How HIV proteins and cocaine may cause brain inflammation by damaging blood vessels
Official title: The Role of Endothelial Injury and Myeloid Cell Migration in the Activation of Inflammasomes in HIV infection and Cocaine Exposure
Funded at Howard University · NIH-11194973 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work will look at whether HIV proteins together with cocaine damage blood vessel cells and trigger brain inflammation in people living with HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Howard University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $193,125 |
| NIH project number | 5R21DA059784-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11194973 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People living with HIV, especially those with a history of cocaine use or concerns about memory, thinking, or other cognitive symptoms, are the population this research is meant to help.
✕Less likely to help
People without HIV or whose cognitive issues are unrelated to HIV or substance exposure are unlikely to directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
From a patient's point of view, scientists will use laboratory models including HIV-transgenic mice and cell experiments to mimic how HIV proteins and cocaine affect the brain's blood vessels and immune cells. They will measure whether injured endothelial (blood vessel) cells let more immune cells into the brain and whether those immune cells activate inflammatory complexes called inflammasomes. The team will look at markers such as NLRP3 and reactive oxygen species, and compare effects with and without cocaine exposure. Results will help clarify how blood‑brain barrier injury and immune cell movement together drive chronic brain inflammation in people with HIV.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent or treat HIV-associated brain inflammation and cognitive problems.
How similar studies have gone: Previous laboratory studies have shown HIV proteins and cocaine can boost inflammatory signals in immune cells, but combining endothelial injury and immune cell migration to explain brain inflammation is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
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Howard University
Washington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nekhai, Sergei — Howard University
- Study coordinator: Nekhai, Sergei
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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.