Through comparative analysis, different coronaviruses, including the novel SARS-CoV-2 and human seasonal coronaviruses hCoV-OC43 and hCoV-NL63 will be used to unveil both their similarities and differences in cellular susceptibility and permissiveness, innate immune responses, and immune modulatory potential in primary human cell systems including monocyte derived dendritic cells (MDDCs), normal human bronchial epithelial cells (NHBEs), and an ex vivo tonsil histoculture (HC) system. We will use state of the art techniques to analyze tose responses intracellularly and extracellularly. Our group specializes in the manipulation of primary human cell systems and investigating both innate immune responses to viral infection as well as viral antagonism of innate immune sensing. As such we are uniquely positioned to respond to this new public health threat and provide critical information regarding the molecular biology of SARS-CoV-2.
In this proposal we will analyze the early and late immune responses induced by human coronaviruses, including the new SARS-CoV-2 in primary human systems. Using state of the art immunological and biological techniques we will investigate the strategies of immune evasion used by different coronaviruses at the cellular level. The data generated in this proposal will inform on vaccine and antiviral drug design for human coronaviruses.
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