Active HIV-expressing cells: where they live and why they cause rebound
The heterogeneous HIV expressing reservoir: dynamics, persistence mechanisms, tissue distribution, and contribution to rebound
This work looks at different kinds of HIV-expressing cells in people living with HIV to learn which ones drive inflammation and trigger viral rebound when treatment is stopped.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11327324 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project studies cells that express HIV RNA or protein in people living with HIV, including those on antiretroviral therapy and elite controllers. Researchers will use advanced molecular, protein, and bioinformatics tools to distinguish whether viral RNA is complete or defective, whether it is translated into protein, and what the host cell’s gene and protein patterns are. They will compare these HIV-expressing cells across blood and different tissues, follow changes over time, and examine which cell types survive, cause immune activation, or are likely to seed viral rebound. The overall aim is to identify the specific cell subsets that future cure therapies should target.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people living with HIV who can provide blood or tissue samples, including those on suppressive ART and individuals known as elite controllers.
Not a fit: People without HIV or those unwilling or unable to give biological samples are unlikely to receive direct benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify the HIV-expressing cell types most responsible for inflammation and rebound, guiding therapies that better prevent viral return and immune damage.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have identified active HIV-expressing cells and links to immune activation, but this comprehensive tissue- and molecular-level approach is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yukl, Steven a — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Yukl, Steven a
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.