Understanding where HIV hides in the body during treatment
Immune Microenvironments That Impact HIV Persistence and Expression During ART
This research looks closely at how HIV stays hidden in certain parts of the body, even when people are taking their medication.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11328735 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Even with effective HIV medication, the virus can hide in certain cells, making it difficult to cure. This hidden virus can reactivate if treatment stops. Our goal is to understand the specific areas in lymph nodes and other immune tissues where HIV-infected cells like to hide. We are exploring how these hidden cells interact with other immune cells, especially B cells, to survive and potentially reactivate. By learning more about these 'hiding spots,' we hope to find new ways to target and eliminate the virus.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is relevant to people living with HIV who are currently on antiretroviral therapy.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have HIV or are 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 to eliminate hidden HIV, bringing us closer to a cure for HIV infection.
How similar studies have performed: While the challenge of HIV persistence is well-known, this specific focus on the microenvironment of hidden viral cells in secondary lymphoid tissues represents a novel and underexplored area.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- University of California, San Diego — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gianella Weibel, Sara — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Gianella Weibel, Sara
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 below.