Investigating how sex and hormones affect HIV transmission in rectal tissues.
Official title: Sex, Gender, and HIV Transmission: Defining the Impact of Biological Sex and Sex Hormones on Epithelial and Immune Cell Transcriptomics and HIV Transmission in Human Rectal Tissues
Funded at Emory University · NIH-10890674 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how biological sex and hormone therapy affect the rectal area, which is important for understanding HIV transmission, especially in transgender individuals, by comparing tissue samples from cisgender men and women to see how hormones might change the way our immune system works.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | July 19, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $172,316 |
| NIH project number | 5K23AI177081-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10890674 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include transgender men and women who are undergoing gender-affirming hormone therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not transgender or do not use gender-affirming hormone therapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the impact of biological sex and sex hormones on the rectal mucosal environment, which is crucial for HIV transmission. It aims to explore how gender-affirming hormone therapy influences immune and epithelial cell functions in transgender individuals. By comparing gene expression patterns in rectal tissues of cisgender men and women, and examining the effects of sex hormones on these tissues, the study seeks to uncover mechanisms that may affect susceptibility to HIV. The research employs advanced techniques like spatial transcriptomics and single-cell RNA sequencing to gather detailed insights.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved HIV prevention strategies tailored for transgender individuals.
How similar studies have gone: While there is ongoing research in HIV prevention, this specific focus on the intersection of gender-affirming hormone therapy and HIV transmission in transgender individuals is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Grimsley Ackerley, Cassie — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Grimsley Ackerley, Cassie
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.