Understanding how immune cells fight HIV in treated individuals

Antiviral role of CD8+T cells in ART-treated SIV-infected macaques

NIH-funded research Emory University · NIH-11063202

This work explores how certain immune cells, called CD8+ T cells, affect the persistence of the AIDS virus in individuals receiving treatment.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionEmory University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Atlanta, United States)
Project IDNIH-11063202 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Researchers are looking into how CD8+ T cells, which are known to fight viruses, might also play a role in why the AIDS virus can hide in the body even with long-term medication. They are building on previous findings that showed these cells are needed to keep the virus suppressed, but also that removing them can reveal hidden virus. By studying this in a relevant animal model, the goal is to better understand how to disrupt the virus's ability to persist and potentially reduce or eliminate it from the body.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This foundational research is for individuals living with HIV who are currently on antiretroviral therapy and interested in future cure strategies.

Not a fit: Patients not living with HIV or those not on antiretroviral therapy would not directly benefit from this specific research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new strategies for an HIV cure by targeting how immune cells interact with the hidden virus.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies by this team have shown that CD8+ lymphocytes are crucial for maintaining virus suppression and can influence the activation of hidden virus.

Where this research is happening

Atlanta, United States

Researchers

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 below.
Conditions Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome VirusAcquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Virus
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.