Cell therapies to boost HIV bnAb responses in immune organoids
Official title: in vitro modeling of IgH-reprogrammed B cells in secondary lymphoid organoids
Funded at Scripps Research Institute, the · NIH-11404871 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research project aims to test a cell therapy that helps the body produce strong, long-lasting broad HIV antibodies using immune organoids derived from mouse, non-human primate, and human tissues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Scripps Research Institute, the NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $529,151 |
| NIH project number | 5P01HL183482-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11404871 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are people living with HIV or who are at risk and could contribute biological samples or participate in future translational steps, pending safety and regulatory approvals.
✕Less likely to help
People without HIV or those not involved in bnAb-related research may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This grant explores creating and testing engineered B cells in lab-made lymphoid organoids to mimic germinal center responses. The work combines organoid models with gene-editing techniques to guide B cells toward durable memory and long-lived plasma cells. It uses murine, non-human primate, and human tissues to optimize the approach before any clinical testing. The goal is to enable high, boostable bnAb levels that could help control HIV when ART is interrupted. The research bridges in vitro organoid cultures with in vivo models to better translate findings to humans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to a functional HIV cure approach by sustaining protective antibody responses.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows engineered B cells can produce HIV bnAbs in animals, but robust, durable responses in organoid systems and translation to humans remain challenging.
Where this research is happening
-
Scripps Research Institute, the
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wagar, Lisa — Scripps Research Institute, the
- Study coordinator: Wagar, Lisa
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.