Inherited HHV-6 examined using patient-derived stem cells
Studies on Inherited Chromosomally Integrated HHV-6 with Patient-derived Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Researchers will use stem cells made from people who carry inherited HHV‑6 to learn how the virus can wake up and harm the brain, pregnancy, or transplant outcomes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11412205 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be asked to provide a small sample (for example blood or skin) that researchers will turn into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Those iPSCs will be grown into cell types such as nerve or immune cells so scientists can watch how the integrated HHV‑6 genome behaves and what makes it reactivate. The team will compare cells from people with inherited chromosomally integrated HHV‑6 to cells without the integration to find differences in viral activity and cell damage. Results will guide ideas for preventing reactivation or reducing tissue injury linked to this inherited virus.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people who are known or suspected to carry inherited (chromosomally integrated) HHV‑6 and who can provide a blood or skin sample for lab modeling.
Not a fit: People who do not carry integrated HHV‑6 or who need immediate clinical care for an active infection are unlikely to gain direct benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal targets or strategies to prevent HHV‑6 reactivation and reduce related brain, pregnancy, or transplant complications.
How similar studies have performed: Using patient-derived iPSCs to model disease and viral reactivation is a well-established method, but applying it specifically to inherited HHV‑6 is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Davis, United States
- University of California at Davis — Davis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Izumiya, Yoshihiro — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Izumiya, Yoshihiro
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.