Understanding how aimmune suppression via adenosine affects HIV-fighting T cells and how ADA-1 could help
Official title: Defining and Targeting the Adenosine-ADA-1 Axis in HIV-Specific CD8+ T Cell Dysfunction
Funded at Drexel University · NIH-11470401 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant explores how a molecule called adenosine dampens HIV-specific CD8+ T cells and whether boosting ADA-1 can restore their ability to fight HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Drexel University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | July 8, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $249,656 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI203557-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11470401 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People living with HIV who are on ART and have functional HIV-specific CD8+ T cells may be eligible for related future studies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose HIV-specific CD8+ T cells do not respond to ADA-1 modulation may not benefit.
What this research studies
People living with HIV on ART can still experience viral rebound if treatment stops, likely because HIV-specific T cells lose function. The researchers will study the ADO/ADA-1 pathway to see how it affects these T cells’ ability to respond to HIV. They will test whether increasing ADA-1 activity can improve antiviral T cell function. The project will use laboratory analyses of patient-derived cells to understand this mechanism and its potential for improving immune control of HIV. If successful, this could pave the way for new approaches to complement ART and reduce viral reservoirs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If ADA-1 augmentation improves T cell function, it could contribute to strategies that better control HIV after treatment interruption.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research shows immune pathways can be modulated to improve T cell function, but this exact ADA-1/A2A pathway in HIV is being explored.
Where this research is happening
-
Drexel University
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Haddad, Elias K — Drexel University
- Study coordinator: Haddad, Elias K
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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.