IL-15 immunotherapy to boost brain CD8 T cells against HIV reservoirs
Official title: Impact of IL-15 immunotherapy on tissue-specific CD8 T cells to reduce the CNS HIV reservoir seeding and persistence
Funded at Henry M. Jackson Fdn for the Adv Mil/med · NIH-11351034 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to use an IL-15 based treatment to strengthen HIV-specific CD8 T cells in the brain and reduce HIV lingering in the CNS for people on ART.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Henry M. Jackson Fdn for the Adv Mil/med NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bethesda, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $969,617 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH130197-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11351034 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with HIV infection on stable ART who could potentially participate in CNS-targeted immunotherapy studies.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without HIV or not on ART-related studies, or those with risk factors limiting immunotherapy participation, may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project tests a new IL-15 super-agonist to expand and activate HIV-specific CD8 T cells that can enter the brain and fight HIV reservoirs while someone is receiving ART. It builds on prior findings that these T cells can reach the CSF and persist after ART, and that boosting them may lower neuroinflammation. The study includes analyzing CSF and immune cell responses, and it will evaluate potential neurotoxicity as the treatment modulates immune activity. If successful, this approach could contribute to fewer brain reservoirs and longer-lasting viral control after ART changes. The work combines laboratory experiments with studies in human-relevant models to gauge Safety and T cell behavior in CNS-associated tissues.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce HIV reservoirs in the brain and improve long-term viral control for people living with HIV on ART.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows HIV-specific CD8 T cells can reach CSF and influence reservoir dynamics, with this project aiming to translate those insights into a targeted therapy.
Where this research is happening
-
Henry M. Jackson Fdn for the Adv Mil/med
Bethesda, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Trautmann, Lydie — Henry M. Jackson Fdn for the Adv Mil/med
- Study coordinator: Trautmann, Lydie
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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.