Nucleic Acid Sensing in Lung Diseases

• Grant number: 25/03427-2
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• Start date: January 01, 2026
• End date: December 31, 2030
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Immunology - Cellular Immunology
• Principal Investigator: Nicolas Riteau
• Grantee: Nicolas Riteau
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• City of the host institution: Ribeirão Preto
• Associated researchers: Alexandre Todorovic Fabro ; Audrey Joannes ; Christophe Paget ; Djalma de Souza Lima Júnior ; Helder Takashi Imoto Nakaya ; Isabelle Couillin ; José Carlos Farias Alves Filho ; Kevin Shenderov ; Larissa Dias da Cunha ; Laurent Plantier ; Raphael Sanches Peres ; Stephane Jouneau

Abstract

This proposal is submitted within the International Research Center "Transitions," a collaboration between the University of São Paulo and CNRS in France. The principal investigator, Dr. Nicolas Riteau, is a CNRS researcher, co-director of the International Research Laboratory IMMUNE HEALTH in Ribeirão Preto, and an Invited Professor at the Faculty of Medicine Ribeirão Preto.The project aims to establish a leading research team in lung immunology, focusing on innate immune receptors such as STING (Stimulator of Interferon Genes). By exploring nucleic acid sensing in lung diseases, this research seeks to clarify STING's immunoregulatory functions and identify new therapeutic targets to improve patient outcomes.The lung, continuously exposed to airborne allergens, pollutants, and pathogens, relies on finely tuned immune responses to maintain function while limiting damage. Among innate immune receptors, nucleic acid sensors play a key role in detecting microbial and endogenous threats, influencing host defense, sterile inflammation, and autoimmune diseases. While STING is widely studied for its role in infection and inflammation, its contribution to chronic lung diseases remains poorly understood. Notably, STING has been implicated in fibrosis, with context-dependent effects-promoting fibrosis in some conditions but appearing protective in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).This project will investigate nucleic acid sensing in lung diseases through four independent subprojects:* Subproject 1: Nucleic acid sensing in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis* Subproject 2: Nucleic acid sensing in hypersensitivity pneumonitis* Subproject 3: Nucleic acid sensing in helminth infection* Subproject 4: Nucleic acid sensing in community-acquired pneumoniaBy integrating human and animal models, this research aims to deepen our understanding of STING-related pathways in lung disease and explore potential therapeutic interventions. (AU)