Davide Angeletti strengthens the body’s first line of defense against influenza
Why does the immune system in the upper airways forget so quickly? Davide Angeletti’s research group is searching for the answer – knowledge that could pave the way for the next generation of nasal spray vaccines.
At the University of Gothenburg, Davide Angeletti and his team study the immune system in the upper airways – the body’s first point of contact with viruses such as influenza and COVID-19. Here, the researchers investigate how B cells behave and why they seem to lose their memory so rapidly.
“We know that immune memory in the blood can last for years, but in the airways, memory B cells disappear much faster. Understanding why is crucial for developing better vaccines,” says Davide Angeletti.
His research recently received a major boost through a multi-year grant from the Swedish Society for Medical Research (SSMF).
An unexplored defense system
He describes the field as both unexplored and rapidly evolving. Since the pandemic, interest in the so-called mucosal immune system – the body’s protection at barrier surfaces such as the nose, throat and lungs – has grown quickly. The research could ultimately change how we think about vaccination.
There are already intranasal influenza vaccines, but they are used only to a limited extent and do not always provide long-lasting protection. Angeletti’s group aims to understand how immunity is established, maintained and reactivated in the mucosal tissues of the respiratory tract.
“By mapping the biological rules that govern how B cells behave in these tissues, we can design vaccines that offer stable protection right where the virus enters. It’s a very exciting research frontier,” he says.
Towards better vaccines
The research group was among the first in the world to characterize influenza-specific B and T cells in nasal tissue – an important step toward understanding immunity in the upper airways. Using new technologies, the team can now follow these cells in unprecedented detail and see how they respond during infection.
“This is a field where almost everything we discover is new. It’s a lot of fun to work in an area where discoveries happen all the time,” says Davide Angeletti, who was recently appointed professor of immunology at the University of Gothenburg.
The SSMF Consolidator Grant – one of Sweden’s most competitive research awards – provides his group with long-term funding for the next five years.
“It feels fantastic, especially considering how tough the competition is. This was the third time I applied, and I really tried to implement the feedback I got in previous interviews. I’m glad I don’t have to go through that again,” he laughs.
For Angeletti, the grant is both recognition and freedom.
“It allows us to think big, test new ideas and keep our research at the highest level.”
