Sex and Age Differences in Immunity to Influenza (SADII)

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Summary of funded parent award: Sex and Age Differences in Immunity to Influenza Despite the availability of antivirals and vaccines, influenza remains a significant public health threat; causing approximately 100,000 hospitalizations, 30,000 deaths, and approximately $7 billion in lost productivity per year in the United States alone. Sex and age are emerging as two host variables that significantly impact the pathogenesis of influenza virus infection and responses to influenza vaccines. The Sex and Age Differences in Immunity to Influenza (SADII, pronounced sādē) Specialized Center of Research Excellence (SCORE) leverages the internationally recognized research, resources, and educational opportunities at Johns Hopkins University to transform women’s health and impact policy decisions about influenza vaccine programs, including universal influenza vaccines. The overarching hypothesis of the SADII SCORE Research Projects is that female-biased, vaccine-induced immunity to influenza viruses is age-dependent and reflects both hormonal, genetic, and social differences between the sexes that impact immune responses (i.e., both effector and memory) to influenza vaccine antigens and outcomes. SADII brings together investigators focused on 1) seasonal influenza vaccination in an existing age and sex stratified human population; 2) animal models that can test hypotheses and mechanisms of action that are inferred from studies in human populations; and 3) the contributions of age, frailty, sex, and gender to vaccine outcomes using statistical models and qualitative research. By using the combined expertise in our research groups, SADII is uniquely positioned to identify the basis behind sex, age, and gender differences in immune responses to influenza vaccination and disseminate those findings to the broader research, clinical, and public health communities. The overarching mission of the SADII SCORE will be achieved through the following Specific Aims: 1) To provide leadership and oversight of the SADII SCORE and collaboration with other entities at Johns Hopkins and elsewhere to develop a translational research program focused on sex and age differences in immunology and infectious diseases; 2) To systematically evaluate sex and gender differences in vaccine-induced immune responses across the life course using translational approaches involving human studies and mechanistic animal models; and 3) To meet the career enhancement needs of diverse translational scientists studying sex differences at Johns Hopkins and beyond. We are prepared to transform women’s health, sex, and gender research into a signature initiative at Johns Hopkins and in the fields of microbiology and immunology.