How HIV and HIV meds affect jaw bone and teeth
Official title: Intersection of Periodontitis with HIV-Antiretroviral Therapy-Induced Immune Reconstitution Bone Loss, on Alveolar Bone and Tooth Loss, in People Living with HIV
Funded at Emory University · NIH-11596027 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how HIV, its treatment, and immune changes may cause jawbone and tooth loss in people living with HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $173,519 |
| NIH project number | 3R01DE033635-03S2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11596027 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People living with HIV, especially those starting ART, and those with gum disease or periodontal infection.
✕Less likely to help
People without HIV or without immune restoration after ART are less likely to benefit.
What this research studies
If you have HIV, changes in your immune system after starting antiretroviral therapy can cause bone loss. The research team will study bone loss in the jaw (alveolar bone) and its connection to gum disease and immune restoration. They will use animal models and human data to understand how inflammation and immune system changes affect the jaw before, during, and after ART initiation. Findings could help prevent or reduce tooth loss in people living with HIV who are on ART.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to strategies to protect jawbone and teeth in people living with HIV on ART.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show bone loss with HIV and ART, and emerging data suggest jawbone involvement; this study builds on that by integrating alveolar bone as well.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Weitzmann, Mervyn Neale — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Weitzmann, Mervyn Neale
Related research
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Periodontitis and HIV treatment–related bone loss in the jaw and teeth
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Periodontitis and HIV therapy–related bone loss in people living with HIV
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Oral-Gut–Bone Links in Periodontitis and Bone Loss
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This study is testing a new treatment to help prevent bone loss in your jaw caused by severe gum disease, using a special antibody to target certain proteins, and it's designed for adults dealing with this common issue.
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.