OCRID Investigators Awarded NIH R21 Grants to Advance COVID-19 Research
8/1/2025
The Oklahoma Center for Respiratory and Infectious Diseases (OCRID) continues to make significant strides in COVID-19 research, with three of its leading scientists receiving prestigious National Institutes of Health (NIH) R21 grants to explore innovative therapeutic and preventive strategies against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Targeting Cell-to-Cell Communication in COVID-19
OCRID Scientific Advisor Susan Kovats, Ph.D., and OCRID Center Investigator Matthew Walters, Ph.D., received a $448,688 NIH R21 grant for their collaborative study, “Notch Regulation of Airway Epithelial-Immune Cell Cross-Talk in SARS-CoV-2 Infection.” Their research focuses on understanding how cell signaling through the Notch pathway shapes early immune responses in the upper airway during SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Using a novel in vitro 3D human upper airway (HUA) model that mimics the layered cellular structure of the airway, including epithelial cells, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and myeloid immune cells, the team will investigate how airway epithelial cells and immune cells communicate during infection.
Preliminary findings suggest that Notch signaling plays a critical role in regulating immune responses and tissue damage by influencing the behavior of myeloid cells—key players in antiviral defense and inflammation. By selectively blocking Notch ligands and receptors in specific cell types, the researchers aim to determine whether modifying this signaling can enhance antiviral responses while minimizing airway damage.
“This research could identify new therapeutic targets within the Notch pathway that would help enhance the body’s natural antiviral immunity while reducing airway injury and remodeling,”
A Synthetic microRNA as a Potential COVID-19 Therapy
OCRID Director Lin Liu, Ph.D., was awarded $411,400 for his project, “A Synthetic miR-7702: A Potential Therapeutic Approach for SARS-CoV-2 Infection.” His research focuses on developing a novel antiviral therapy based on a naturally occurring host microRNA (miRNA), miR-7702, which has shown strong potential in suppressing SARS-CoV-2 replication by directly targeting viral RNA.
The project will explore how miR-7702 exerts its antiviral activity and will evaluate the safety, distribution, and therapeutic efficacy of a synthetic miR-7702 mimic in a preclinical mouse model of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
“Our goal is to provide the first preclinical evidence that a synthetic miR-7702 can be developed into a safe and effective antiviral therapy for COVID-19,” said Dr. Liu. “This strategy leverages the body’s own natural defense mechanisms against viral infections.”
Advancing Respiratory Virus Research
These two projects reflect OCRID’s mission to advance cutting-edge research on respiratory and infectious diseases. By exploring both immune regulation and host-derived therapeutics, OCRID researchers are helping to lay the groundwork for innovative treatments that may benefit patients worldwide.