Ongoing HIV activity in lung immune cells despite antiretroviral therapy
Virologic and immunologic impacts of active viral persistence in lung AMs of HIV-1-infected, cART-suppressed individuals
The team will look for low-level HIV activity in lung immune cells of people whose blood virus is suppressed by antiretroviral therapy to understand how this might drive inflammation or virus return.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University of New York at Buffalo NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Amherst, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11091488 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, researchers will collect lung immune cells and blood from people living with HIV who have undetectable viral loads on antiretroviral therapy. They will use procedures like bronchoscopy to obtain alveolar macrophages and run lab tests to detect viral RNA, viral proteins, and immune signals in those cells. The project also uses laboratory models to see how ongoing viral signals from these lung cells might keep the immune system activated or contribute to viral rebound if treatment stops. Findings aim to point to markers or targets that could reduce inflammation and help future cure approaches.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People living with HIV who are on stable suppressive antiretroviral therapy with undetectable blood viral loads and willing to undergo clinic visits and lung sampling would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People not on ART, with detectable viral loads, children, or anyone unable or unwilling to undergo lung procedures would likely not be eligible or benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could identify hidden sources of HIV in the lungs that, if targeted, might reduce chronic inflammation and improve cure strategies.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work has shown low-level HIV activity in blood T cells, but studying active viral reservoirs in lung macrophages is relatively new and less tested.
Where this research is happening
Amherst, United States
- State University of New York at Buffalo — Amherst, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Boliar, Saikat — State University of New York at Buffalo
- Study coordinator: Boliar, Saikat
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.