Virus Infection, RNA
Conditions
Brief summary
This randomized controlled trial will test whether a recently developed community-based intergenerational mentoring program known as Generation Xchange (GenX) can enhance antiviral resistance in older African-American women and men in a low-SES urban community. Additional studies will identify the biological processes that promote resistance to respiratory virus infections and viral disease in older African-American women and men.
Detailed description
This randomized controlled intervention trial (planned n=160) will test whether participation in the Generation Xchange (GenX) intergenerational mentoring program can reduces vulnerability to respiratory virus infections (COVID, influenzas, colds), increase antiviral immune activity (Type I interferon responses), and reduce inflammatory immune activity in older African-American women and men living in a socioeconomically disadvantaged urban community. Blood samples will also be collected to determine which biological factors are most important in protecting older African-Americans from respiratory virus infection, and which of those factors is affected by the GenX intervention.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALGenX intergenerational mentoring program
GenX trains older adults to collaborate with K-3rd grade teachers in mentoring high-need elementary school students in core reading and math skills.
Sponsors
University of California, Los Angeles
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
SINGLE (Investigator)
Masking description
All data collected, assayed, coded, and analyzed by researchers blind to study condition and participant identity
Intervention model description
Randomized to Immediate GenX intervention vs. Waitlist Control delayed intervention
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
50 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Participating in the GenX intergenerational mentoring program * All GenX mentors \> 50 years of age are eligible to participate in this research * GenX program participation requires: * Reside in neighborhood of GenX schools (South-Central Los Angeles) * Pass basic literacy and cognitive function tests
Exclusion criteria
* Any health condition that would put participant at risk by enrollment/participation
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration of Type I interferon antiviral activity (bioassay International Units / mL) | 10 months | Blood cell production of Type I interferon activity will stimulated by exposure to a fixed dose of model viral protein (TruCulture Resiquimod R848 tubes) and quantifying Type I interferon concentration in the cell culture supernatant fluid using the standard Armstrong bioassay (Armstrong, J.A. Cytopathic effect inhibition assay for interferon: microculture plate assay. Methods in enzymology 78, 381-387 (1981).) Antiviral activity is quantified as International Units of Interferon activity / mL. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Respiratory virus antibody concentration (WHO international units BAU/mL) | 10 months | Respiratory virus infection (cold, influenza, COVID) will be assessed by multiplex IgG serological assay (MesoScale Discovery V-PLEX COVID-19 Respiratory Panel 2; https://www.mesoscale.com/products/covid-19-respiratory-panel-2-igg-k15372u/). Concentrations are quantified as WHO international Binding Antibody Units / mL. |
| Pro-inflammatory cytokine concentration (pg/mL) | 10 months | Blood plasma and blood cell culture supernatant fluids will be assayed for expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL1B, IL6, TNF) using the MesoScale Discovery U-PLEX Macrophage M1 Combo 1 hu assay (https://www.mesoscale.com/products/u-plex-macrophage-m1-combo-1-human-k15336k/). Measurement units are pg of cytokine / mL. |
Countries
United States
Contacts
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORSteven Cole, Ph.D.
Professor of Medicine & Psychiatry
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORTeresa E Seeman, Ph.D.
Professor of Medicine
Outcome results
None listed