Why immune cells move into the brain in cryptococcal IRIS after HIV treatment
A murine model for HIV/AIDS associated cryptococcal IRIS: characterizing the molecular mechanism of CD4+ T cell migration to the brain
Researchers are using a mouse model to learn how CD4+ immune cells travel to the brain and cause dangerous inflammation in people with HIV who develop cryptococcal infection after starting HIV therapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Maryland, College Park NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Park, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11234325 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses mice infected with Cryptococcus to mimic what can happen in people with HIV when antiretroviral therapy restores immune function. Scientists will study the role of the inflammatory signal TNF-α and the CD11a protein on CD4+ T cells to see if these drive those cells into the brain and trigger immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS). The team will manipulate these signals in the animal model and measure immune cell movement and brain inflammation to identify the molecular steps involved. The work aims to find targets that could one day prevent or reduce the life-threatening brain inflammation of cryptococcal IRIS.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People living with HIV who have had cryptococcal infection and are at risk of developing IRIS after starting or changing antiretroviral therapy would be the most relevant patients for these findings.
Not a fit: People without HIV or without a history of cryptococcal infection, and those already stable on ART with no IRIS risk, are unlikely to directly benefit from this preclinical work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal molecular targets to prevent or treat life-threatening cryptococcal IRIS in people living with HIV.
How similar studies have performed: Previous clinical observations and animal studies have implicated TNF-α and T cell–driven inflammation in IRIS, but the specific mechanism of CD4+ T cell migration to the brain is largely untested and remains novel.
Where this research is happening
College Park, United States
- Univ of Maryland, College Park — College Park, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shi, Meiqing — Univ of Maryland, College Park
- Study coordinator: Shi, Meiqing
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.