# HOST DEFENSE AGAINST INFLUENZA

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA · 1990 · $132,566

## Abstract

The ultimate goal of this project is to develop immunization procedures
which will reduce morbidity and mortality due to influenza virus
infection.  The first step has been to understand the host defense
mechanisms responsible for protection, and this was largely accomplished
during the previous grant period.  In order to do this it was necessary to
separate considerations of prevention and recovery as well as
considerations of rhinotracheitis and viral pneumonia.  Serum antibody
mediates prevention of viral pneumonia, but not rhinotracheitis.  Local
sIgA antibody is probably responsible for prevention of rhinotracheitis.
Recovery is mediated by CMI, but serum antibody helps spread recovery.  CMI
is also responsible for heterotypic immunity which restricts the speed of
new species of influenza virus through the respiratory tract and thereby
reduces the severity of illness.

The next step will be to develop more effective immunization procedures
that stimulate anti-influenza serum antibody, and sIgA antibody in animals
which model the following 3 immune states:  1) virgins, 2) animals
previously infected with a different influenza type A species
(heterotypic), and 3) animals previously infected with the same influenza
type A species (homotypic).  We will use virgin mice, heterotypic mice, and
homotypic mice for evaluating the ability of a variety of vaccines to
prevent viral pneumonia and rhinotracheitis.  The vaccines to be tested
will include the standard zonally purified whole virus vaccine, liposomes
containing the hemagglutinin and neuraminidase, hemagglutinin-specific
synthetic peptides coupled to protein carriers and recombinant vaccinia
virus which contains various influenza genes.  Both local and systemic
administration will be evaluated.  The use of recombinant vaccinia virus is
potentially promising for the protection of children against a wide variety
of diseases (e.g., measles, malaria, polio, and tetanus) and this approach
may be of particular importance in the Third World.  The use of the
vaccinia/influenza recombinant in the mouse model allows us to investigate
some important questions regarding new immunization procedures involving
the use of recombinant vaccina virus.  For example, will it be possible to
get an immune response in the face of passive antibody.  The recombinant
virus will also be useful for elucidating the role of specific influenza
viral antigens in eliciting host defense.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3124382
- **Project number:** 5R01AI007713-23
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
- **SAM.gov UEI:** NNFQH1JAPEP3
- **Principal Investigator:** PARKER A SMALL
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1990
- **Award amount:** $132,566
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1975-02-01 → 1993-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3124382

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3124382, HOST DEFENSE AGAINST INFLUENZA (5R01AI007713-23). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3124382. Licensed CC0.

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