# Persistent HIV Infection in the Kidney (MSSM)

> **NIH NIH P01** · BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE · 2021 · $257,695

## Abstract

Project Summary 
Despite the dramatic improvement in HIV-associated morbidity and mortality from 
combination antiretroviral therapy, a number of challenges remain including the long- 
term persistence of viral reservoirs and the persistence of inflammation that results in 
end organ damage despite therapy, including chronic kidney disease (CKD). 
Furthermore, it remains unclear as to the major routes of infection of cells intrinsic to the 
kidney. Aims 1 and 2 will define the molecules and pathways involved in viral entry, and 
the steps initiating a robust inflammatory response. Aim 3 will explore the role of 
macrophages and dendritic cells in facilitating and sustaining the infection of cells in the 
kidney. Aim 4 will explore the inflammatory consequences of persistence of the virus in 
renal tubule epithelial cells (RTE). These aims utilize in vitro monocytes-RTE modeling, 
primary urine derived RTE as well as a humanized mouse model to study both entry and 
downstream responses. The defined pathways of inflammation will be validated by 
examination of biopsies from HIV-infected individuals. The information to be gained will 
impact a major theme in both HIV and chronic kidney disease research, which is 
understanding the mechanisms that drive chronic inflammation and kidney disease 
progression and will facilitate the design of better strategies to prevent CKD.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10155092
- **Project number:** 5P01DK056492-21
- **Recipient organization:** BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** BENJAMIN K CHEN
- **Activity code:** P01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $257,695
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1999-09-15 → 2023-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10155092

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10155092, Persistent HIV Infection in the Kidney (MSSM) (5P01DK056492-21). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10155092. Licensed CC0.

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