# Characterizing Mucosal Changes in the FRT Leading to Increased HIV Acquisition

> **NIH NIH R01** · NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $660,819

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
The mucosal system of the female reproductive tract (FRT) is multifactorial, combining epithelial and mucus
barriers, a highly specialized immunology, the microbiome, and hormonal fluctuations to protect this complex
and essential organ from attack by pathogen’s such as HIV. Perturbation of any of the components of this
system has the potential to decrease barrier function while potentially increasing a woman’s vulnerability to HIV
sexual acquisition. Recent studies have revealed that an increase in the presence of multiple (more than 3)
pro-inflammatory cytokines are a strong signature of increased HIV acquisition in women. This increased
inflammatory environment is consistent with the dysfunction of normal mucosal barrier function. A number of
factors have been implicated in this inflammatory state including hormones, the microbiome, and epithelial
barrier disruption. However, the origin of these inflammatory cytokines and the mechanism of how they are
related to increased HIV acquisition is not understood. To advance HIV prevention science, we need a better
understanding of the FRT mucosal system. In this project we will examine hysterectomy derived cervical
tissues and mucus donated by high-risk populations in Nairobi, Kenya to gain insight into the changes in the
mucosal system that alters epithelial and mucus barrier function. The increased Inflammatory cytokine
production can directly or indirectly influence tissue resident HIV target cells to increase the probability of
sexual transmission. Our hypothesis is that target cells become more susceptible to HIV infection by infiltrating
into the squamous epithelium of the FRT in response to the increased inflammatory cytokines. We will also
examine how antibodies can potentially enhance the mucus barrier function potentially revealing a novel
strategy for HIV vaccine development.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10820481
- **Project number:** 5R01AI146087-05
- **Recipient organization:** NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Thomas Hope
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $660,819
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-04-01 → 2026-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10820481

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10820481, Characterizing Mucosal Changes in the FRT Leading to Increased HIV Acquisition (5R01AI146087-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10820481. Licensed CC0.

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