# Understanding Unconventional CD8+ T cell Responses in Protection from HIV

> **NIH NIH R01** · OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $800,450

## Abstract

Project Summary
With 36 million people currently living with HIV worldwide, developing a prophylactic HIV vaccine that protects
against sexual transmission remains a top global health priority. A pre-clinical HIV vaccine approach based on
strain 68-1 of rhesus cytomegalovirus expressing SIV antigens (RhCMV/SIV) elicits cellular unique
unconventionally MHC-restricted T cell responses that are able to stringently control and ultimately clear
pathogenic SIV replication in ~50% of vaccinated rhesus macaques (RM). However, it remains unknown if the
68-1 RhCMV-induced unique immunity and protection from SIV is a RM-specific phenomenon. To investigate
this question as a means to successfully translation RhCMV into the clinic as an HIV vaccine, we will
recapitulate these results using a Mauritian cynomolgus macaques (MCM), a nonhuman primate species with
unique MHC genetics that reflect human immunogenetics. In specific aim 1, we will characterize the cellular
immune response engendered in MCM vaccinated with CyCMV/SIV vaccine vectors. In specific aim 2, we will
measure the ability of CyCMV/SIV to protect MCM from pathogenic SIV replication following low dose
challenge. In specific aim 3, we will examine whole blood RNA transcriptomic profiles to identify correlates of
immune protection. Successful completion of these studies will further our understanding of the unique
protection afforded by CMV vectors and facilitate successful clinical translation of CMV as a prophylactic HIV
vaccine.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10145581
- **Project number:** 5R01AI140888-04
- **Recipient organization:** OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Scott G Hansen
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $800,450
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-06-01 → 2024-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10145581

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10145581, Understanding Unconventional CD8+ T cell Responses in Protection from HIV (5R01AI140888-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10145581. Licensed CC0.

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