HIV Tat and nerve pain in people with HIV: how immune pathways may drive HIV-related neuropathy
Official title: HIV Tat-associated Sensory Neuropathy and the Contribution of Toll-like Receptor Pathway
Funded at University of New England · NIH-11391149 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-facing look at a grant studying how a protein from HIV (Tat) may trigger nerve pain in people with HIV through immune pathways, with findings that could lead to new treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of New England NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Biddeford, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $710,000 |
| NIH project number | 4RF1NS132674-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11391149 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People living with HIV who experience or are at risk for HIV-associated sensory neuropathy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without HIV-related neuropathy or those not affected by Tat-related pathways may see no direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project explores why HIV can cause painful nerve damage by studying how HIV Tat protein interacts with the body's Toll-like receptor pathways. Using animal models and lab studies, researchers aim to uncover the cellular mechanisms that lead to HIV-associated sensory neuropathy. The ultimate goal is to identify targets that could be blocked to reduce pain and improve quality of life for people living with HIV. The work builds on prior findings and seeks to translate basic science into potential future therapies. If successful, these insights could inform new approaches to prevent or treat HIV-SN in patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding these mechanisms could pave the way for new treatments to relieve HIV-related nerve pain.
How similar studies have gone: Prior animal studies suggest Tat influences neuropathic pain via immune pathways, supporting the plausibility of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of New England
Biddeford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cao, Ling — University of New England
- Study coordinator: Cao, Ling
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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.