Antibody teamwork to help immune cells fight HIV
Linking Antibody Cooperativity and Effector Cell Engagement
Looking at whether combining different antibodies helps immune cells in mucosal tissues find and kill HIV to better protect people at risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11161541 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Scientists are studying how groups of antibodies work together to recruit immune cells like monocytes and natural killer (NK) cells where HIV first enters the body. They mix lab-made monoclonal antibodies with plasma antibodies from vaccinated animals and measure how well those combinations trigger antibody-dependent killing of infected cells. Experiments use laboratory assays and non-human primate models focused on mucosal tissues to mimic real-world exposure. The results will help choose antibody combinations that could be tested in future human vaccine trials.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People at risk for HIV infection or those willing to join future vaccine or antibody-prevention trials would be the likely candidates for related human studies.
Not a fit: People already living with chronic HIV infection are unlikely to receive direct clinical benefit from these prevention-focused experiments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to vaccines or antibody-based approaches that more effectively prevent HIV infection at mucosal entry sites.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal vaccine studies have shown partial protection without broadly neutralizing antibodies, but combining antibodies to recruit Fc-bearing cells at mucosal sites remains an active area of research.
Where this research is happening
Durham, United States
- Duke University — Durham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ferrari, Guido — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Ferrari, Guido
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.