Which HIV-infected cells can restart the virus during treatment
Project-002
Researchers will use advanced tests on blood and tissue samples from people living with HIV who are on suppressive antiretroviral therapy to find which infected cells keep making viral RNA or protein and could cause the virus to come back.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11327327 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project follows people living with HIV on ART and applies cutting-edge laboratory assays to their repeated blood and tissue samples to find cells that still produce HIV RNA or protein. The team will sort different types of viral RNA and protein signals, measure how common these cells are, how long they persist, and where they reside in the body. They will also examine whether these cells drive immune activation that can harm organs or lead to virus rebound if ART is stopped. By mapping the variety of transcriptionally active reservoir cells, researchers hope to identify the ones most likely to cause problems so future treatments can target them.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults living with HIV who are on suppressive ART and willing to provide repeated blood and possibly tissue samples, and who may be open to monitored ART interruption in future trials.
Not a fit: People without HIV, people with uncontrolled HIV not on ART, or those unwilling to give samples or attend clinic visits are unlikely to be eligible or to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to targeted ways to remove or control the cells that cause immune activation and viral rebound, helping move toward cures or safer long-term care.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies showed rebound virus can sometimes match cell-associated HIV RNA and that an active reservoir exists, but fully characterizing the diverse cell subsets with these new assays is a novel and developing approach.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yukl, Steven a — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Yukl, Steven 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.