Project Grant R21AI196342

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases awarded the University of Florida $242,691 on September 1, 2026, under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855) to investigate interferon-induced transmembrane protein 1 (IFITM1) as a regulator of CD8+ T cell responses during influenza infection.

The research addresses CD8+ T cell hyperactivation during influenza, which drives severe lung immunopathology despite being essential for viral clearance. Using a conditional IFITM1 knockout model targeting CD8+ T cells, the recipient has identified that IFITM1 deficiency mitigates lung immunopathology without compromising viral clearance. Preliminary findings show IFITM1 knockout mice exhibit reduced lung damage, accelerated recovery, improved vascular integrity, and more robust antigen-specific CD8+ T cell responses. Single-cell RNA sequencing data link IFITM1 expression to hyper-cytotoxic effector CD8+ T cell phenotypes persisting beyond acute infection. The project hypothesizes that IFITM1 enhances pathologic CD8+ T cell phenotypes, increases terminal contraction, impairs antigen-specific responses, and compromises memory formation, ultimately reducing the host's ability to control primary and secondary influenza infections.

Performance occurs in Gainesville, Florida. The award period runs through August 31, 2028. The assistance type is a Project Grant (R21 mechanism).