Investigating how HIV RNA affects immune responses in people with HIV
Official title: RNA modification and innate immune activation in HIV infection
Funded at Boston University Medical Campus · NIH-10897531 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the presence of HIV in the body can keep the immune system active and cause ongoing inflammation in people living with HIV who are on treatment, with the goal of finding new ways to help improve their health and reduce complications like memory problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University Medical Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 8, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $854,360 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI183400-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10897531 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living with HIV who are currently on anti-retroviral therapy and experiencing HIV-associated non-AIDS complications.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not living with HIV or those who are not on anti-retroviral therapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the role of HIV RNA in causing chronic immune activation in individuals living with HIV who are on anti-retroviral therapy. It aims to explore how the presence of HIV RNA in the body contributes to ongoing inflammation and related complications, such as neurocognitive disorders. By examining the molecular mechanisms behind HIV RNA's effects, the study seeks to identify potential new therapeutic targets that could improve health outcomes for these patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that reduce chronic inflammation and improve the quality of life for people living with HIV.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding the role of viral RNA in immune activation, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston University Medical Campus
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Akiyama, Hisashi — Boston University Medical Campus
- Study coordinator: Akiyama, Hisashi
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding how genetic changes in blood cells relate to heart disease in people with HIV
A study will look at how age-related blood cell mutations and large chromosomal changes might contribute to heart disease risk in people living with HIV.
-
Cardiac health and protein markers in kids with perinatal HIV exposure or infection
A study from Duke aims to understand heart health and protein biomarkers in children who were exposed to or infected with HIV at birth, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.
-
HBV cure clues in people with and without HIV
This project studies how HBV-specific B and T cell responses relate to curing hepatitis B in people with and without HIV.
-
HBV cure factors in people with and without HIV
This project studies how HBV-specific immune cells behave during treatment and whether people with HIV respond differently than those without HIV.
-
Myocardial fibrosis and fat in ART-treated women with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa
This project studies heart tissue changes in women with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa who are on antiretroviral therapy, to understand why they’re at higher risk for heart problems as they age.
-
Myocardial fibrosis and fat in ART-treated women with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa
This grant studies heart tissue changes in women living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa to understand why heart failure risk is higher in this group.
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.