R01DE031928

Initiation of Immune Responses to SARS-CoV-2 in the Oral Cavity and Upper Airway - Abstract

Infection with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), a life-threatening illness with multi-system involvement in a subset of infected individuals. Oral and nasopharyngeal (NP) epithelial cells express the SARS-CoV-2 receptor ACE2, and infection of the oral/nasopharyngeal cavity (ONP) is likely an obligate step in the development of COVID-19.

Immune responses first generated in the ONP are almost certainly crucial for viral clearance but may also play a central role in the development of hyperinflammatory injury observed in many infected individuals. We have used single-cell (SC)-RNA sequencing from a racially diverse prospective cohort of COVID-19 patients to identify distinct subsets of ciliated epithelial cells within the NP that are direct targets for SARS-CoV-2 infection. We have also described innate anti-viral responses generated by those cells within both directly infected as well as non-infected bystander cells.

Interestingly, this analysis demonstrates that increased mortality is linked to blunted anti-viral gene response in the NP, suggesting that a successful innate response to viral infection in the nose is a critical component of a successful anti-viral response.

In addition to the nose, there is strong evidence that SARS-CoV-2 can infect the oral epithelium. While there are several anatomic sites within the mouth that are likely involved in anti-viral responses, the gingival sulcus is a unique immunologically active location that is crucial for maintaining oral health. The gingival epithelium expresses both the SARS-CoV-2 receptor ACE2 as well as the host protease TMPRSS2 necessary for viral entry, but exhibits important immunological differences compared to the nasal epithelium including a bias towards IL-17 associated neutrophil responses.

Thus, our overall hypothesis is that identifying and enhancing successful innate and adaptive cellular immune responses of the nasal and gingival epithelium will lead to novel therapeutic avenues for COVID-19. To address this hypothesis, we propose the following aims:

1. Stratify cell states and viral dynamics across mucosal surfaces following SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination.
2. Compare memory T cell responses within the nose and gingiva that are associated with successful or pathogenic responses to SARS-CoV-2.
3. Characterize the regulation of host innate immune defense mechanisms that are essential to limit propagation of SARS-CoV-2 infection within ONP epithelial cells.

To accomplish these aims, we will analyze human ONP samples from individuals with COVID-19, recovered from COVID-19, and vaccinated for COVID-19 using SC-RNA-Seq, flow cytometry, and other molecular biology techniques. At completion, the project will define the protective innate and adaptive immune mechanisms operating in the ONP of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2, improve our overall understanding of viral-induced immunity in the ONP, and provide insight into how these pathways influence disease pathogenesis.

