How HIV may drive amyloid buildup at the blood‑brain barrier
HIV-1 and amyloid beta interactions at the blood-brain barrier
This work looks at how HIV-related particles and proteins might cause amyloid to collect around brain blood vessels and harm older people living with HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Miami School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Coral Gables, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11159554 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I live with HIV, researchers will study how tiny particles released during infection (extracellular vesicles) and proteins like PAI-1 move across the blood‑brain barrier and carry amyloid that can damage brain cells. They will analyze blood and brain samples and use lab models, including neural progenitor cells, to see how these factors affect new neuron growth and blood vessel health. The team will map the protein cargo of these vesicles to identify pathways linking a pro‑clotting environment to increased amyloid around cerebral vessels. Their work builds on earlier findings showing more perivascular amyloid in HIV and aims to connect those deposits to stroke and cognitive problems in older people with HIV.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be older adults living with HIV, especially those with cognitive symptoms or a history of cerebrovascular disease.
Not a fit: People without HIV or those whose cognitive problems come from non-amyloid causes are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new ways to reduce amyloid buildup and lower stroke or dementia risk in older people living with HIV.
How similar studies have performed: Prior clinical and lab studies, including work from the PI’s lab, have documented amyloid changes in HIV and suggest extracellular vesicles are involved, but translating that into treatments is still early.
Where this research is happening
Coral Gables, United States
- University of Miami School of Medicine — Coral Gables, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Toborek, Michal — University of Miami School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Toborek, Michal
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.