How HIV and nicotine exposure may change immune cells and HIV in the brain
Official title: Impacts of HIV and nicotine on T cell neuroinvasion and HIV CNS reservoir seeding
Funded at George Mason University · NIH-11305556 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies how nicotine use may affect HIV-infected CD4+ T cells to cross into the brain and seed HIV in the CNS, which could contribute to HAND.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | George Mason University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fairfax, United States) |
| Project start | May 15, 2026 |
| Project end | February 28, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $710,029 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DA066840-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11305556 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People living with HIV, especially those who use nicotine or tobacco products and may be at risk for HAND.
✕Less likely to help
The research is focused on mechanistic studies in cells and mouse models and may not directly benefit a specific patient immediately.
What this research studies
If nicotine makes HIV-infected T cells more likely to move into the brain, this research will test that idea using a lab-based blood-brain barrier model, measurements of cell signaling, and a humanized mouse model. The team will look at how HIV prompts chemotactic signals in CD4+ T cells and whether chronic nicotine changes their growth and inflammatory responses. Through three aims, they will connect cell-level changes to potential brain invasion by HIV-infected cells. The findings could identify how smoking might worsen brain involvement in HIV and point to new targets to protect brain health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to strategies to reduce brain HIV invasion and neurocognitive complications for people living with HIV who smoke or use nicotine.
How similar studies have gone: Similar studies in cell and animal models have advanced understanding of immune cell migration and HIV CNS involvement, but direct translation to patients remains an active area.
Where this research is happening
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George Mason University
Fairfax, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wu, Yuntao — George Mason University
- Study coordinator: Wu, Yuntao
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.