How antibodies control early hepatitis B in adults with and without HIV
Neutralizing antibody responses during natural control of acute hepatitis B with and without HIV-1 coinfection
['FUNDING_R01'] · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · NIH-11143177
This research looks at how adults' antibodies fight early hepatitis B infection and compares people living with HIV to those without.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BALTIMORE, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11143177 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers will use blood samples from 185 men in the MACS-WIHS cohort who had acute hepatitis B, including 74 men living with HIV, with outcomes of natural recovery (n=163) or viral persistence (n=22). They will measure HBV-specific neutralizing antibodies over 30 months after infection to see how strong and how long antibody protection lasts in people with and without HIV. The team will tag and isolate HBV-specific B cells from the acute infection period, sequence the B cell receptors, and compare molecular features and frequencies between those who cleared the virus and those who developed chronic infection. Investigators will also clone monoclonal antibodies from these B cells to identify which antibodies neutralize HBV and how HIV affects their development.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This work is most relevant to adults—particularly men—who experienced acute hepatitis B, including those living with HIV, since their samples and outcomes are being studied.
Not a fit: Individuals without a history of acute hepatitis B, children, and women (since this cohort is men) may not directly benefit from this specific project's findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could explain why people with HIV are more likely to lose HBV control and guide better vaccines, monitoring, or antibody-based therapies.
How similar studies have performed: Studies using neutralizing antibody measurements and B-cell sequencing have clarified immunity in other viral infections, but applying these methods to acute HBV with HIV coinfection is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
BALTIMORE, UNITED STATES
- JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY — BALTIMORE, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: BAILEY, JUSTIN RICHARD — JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: BAILEY, JUSTIN RICHARD
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.
Conditions: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Virus, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Virus