RAPID: Collaborative Research: Immunological adaptations in bats to moderate the effect of coronavirus infection

COVID-19颠覆了社会的方方面面。虽然大多数研究都集中在临床应用上是可以理解的，但SARS-CoV2的祖先如何在自然界中生存和传播，对于预防未来的流行病和帮助卫生专业人员开发治疗方法至关重要。由于一些蝙蝠物种是许多冠状病毒的天然携带者，包括SARS-CoV-2的已知近亲，因此该奖项支持的团队将确定蝙蝠与其他哺乳动物之间的一致差异，这些哺乳动物可能通过调节病毒进入和产生有效的免疫反应来减缓感染。这个项目将研究蝙蝠如何在携带多种病毒的情况下逃脱疾病。作为这项工作的一部分，研究小组将开发与蝙蝠免疫学相关的教育展示，在德克萨斯理工大学博物馆公开展示。研究结果也将发表在同行评审的期刊上，在科学会议上发表，并发布到共享数据库中。该奖项支持的研究人员假设，与其他哺乳动物相比，蝙蝠参与免疫反应途径的基因存在一致的差异，例如：a)蝙蝠表现出不成比例的独特基因组适应；b)蝙蝠中免疫系统基因的表达高于同类小鼠和人类组织，c)蝙蝠中参与冠状病毒细胞进入的基因在RNA谱上的表达不同，这限制了与人类和小鼠相比的发病程度。为了验证这些假设，研究小组将分析不同蝙蝠物种的基因组结构，并在病毒趋向性和免疫反应的背景下分析不同组织的差异表达。由此产生的数据将为研究人员和临床医生预测和治疗这些呼吸综合征提供信息。该RAPID奖由综合有机体系统生物学部的生理和结构系统集群获得，资金来自《冠状病毒援助、救济和经济安全（CARES）法案》。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

All aspects of society have been upended by COVID-19. While most research has understandably focused on clinical applications, how the ancestors of SARS-CoV2 survive and circulate in nature is vital to both prevent future epidemics and help health professionals develop therapeutic treatments. Because some bat species are natural carriers of many coronaviruses, including the closest known relatives of SARS-CoV-2, the team supported by this award will identify consistent differences between bats and other mammals likely involved in moderating infection by regulating virus entry and mounting an effective immune response. This project will address how bats escape illness despite carrying a wide range of viruses. As part of this work, the research team will develop educational displays related to the bat immunology for public display at the Museum of Texas Tech. Results for the study will also be published in peer-reviewed journals, presented at scientific meetings, and posted to shared data repositories.Researchers supported by this award hypothesize there are consistent differences in the genes involved in the immune response pathways of bats compared to other mammals, such that: a) bats show disproportionate numbers of unique genomic adaptations; b) there is higher expression of immune system genes in bats than in comparable mouse and human tissues, and c) expression of genes involved in coronavirus cell entry in bats differs in RNA profile, limiting the extent pathogenesis when compared to humans and mice. To test these hypotheses, the team will analyze genome structure across diverse bats species, and differential expression analysis of different tissues, in the context of viral tropism and immune response. Resulting data will inform researchers and clinicians as they anticipate and treat these respiratory syndromes. This RAPID award is made by the Physiological and Structural Systems Cluster in the BIO Division of Integrative Organismal Systems, using funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.