# Role of preexisting immunity on airborne transmission of influenza viruses

> **NIH NIH R01** · EMORY UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $623,724

## Abstract

SUMMARY: Role of Pre-existing Immunity on Airborne
Transmission of Influenza A Viruses
Influenza viruses pose a major public health threat through both seasonal epidemics and sporadic
pandemics. The epidemiological success of influenza viruses relies on its ability to spread
efficiently through the air and navigate three distinct spaces: 1) the donor, 2) the environment
and 3) the recipient (Lakdawala and Subbarao Nature Medicine 2012). The first infection with
influenza viruses leaves a long-lasting immunity, which can be evaded by the virus through
antigenic drift and shift. Our published data using the ferret model shows that pre-existing
immunity from the 2009 H1N1 pandemic virus infection protects recipient animals from airborne
transmission of a seasonal H3N2 influenza virus (Le Sage et al PLoS Pathogens 2021). We
hypothesize that pre-existing immunity can influence susceptibility to circulating influenza
strains independent of neutralizing antibody. To understand the role of pre-existing immunity in
protection against airborne transmission, Aim 1 will identify immunological and viral factors
underlying susceptibility to airborne transmission. Each influenza season, population-wide
immunity triggers viral antigenic evolution, Aim 2 will determine the impact of antigenic drift on
the susceptibility to influenza virus transmission. Aim 3 will examine the impact of different
vaccine platforms on susceptibility to drifted influenza virus strains. This proposal will provide a
better understanding of the immune protection needed to dampen influenza virus transmission
and inform effective universal vaccine strategies.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10840420
- **Project number:** 5R01AI158484-03
- **Recipient organization:** EMORY UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Seema S. Lakdawala
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $623,724
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-02-01 → 2027-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10840420

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10840420, Role of preexisting immunity on airborne transmission of influenza viruses (5R01AI158484-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10840420. Licensed CC0.

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