How naïve CD4+ T cells hide HIV in people on treatment
Probing the unique attributes of the naïve reservoir
Researchers are looking at whether naïve CD4+ T cells act as long‑lasting hideouts for HIV in people taking antiretroviral therapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11106015 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project focuses on resting CD4+ T cells, especially the naïve subset that may carry a higher proportion of intact HIV DNA than memory cells. Scientists will compare samples from people with different reservoir sizes, map HIV integration sites, and sequence proviruses to see how diverse these infections are. The team will examine blood and lymphoid tissues to check CCR5 expression and other features that could allow naïve cells to become infected and persist. The aim is to understand how these long‑lived cells might repopulate the HIV reservoir and resist clearance.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults living with HIV who are on suppressive antiretroviral therapy and willing to provide blood and possibly lymph node or other tissue samples.
Not a fit: People without HIV, those not on suppressive therapy, or individuals unwilling to give blood or tissue samples would not benefit directly from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal targets to better clear hidden HIV and move the field closer to durable cures.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies, including this group's preliminary data, have shown intact HIV DNA in naïve T cells, and this project expands and quantifies those observations across more donors and tissues.
Where this research is happening
Atlanta, United States
- Emory University — Atlanta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: O'doherty, Una T — Emory University
- Study coordinator: O'doherty, Una T
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.