Using gene therapy to prevent and treat HIV infection in newborns
AAV-mediated delivery of eCD4-Ig for prevention and treatment of perinatal HIV infection
This study is testing a new gene therapy that uses a safe virus to help protect babies from getting HIV from their mothers, aiming to find a long-lasting way to keep them healthy and reduce the risks associated with pediatric HIV infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10844598 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the use of a gene therapy approach to deliver a powerful HIV inhibitor, eCD4-Ig, to prevent and treat HIV infections that can be transmitted from mother to child. The therapy involves using a safe viral vector, adeno-associated virus (AAV), to introduce the eCD4-Ig gene into infant rhesus macaques, which are a model for human infants. By targeting both dividing and non-dividing cells, this method aims to provide long-lasting protection against HIV, potentially reducing the high mortality rates associated with pediatric HIV infections. The study seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of this innovative approach in a pre-clinical setting.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are infants at risk of perinatal HIV transmission, particularly in resource-limited settings.
Not a fit: Patients who are not newborns or those who do not have a risk of perinatal HIV transmission may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the incidence of HIV infections in newborns and improve survival rates for affected infants.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise with similar gene therapy approaches, indicating potential for success in this novel application.
Where this research is happening
Gainesville, United States
- University of Florida — Gainesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Martins, Mauricio de Aguiar — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Martins, Mauricio de Aguiar
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.