HIV hiding in tissue immune cells (myeloid cells)
Revealing HIV-1 persistence in myeloid cell reservoirs
This project uses new lab methods to find out whether HIV hides in myeloid immune cells in people taking antiretroviral therapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Miami School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Coral Gables, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11296893 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team uses blood-based tests that read protein tags on virus particles to trace which kinds of cells the virus came from. They use a technique called liganded virion immunocapture to detect viruses that originated from myeloid cells such as macrophages or brain microglia. Researchers will follow virus signals before and after brief treatment interruptions and analyze blood and accessible tissue samples to map reservoir sources and dynamics. The goal is to reveal where persistent HIV lives in people on suppressive therapy.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults living with HIV who are on suppressive antiretroviral therapy and willing to provide blood and possibly participate in brief treatment interruption or tissue sampling would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without HIV, those not on ART, or people unwilling to provide samples or stop treatment briefly would not directly benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reveal hidden sources of HIV and help design treatments that better target and reduce persistent virus.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier work from this group provided initial evidence that this immunocapture method can detect myeloid-origin virions, but applying those findings to new treatments is still unproven.
Where this research is happening
Coral Gables, United States
- University of Miami School of Medicine — Coral Gables, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stevenson, Mario — University of Miami School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Stevenson, Mario
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.