Jean-Laurent Casanova, MD, PhD
The Rockefeller University
Research Project:
Autoantibodies to Interferons in Patients with Emerging Viral Pneumonia
Grant Awarded:
- COVID-19 Respiratory Virus Research Award
Research Topics:
- basic biologic mechanisms
- epidemiology
- gene expression transcription
- immunology immunotherapy
- public health
- risk factors
Research Diseases:
- COVID-19
- influenza
- pneumonia
- respiratory viruses
We have demonstrated that in previously healthy individuals, some cases of severe influenza pneumonia, and more recently COVID-19, are caused by genetic defects in a type of proteins called interferons, known as the first line of host defense against viral infections. Consistently, we found that about 15% and 5% of patients critically ill with COVID-19 or influenza pneumonia, respectively, have preexisting rogue antibodies (“autoantibodies”) that block interferons, impairing their antiviral activity. These autoantibodies are commonly found in the general population, especially elderly people, making them vulnerable to influenza, COVID-19, or other respiratory viral infections. We now intend to extend our discoveries to other severe respiratory illnesses. We will search for autoantibodies in patients with severe pneumonia caused by new strains of COVID-19, including the Omnicron variant, different strains of influenza, and other respiratory viruses. Our project will provide diagnostic tools for the general populations for the ongoing and next emerging viral pneumonia, as well as specific therapeutic plans.
Update:
We have made several important discoveries. These include finding that there is a higher COVID-19 pneumonia risk associated with autoantibodies neutralizing type I interferons (autoAbs-IFN) in children; autoAbs-IFN are in the lung fluid of 10% of patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia; and autoAbs neutralizing type III interferons are uncommon in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia. We also developed a simple and quick test using fresh whole blood to detect autoAbs-IFN in clinical laboratories. Overall, we have made exciting progress, and plan to expand our studies in patients with severe viral pneumonia and autoAbs-IFN.
Page last updated: September 17, 2024
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