Where HIV hides in immune cells after transplant treatments
T-cell depletion and maintenance of the HIV-1 latent reservoir in distinct tissue compartments
This project tracks how hidden HIV in resting CD4+ T cells returns after T-cell–depleting transplant treatments in people living with HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11330255 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use stored samples from people living with HIV who received kidney transplants through the HOPE in Action trial, including lymph nodes, transplanted kidney tissue, and repeated blood draws. They will compare genetic signatures of infected resting CD4+ T cells across these tissues to see where identical infected cell clones live and how they expand after strong T cell–depleting transplant drugs. Laboratory methods will include assays to detect latent HIV, sequencing of viral integration sites, and tracking immune signals that could stimulate infected cell growth. By comparing samples over time before and after T cell depletion, they aim to map how the viral reservoir is rebuilt and which tissues drive that rebound.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People living with HIV who have had or will have organ transplants (especially kidney) and who can provide blood and tissue samples or consent to use archived samples.
Not a fit: People without HIV, or people with HIV who are not undergoing transplantation and are not part of the sample collection, are unlikely to be enrolled or directly benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify the tissue sites and immune triggers that keep HIV hidden, guiding more targeted cure strategies.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research shows that clonal expansion of infected T cells helps maintain the reservoir, but using the transplant setting with matched tissue samples to track rebound is a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tobian, Aaron a — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Tobian, Aaron a
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.