Grant: Project Grant

HIV is a lifelong infection, which causes immunosuppression, decreasing body defense. The current antiretroviral therapy used to fight HIV infection has improved the lives of people living with HIV. However, these medications are unable to cure HIV due to the persistence of hidden virus inside certain cells called HIV reservoirs. Strategies to reduce HIV reservoir size is thought to be important to achieve HIV remission or cure. Most studies focusing on HIV reservoirs have been conducted in blood as opposed to tissues where HIV is hidden. Therefore, we will study HIV reservoirs in gut and lymph nodes which bear the vast majority of HIV reservoirs. The size of the HIV reservoir is larger with delayed treatment, heightened inflammation and leaky gut. We hypothesize that immunosuppressive pathways differ between gut and lymph nodes due to different local environment. Therefore, we will study how immunosuppressive pathways affect differently the size of HIV reservoirs in gut, lymph nodes and blood from participants receiving antiretroviral therapy. To access gut tissues and lymph nodes, we will perform colonoscopy and/or a small incision to remove lymph nodes. We will use state of the art techniques to assess immune changes which may contribute to HIV reservoirs in blood and tissues. In addition, we will conduct experiments on cells to test new drugs that reactivate the immune system to decrease HIV reservoir size. Our team of gastroenterologists, surgeons, physicians, immunologists and participant advocates will contribute to HIV cure research.