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Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)-phagy in Influenza Infection

Award Number: R21AI183025
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/12/2025
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 07/31/2027

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Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)-phagy in Influenza Infection - Project Summary Influenza infection in susceptible patients results in a higher viral load, cytokine storm, tissue damage, lung function decline, and mortality. It is well known that interferons control influenza burden and inflammatory responses. However, mechanistic understandings of IFN-mediated regulation of influenza burden in the lung epithelial cells is unclear. We have identified a novel association between Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)-specific-autophagy response, termed ER- phagy, as regulators of the influenza burden in lung epithelial cells. Characterizing the epithelial ER-Phagy-IFN axis in influenza infection will be the focus of the current application. Unraveling this axis in lung epithelial cells provides much-needed mechanistic insights into controlling viral burden and mitigating virus-induced lung injury. Our preliminary data suggest that levels of ER- phagy receptors in lung epithelial cells regulate viral burden in an IFNβ dependent manner. Based on these novel data, we hypothesize that lung epithelial cells upregulate IFNβ- and IRE1- dependent ER-phagy to diminish viral burden. We will test this hypothesis in the following specific aims: In specific aim 1, we will determine that specific ER-phagy receptors are required to decrease influenza burden in epithelial cells and subsequent lung injury. Aim 2 will use epithelial-specific knockouts of IFNAR1 receptor and recombinant interferons to determine that the type-I IFNs regulate ER-phagy activity post-IAV infection to control IAV burden and lung injury. These studies will determine that the ER-Phagy-IFN axis acts as a first line of defense in the primary site of influenza infection (epithelial cells) to decrease the IAV burden and subsequent lung injury.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $433,423 )
2025	2025	UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT & STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE	85 S PROSPECT STREET	BURLINGTON	VT	05405	CHITTENDEN	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	1	8/11/2025	NEW	$433,423
														Subtotal = $433,423

Grand Total All Awards = $433,423

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Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)-phagy in Influenza Infection

Award Number: R21AI183025

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/12/2025

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 07/31/2027

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