Investigating immune system issues in infants exposed to HIV and their response to a common virus.
Innate Immune Defects in HIV-Exposed Uninfected Infants: Effect on Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection
This study is looking at why babies who are around moms with HIV but don’t have the virus themselves seem to get sicker from a common virus called RSV, and it aims to understand how their immune systems might be affected by their mom's health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-10790011 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding why infants who are exposed to HIV but do not have the virus themselves (HEU infants) are more severely affected by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections compared to those who are not exposed (HUU infants). The study will examine the role of specific immune cells, such as natural killer cells and antigen-presenting cells, in these infants and how their function may be altered due to maternal HIV infection. By comparing immune responses in HEU and HUU infants, the research aims to identify the underlying mechanisms that lead to increased susceptibility to RSV. The findings could provide insights into how maternal health impacts neonatal immune function.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are infants who are HIV-exposed but uninfected.
Not a fit: Patients who are not exposed to HIV or who are older than infancy may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved prevention and treatment strategies for RSV infections in infants exposed to HIV.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has indicated immune dysfunction in HEU infants, suggesting that this area of study is both relevant and necessary for advancing our understanding of their health.
Where this research is happening
Aurora, UNITED STATES
- University of Colorado Denver — Aurora, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Smith-Anderson, Christiana Elizabeth — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Smith-Anderson, Christiana Elizabeth
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.