Understanding how HIV lowers CD4 and how to restore it
Official title: Elucidating the Structural Bases of HIV-1-Induced CD4 Degradation
Funded at Florida State University · NIH-11377261 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Scientists are studying how HIV tricks the immune system by reducing CD4 and exploring ways to keep CD4 on the cell surface to help clear infection.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Florida State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tallahassee, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $442,540 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI176897-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11377261 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People living with HIV who may benefit from therapies that boost or preserve CD4 function and improve immune clearance.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without access to future CD4-restoring therapies or who do not have HIV-related CD4 downregulation may not experience direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how HIV proteins Nef and Vpu cause loss of CD4 on infected cells and how that loss can be stopped. By understanding the exact mechanisms, researchers hope to design therapies that keep CD4 levels high to help the immune system fight HIV. The work combines molecular and cellular approaches to map the pathways and test potential interventions in models that mimic HIV infection. If successful, this could lead to new strategies that complement existing antiretroviral drugs and possibly reduce the need for lifelong therapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If the mechanisms are clarified and effective interventions are found, patients could gain new options to control HIV and potentially reduce dependence on long-term antiretroviral therapy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown that HIV proteins downregulate CD4, but this project aims to deepen the mechanistic understanding and translate it toward therapies.
Where this research is happening
-
Florida State University
Tallahassee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jia, Xiaofei — Florida State University
- Study coordinator: Jia, Xiaofei
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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.