Understanding how HIV persists in brain cells
Official title: Defining the HIV reservoir and latency mechanism in human brain myeloid cells
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11084526 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain brain cells in people with HIV might help the virus stay hidden in the body, even when they're on treatment, and it hopes to find new ways to improve care for those living with HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | May 6, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $623,736 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH136852-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11084526 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living with HIV who are currently on antiretroviral therapy.
✕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 the role of human brain myeloid cells in harboring HIV, which may contribute to persistent infection in the central nervous system. By utilizing a unique platform that isolates and expands these brain cells from individuals living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy, the study aims to characterize the mechanisms of HIV latency. The research employs advanced bioinformatics and in vitro infection models to explore how HIV interacts with these cells and the potential for targeted therapies. This work could lead to new insights into HIV reservoirs and improve treatment strategies for affected patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments that target HIV reservoirs in the brain, potentially improving outcomes for individuals living with HIV.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been significant research on HIV latency, this approach focusing specifically on human brain myeloid cells is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jiang, Guochun — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Jiang, Guochun
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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.