How infant immune systems make powerful HIV-blocking antibodies
Determinants of HIV broadly-neutralizing antibody precursor induction in infants
['FUNDING_P01'] · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · NIH-11307014
Looking at whether specific vaccine components and gut microbes help infants make HIV-blocking antibodies.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_P01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (CHAPEL HILL, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11307014 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers will use vaccine-like HIV envelope proteins designed to engage early B cells together with different adjuvants and analyses of the gut microbiome to see what sparks promising antibody responses. Work combines experiments in infant rhesus macaques with wide-ranging 'omics' (genetics, immune cell profiling, and microbiome sequencing) to find early signs that a broadly neutralizing antibody response is starting. The team will compare infant responses to adult responses to understand why infants sometimes develop these antibodies faster and with fewer mutations. Findings will guide which vaccine ingredients and host factors to test next in human-focused vaccine efforts.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: The work most directly relates to infants and young children exposed to HIV or considered for infant-directed vaccine strategies.
Not a fit: Adults not involved in infant vaccine programs or people without HIV exposure may not see direct benefit from this project in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could guide vaccines that help infants (and eventually others) generate broadly neutralizing antibodies that block many HIV strains.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal and early human observations show that inducing broadly neutralizing antibody precursors is possible but has been inconsistent and below desired levels, so this builds on promising but still limited results.
Where this research is happening
CHAPEL HILL, UNITED STATES
- UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL — CHAPEL HILL, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: DE PARIS, KRISTINA — UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- Study coordinator: DE PARIS, KRISTINA
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