# AAV Delivered CCR5 Blockade for Prevention of Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission.

> **NIH NIH R21** · OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $248,824

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
With the most people ever in history currently living with HIV, stopping the HIV epidemic remains imperative.
Furthermore, preventing HIV infection in newborns via mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) continues to be a
major objective in areas with limited resources for antenatal care. While antiretroviral treatment (ART) has been
critical in reducing transmission of HIV-1, it is not without risk, including toxicity of ART drugs in newborns and
the development of drug resistant viral variants. Thus, there is an urgent need for safer preventative measures
to eliminate MTCT of HIV-1. We have demonstrated that the CCR5-specific antibody Leronlimab can be used
as an effective pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) regimen in macaques. Here, we are proposing to utilize AAV-
vectored Leronlimab to facilitate in vivo delivery of Leronlimab expression in infant macaques to prevent perinatal
SHIV infection. In specific aim 1, we will determine the ability of AAV9-delivered Leronlimab to prevent acquisition
of SHIV in newborn macaques. In aim 2, we will characterize the long-term performance of AAV9 gene therapy
administered to newborn macaques. This work would provide a safe and viable alternative to prevent vertical
transmission of HIV-1 and support direct in vivo delivery of anti-HIV prophylactic modalities in infants.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10497314
- **Project number:** 1R21AI170547-01
- **Recipient organization:** OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Jonah B. Sacha
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $248,824
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-07-25 → 2024-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10497314

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10497314, AAV Delivered CCR5 Blockade for Prevention of Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission. (1R21AI170547-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-12 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10497314. Licensed CC0.

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