How early-life exposure to HIV and CMV affects children's vaccine immunity
Identifying critical determinants of vaccine-induced cellular and humoral immunity from birth through childhood in HIV-exposed and unexposed children
This project looks at whether exposure to HIV and cytomegalovirus (CMV) around birth changes antibody and cell-based immune responses to routine vaccines in infants and young children.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11285144 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will follow infants from birth through early childhood, comparing those born to mothers living with HIV (but who are themselves uninfected) and those not exposed to HIV. They will collect blood samples after routine vaccinations to measure antibody levels and cellular immune responses, and will test infants for CMV infection and markers of inflammation. The study will track these immune measures over time to see how maternal and infant infections relate to vaccine responses. Results aim to identify factors that lead to weaker vaccine protection in some children.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are infants and young children enrolled from birth, including those born to mothers living with HIV (HIV-exposed but uninfected) and HIV-unexposed infants, who can attend follow-up visits and provide blood samples.
Not a fit: Children whose immune problems are due to genetic or non-infectious causes, or participants who only provide samples without any change to their clinical care, may not receive direct benefit from the study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could guide strategies to improve vaccine responses and protection for children exposed to HIV or infected with CMV.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have reported reduced antibody responses in HIV-exposed uninfected children, but work on cellular vaccine responses and the role of CMV is limited and has produced mixed results.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- University of Washington — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Slyker, Jennifer Ann — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Slyker, Jennifer Ann
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.