Understanding how long-lasting immunity to respiratory infections develops in the lungs

Klaas van Gisbergen

Fundação D. Anna Sommer Champalimaud e Dr. Carlos Montez Champalimaud, Portugal

Respiratory infections place a major burden on global health. Current vaccines are generally effective at stimulating antibody responses. However, antibodies do not always create strong, lasting protection in the lungs, where many respiratory infections begin. Following an infection, some specialised immune cells remain in the lungs and can respond quickly if the virus returns. This project aims to investigate how these cells form, persist and maintain their protective function over time.

Immune cell protection tends to weaken over time, losing capacity to prevent future illness. The project brings together experts in immunology, respiratory infections and advanced biological research to understand why some of these cells stay in the lungs longer than others. To do so, the researchers will follow the life history of these cells and study the factors that influence their survival and activity.

By revealing how the lungs maintain local immune protection, this project could guide the design of vaccines that provide stronger and longer-lasting defence against respiratory infections to reduce their impact on individuals, healthcare systems and society.

Tracing of FLU-specific T cells using an Evolutionary approach

€499,950.00