# Nasal RNA response to respiratory viral infections

> **NIH NIH R21** · UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO · 2023 · $207,875

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Respiratory viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 and influenza are common pathogens that cause seasonal illness and
can reach pandemic proportions. The early human response to these viruses are in the nasal cavity and
nasopharyngeal regions. Defining biomarkers of disease trajectory is important for opting for treatment and
monitoring decisions. We hypothesize that the nasopharyngeal tRNA profiles can be used to predict symptom
severity resulting from respiratory virus infection. We will apply our newly developed RNA sequencing technology
to explore the human molecular signatures and factors that contribute to disease trajectory. These profiles can
include the host tRNA composition, fragmentation patterns, and epitranscriptomic modification in the upper
respiratory tract. Aim 1 will perform tRNA sequencing of nasopharyngeal samples to identify infection signatures
of host tRNA using banked nasopharyngeal swabs with documented SARS-CoV-2, influenza A, and influenza B
infections. Together with known patient outcomes, we will dissect tRNA signatures in nasopharyngeal swabs
and map the relationship between nasal tRNA profiles and viral infection severity. Since the nasopharyngeal
region is highly populated with immune cells, including secret RNases to counter viral infections, we will quantify
the ribonuclease activity and associate these results with tRNA signatures. Aim 2 will develop qPCR assays of
tRNA-based biomarkers. We developed an algorithm that optimizes primer design for nasopharyngeal samples
based on tRNA sequencing results. Our approach also detects changes in tRNA modification fractions. We will
further develop this assay to enable its implementation to nasopharyngeal swab samples for rapid, routine and
economic tRNA biomarker analysis. These results will expand our insights on how human tRNA profiles can be
biomarkers for the pathology of respiratory viruses in general.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10598579
- **Project number:** 5R21AI169280-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
- **Principal Investigator:** TAO PAN
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $207,875
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-04-01 → 2024-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10598579

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10598579, Nasal RNA response to respiratory viral infections (5R21AI169280-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10598579. Licensed CC0.

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