NIH-funded research R21 grant

Understanding Gut Antibodies in HIV-1 Infection

Official title: The Public Mucosal Antibody Repertoire in HIV-1 Infection

Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-11158681 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This project looks at how special antibodies in the gut might help people living with HIV-1 stay healthier.

More HIV-1-infection research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Colorado Denver
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES)
Project startAugust 1, 2024
Project endJune 30, 2026
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$195,000
NIH project number5R21AI183981-02
Project IDNIH-11158681 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

This research is based on samples from people living with HIV-1 and HIV-1-uninfected individuals.

Less likely to help

Patients who do not have HIV-1 or related gut inflammation may not directly benefit from this specific line of research.

What this research studies

People living with HIV-1 often face ongoing inflammation and health issues, even with treatment. This project explores how the gut's natural defenses, specifically certain antibodies, interact with gut bacteria to maintain a healthy balance. Researchers are studying gut tissue samples from people with and without HIV-1 to understand how these antibodies change in HIV-1 infection. The goal is to discover if these 'public' antibodies, which are shared among many people, play a key role in gut health and could be harnessed for new treatments.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to reduce inflammation and improve overall health for people living with HIV-1 by strengthening their gut defenses.

How similar studies have gone: While the concept of 'public' antibodies is emerging, this specific application to human HIV-1 gut health is a novel area of exploration.

Where this research is happening

  • University of Colorado Denver
    Aurora, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Santiago, Mario Luis — University of Colorado Denver
  • Study coordinator: Santiago, Mario Luis

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.