Award
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases 5R01AI170649-05
Control of antiviral memory CD8+ T cell longevity by extracellular ATP sensing
Recipient
Mayo Clinic Arizona
Award Amount
$473,714.00
Ceiling
$473,714.00
Awarded
June 05, 2026
Identifier
5R01AI170649-05
This award funds research to understand how extracellular ATP receptor P2RX7 affects the longevity of antiviral memory CD8+ T cells, with implications for improving immune protection against influenza.
Description
Development of long-lived memory CD8+ T cells is crucial for controlling viral infections like influenza. Extracellular ATP (eATP) via its receptor P2RX7 promotes the generation and survival of virus-specific memory CD8+ T cells in circulation and barrier tissues. This project aims to elucidate how P2RX7 expression influences TRM cell longevity, especially in the lungs during influenza infection, and how manipulating this pathway can enhance immune protection.