An IL-15 superagonist approach to clear the latent viral reservoir

NIH RePORTER · NIH · R33 · $485,734 · view on reporter.nih.gov ↗

Abstract

SUMMARY With 34 million people currently living with HIV worldwide, developing a modality to induce an HIV functional cure is a top global health priority. We have recently discovered that 1) broadly neutralizing antibodies are able to potently eliminate the viral reservoir, and 2) that an IL-15 superagonist, ALT-803, is able to both reverse viral latency and activate natural killer cells in vivo. Therefore, we hypothesize that combining ALT-803 with broadly neutralizing antibodies under cover of cART can clear the latent reservoir. To investigate this intriguing idea, in specific aim 1 of the R21, we will establish the ability of ALT-803 to reactivate latent virus in the macaque model of HIV. In specific aim 2, we will determine if ALT-803 activated NK cells can mediate antibody- dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity on infected cells. If successful, we will combine ALT-803 with broadly neutralizing antibodies under cover of cART in the R33 phase. Successful completion of these studies could define an entirely new approach to clearing the latent reservoir.

Key facts

NIH application ID
10065757
Project number
4R33AI128970-03
Recipient
OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY
Principal Investigator
Jonah B. Sacha
Activity code
R33
Funding institute
NIH
Fiscal year
2020
Award amount
$485,734
Award type
4N
Project period
2018-01-01 → 2022-12-31