Investigating immune responses in genital skin related to HSV-2 reactivation
Official title: HSV-2 specificity and phenotyping of tissue-based T cells in genital skin biopsies of HSV-2 reactivation
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-10813041 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how your immune system reacts to the herpes simplex virus type 2 by checking tissue samples from the genital area, and it’s for people interested in understanding how a new vaccine might help improve these immune responses over time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $189,432 |
| NIH project number | 5K08AI148588-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-10813041 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with symptomatic HSV-2 infections who are willing to participate in tissue sampling and vaccination trials.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have HSV-2 infections or those who are asymptomatic may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how the immune system responds to the herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) by examining tissue samples from the genital area. It involves analyzing T cells from skin biopsies during HSV-2 reactivation and comparing them to T cells from other areas of the body. The study aims to determine how these immune responses change over time, especially after vaccination with an experimental immunotherapeutic vaccine. By doing so, it seeks to contribute to the development of an effective HSV-2 vaccine.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of a vaccine that effectively prevents or reduces the severity of HSV-2 infections.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in similar approaches to understanding immune responses to viral infections, suggesting potential for success in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ford, Emily — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Ford, Emily
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.