NIH NIH P51** · TEXAS BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE · 2022 · $499,999

## Abstract

Summary
While Type I IFN responses are a critical anti-viral mechanism, there is a lack of clarity about their role in
protecting against or driving severity to COVID-19. In our NHP model of SARS-CoV-2 infection, (RMs) mounted
a strong Type I IFN response. Dynamic changes to these robust levels of Type I IFN cytokines correlate strongly
with the increase and the decrease in lung compartment viral loads, suggesting that there is a strong early role
for this signaling in the control of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Recently, the NHP Reagent Resource funded by the NIH developed a simianized version of a Type I IFN
depleting antibody (anifrolumab), which functions well, and which we have validated. We therefore propose to
perform mechanistic experiments where the progression of viral infection, disease parameters, and cytokine
responses will be compared SARS-CoV-2 infected RMs (n=6, Group 1), with those treated with Type I IFN
inhibiting antibody from NHPRR (n=6; Group 2) and those treated with recombinant IFN molecule (n=6, Group
3). We will compare viral replication, lung pathology and pneumonia and cytokine levels in the three groups of
rhesus macaques. Using these experiments, we will be able to definitively address if silencing Type I IFN
signaling at the time of infection result in more SARS-CoV-2 replication and progression to COVID-19.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10597472
- **Project number:** 3P51OD011133-24S5
- **Recipient organization:** TEXAS BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE
- **Principal Investigator:** Larry S. Schlesinger
- **Activity code:** P51 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $499,999
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 1999-06-06 → 2026-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10597472

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10597472, Mechanistic interrogation of the role of Type I IFN pathway in protection from SARS-CoV-2 infection in nonhuman primates (3P51OD011133-24S5). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10597472. Licensed CC0.

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