HIV latency and reactivation: how LTR variability affects persistence and rebound
Official title: The impact of HIV LTR intra- and inter-individual sequence variability on HIV latency and reactivation dynamics
Funded at Boston Medical Center · NIH-11553313 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers will study how different HIV LTR gene variations influence latency and reactivation, aiming to improve strategies to control persistent HIV reservoirs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $765,050 |
| NIH project number | 1R56AI203669-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11553313 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People living with HIV who may be candidates for future therapies targeting latent reservoirs and viral reactivation mechanisms.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not participating in reservoir-targeting trials or not within the studied clades may see limited immediate benefit.
What this research studies
Persistent latent HIV-1 reservoirs make it hard to cure HIV because the virus can rebound when treatment stops. This project looks at how variability in the LTR region across HIV isolates affects latency and reactivation, using advanced assays to compare different clades. By mapping which LTR features and transcription factors drive activity, the study seeks to identify targets to enhance therapies that aim to purge reservoirs. The work builds on prior findings of broad LTR activity differences and moves toward more effective interventions for patients with HIV. The research will inform future therapeutic strategies that could reduce rebound risk and improve long-term control.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to more effective HIV therapies that better target latent reservoirs and reduce viral rebound after treatment interruption.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show variability in LTR activity across isolates; this project extends those findings toward therapeutic implications.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston Medical Center
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Henderson, Andrew J — Boston Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Henderson, Andrew J
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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.