Respiratory viral infection remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with and without a lung transplant. However, the immune mechanisms that contribute to the severity, repair, and long-term consequences following respiratory viral infection are poorly understood. In collaboration with the SARI-Prep Investigators (non-lung transplant) and CTOT (lung transplant recipients), we are determining how the host response differs between different types of viral infection (e.g. SARS-CoV-2 vs. influenza vs. RSV). We are also using molecular measurements and epidemiologic approaches to identify the clinical characteristics and immune signatures associated with post-infectious outcomes. Our overall goal is to determine how the host immune response to different viral infections contributes to outcomes in immunosuppressed and non-immunosuppressed individuals.
Funding: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF003753AB322) (Lung Transplant Recipients – CTOT), CDC Foundation (Non-Lung Transplant Recipients – SARI-Prep)
Publications:
– Chemokines, soluble PD-L1, and immune cell hyporesponsiveness are distinct features of SARS-CoV-2 critical illness. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol. 2022 Jul 1;323(1):L14-L26 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35608267/)
– Comparison of host endothelial, epithelial and inflammatory response in ICU patients with and without COVID-19: a prospective observational cohort study. Crit Care. 2021 Apr 19;25(1):148 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33874973/)
Collaborators:
Megan Neeley (Duke University, CTOT) (https://medschool.duke.edu/profile/megan-lee-neely)
Scott Palmer (Duke University, CTOT) (https://medicine.duke.edu/profile/scott-michael-palmer)
John Belperio (UCLA, CTOT) (https://profiles.ucla.edu/john.belperio)
Pavan Bhatraju (University of Washington, SARI-Prep) (https://pulmccsm.uw.edu/people/faculty/pavan-bhatraju)
Mark Wurfel (University of Washington, SARI-Prep) (https://pulmccsm.uw.edu/people/faculty/mark-m-wurfel)
Laura Evans (University of Washington, SARI-Prep) (https://pulmccsm.uw.edu/people/faculty/laura-evans)