Tuft Cells Modulate Macrophage Response Following Lung Viral Infection

Project Narrative Hyperinflammatory response, characterized by dysregulated macrophage response, is a major cause of disease severity and death in patients infected with influenza or SARS-CoV-2. We use novel mouse models, single-cell analysis and pharmaceutical reagents to address the important roles of tuft cells for macrophage enrichment in virus-infected lungs. This proposal will not only provide novel insights into the fundamental mechanism but also offer potential avenues to treat virus- infected patients.