# Hormonal control of HIV latency

> **NIH NIH R01** · GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $398,750

## Abstract

In order to end the epidemic in the US and worldwide a combination of approaches must be
implemented that include early detection, prevention strategies, higher treatment efficacy and accessibility,
outreach, and hopefully a vaccine and a cure. The existence of a latent reservoir of HIV-infected cells
constitutes the major impediment towards finding an HIV cure. Latent infection is associated with undetectable
levels of viral gene expression and appears to be non-cytopathic. Several therapeutic interventions against
latent HIV are under investigation. Among them, ‘shock and kill’ strategies have reached clinical trials in people
living with HIV (PLWH). The development of these and other interventions to curb the epidemic has to consider
different populations and whether the efficacy of these strategies may vary in function of specific biological
factors. Sex hormones, including estrogen, testosterone and progesterone, are critical mediators of sexual
development. Besides their main role in sexual development, sex hormone receptors are present in immune
cells and can influence HIV infection, HIV transcription as well as immune cell function. However, we are
limited in our understanding whether and how sex hormones could influence cure strategies. This is crucial in
the development of therapeutic interventions aimed towards an HIV cure in PLWH, including women and
transgender. Women represent more than half of all the infections worldwide and transgender, which account
for up to 0.6% of reproductive age adults in the US, are at approximately 49-fold higher risk of acquiring HIV
infection. These populations will tremendously benefit from cure approaches. However, whether sex hormones
and hormonal replacement therapies used during gender reassignment could potentially interfere with cure
strategies is completely unknown.
 In Aim 1, we proposed to use a primary cell model of HIV latency to address whether sex hormones as
well as antiandrogens used in hormonal replacement therapy for transgender individuals could influence the
establishment of HIV latency. We will also evaluate whether sex hormones and antiandrogens influence the
activity of a panel of latency-reversing agents (LRAs), including LRAs used in clinical trials for HIV eradication.
In Aim 2, we intend to evaluate whether the activity of toll-like receptors (TLRs) agonists currently under clinical
trials to eradicate HIV could be influenced by sex hormones and antiandrogens. Finally, in Aim 3 we will
explore whether sex hormones and antiandrogens influence NK cell activity. NK cells are part of the innate
immune system and play an important role in controlling HIV infection. Sex hormones have been shown to
detrimentally affect NK anti-tumoral activity. However, less is known on whether sex hormones could influence
their anti-HIV activity. Our studies will be of particular interests at the time of designing strategies aimed
towards eliminating the HIV latent reservoir in different PLWH, inclu...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10201490
- **Project number:** 5R01AI154518-02
- **Recipient organization:** GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Alberto Bosque
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $398,750
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-06-24 → 2024-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10201490

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10201490, Hormonal control of HIV latency (5R01AI154518-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10201490. Licensed CC0.

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