The aim of this supplement is to stimulate the discovery, design and preclinical evaluation of highly innovative, risky but rational approaches that could provide long term protection from acquiring HIV infection. Recent setbacks in the vaccine, microbicide and other biomedical prevention fields have increased interest for new, alternative and untested "outside-the-box" approaches, highlighting the need for a shift in paradigms to discover and develop new prevention strategies. Applicants are expected to explore novel hypotheses or address difficult problems, the solutions to which could have a significant impact on finding methods to interrupt HIV transmission. The research proposed is expected to focus on verifying a hypothesis or solving a problem for the field.
Co-PI - Mario Santiago, PhD
The developing human immune system is distinct from that of the adult immune system. In particular, it is endowed with a relatively large compartment of regulatory T cells (TReg). These fetal-type TReg have a unique gene-expression pattern, and may normally serve to suppress immune responses against self and/or against unshared maternal antigens. Each of these functions could be construed as beneficial. If, in this setting, maternal to child transmission of HIV or malaria were to occur, it is not clear whether enhanced TReg activity would be beneficial or detrimental.