Federal Grant Award Summary

The University of Maryland, College Park received a $749,353 Project Grant award from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855), effective April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2031. This research award supports a five-year investigation into the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying Cryptococcal Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome (IRIS), a life-threatening condition affecting HIV/AIDS patients undergoing antiretroviral therapy (ART) who are co-infected with Cryptococcus neoformans. The research employs a novel murine model to elucidate the specific leukocyte subsets, inflammatory cytokines, and regulatory factors responsible for mortality in Cryptococcal IRIS patients, addressing critical gaps in understanding how immune system recovery during ART can paradoxically trigger severe central nervous system inflammation.

The deliverables from this grant include scientific findings identifying the immune mechanisms driving lethal Cryptococcal IRIS, with specific research objectives focused on characterizing which immune cell populations and cytokine profiles mediate disease progression and determining the factors regulating CD4+ T cell responses during the condition. These research outcomes are intended to advance understanding of disease mechanisms for a World Health Organization-designated critical priority pathogen responsible for approximately 112,000 deaths globally annually, ultimately contributing to improved therapeutic strategies for HIV/AIDS patients managing concurrent cryptococcal infections.