Modulating drug transporters to boost HIV drug levels in macrophages
Official title: Modulating drug efflux transporter expression on the macrophage reservoir of HIV
Funded at University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr · NIH-11378819 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how different macrophage states change the flow of HIV medicines inside cells, aiming to improve how well antiretrovirals work in the macrophage reservoir.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Memphis, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $77,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R03AI192029-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11378819 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People living with HIV who have macrophage-driven reservoirs or are receiving antiretroviral therapy and may benefit from improved drug delivery to macrophages.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without HIV or those not on antiretroviral therapy are not expected to benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will study how macrophages in various activation states affect the movement and buildup of antiretroviral drugs inside the cells and how this influences HIV-1 replication in the macrophage reservoir. They will focus on drug transporter proteins like MRP1, P-gp, and BCRP that can pump medications out of cells, potentially reducing drug exposure. The study builds on prior data showing transporter expression varies with macrophage activation and that most antiretrovirals are substrates of these transporters. By testing phenotype-specific strategies to enhance intracellular drug concentrations, the work aims to limit viral replication in macrophages. Results could guide new approaches to make HIV therapy more effective by targeting macrophage reservoirs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to strategies that improve antiretroviral drug levels in macrophages and help reduce persistent HIV replication in this reservoir.
How similar studies have gone: Previous findings suggest transporter expression changes with macrophage activation and that modifying drug transport could influence antiviral levels, supporting potential benefit while the exact approach is exploratory.
Where this research is happening
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University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr
Memphis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cory, Theodore — University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr
- Study coordinator: Cory, Theodore
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.