Mucosal HIV vaccine to trigger HIV-fighting CD8+ T cells
Official title: Development of a novel mucosal CTL-based HIV vaccine
Funded at Georgia State University · NIH-11517277 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new NIH grant funds testing a mucosal HIV vaccine designed to activate only the body's CD8+ T cells to fight HIV, aiming to prevent infection without triggering HIV-friendly CD4+ T cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Georgia State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $354,750 |
| NIH project number | 7R21AI195084-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11517277 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals at risk for HIV exposure or infection who might participate in future vaccine trials.
✕Less likely to help
People who are not exposed to HIV or who do not consider vaccine trials may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on a vaccine approach that targets mucosal sites and aims to generate strong HIV-specific CD8+ T cell responses while avoiding activation of CD4+ T cells. By leveraging a CMV-based vector strategy shown in animal studies, it seeks to induce the right kind of immune response to block early HIV replication. The grant supports preclinical and early development steps over about two years at Georgia State University under Dr. Liang Qiao. If successful, the work could inform future vaccine trials that reduce the risk of infection in people at risk of exposure.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the vaccine approach could reduce HIV acquisition by eliciting protective CD8+ T cell responses at mucosal entry points.
How similar studies have gone: Animal studies with CMV vectors showed promising protection against related viruses, but human efficacy remains to be established.
Where this research is happening
-
Georgia State University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Qiao, Liang — Georgia State University
- Study coordinator: Qiao, Liang
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.