Annasara Lenman lab

In the Lenman lab, we strive to deepen the understanding of viral pathogenesis and host-virus interactions, with a primary focus on respiratory and enteric viruses such as coronaviruses, hantaviruses, paramyxoviruses, and adenoviruses.

Respiratory viruses are a leading cause of severe illness and pose a substantial burden on global healthcare systems. Despite advancements in vaccines and antiviral therapies, critical gaps in our understanding of viral pathogenesis continue to hinder the development of more effective treatments. Our research explores the mechanisms underlying disease severity across different viral infections, aiming to uncover new therapeutic targets.

To study respiratory viruses, we use an advanced primary 3D lung model based on cells from multiple donors, replicating the complex cellular environment of the human lung. Combining cellular and molecular techniques with proteomics, transcriptomics, and single-cell RNA sequencing, we investigate how these viruses invade host cells, evade immune responses, and drive disease progression. By comparing infection outcomes across lung models from different donors, we also aim to uncover host factors that influence susceptibility to viral infections, providing a foundation for developing personalized treatments for vulnerable individuals.

Our recent work on SARS-CoV-2 revealed that individual variations in serpin protease inhibitor levels affect infection outcomes, identifying potential biomarkers for predicting disease severity and providing avenues for targeted therapeutic interventions. We have also discovered that SARS-CoV-2 triggers excessive hyaluronan production in the lungs, a process linked to severe respiratory complications. These findings enhance our understanding of COVID-19 and highlight therapeutic strategies to mitigate lung damage by targeting hyaluronan metabolism.

In parallel, we address the growing challenge of polymicrobial infections, where interactions between viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms exacerbate disease severity. Enteric adenoviruses, such as HAdV-F40 and F41, are a significant cause of acute gastroenteritis, particularly in children. We investigate how commensal and pathogenic bacteria affect adenovirus infection dynamics, aiming to uncover new insights into polymicrobial interactions. By exploring these complex relationships, we hope to reveal novel mechanisms of viral pathogenesis and advance our understanding of how microbial communities shape viral infections, providing a foundation for innovative therapeutic developments.

 

Financers:

Kempestiftelserna, Åke Wibergs stiftelse, Magnus Bergvalls stiftelse, Emil & Wera Cornells stiftelse, Insamlingsstiftelsen, and Carl Bennet.