How the tail of HIV's envelope protein helps the virus move and spread
Function of HIV-1 Env cytoplasmic tail domain
['FUNDING_R21'] · THOMAS JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY · NIH-11400012
Looking at how a part of HIV's envelope protein moves inside infected cells to find new ways to stop the virus for people living with HIV.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R21'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | THOMAS JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11400012 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers will examine how the HIV envelope protein (Env) travels inside infected cells and returns to places where new virus particles form. They will use lab-grown human cell lines and a naturally arising Env variant that resists antiviral inhibitors to trace where the protein goes and how it helps virus assembly. Experiments will compare different cell types, analyze the Env tail at the molecular level, and test how the mutation changes virus replication. The aim is to reveal steps that drugs might block to reduce HIV spread.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This lab-focused project does not enroll people, but its findings are intended to help people living with HIV—especially those with drug-resistant virus—in future treatments.
Not a fit: People without HIV and those already well-controlled on current therapies are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could point to new drug targets that stop HIV from assembling and spreading in infected people.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory work has described parts of Env trafficking, but studying this particular inhibitor-resistant Env truncation is a novel approach with uncertain results.
Where this research is happening
PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES
- THOMAS JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY — PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: ROOT, MICHAEL JEFFREY — THOMAS JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: ROOT, 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.
Conditions: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome