Grant: New Investigator Award: PA - Infection and Immunity

AIDS remains one of the world's most serious health challenges. Globally, 35 million people are living with HIV including 70,000 in Canada. HIV infection is characterized by gradual loss of a type of white blood cell named CD4 T-cells and by chronic inflammation. Overall, antiretroviral therapy enhances the health of HIV infected people as immune defenses are improved. However, this observation does not apply to all of the cells controlling HIV infection. Another feature observed in chronic HIV infection is early aging due to chronic inflammation. In addition, understanding how the immune system responds to HIV infection in mucosal tissues represents an important research question. Regulatory T-cells (Tregs), which are a subgroup of immune cells, play a key role by controlling inflammation in many viral infections. However, their role in the context of HIV infection remains controversial. The goal of this research program is to develop a comprehensive understanding of (1) the different features and immunosuppressive function of Tregs in HIV infected people; (2) mechanisms of mucosal immune responses against HIV infection that are critical for the protection against mucosal transmission of infection and/or disease progression and (3) the role of Tregs in accelerated aging in people living with HIV. Therefore, the proposed research program will advance our understanding the contribution of Tregs in HIV. This knowledge will inform the design of treatments aimed at improving the health of HIV infected people in Canada and worldwide.