# T resident memory in the lung

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF IOWA · 2020 · $521,974

## Abstract

Program Director/Principal Investigator (Last, First, Middle): Harty, John T.
Influenza infection is a major public health menace and our current strategies of seasonal influenza vaccination
provide suboptimal protection. Thus, it is critical to provide basic, mechanistic insights into the possibility of
universal influenza vaccines. In the absence of neutralizing antibodies, the presence of IAV-specific memory
CD8 T cells targeting conserved viral proteins such as NP or M2, which are maintained systemically as well as
in the lung correlate with control of viral titers and reduction of disease symptoms in humans. Mouse models
confirm the potency of IAV specific memory CD8 T cells to provide strain-transcending heterosubtypic
immunity, but also suggest it is the lung resident memory CD8 T cells (Trm) that enable swift and robust
protection against IAV infection. Thus, establishing a robust long-term Trm population in the lung may be an
important goal for an IAV vaccine. However, evidence from our own lab and others shows that lung Trm
gradually wane in numbers with time, resulting in a loss of protective immunity. Our long-term goal is to
understand the biology of IAV-induced Trm and how these cells can be manipulated to enhance immunity. We
will address this long-term goal with the following specific aims:
Specific Aim 1. Dissect the metabolic and genetic factors underlying compromised Trm survival in the lung
compared to skin.
Specific Aim 2. Determine if lung Trm can be efficiently restored by boosting and the consequences on lung
physiology and protection from IAV.
Specific Aim 3. Visualize the dynamics of Trm responses to secondary infection in lung
OMB No. 0925-0001/0002 (Rev. 03/16 Approved Through 10/31/2018) Page Continuation Format Page

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9828040
- **Project number:** 5R01AI042767-21
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
- **Principal Investigator:** John T Harty
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $521,974
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1998-04-01 → 2023-10-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9828040

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9828040, T resident memory in the lung (5R01AI042767-21). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9828040. Licensed CC0.

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