Alcohol and HIV interaction driving lung and liver damage through cell signals
Official title: Alcohol metabolism potentiates HIV-induced lung and liver multimorbidity via inter-organ crosstalk
Funded at Emory University · NIH-11617735 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This program explores how alcohol worsens lung and liver problems in people with HIV by affecting cell signals that travel between organs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | September 8, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $248,999 |
| NIH project number | 4R00AA032220-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11617735 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People living with HIV/AIDS who consume alcohol and are at risk for or have early signs of lung or liver involvement.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without HIV or those who do not drink alcohol would not be directly impacted by this study.
What this research studies
If you have HIV, this research looks at how drinking alcohol might worsen lung and liver health by changing tiny messaging particles that cells use to talk to each other. The team will study how alcohol metabolism affects the release of extracellular vesicles from lung cells and how these signals influence liver inflammation. The goal is to understand a linked, multi-organ process that could underlie higher health risks for people living with HIV who drink alcohol. Findings could guide new strategies to protect lung and liver health in HIV while ART keeps HIV in check.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to new approaches to prevent or lessen lung and liver damage in people living with HIV who consume alcohol.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research has shown that HIV and alcohol can interact to affect organ health, but the exact EV-mediated cross-talk between lung and liver is a newer area with promising potential.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: New-Aaron, Moses O — Emory University
- Study coordinator: New-Aaron, Moses O
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.