Federal Grant Award Summary

Drexel University received a $249,656 Project Grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855) effective July 8, 2026, with a completion date of June 30, 2028. The research project, titled "Defining and Targeting the Adenosine-ADA-1 Axis in HIV-Specific CD8+ T Cell Dysfunction," focuses on advancing HIV treatment by examining mechanisms of immune cell dysfunction in people living with HIV. The project will identify the role of adenosine signaling in impairing HIV-specific CD8+ T cell function and evaluate whether supplementing adenosine deaminase-1 (ADA-1) can restore antiviral immune response, with the ultimate goal of enabling better strategies to eliminate persistent viral reservoirs and reduce treatment interruption failures.

The research deliverables will include quantitative data on adenosine-driven suppression of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells, comparative analyses of HIV-specific versus cytomegalovirus-specific T cell susceptibility to adenosine-mediated suppression, and evaluations of ADA-1 supplementation as a therapeutic intervention to restore immune function in HIV patients. The work will be conducted at the awardee's Philadelphia, Pennsylvania location and will contribute to foundational knowledge supporting next-generation HIV treatment strategies beyond current antiretroviral therapy limitations.