Stopping immune-driven growth of HIV-infected cell clones
Investigating antigen-driven clonal proliferation to target HIV-1 persistence
This project aims to find ways to shrink the hidden pool of HIV in people on antiretroviral therapy by targeting immune-driven expansion of infected cell clones.
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 ID | NIH-11180487 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will study how the immune system's responses to chronic antigens cause certain HIV-infected CD4+ T cells to divide and persist as clones. They will examine whether antigen exposure can wake up latent HIV and identify the molecular and cellular signals that allow infected clones to expand. The team will analyze blood and tissue samples alongside laboratory models to map the structure and dynamics of the HIV reservoir. The goal is to find targets that future treatments could use to reduce or eliminate the reservoir and move toward drug-free remission.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults living with HIV who are stably suppressed on antiretroviral therapy and willing to provide blood or tissue samples would be the most relevant candidates for participation or follow-up studies.
Not a fit: People without HIV or those with uncontrolled viremia or advanced illness are unlikely to benefit directly from findings focused on the reservoir in people on long-term suppressive ART.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to therapies that reduce or eliminate the HIV reservoir and enable periods of drug-free remission for some people living with HIV.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research has shown that infected cell clones can expand in response to antigens, but using this knowledge to actively shrink the HIV reservoir is a relatively new and largely untested approach.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Simonetti, Francesco Roberto — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Simonetti, Francesco Roberto
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.