Rectal immunization to block HIV at the mucosal entry point
Official title: Intrarectal Immunization for a Barrier to Mucosal HIV Infection
Funded at Texas Biomedical Research Institute · NIH-11294185 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aiming to create long-lasting immune defenses in the rectal lining to help prevent HIV infection.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas Biomedical Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Antonio, United States) |
| Project start | April 19, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $905,643 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI179412-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11294185 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People at risk of HIV exposure through receptive anal sex or other rectal exposures would be the likely target population for this approach.
✕Less likely to help
People already living with HIV or those whose primary exposure risk is not rectal (for example only vaginal exposure) would be unlikely to gain direct benefit from this specific approach.
What this research studies
This project develops a rectal vaccine approach that places HIV antigens at mucosal sites so local immune cells stay 'on alert.' The team uses epithelial stem cells as a long-lasting, non-producing source of antigen while their short-lived offspring display the antigen to the immune system. The goal is to generate both local mucosal immunity to stop the virus at the entry site and systemic responses as a backup. Most work appears preclinical with animal models and laboratory studies focused on whether this delivery strategy produces durable protective responses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could stop HIV at the site of exposure and offer longer-lasting protection than current strategies.
How similar studies have gone: Mucosal vaccine strategies have shown promise in animal studies but HIV vaccine efforts in humans have so far had limited success, so this approach is promising but still largely untested in people.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas Biomedical Research Institute
San Antonio, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gauduin, Marie-Claire Elisabeth — Texas Biomedical Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Gauduin, Marie-Claire Elisabeth
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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.