Blood cell mutations, chromosome changes, and heart disease in people living with HIV

Evaluation of Novel Clonal Hematopoiesis Of InDEterminate Potential, Mosaic Chromosomal Alterations and CardioVascular Disease in HIV Infection (ENCODE CVD in HIV)

NIH-funded research University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11373117

This project looks at whether age-related blood cell mutations and large chromosome changes help explain why people living with HIV have a higher risk of heart disease.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California Los Angeles NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Los Angeles, United States)
Project IDNIH-11373117 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

People living with HIV will give blood samples so researchers can look for clonal hematopoiesis (age-related mutations in blood cells) and mosaic chromosomal alterations. Scientists will also measure inflammation markers tied to the NLRP3/IL-1β/IL-6 pathways and collect information about heart disease history and outcomes. Genetic, biomarker, and clinical record data will be combined to see whether these blood changes are linked to higher cardiovascular risk in people with HIV. The work uses samples and clinical data from cohorts at UCLA and follows health records over time to connect molecular findings with heart events.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Adults living with HIV, particularly older adults or those on antiretroviral therapy, who can provide blood samples and allow access to their health records are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People without HIV or those whose cardiovascular disease is driven by causes unrelated to inflammation are unlikely to directly benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to immune-related targets and new therapies to reduce heart attack and stroke risk in people with HIV.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies in the general population have linked clonal hematopoiesis and inflammatory pathways to higher heart disease risk, but applying these findings specifically to people with HIV is a more recent effort.

Where this research is happening

Los Angeles, 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 SyndromeAcquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome VirusAcquired Immunodeficiency SyndromeAcquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome VirusAtherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease
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.