# Targeting the HIV-1 Reservoir in Myeloid Cells

> **NIH NIH R01** · METHODIST HOSPITAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE · 2021 · $483,639

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
HIV is reverse-transcribed and integrated into the DNA of host cells, resulting in persistent
infections that are difficult to clear. To date, there is no effective cure to clear the virus from HIV-
infected patients. We have shown an approach to eradicate HIV infections by selective elimination
of host cells harboring replication-competent HIV (SECH). The SECH treatment can clear HIV-1
in over 50% mice reconstituted with a human immune system, and in blood samples from HIV-1-
infected patients. SECH can clear HIV-infection not only in CD4 T cells, but also in macrophages
and microglia cells. Experiments are proposed to determine how to improve the efficacy and
safety for SECH in clearing HIV-infection in the macrophage lineage: 1) To improve the efficacy
and specificity in the killing of HIV-1-infected macrophages. We have found that increased viral
reactivation leads to improved viral clearance in humanized mice. We will identify drugs that show
greater potentials in virus reactivation that could lead to better HIV clearance. We will examine
the inflammatory potentials for IDB and alternative LRAs in macrophages, and determine what
inflammatory cytokines may need to be targeted; 2) To determine how to improve the efficacy
and safety in the clearance of HIV reservoir in the macrophage lineage in lymphoid organs and
in the brain of humanized mice. We will evaluate whether alternative agents can improve the
clearance of HIV-1 in humanized mice in vivo. We will also determine whether optimum SECH
regimens can induce limited and controllable inflammatory responses. Our proposed work will
provide novel insights into how targeting apoptosis and autophagy regulates the clearance of HIV
infection in the macrophage lineage. The studies will facilitate the development of SECH clear
HIV-1 infection in lymphoid organs and in the brain to achieve complete eradication of HIV-1.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10326730
- **Project number:** 1R01MH127979-01
- **Recipient organization:** METHODIST HOSPITAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE
- **Principal Investigator:** JIN WANG
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $483,639
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-07-06 → 2026-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10326730

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10326730, Targeting the HIV-1 Reservoir in Myeloid Cells (1R01MH127979-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10326730. Licensed CC0.

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