Antiviral factors that limit HIV in people with SLE
Official title: Antiviral Factors restricting HIV in Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
Funded at Howard University · NIH-11470887 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers at Howard University are studying how immune factors in people with lupus may help limit HIV infection.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Howard University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, United States) |
| Project start | July 22, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $193,125 |
| NIH project number | 1R16AI192054-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11470887 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults living with SLE who may provide blood samples or cellular material for analysis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without SLE or those not contributing samples may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
This project looks at why people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) might be less susceptible to HIV and how certain immune proteins and iron-management processes contribute to this protection. The team will examine factors like IL-16, type I interferons, inflammatory cytokines, and iron-related proteins in blood samples from SLE patients, using modern tools to understand their roles. By combining gene editing, RNA sequencing, and proteomics, they aim to see how these factors affect HIV-1 replication in the context of SLE. The goal is to uncover mechanisms that could inform new approaches to HIV immunity in autoimmune settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could reveal new targets to enhance HIV resistance or inform therapies that mimic protective immune environments.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has shown immune factors can influence HIV replication, but in vivo relevance in SLE is still being explored.
Where this research is happening
-
Howard University
Washington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kumari, Namita — Howard University
- Study coordinator: Kumari, Namita
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Mechanistic clues about lupus from immune disorders
This grant looks at why certain immune disorders in people with genetic immune problems lead to lupus-like symptoms, by studying patients and mouse models.
-
Immune-based blood tests to guide lupus care
A patient-friendly blood test approach is being developed to spot early lupus flares and guide treatment before damage happens.
-
Improving blood tests to better manage lupus disease activity
This study is working on new blood tests to help people with lupus better understand their disease and catch flare-ups earlier, so they can get treatment sooner and avoid serious health issues.
-
Investigating if Epstein-Barr Virus causes Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
This study is looking at whether the Epstein-Barr virus might be linked to Systemic Lupus Erythematosus by comparing blood samples from military personnel who develop lupus with those who don’t, to see if there are any differences that could help us understand how lupus might start.
-
Immunostimulatory short non-coding RNAs and lupus
A study in people with lupus looks at tiny RNA pieces that may spark inflammation, to understand if they drive disease activity.
-
Subjective thinking challenges in adults with lupus as they age
This grant aims to understand how lupus-related cognitive problems affect adults, especially older adults, and tests a real-time method to track daily fluctuations in those symptoms.
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.