NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

How immune cells in fat tissue affect metabolic health in people living with HIV

Official title: Adipose Tissue T Cell Polarization and Metabolic Health in Persons Living with HIV

Funded at Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-11009989 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how immune cells in body fat affect the health of people living with HIV who are on treatment, to better understand why they might have a higher risk of heart and metabolic issues, and it hopes to find new ways to help keep them healthier.

More Metabolic Health research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionVanderbilt University Medical Center
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Nashville, United States)
Project startApril 1, 2023
Project endJanuary 31, 2027
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$185,436
NIH project number5K23DK135414-03
Project IDNIH-11009989 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living with HIV who are currently receiving antiretroviral therapy.

Less likely to help

Patients who are not living with HIV or those not on antiretroviral therapy may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates the relationship between immune cells in adipose tissue and metabolic health in individuals living with HIV who are on antiretroviral therapy. It focuses on understanding how changes in these immune cells may contribute to higher rates of cardiometabolic diseases in this population. Using advanced techniques like single-cell RNA sequencing, the study aims to identify specific immune cell profiles and their roles in metabolic processes. By comparing the adipose tissue of people living with HIV to that of HIV-negative individuals, the research seeks to uncover mechanisms that could lead to new prevention and treatment strategies.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing and treating cardiometabolic diseases in people living with HIV.

How similar studies have gone: While there have been limited studies on this topic, the use of single-cell technologies in understanding immune cell roles in metabolic disease is a novel approach that has shown promise in related research.

Where this research is happening

  • Vanderbilt University Medical Center
    Nashville, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Bailin, Samuel Stuart — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
  • Study coordinator: Bailin, Samuel Stuart

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.