Award
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases 5R01AI172546-04
The role of neutralizing antibodies in natural and treatment-induced control of hepatitis B with and without HIV-1 co-infection
Recipient
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Award Amount
$732,133.00
Ceiling
$732,133.00
Awarded
January 02, 2026
Identifier
5R01AI172546-04
Research project funded by NIAID to study the role of neutralizing antibodies in controlling hepatitis B infection, including in individuals co-infected with HIV, to aid development of a functional cure.
Description
This proposal aims to understand the effects of HIV on the humoral immune response to hepatitis B by focusing on HBV-specific neutralizing antibodies (NAbs), B cell repertoires, and monoclonal antibodies that develop after acute hepatitis B infection or after treatment-induced control of infection. The study involves 185 persons, including those with spontaneous control, chronic infection, and treatment-induced control, to analyze plasma NAb responses, B cell receptor features, and monoclonal antibody characteristics. The research will compare immune responses between HIV-positive and HIV-negative individuals, aiming to facilitate the development of a functional cure for hepatitis B.