Research Interests – Reed Lab

Aerobiology and pathophysiology of severe respiratory infections. The Reed lab has unique capabilities for exploring research on high-hazard (BSL-3+) respiratory infections like avian influenza viruses, SARS-CoV-2, encephalitic alphaviruses, and tularemia. This includes state-of-the-art, world-class equipment for exposing animals (rodents, ferrets, rabbits, nonhuman primates) to aerosols containing infectious agents to either improve our understanding of how these agents cause disease or to test and evaluate vaccines or therapeutics that may eventually go into human use. In addition to our aerobiology capabilities, we can continuously monitor and record the animal’s physiological response to infection using radiotelemetry devices to monitor body temperature, EKG, EEG, ICP, and activity. Using statistical models, we can determine changes in physiological responses that are outside the norm and quantify that response in a way that we can compare between group, for example to demonstrate that a vaccine protects against disease as well as death. We can monitor changes at discrete intervals in respiratory function using plethysmography chambers for rodents, ferrets, or nonhuman primates.

Avian influenza viruses and sarbecoviruses. Highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses such as H5N1 or H7N9 have a high mortality rate (30-60%) in human cases. There is concern that a HPAI could be the next pandemic. Vaccines and treatments are urgently needed. Along with the Barratt-Boyes lab in GSPH, we developed the first nonhuman primate model of lethal acute respiratory disease syndrome (ARDS) following H5N1 infection. We are using this model to explore the pathogenesis of these viruses, as well as collaborating with other groups to test potential vaccines and therapeutics, including a universal flu vaccine and a broadly-neutralizing antibody against the conserved stem region of the flu hemagglutinin. Using our aerobiology capabilities, along with some newer equipment, we are exploring the stability of avian influenza viruses as well as sarbecoviruses in the environment and in aerosols and the implications for this on transmission via aerosol.

Alphaviruses. Encephalitic alphaviruses are naturally transmitted by mosquito but can be infectious when aerosolized and there is concern they could be used as a biological weapon. Vaccines and therapeutics are needed to protect against this threat. In collaboration with Dr. William Klimstra in the Center for Vaccine Research, we have developed improved mouse and nonhuman primate models for aerosol exposure to Venezuelan equine encephalitis and eastern equine encephalitis viruses. This includes the use of infectious clones of these viruses, IVIS imaging of the infection, and pioneering the use of radiotelemetry to monitor changes in EEG power bands and intracranial pressure as these viruses penetrate the central nervous system. Most recently, we have demonstrated that ferrets are also a good model for the CNS disease caused by inhalation by these viruses. We have funded projects to continue the development of all three models, evaluating virus persistence in the CNS, new vaccine candidates, and potential antiviral compounds for therapeutic use. For the antiviral compounds, we are exploring aerosol delivery of the antiviral to mice and ferrets using a new inhalation tower.

Tularemia. Tularemia (a.k.a. rabbit fever) is a severe zoonotic infection caused by a gram-negative facultative intracellular bacterium, Francisella tularensis. As few as 15 cfu can cause disease when inhaled and there is substantial concern that tularemia could be used as a biological weapon. In a collaboration with Dr. Eileen Barry at the University of Maryland-Baltimore, we have demonstrated that the New Zealand White rabbit is a relevant model of human tularemia, particularly after inhalation of virulent F. tularensis. Using that model, we have demonstrated that attenuated strains of F. tularensis that Dr. Barry had developed could provide good protection in the rabbits against a robust aerosol challenge. Collaborating with Dr. Barry and Dr. Karsten Hazlett at Albany Medical College, we have explored antibody and cell-mediated immune responses in the rabbits to identify potential immune correlates. In addition, we have begun to explore the pathogenesis of virulent F. tularensis in the rabbits as a tool for understanding the human disease. Using a combination of microbiology, pathology, flow cytometry, and transcriptomics, we have identified potential key elements in the host response that may be responsible for the outcome of tularemia infection.

Potential projects for rotating students include the following:

1. Aerosol delivery of vaccines, mAbs, antivirals (encephalitic alphaviruses)
2. Evaluate potential vaccines and therapeutic mAb (encephalitic alphaviruses, avian influenza viruses)
3. Host-pathogen interactions in avian influenza, including physiological responses to infection (EKG, activity)
4. Virus persistence and host response to encephalitic alphaviruses in ferret and nonhuman primate models
5. Stability & survival of BSL-3 viruses in aerosol and on surfaces (avian influenza viruses, SARS-CoV-2, encephalitic alphaviruses, monkeypox)