Federal Grant Award Summary

Calvin University is conducting HIV research funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855). The project, titled "Mechanisms of HIV Infection in Resting CD4+ T Cells Stimulated by Endothelial Cells," is a three-year research initiative running from July 13, 2026, through June 30, 2029, with total federal obligations of $450,764. The research aims to elucidate how endothelial cells promote both productive and latent HIV infection in resting CD4+ T cells—a critical factor in understanding the formation of latent viral reservoirs that persist despite antiretroviral therapy (ART) and complicate efforts toward HIV cure.

The project delivers scientific research products through three specific aims: investigating integrin roles in HIV infection of CD4+ T cells, examining the role of regulatory proteins (BCL-3, BCL-6, and SAMHD1) in HIV infection within endothelial cell-stimulated resting CD4+ T cells, and identifying T cell subtypes and signature molecules correlated with HIV infection. Methodologies include blocking antibody assays, chimeric antibody stimulation studies, and intracellular staining analysis. Findings from this research will advance understanding of latency formation mechanisms and inform strategies to combat viral persistence in HIV-positive patients.