Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) awarded the University of California, Los Angeles a $783,740 project grant on July 9, 2026, under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855) to advance engineered cellular immunotherapy for HIV-1 infection. The research initiative, titled "Targeted Enhancement of Engineered Cellular Anti-HIV Immunity In Vivo Using Immune Modulators," extends through June 30, 2031, and focuses on optimizing chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy through pharmacological interventions. The project will deliver investigational research on three key objectives: (1) improving CAR macrophage, T-cell, and natural killer cell effector function through metabolic modulation targeting lactase enzymes; (2) promoting CAR-T cell persistence and memory formation while preventing immune exhaustion via mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway inhibition; and (3) optimizing CAR-cell function through temporal integration of metabolic and immunoregulatory modulators. UCLA will utilize a nanoparticle-based delivery platform to direct pharmacological modulators specifically to CAR-expressing cells, thereby minimizing off-target toxicity while maximizing therapeutic efficacy.

This research builds upon UCLA's established work in CAR-engineered immunity and positions hematopoietic stem cell-based CAR therapy as a potential functional cure for HIV-1 by achieving sustained viral remission independent of antiretroviral therapy. The findings are intended to address critical challenges in engineered cell persistence and function, with potential applicability to both HIV treatment and broader immunotherapy applications.