NIH grant: Roles of convergent RNA polymerase II transcription to HIV-1 latency and reactivation (1R21AI203509-01)

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NIH grant 1R21AI203509-01: Roles of convergent RNA polymerase II transcription to HIV-1 latency and reactivation
Institute: {'code': 'AI', 'abbreviation': 'NIAID', 'name': 'National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases', 'admin_org_id': '12500003', 'admin_funding_url': ''}. PI: Ivan  D'Orso. Award: $249000.
Start: 2026-07-16T00:00:00.
PROJECT SUMMARY
 Although HIV-1 infection can be controlled through long-term treatment with anti-retroviral therapy (ART), a
true cure has been intangible. Reservoir cells endure over time and support latent HIV-1 reactivation upon
therapy cessation, yet little is known about the underlying molecular mechanisms. Our lab has recently identified
previously unprecedented mechanistic details in the process of RNA polymerase (Pol II) transcription, which
might have implications for the regulation of latency maintenance and reactivation in reservoir cells. Specifically,
we found a form of convergent Pol II (antisense and downstream of the 5’-LTR) that we will explore in this
research proposal to help fill this knowledge gap, and provide key insights into HIV-1 biology as well as cure
strategies. The major goal of this grant application is to define the role(s) of the convergent Pol II form to the
process of sense HIV-1 transcription from the 5’-LTR during latency and reactivation. We will accomplish this
goal by leveraging genetic assays for HIV-1 proviral genome engineering and high-resolution genomic assays
in immortalized cell models of latency with cross-validation in primary cell models to bolster physiologic
relevance.
 We will explore the central hypothesis that the convergent Pol II form is required to maintain proper
dynamics of sense HIV-1 transcription to facilitate the latency-reactivation switch. We will test if the convergent
Pol II form influences HIV-1 transcription in the various phases of the multi-phase HIV-1 transcription program
(basal, host and viral) with and without Tat function. We propose to build on our recent findings to gain a deeper
understanding of how convergent Pol II controls HIV-1 transcription for latency reactivation in the host and viral
phases of the HIV-1 transcriptional program. These goals are reflected in two Specific Aims: assess the function
of convergent Pol II pausing to HIV-1 transcription latency and reactivation (Aim 1), and cross validate the
presence of convergent Pol II in a primary cell model of latency (Aim 2). If successful, this project will yield a
better understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms by which sense and convergent Pol II forms
operate (jointly or independently) to promote HIV-1 transcription during latency reactivation, collectively having
a sustained impact in the field. In keeping with NIAID’s mission of ending the HIV-1 epidemic, our long-term
objective is to leverage these basic discoveries to help devise novel and alternative cure strategies. We envision
that the fundamental knowledge gained by this research could be used in future studies beyond the scope (e.g.,
by exploiting the convergent Pol II form) to permanently silence transcription to achieve the long-awaited HIV-1
remission.

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