Official websites use .gov

A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock ( 🔒 ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Need Help

Immunometabolism of myeloid suppressor cell responses to M. tuberculosis in PWH

Award Number: R21AI198056
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 06/08/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 05/31/2028

Group Awards By:

View Award Description

Immunometabolism of myeloid suppressor cell responses to M. tuberculosis in PWH - ABSTRACT People living with Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are up to 20 times more likely to develop active tuberculosis (TB) than people without HIV (PWoH). While anti-retroviral therapy (ART) has increased their health and lifespan, people with HIV (PWH) on ART are still at 4-5 fold greater risk for developing TB following infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) compared to people without HIV (PWoH). However, why viral suppression and CD4 reconstitution following ART do not fully abrogate the risk of TB remains unclear. Residual inflammation present in PWH on ART has been linked to increased risk of co-infections and comorbidities. In addition, several lines of evidence show that PWH on ART have alterations in cellular metabolism, mainly within myeloid compartments, suggesting compromised abilities to mount effective immune responses to pathogens. A population of immunosuppressive cells termed myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) has been implicated in dysfunctional immunity to HIV and Mtb infection. MDSCs were first described in cancer as negatively regulating tumor environments and suppressing NK and T cell functions. Higher frequencies of monocytic MDSCs (M- MDSC) were reported in PWH compared to PWoH, and M-MDSCs have been shown to expand after interruption of ART. Interestingly, M-MDSCs are also induced following Mtb infection but their role in anti-TB imunity in PWH on ART are not understood. We hypothesize that M-MDSCs suppress T cell functions and promote dysregulated immunometabolic responses to Mtb in PWH on ART. We propose to leverage bio-banked cryopreserved PBMC samples available through the Emory Center for AIDS research (CFAR) and our own archived samples, including from people with active and latent TB, with and without HIV. In Aim 1 we will employ multi-omic and immunologic approaches to derive an integrated MDSC biosignature associated with their suppressive functions and evaluate MDSC signature and frequencies in ART-naïve PWH, PWH on ART and PWoH. In Aim 2 we will test the hypothesis that expansion of M-MDSCs in PWH on ART contributes to ineffective immunity against Mtb-infection and promotes immunometabolic dysregulation. Our studies will bridge major knowledge gaps and provide a framework for targeting MDSCs to improve ART and advance HIV cure.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $500,500 )
2026	2026	EMORY UNIVERSITY	201 DOWMAN DR NE	ATLANTA	GA	30322	DEKALB	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	1	6/9/2026	NEW	$500,500
														Subtotal = $500,500

Grand Total All Awards = $500,500

Top

All Categories

About

Search

Reports

Data Submission

Award Information

Immunometabolism of myeloid suppressor cell responses to M. tuberculosis in PWH

Award Number: R21AI198056

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 06/08/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 05/31/2028

Federal Websites

Department of Health & Human Services

HHS Operating Divisions

HHS Staff Divisions

Download A Document Viewer