Immunomodulatory effects of HIV-1s interactions with DCs and T cells from blood and mucosa

Important results from the project

Current medical therapies for HIV-1 fail to eradicate the virus and so far no effective vaccines exist. Therefore, it is critical to understand the basis for the failure to clear the HIV-1 and to devise strategies to enhance defense mechanisms against this virus. My research aim to answer questions about the immunomodulatory effects the HIV-1 has on the dendritic cell (DC) and on its ability to activate T cell responses. Furthermore, the underlying mechanisms for the chronic inflammation in the gut mucosa will be assessed by examining the initial receptor interactions and infection of cells located this tissue. Furthermore, the initial infection of the immune cells located cervical mucosa will be elucidated.

Expected long term effects

The research proposed will lead to better understanding how the initial HIV-infection occurs in cervix mucosa and the pathogenesis induced by the virus in the intestine and blood system. Furthermore, this knowledge has the potential to answer how we need to proceed to develop vaccine and better therapies.

Approach and implementation

The research will be done, for the most part, at my laboratory at the Molecular Virology, Linköping University, but some will be performed at my collaborators Universities located in USA.