# Imaging the CNS SIV reservoir in a cART cessation model

> **NIH NIH R21** · RUSH UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · 2020 · $239,532

## Abstract

Project Summary
There are currently 38 million people living with HIV (PLWH) and due to current advances in combination
antiretroviral therapy (cART), PLWH are living longer. However due to the latent viral reservoir, there is currently
no cure for HIV as viral rebound arises following cART cessation. Therefore, a great effort has been put into
defining this latent reservoir and strategies for eradication. One of these latent reservoirs is the brain, as
demonstrated in both human and non-human primate models. Interestingly, brain latent reservoir can reseed
peripheral organs following cART cessation. Understanding the role the brain plays in viral rebound and defining
which cells contribute to CNS viral escape is critical for a viable cure strategy. Equally important is to define the
neuroinflammatory signature under cART and changes following cART cessation to inform therapeutic
strategies. In this application using a combinatorial imaging approach, we will define the viral reservoir in the
brain after cART cessation in SIV-infected rhesus macaques (Aim 1) and using a multi-modal approach, we will
define the neuroinflammatory signature in SIV-infected rhesus macaques following cART cessation (Aim 2). We
will use brain tissue from 3 groups of SIV-infected rhesus macaques that are either cART naïve, on cART or
following cART cessation to address three fundamental questions: 1) Which cell type(s) contain rebounding virus
following cART cessation in the CNS of SIV-infected rhesus macaques? 2) Do these cells containing rebounding
virus following cART cessation have replication competent virus? And 3) What is the neuroinflammatory
signature associated with viral rebound in the CNS following cART cessation? Collectively our studies will use
state-of-the art imaging technologies to better understand the role of the brain as a viral reservoir to inform cure
strategies that addresses the unique characteristics of this sanctuary site.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10125417
- **Project number:** 1R21MH125339-01
- **Recipient organization:** RUSH UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Jeffrey R Schneider
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $239,532
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-09-01 → 2022-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10125417

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10125417, Imaging the CNS SIV reservoir in a cART cessation model (1R21MH125339-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10125417. Licensed CC0.

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