Understanding how HIV-specific IgA sugar tags affect its movement and action
Official title: Assessing the Role of HIV-specific IgA glycosylation on transport and function
Funded at Rush University Medical Center · NIH-11408110 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to see how sugar decorations on HIV-targeting IgA antibodies influence where they travel in the body and how well they work against HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rush University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | June 5, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $269,500 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI198095-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11408110 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People living with HIV from whom IgA antibodies can be collected and analyzed for glycosylation patterns.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not yet engaged in research or those without HIV infection or related samples may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project will explore how the glycosylation patterns of HIV-specific IgA antibodies affect their transport and effector functions in the body. By analyzing IgA from people living with HIV, the team aims to identify glycosylation features that change how these antibodies move through tissues and engage immune responses. The findings could guide the design of smarter antibody-based approaches to help control HIV infection. The work builds on prior observations about how antibody sugars influence movement across barriers and into lymphoid tissues.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could inform the development of more effective IgA-based strategies to prevent HIV spread and improve immune control.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data suggest that antibody glycosylation can influence transport and function, but direct HIV-specific IgA effects remain under study.
Where this research is happening
-
Rush University Medical Center
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schneider, Jeffrey R — Rush University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Schneider, Jeffrey R
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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.