Finding ways to better eliminate HIV-infected cells that resist treatment
Official title: Identifying Roadblocks to Antigen Expression and Enhancing Killing of HIV-Infected Cells That Are Refractory to Clearance
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11043345 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how some HIV-infected cells can hide from the immune system, focusing on cells infected early versus later in the disease, to find new ways to help create better treatments or even a cure for HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | March 2, 2023 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,132,909 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI176596-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11043345 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living with HIV, particularly those who have been on antiretroviral therapy and have a detectable viral reservoir.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are newly diagnosed with HIV or those who have not yet started antiretroviral therapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how certain HIV-infected cells manage to evade the immune system's efforts to eliminate them. By studying two distinct groups of these cells—those infected early in the disease and those infected later when treatment begins—the researchers aim to uncover the mechanisms that allow these cells to persist. The approach involves analyzing the genetic and epigenetic characteristics of these cells to identify potential targets for new therapies. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to more effective treatments or even a cure for HIV.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for clearing HIV from the body, potentially offering a cure for those living with the virus.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding HIV reservoirs, but this specific approach focusing on the differences between early and late reservoir cells is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Joseph, Sarah Beth — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Joseph, Sarah Beth
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.