Small molecules to block HIV Nef and boost immune killing
Official title: Small Molecule Inhibitors of Nef-Mediated Immune Evasion
Funded at Florida State University · NIH-11467578 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study at a university lab aims to create small medicines that stop the HIV Nef protein from helping the virus hide, so the immune system can better clear HIV-infected cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Florida State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tallahassee, United States) |
| Project start | July 7, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $800,229 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI198059-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11467578 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are people living with HIV who are on standard ART and may benefit from therapies that enable immune clearance of infected cells, pending safety and efficacy data.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without access to future clinical trials or those with contraindications to additional antiretroviral strategies may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on developing and testing new small-molecule inhibitors that target the HIV-1 Nef protein, a key player in immune evasion. By disrupting Nef’s ability to downregulate MHC-I and CD4, these compounds could enhance immune recognition and killing of infected cells. The work will combine medicinal chemistry, cellular assays, and ADME studies to identify promising candidates for further development. Participation could eventually involve patients through future trials if a safety and efficacy path is established.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to therapies that help the immune system eliminate HIV-infected cells, offering a path toward improved control or possible cure strategies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous efforts targeting viral immune evasion have shown promise in lab settings, but translating to patients requires rigorous testing and safety validation.
Where this research is happening
-
Florida State University
Tallahassee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jia, Xiaofei — Florida State University
- Study coordinator: Jia, Xiaofei
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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.