SARS-CoV-2 Pathogenesis

National Institute Of Allergy And Infectious Diseases

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

In late 2019, a novel beta coronavirus emerged in humans to cause a global pandemic, and variants of SARS-CoV-2 still circulate, causing morbidity and mortality in the U.S. In this research project, a systems biology approach was employed to investigate fatal cases of SARS-CoV-2, including histopathology, molecular analyses of host gene expression, molecular virology, and other inflammatory and immune markers. in this project, the immunopathogenesis of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection, in regard to neutrophil activation, respiratory epithelial and endothelial cell damage, and pulmonary thrombosis, is being investigated in parallel with respiratory damage caused by severe influenza A virus infection. In parallel, a novel vaccine is being developed and evaluated in pre-clinical studies in experimental animals using a whole virus inactivated vaccine approach in both intramuscular and intranasal routes of inoculation. The goal is to develop a broadly protective SARS-CoV-2 vaccine utilizing an intranasal route of immunization. Research on SARS-CoV-2 vaccine development and pathogenesis was severely hampered by inability of BSL3/ABSL3 work to be performed for much of this reporting period.