How HIV changes the lungs' air sacs to help tuberculosis take hold
Impact of HIV on the human alveolar environment drivingthe early events of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection
This work looks at how HIV alters the lung lining and local immune cells so tuberculosis bacteria can start infection more easily, especially in people with HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11453737 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will study the fluid and cells that line the tiny air sacs (alveoli) of the lung to see how they change in people with HIV and older adults. They will expose Mycobacterium tuberculosis to this alveolar lining fluid and observe how the bacterial surface and metabolism are remodeled. The team will track how those changes affect uptake and behavior inside alveolar macrophages and epithelial cells using laboratory tests and human-derived samples. The goal is to pinpoint the earliest lung interactions that let TB escape or be contained so new prevention or treatment ideas can be developed.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People living with HIV (and older adults) who can provide respiratory samples or agree to clinical sampling and follow-up would be the most relevant participants.
Not a fit: People without HIV or those with TB affecting non-pulmonary sites are less likely to benefit directly from this project in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could point to new ways to prevent or treat TB in people living with HIV by targeting the lung lining or the very earliest steps of infection.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work shows HIV increases TB risk, but using human alveolar lining fluid to show how TB is remodeled is a relatively new and only partly tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Columbus, UNITED STATES
- Ohio State University — Columbus, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Torrelles, Jordi B — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Torrelles, Jordi B
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 below.