Research Joren Raymenants

Abstract

Influenza remains a global health threat, causing significant morbidity and mortality due to its high transmissibility and capacity to evolve through antigenic drift. Although current seasonal vaccines reduce disease burden, their effectiveness can be compromised by continual viral evolution. A key challenge lies in understanding the interplay between systemic and mucosal immunity-specially how immunological imprinting shapes responses to novel strains. To address these gaps, this research integrates three unique resources. First, Controlled Human Infection Models (CHIMs) at Vaccinopolis in Antwerp allow precise control over influenza strain, dose, and timing of infection. This design provides an unprecedented opportunity to dissect the mechanisms of mucosal immunity, viral shedding, and the interplay between naïve and memory responses. Second, infant cohort samples from ongoing studies in Rome and Antwerp offer insights into how early-life exposures imprint immune memory. Third, by leveraging dyadic (mother-infant) samples from prior maternal vaccination studies, we can track the intergenerational transmission of immunity and investigate how maternal antibodies shape infant immune ontogeny. Using a systems biology approach, the project will characterize immune responses at the gene, protein, and cellular levels. We will perform multi-omics analyses (e.g., transcriptomics, proteomics) to identify immune correlates of protection, focusing on mucosal sites-the initial interface for infection and transmission. By combining adult CHIM data with longitudinal infant cohort and maternal-infant dyad findings, this research seeks to elucidate influenza immunity both mucosal and systemic responses, and how targeted interventions (e.g., novel adjuvants, vaccine formulations) might overcome existing immune barriers.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Palma Paolo
• Co-promoter: Ogunjimi Benson
• Co-promoter: Raymenants Joren

Research team(s)

• Centre for the Evaluation of Vaccination (CEV)

Project website

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the inadequacy of measures to control human-to-human spread of respiratory pathogens. This points at a need to (1) better understand the importance of different transmission modes of respiratory pathogens, (2) distinguish contagious from non-contagious individuals, and (3) accurately assess the transmission blocking potential of (non-)pharmaceutical interventions. Controlled human infection models (CHIM) are uniquely positioned to study disease pathogenesis, correlates of protection and transmission, and evaluate preventive (e.g. vaccination), therapeutic (e.g. antivirals) and diagnostic strategies. This proposal aims to benefit from CHIMs taking place at a 30 bed BSL3 CHIM trial facility (Vaccinopolis, University of Antwerp) and its partners to study respiratory pathogen contagiousness. In WP1, we will build and validate a transportable airborne assessment unit that controls for ventilation, directional airflow, temperature and humidity. This allows to standardise air sampling across well-ventilated settings. In WP2, we will investigate the association between super spreading and respiratory particle exhalation in the absence of infection. In WP3-5, we will investigate correlates of lower respiratory contagiousness (breath and air sampling) in CHIM trials, including the first SARS-CoV-2 CHIM to test a (mucosal) vaccine. The project will elucidate mechanisms of respiratory infection transmission and improve interventions to interrupt it.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Damme Pierre
• Fellow: Raymenants Joren

Research team(s)

• Centre for the Evaluation of Vaccination (CEV)

Project type(s)

• Research Project