The Administrators Of Tulane Educational Fund

NIDCR EXTRAMURAL RESEARCH PROVIDES RESEARCH FUNDS TO SUPPORT BASIC, TRANSLATIONAL, AND CLINICAL RESEARCH IN DENTAL, ORAL, AND CRANIOFACIAL HEALTH AND DISEASE THROUGH GRANTS, COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS, AND CONTRACTS THAT SUPPORT SCIENTISTS WORKING IN INSTITUTIONS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES AND INTERNATIONALLY. EXTRAMURAL PROGRAMS PLAN, DEVELOP, AND MANAGE SCIENTIFIC PRIORITIES THROUGH PORTFOLIO ANALYSES AND CONSULTATION WITH STAKEHOLDERS, ENCOURAGING THE MOST PROMISING DISCOVERIES AND EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES FOR RAPID TRANSLATION TO CLINICAL APPLICATIONS. THE INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES PROGRAMS SUPPORTS BASIC AND TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH PROGRAMS ON ORAL MICROBIOLOGY, SALIVARY BIOLOGY AND IMMUNOLOGY, ORAL AND SALIVARY GLAND CANCERS, NEUROSCIENCE OF OROFACIAL PAIN AND TEMPOROMANDIBULAR DISORDERS, MINERALIZED TISSUE PHYSIOLOGY, DENTAL BIOMATERIALS, AND TISSUE ENGINEERING AND REGENERATIVE MEDICINE. THE BRANCH AIMS TO ACCELERATE PROGRESS IN BASIC AND TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH IN THESE AREAS, AND FURTHER STIMULATE THE DISCOVERY PIPELINE BASED ON CLINICAL NEEDS. THE TRANSLATIONAL GENOMICS RESEARCH PROGRAMS SUPPORTS BASIC AND TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH IN GENETICS, GENOMICS, DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY, AND DATA SCIENCE TOWARD THE GOAL OF IMPROVING DENTAL, ORAL, AND CRANIOFACIAL HEALTH. THE FOCUS IS ON DECIPHERING THE GENETIC, MOLECULAR, AND CELLULAR MECHANISMS UNDERLYING DENTAL, ORAL, AND CRANIOFACIAL DEVELOPMENT AND ANOMALIES. THE BEHAVIORAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCES RESEARCH PROGRAMS SUPPORTS BASIC AND APPLIED RESEARCH TO PROMOTE ORAL HEALTH, TO PREVENT ORAL DISEASES AND RELATED DISABILITIES, AND TO IMPROVE MANAGEMENT OF CRANIOFACIAL CONDITIONS, DISORDERS, AND INJURY. THE PROGRAM PRIORITIZES MECHANISTIC RESEARCH THAT CONTRIBUTES TO A CUMULATIVE SCIENCE OF BEHAVIOR CHANGE, TO MAXIMIZE THE RIGOR, RELEVANCE, AND DISSEMINATION OF EFFICACIOUS BEHAVIOR CHANGE INTERVENTIONS. THE CLINICAL RESEARCH PROGRAMS SUPPORTS PATIENT-ORIENTED, POPULATION, AND COMMUNITY BASED RESEARCH AIMED AT IMPROVING THE DENTAL, ORAL, AND CRANIOFACIAL HEALTH OF THE NATION. THE CENTER FOCUSES ON A VARIETY OF DISEASES AND CONDITIONS THROUGH CLINICAL TRIALS, EPIDEMIOLOGIC STUDIES, PRACTICE-BASED RESEARCH, THE HIV/AIDS AND ORAL HEALTH PROGRAM, AND STUDIES OF ORAL HEALTH DISPARITIES AND INEQUITIES IN ALL AREAS OF NIDCR PROGRAMMATIC INTEREST. THE PROGRAM ENCOURAGES INVESTIGATIONS THAT HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO TRANSLATE FINDINGS INTO EVIDENCE-BASED CLINICAL APPLICATIONS. THE RESEARCH TRAINING AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT EXTRAMURAL PROGRAMS SPAN THE CAREER STAGES OF SCIENTISTS, SUPPORTING RESEARCH TRAINING AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT FOR PHD AND DUAL DEGREE DDS/DMD-PHD STUDENTS, POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLARS, AND EARLY CAREER, MIDCAREER, AND ESTABLISHED INVESTIGATORS. THE PROGRAMS MANAGE SUPPORT FOR FELLOWSHIPS, RESEARCH TRAINING GRANTS, CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND CAREER TRANSITION AWARDS, NIH LOAN REPAYMENT AWARDS, AND DIVERSITY SUPPLEMENTS TO SUPPORT RESEARCH EXPERIENCES FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS THROUGH INVESTIGATORS. NIDCR PARTICIPATES IN THE SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) AND SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER (STTR) PROGRAMS. THE SBIR PROGRAM IS INTENDED TO INCREASE PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIALIZATION OF INNOVATIONS DERIVED FROM FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, TO INCREASE SMALL BUSINESS PARTICIPATION IN FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND TO FOSTER AND ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION OF SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS IN TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION.THE STTR PROGRAM IS INTENDED TO STIMULATE AND FOSTER SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION THROUGH COOPERATIVE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CARRIED OUT BETWEEN SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS, TO INCREASE PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIALIZATION OF INNOVATIONS DERIVED FROM FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND TO FOSTER AND ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION OF SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS IN TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION. EXTRAMURAL PROGRAMS ARE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE USE OF TAXPAYER FUNDS TO SUPPORT RESEARCH ON DENTAL, ORAL, AND CRANIOFACIAL DISEASES AND DISORDERS AND IMPROVING THE ORAL HEALTH OF ALL AMERICANS. EXTRAMURAL PROGRAMS SUPPORT RESEARCH AND RESEARCH TRAINING TO ESTABLISH THE FOUNDATION FOR SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERIES THAT INCLUDE TRANSPARENT AND RIGOROUS PLANNING, PRIORITY SETTING, CONTINUOUS AND CONSISTENT REVIEWS OF PROGRESS, AND FOCUS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF A DIVERSE, HIGHLY SKILLED, AND NIMBLE WORKFORCE THAT CAN RAPIDLY RESPOND TO SCIENTIFIC BREAKTHROUGHS AND PUBLIC HEALTH CHALLENGES. EXTRAMURAL PROGRAMS ARE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE USE OF TAXPAYER FUNDS TO SUPPORT RESEARCH ON DENTAL, ORAL, AND CRANIOFACIAL DISEASES AND EMPLOY EVALUATION DOMAINS, FROM NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND STRATEGIC PLANNING TO IMPLEMENTATION AND PROCESS EVALUATION, PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT, AND OUTCOMES AND IMPACT ANALYSIS TO EVALUATE STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

93.121 - Oral Diseases and Disorders Research

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) [HHS - NIH]

New Orleans, Louisiana 701122632 United States

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NIH Research Project Grant (Parent R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) (PA-20-185)

Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 273% from $822,036 to $3,065,822.