How HIV and the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans interact inside brain immune cells
Host-Pathogen Dynamics in Microglia during C. neoformans and HIV Co-infection
This project looks at how the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans and HIV interact inside brain immune cells in people living with HIV who have cryptococcal meningitis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University New York Stony Brook NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stony Brook, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11230230 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will examine cerebrospinal fluid and lab-grown models to see whether older fungal cells build up during infection and resist being killed by brain immune cells called microglia. They will study fungal cell aging, measure expression of transporters like CTR4, and model microglia that carry HIV to recreate the infection environment. The team will compare fungal cells from patient fluids with results from lab experiments to understand how HIV-infected microglia may create a niche for fungal survival. The work uses patient-derived samples plus cellular laboratory work to link findings back to people with cryptococcal meningitis.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People living with HIV who have cryptococcal meningitis and are able to provide cerebrospinal fluid (via lumbar puncture) would be the most likely candidates to contribute or participate.
Not a fit: People without HIV or without cryptococcal meningitis, or those who cannot undergo lumbar puncture, are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could explain why cryptococcal meningitis is hard to clear in people with HIV and point toward new ways to detect or treat infection.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have observed older Cryptococcus cells in patient CSF and shown fungal resistance to immune killing, but combining fungal aging with HIV-infected microglia is a newer, less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Stony Brook, United States
- State University New York Stony Brook — Stony Brook, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fries, Bettina — State University New York Stony Brook
- Study coordinator: Fries, Bettina
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.