GenX: Enhancing Innate Anti-Viral Resistance Through A Community-Based Intervention - Generation Xchange
Study Details
Study Description
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.
Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
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N/A |
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.
Study Design
Arms and Interventions
Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
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Experimental: Immediate GenX Participants immediately commence GenX program activity (intergenerational mentoring) |
Behavioral: GenX 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.
Other Names:
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Active Comparator: Delayed GenX Participants engage in parallel training/educational activities, and subsequently commence GenX program activity after 3 months |
Behavioral: GenX 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.
Other Names:
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Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- 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 Outcome Measures
- 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.
Other Outcome Measures
- Antiviral cell prevalence [10 months]
Levels of key antiviral immune cells (e.g., dendritic cells, CD8+ T cells, etc.) will be assessed in blood samples by flow cytometry
- Antiviral gene regulation [10 months]
Activity of antiviral genes (RNA) and transcription factors will be assessed in blood cells
- Well-being [10 months]
Surveys will measure eudaimonic well-being and hedonic well-being
- Loneliness [10 months]
Surveys will measure loneliness, social isolation, and social support
- Depressive symptoms [10 months]
Surveys will measure symptoms of depression
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
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Participating in the GenX intergenerational mentoring program
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All GenX mentors > 50 years of age are eligible to participate in this research
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GenX program participation requires:
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Reside in neighborhood of GenX schools (South-Central Los Angeles)
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Pass basic literacy and cognitive function tests
Exclusion Criteria:
- Any health condition that would put participant at risk by enrollment/participation
Contacts and Locations
Locations
Site | City | State | Country | Postal Code | |
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1 | UCLA School of Medicine | Los Angeles | California | United States | 90095 |
Sponsors and Collaborators
- University of California, Los Angeles
- National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Investigators
- Principal Investigator: Steven Cole, Ph.D., Professor of Medicine & Psychiatry
- Principal Investigator: Teresa E Seeman, Ph.D., Professor of Medicine
Study Documents (Full-Text)
None provided.More Information
Publications
- 21-001388
- R01AG073053