Stopping the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis in people with HIV/AIDS
Parasite autophagy as a key survival mechanism for the AIDS-associated pathogen Toxoplasma gondii
Finding how the Toxoplasma parasite keeps itself alive so new treatments can prevent dangerous reactivation in people with HIV/AIDS.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11145646 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are studying how Toxoplasma gondii uses a self-cleaning process called autophagy to survive as slow-growing cysts that can reactivate in people with weakened immune systems. They use lab-grown parasites and infected mice to find parasite proteins (including ones related to TgATG9) that are essential for forming autophagic structures. The team will define how those components work together and test whether disrupting them destroys persistent bradyzoite cysts. This lab-and-animal work aims to point to targets for drugs that could stop reactivation that current treatments cannot eliminate.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with HIV/AIDS or other conditions causing immune suppression who have had prior Toxoplasma infection and are at risk for reactivation would be the group most likely to benefit or be future trial candidates.
Not a fit: People without prior Toxoplasma infection or those with healthy immune systems are unlikely to directly benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could point to new treatments that clear persistent Toxoplasma cysts and prevent life-threatening reactivation in immune-suppressed people.
How similar studies have performed: Early laboratory and mouse work disrupting parasite autophagy (for example TgATG9 loss) has already shown reduced cyst viability, but turning these findings into human treatments is still novel.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Carruthers, Vernon Bruce — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Carruthers, Vernon Bruce
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.