# VIRUSES, ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY, AND KAPOSI'S SARCOMA

> **NIH NIH R01** · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · 1992 · $284,193

## Abstract

The major goals of this proposal are to identify and define virus and host
factors important to the pathogenesis of AIDS.  Of particular emphasis in
the next project period will be an elucidation of the interactions between
human cytomegalovirus (CMV) and human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV-1)
in the natural history and AIDS development and progression.  There is
substantial evidence that the vast majority of patients with AIDS are
infected with both viruses.  Interactions may take several forms (a)
additive or synergistic immunosuppression or cytopathology (b) activation
of one virus by the other (c) alteration of cell surface receptors to one
virus by infection with the other (d) phenotypic mixing (e) viral
recombination.

CMV-HIV-1 interactions in vitro and in vivo will be explored.  Cells dually
infected will be studied for progeny CMV/HIV pseudotypes or recombinants by
a variety of techniques including cross-neutralization, immune electron
microscopy, and altered tropism determinations.  Attempts will be made to
rescue an envelope-deficient HIV-1 molecular construct from cells carrying
it by use of a CMV envelope.  Rescue analysis will be assessed by use of
selective markers (resistance to mycophenolic acid), polymerase chain
reaction assays of secondarily infected fibroblasts, and detection of HIV-1
antigen expression.  In addition, the mechanisms underlying CMV
transactivation of HIV-1 expression will be evaluated.

in vivo interactions between CMV and HIV-1 will also be explored.  Dually
infected patients will have specimens (blood, semen) examined for CMV/HIV
pseudotypes or recombinants.  Autopsy brain and retinal specimens will also
be studied.  The tropism of CMV/HIV pseudotypes or recombinants derived
from these sources will be evaluated on endothelial cell targets, as will
the expression of novel receptors on such cells.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3172781
- **Project number:** 5R01CA035020-10
- **Recipient organization:** MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- **SAM.gov UEI:** FLJ7DQKLL226
- **Principal Investigator:** Martin S. Hirsch
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1992
- **Award amount:** $284,193
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1983-05-01 → 1994-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3172781

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3172781, VIRUSES, ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY, AND KAPOSI'S SARCOMA (5R01CA035020-10). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3172781. Licensed CC0.

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