New HIV vaccine pieces aimed at the virus's fusion peptide
SHIV-guided design of novel HIV-1 fusion peptide immunogens
Researchers are designing vaccine components guided by monkey SHIV infections to teach the immune system to make broad antibodies that can block HIV-1 and help prevent infection.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11294197 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are studying how SHIV-infected rhesus macaques naturally develop broadly neutralizing antibodies that resemble responses seen in some humans. They will create tailored SHIVs to map the key viral changes that drive antibody development, and use those insights to design prime and boost protein vaccine components focused on the HIV fusion peptide. The team will test those vaccine components in controlled lab and animal experiments to see which sequences and boosting steps best steer B cells toward producing broad, potent antibodies. Success in these steps would guide future human vaccine trials using the most promising immunogens.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People at risk for HIV infection or volunteers interested in future HIV vaccine trials would be the eventual candidates for follow-on human studies.
Not a fit: People currently living with chronic HIV who need immediate treatment rather than preventive vaccines are unlikely to benefit directly from this preclinical work in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could produce vaccine components that help the human immune system make broadly neutralizing antibodies to prevent HIV infection.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal and laboratory studies, including work showing SHIV-infected monkeys can develop broadly neutralizing antibodies, have been promising but producing high breadth and potency through vaccination remains challenging.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shaw, George M — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Shaw, George 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.