# Virus-Host Cell Interactions in AIDS-Associated PML

> **NIH NIH R01** · BROWN UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $344,379

## Abstract

Program Summary-Abstract
Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a major life threatening complication in patients
with AIDS and in patients undergoing immunotherapy for autoimmune diseases such as multiple
sclerosis, Crohn's disease, severe plaque psoriasis, systemic lupus erythematosis, hematologic
malignancies, and rheumatoid arthritis. The disease is paradoxically caused by a common human
polyomavirus following the loss of normal immune surveillance of the central nervous system (CNS).
Significant progress has recently been made in our understanding of PML including the discovery of
of JC virus variants in PML brain that no longer recognize known virus receptors, and our recent
discovery that macroglial cells in normal brain or in PML brain lack receptors for JC virus and hence
do not directly bind virus. In contrast we discovered that choroid plexus epithelial cells and
leptomeningeal cells are JC virus receptor positive, bind virus, and are likely playing a critical role in
disseminating or maintaining JC virus infection in the CNS. Our research program will focus on
understanding how JC virus or JC virus components spread directly from cell to cell giving rise to
white matter lesions that are the hallmark of PML.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9850642
- **Project number:** 5R01NS043097-18
- **Recipient organization:** BROWN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Walter J Atwood
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $344,379
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2001-12-15 → 2021-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9850642

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9850642, Virus-Host Cell Interactions in AIDS-Associated PML (5R01NS043097-18). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-14 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9850642. Licensed CC0.

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