How T cells control hepatitis B in people with HIV
HBV-specific T cell immunity in HBV/HIV coinfection
This project examines whether specific T cells help control hepatitis B in adults living with HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11136543 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have HIV and chronic hepatitis B, the team will study your HBV-specific T cells—especially CD4 T cells—to understand how they respond during treatment. Researchers will collect blood samples and compare immune cells and markers from people with HBV/HIV coinfection to those with only HBV. They will use laboratory immune testing and follow participants over time to see which immune features link to loss of the hepatitis B surface antigen. The goal is to identify immune signals that could guide new antiviral or immunotherapies tailored for people with HIV.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults (likely age 21 and older) living with both HIV and chronic hepatitis B who are on or eligible for antiretroviral therapy.
Not a fit: Children, people without hepatitis B, or those already free of hepatitis B surface antigen are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could point to new treatments that help more people with HBV/HIV clear the hepatitis B surface antigen and reduce liver-related deaths.
How similar studies have performed: Immune-based approaches have shown some promise in people with hepatitis B alone, but applying these methods to people living with HIV is less tested and represents a newer effort.
Where this research is happening
Birmingham, United States
- University of Alabama at Birmingham — Birmingham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vinikoor, Michael Jeffrey — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Vinikoor, Michael Jeffrey
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.