Tracking long-lived HIV-targeting natural killer (NK) cells
Clonal lineage tracing of HIV specific NK memory cells
['FUNDING_R21'] · FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER CENTER · NIH-11333855
Researchers will look for long-lived NK immune cells that remember HIV by analyzing blood samples from women collected before and after infection to learn how the immune system fights the virus.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R21'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER CENTER (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (SEATTLE, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11333855 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you were part of the long-term cohort, researchers will use your stored blood samples taken over decades, including samples from before HIV infection. They will apply a method called ASAP-seq that uses mitochondrial DNA markers to trace individual NK cell lineages and measure protein and epigenetic features. The team will compare NK cell populations before and after infection to find rare, persistent NK clones that respond to HIV. Findings will be based on detailed molecular profiling rather than a treatment given to participants.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are women with documented HIV infection who have provided longitudinal blood samples (including samples taken before infection) in the existing cohort.
Not a fit: People without stored longitudinal samples, men, children, or those not represented in the cohort are unlikely to directly benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal immune mechanisms that help control HIV and guide future vaccines or therapies that harness NK memory.
How similar studies have performed: Lineage-tracing with ASAP-seq has tracked long-lived NK clones in human CMV infection and animal studies show HIV-specific NK memory, but applying this approach to human HIV samples is a new application.
Where this research is happening
SEATTLE, UNITED STATES
- FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER CENTER — SEATTLE, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: OVERBAUGH, JULIE M. — FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER CENTER
- Study coordinator: OVERBAUGH, JULIE M.
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.
Conditions: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Virus, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Virus