# Innate immune recognition and response to Rift Valley fever virus

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · 2024 · $85,061

## Abstract

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is widespread throughout the entire African continent and in some endemic
areas over 50% of the population is exposed by adulthood. Antiviral responses induced by interferon (IFN)
signaling can limit RVFV replication and inhibit RVFV pathogenesis in vivo. RVFV is known to infect
mononuclear phagocytic cells (MPCs), hepatocytes, and neurons, consistent with its main clinical
manifestations of acute febrile illness, hepatitis, or encephalitis. However, it is largely unknown how each of
these cell types recognizes and responds to RVFV infection or how cell type specific innate immune responses
modulate viral pathogenesis. The overall objective for this proposal is to determine how the mammalian host
innate immune system recognizes and responds to RVFV infection and how this modulates viral pathogenesis.
Our central hypothesis is that differential innate immune recognition and response by infected cells modulates
viral pathogenesis. To test this hypothesis, we will 1) identify the innate immune sensors and effectors active in
biologically relevant human primary cells, 2) define the contribution of key innate immune sensors and
effectors in recognition and response to RVFV infection in vivo and 3) define the role of hematopoietic cell
infection in RVFV pathogenesis in vivo. The results of this research will define the mechanisms of innate
immune recognition and response following RVFV infection. Moreover, it will inform on cell type-specific
responses to infection and how virally mediated antagonism of those responses contributes to viral
pathogenesis.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11047958
- **Project number:** 3R01AI171200-03S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
- **Principal Investigator:** Anita K McElroy
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $85,061
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2022-08-25 → 2025-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11047958

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11047958, Innate immune recognition and response to Rift Valley fever virus (3R01AI171200-03S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11047958. Licensed CC0.

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