Understanding why some HIV patients on effective ART still lose CD4 cells
Official title: Investigate the mechanism of autoreactive B cell-mediated immunological failure despite virologic suppression in HIV-infected individuals on antiretroviral therapy
Funded at Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center · NIH-11565370 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how autoantibodies that target CD4 cells may cause immune deterioration in people with HIV who are on long‑term antiretroviral therapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charleston, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2022 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01CX002422-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11565370 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
HIV-positive individuals on long-term ART who have incomplete CD4+ T cell recovery, including both veterans and non-veterans, may be eligible.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with well-controlled CD4+ counts on ART or those without immune non‑response may be less likely to benefit from this specific approach.
What this research studies
Even with successful control of the virus, about a quarter of people living with HIV do not regain normal CD4+ T cell levels. This study focuses on how anti-CD4 antibodies and autoreactive B cells might drive ongoing CD4+ T cell loss and hinder immune recovery. The project will explore the molecular signals involved in anti-CD4 IgG–mediated effects and identify potential targets to block this harmful process alongside ART. By studying both HIV+ veterans and non-veterans, the work aims to find strategies to improve immune reconstitution and reduce illness and death related to poor immune recovery.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to new targets or treatments to boost CD4+ T cell recovery in people with HIV on ART, potentially lowering morbidity and mortality.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has shown anti-CD4 antibodies can affect CD4+ T cells, supporting this line of investigation, though targeting this pathway is still developing.
Where this research is happening
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Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center
Charleston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jiang, Wei — Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Jiang, Wei
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.