The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) awarded a $7,105,240 Project Grant under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855) to the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) to support the "OPTIMAL T-CELL SUPPORT FOR HIV NEUTRALIZING ANTIBODY INDUCTION TO FUSION PEPTIDE-INCLUSIVE REGIMENS (OPTI-FLIP)" research program. This 5-year award, effective December 17, 2024, aims to develop an HIV vaccine regimen that elicits cooperative interactions between env fusion peptide-directed antibodies and follicle-homing helper and cytotoxic T cells. The research program combines investigations of humoral and T-cell responses in humans receiving combined SOSIP/HTI vaccines, leverages IL-10 inhibitors to safely elicit high-quality CD8+ T cells, and tests immunogens targeted to T follicular cells and/or mucosal surfaces to induce anti-fusion peptide broadly neutralizing antibodies supported by high-intensity T follicular responses.
Generated 3/4/25, 4:18 AM