How herpes simplex virus proteins help the virus reactivate in nerve cells
Official title: Role for ICP0 and UL55/UL13/Us10 in protein degradation in neurons and reactivation of HSV from latent infection
Funded at University of Virginia · NIH-11493661 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are looking at viral proteins that help HSV-1 hide in and come back to life in nerve cells to hopefully protect people who carry the virus.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project start | November 8, 2024 |
| Project end | October 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $36,628 |
| NIH project number | 3R21AI183192-02S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11493661 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People who carry HSV-1, especially those with recurrent oral/ocular outbreaks or a history of HSV encephalitis, could be candidates for future therapies informed by this research.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals who do not have HSV-1 or whose neurologic problems are unrelated to herpes are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
What this research studies
This project looks inside nerve cells to find which human proteins the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) destroys during infection. The team will focus on a viral enzyme called ICP0 and a protein complex made of pUL55, pUL13, and pUS10 to see how they work in neurons. Using neuron models and molecular and protein-detection methods, researchers will identify proteins that get degraded and test how that affects the virus moving into and out of latency. The goal is to understand the steps that let HSV-1 reactivate so future treatments can stop lesions, encephalitis, or long-term nerve damage.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new targets to prevent HSV-1 reactivation and reduce herpes-related lesions or brain inflammation.
How similar studies have gone: Previous lab research has shown viral proteins can degrade host defenses in non-neuronal cells, but applying these findings specifically to neurons and latency/reactivation is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cliffe, Anna Ruth — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Cliffe, Anna Ruth
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.