Natural human viral element that blocks HIV assembly
Human endogenous provirus inhibition of HIV replication
This research looks at a natural viral element in human DNA that may stop HIV from forming new infectious particles for people living with HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tufts University Boston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11259506 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will study a specific human endogenous retrovirus (HERV-K 3q12.3) that appears to interfere with HIV's ability to assemble and leave infected cells. They will use laboratory experiments with reconstructed viral proteins and infected cells to determine how the provirus causes misassembly of HIV Gag and prevents virus release. The team will isolate HIV variants that can escape this block and test whether the provirus can act against other related retroviruses. Most work is lab-based at Tufts, with the goal of learning whether this natural mechanism could be turned into a treatment approach in the future.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People living with HIV, particularly those with ongoing viral replication or resistance to current therapies, would be the most likely future candidates for interventions based on this work.
Not a fit: People without HIV and those needing immediate clinical treatment are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic laboratory research in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to a new way to block HIV replication that might be developed into therapies to reduce viral spread.
How similar studies have performed: Other laboratory studies of natural 'restriction factors' that block HIV have shown promise, but using this specific human provirus against HIV is a novel and largely untested approach.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Tufts University Boston — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Coffin, John M — Tufts University Boston
- Study coordinator: Coffin, John M
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.