# Regulation of HIV Latency by Host Cell Transcriptional and Epigenetic Networks

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · 2022 · $388,750

## Abstract

Project summary:
The existence of long-lived reservoirs of latently infected cells is recognized as a primary
barrier to a cure for HIV-1 infection. Thus, the development of therapeutic strategies to
eliminate these reservoirs is a critical scientific goal. A key problem in this field is that little is
known about the nature of latently infected cells, and the molecular mechanisms that
regulate latency. We have recently discovered that latency is associated with a distinct host
cell transcriptional signature. Our hypothesis is that this signature represents a host cell
transcriptional and epigenetic program that regulates establishment or maintenance of
latency. In the set of experiments we propose here, we will test this hypothesis directly, and
investigate the molecular mechanisms by which the host cell environment regulates
silencing of HIV transcription. This will be achieved directly testing the roles of individual
genes from the latency signature in HIV transcription. We will also undertake a detailed
analysis of epigenetic pathways that operate in latently infected cells, and directly examine
their impact on integrated proviruses. Finally, we will use cutting edge technology that
combines time-lapse microscopy and scRNAseq to discover transcriptomic features of cells
that correlate with latency reversal. Thus, this dataset will lead to new targets for
therapeutic manipulation of latency and guide further experiment to test these hypotheses in
in vitro and in vivo models of latency.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10425316
- **Project number:** 5R01AI143381-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- **Principal Investigator:** Edward P Browne
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $388,750
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-07-16 → 2024-08-07

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10425316

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10425316, Regulation of HIV Latency by Host Cell Transcriptional and Epigenetic Networks (5R01AI143381-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10425316. Licensed CC0.

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