Rational hepatitis C vaccine design guided by natural clearance patterns
Official title: Rational hepatitis C virus vaccine design informed by mechanisms of spontaneous clearance or persistence of infection
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11451365 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A Johns Hopkins team is studying how some people naturally clear hepatitis C to guide a vaccine that could prevent infection.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | September 24, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,849,722 |
| NIH project number | 1U19AI201306-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11451365 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include individuals with acute or prior exposure to hepatitis C, especially those who have controlled infection (elite controllers) or who are at high risk for exposure.
✕Less likely to help
People without exposure risk or those not participating in immunology studies related to hepatitis C may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how the body’s B cells and antibodies respond to hepatitis C and how T cells contribute to clearing the virus. Researchers will analyze immune responses in people who rapidly control the virus and compare them with those who don’t, while examining viral antigens to identify protective targets. The goal is to translate these immune insights into a vaccine design and test several vaccine concepts in pre-clinical settings. The study integrates data on antibody responses, cellular immunity, and viral sequences to inform a stronger, preventive vaccine strategy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to a vaccine that prevents hepatitis C infection and reduces disease burden.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that certain immune responses correlate with spontaneous clearance, supporting the plausibility of vaccine-informed designs.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cox, Andrea L — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Cox, Andrea L
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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.