Targeting specific immune cells to find a cure for HIV
Official title: Targeting CD127-expressing tissue reservoir cells as a strategy for HIV cure
Funded at J. David Gladstone Institutes · NIH-11006843 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a specific type of immune cell helps HIV stick around in the body, and it’s testing a special antibody to see if it can help these cells stop surviving, which could lead to new ways to help people living with HIV feel better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | J. David Gladstone Institutes NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | August 6, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $250,791 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI184073-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11006843 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living with HIV who have been on antiretroviral therapy and are interested in exploring new treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not living with HIV or those who are not on antiretroviral therapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how certain immune cells, specifically those expressing CD127, contribute to the persistence of HIV in the body. By using a specialized antibody called 4A10, the study aims to disrupt the signaling pathways that allow these cells to survive and potentially lead to HIV remission. The approach involves testing the effects of this antibody on HIV-infected cells in a controlled laboratory setting, which could provide insights into new treatment strategies for individuals living with HIV.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative therapies that significantly reduce or eliminate the HIV reservoir in patients, potentially achieving a functional cure.
How similar studies have gone: While targeting immune cells for HIV treatment is a novel approach, similar strategies have shown promise in other areas of HIV research, indicating potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
J. David Gladstone Institutes
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Roan, Nadia R — J. David Gladstone Institutes
- Study coordinator: Roan, Nadia R
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
HOPE: a new approach to silencing HIV and preventing rebound
A large NIH grant is testing a combination strategy to turn off HIV genes in people on treatment so the virus stays gone and health improves.
-
Undo HIV: Understanding and targeting the active HIV reservoir
Aims to map and ultimately eliminate the HIV cells that stay active despite therapy to improve long-term control of HIV in people living with HIV.
-
TREM2 and TYROBP in Alzheimer's brain network changes
This grant looks at how microglial proteins TREM2 and TYROBP influence brain network excitability in people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
-
Commensal respiratory viruses and how they interact with the human airway
A small NIH grant is exploring how the normal viruses living in our airways interact with our cells to stay harmless and support healthy breathing.
-
Targeted delivery systems to edit blood stem cells
Aims to safely deliver genome-editing tools to blood stem cells to treat diseases like acute myeloid leukemia.
-
Regionally Specific Transplants to Restore Breathing After Cervical Spine Injury
A patient-focused look at a study that aims to repair breathing circuits after cervical spinal cord injury using stem-cell–derived nerve cells and targeted neuromodulation.
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.