Eradication of HIV-1 from CNS Reservoirs: Implications for Therapeutics (R01)

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This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) invites research grant applications to address the problem of HIV-1 persistence focused solely on the central nervous system (CNS) of HIV-infected persons treated with Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy (HAART). This FOA will support innovative research in five areas: (1) basic research to identify and characterize persistent HIV-1 in CNS derived cells such as macrophages, microglia, and/or astrocytes in the setting of suppressive anti-retroviral therapy, with or without substance use; (2) basic research to determine the mechanisms involved in the temporal establishment, maintenance, and resurgence of persistent HIV-1 in CNS in relationship to the timing of antiretroviral therapy; (3) development of physiologically relevant animal models and CNS-based cellular assays that recapitulate HIV-1 persistence and latency in the presence of effective HAART including effects of chronic substance use; (4) assessment of current and emerging eradication approaches on whether and/or how well they have successfully reactivated persistent HIV from CNS-derived cells such as macrophages, microglia and astrocytes; and (5) assessment of CNS toxicity and adverse impact of current and emerging eradication strategies. Applications ranging from basic to translational research in domestic and international settings are of interest. Multidisciplinary research teams are encouraged but not required.

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