Investigating how HIV interacts with brain cells to control infection
Official title: Productive and latent HIV infection of microglia: virus and host wrestle for SUMOylation system control
Funded at Rowan University School/osteopathic Med · NIH-11258440 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how HIV impacts certain brain cells that help with the immune system, and it hopes to find new ways to keep the virus from causing problems, which could lead to better treatments for people living with HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rowan University School/osteopathic Med NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stratford, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2025 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $163,625 |
| NIH project number | 7R21MH134390-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11258440 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living with HIV, particularly those experiencing neurological symptoms or complications related to the virus.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not living with HIV or those who do not have any neurological complications related to HIV may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how HIV affects microglial cells in the brain, which are crucial for the immune response and can harbor the virus. The study aims to explore the role of SUMO proteins in regulating HIV replication and latency, potentially leading to new strategies for achieving sustained remission from HIV. By examining the interactions between the virus and the host's cellular mechanisms, the research seeks to uncover novel therapeutic targets that could improve treatment outcomes for patients with HIV-related central nervous system dysfunction.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved therapies that help achieve long-term remission from HIV and reduce associated neurological complications.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting viral latency and manipulating host cellular mechanisms, indicating that this approach could yield significant insights and advancements.
Where this research is happening
-
Rowan University School/osteopathic Med
Stratford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Langford, Dianne Teresa — Rowan University School/osteopathic Med
- Study coordinator: Langford, Dianne Teresa
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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.