Antibody sugar changes and aging-related inflammation in people with HIV

Glycomic Modulation of Inflammaging and Immune Functions during HIV Infection

NIH-funded research Northwestern University · NIH-11257692

This work looks at whether changes in the sugar patterns on antibodies are linked to higher inflammation and age-related health problems in people living with HIV who are on antiretroviral therapy.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionNorthwestern University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chicago, United States)
Project IDNIH-11257692 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Researchers will measure patterns of sugar molecules attached to IgG antibodies in blood samples from people living with HIV on ART and from HIV-negative volunteers. They will compare those antibody sugar patterns to blood markers of inflammation and to records of age-related health problems to see if the patterns come before or track with disease. The team will also use laboratory experiments to test if correcting these sugar changes can reduce inflammatory responses. Overall, the approach combines blood-based biomarker studies, clinical data linkage, and lab-based mechanistic work to find signals that could predict or cause inflammaging in people with HIV.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: People living with HIV who are on effective antiretroviral therapy and willing to provide blood samples and medical history, particularly those concerned about age-related inflammatory conditions, would be ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People who are not living with HIV, those not on ART, or individuals seeking an immediate therapeutic benefit should not expect direct benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could yield blood biomarkers that predict inflammation-related health problems in people with HIV and point to new ways to reduce that inflammation.

How similar studies have performed: Previous work, including a 2024 Nature Communications paper from the group, found similar antibody sugar changes linked to inflammation in people with HIV and early lab studies suggest correcting these changes may reduce inflammation, but clinical applications remain novel.

Where this research is happening

Chicago, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome VirusAcquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Virus
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.