How some HIV medicines might harm the heart
Cardiovascular Risk of Antiretroviral Therapy Drugs in HIV
['FUNDING_R01'] · OKLAHOMA MEDICAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION · NIH-11310194
Looking at whether certain HIV drugs cause heart scarring and raise the risk of sudden death for people living with HIV.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | OKLAHOMA MEDICAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (OKLAHOMA CITY, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11310194 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From your perspective, the team wants to know if some antiretroviral drugs make platelets release a protein (TGFβ1) that leads to scarring in the heart. They will measure TGFβ1 and platelet activity in blood samples, use lab and mouse models that carry HIV-like genes, and link those findings to signs of cardiac fibrosis. Early work showed protease-inhibitor regimens can trigger TGFβ1 release and more heart scarring in mice, so researchers will also test whether blocking a platelet transporter (MRP4) can stop that process. The goal is to find whether changes in treatment or drugs that block this pathway could prevent heart damage in people with HIV.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People living with HIV, especially those taking protease inhibitor–based ART or who are concerned about heart disease, would be the ideal candidates to engage with this work.
Not a fit: People without HIV or whose heart problems are caused by unrelated conditions are unlikely to benefit directly from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could identify which HIV treatments raise heart risk and suggest ways to prevent heart scarring and sudden deaths in people with HIV.
How similar studies have performed: Prior human observations and pilot animal studies link higher plasma TGFβ1 and cardiac fibrosis to HIV and some ARTs, and blocking platelet MRP4 showed promise in early preclinical work, but translating this to patient prevention is new.
Where this research is happening
OKLAHOMA CITY, UNITED STATES
- OKLAHOMA MEDICAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION — OKLAHOMA CITY, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: AHAMED, JASIMUDDIN — OKLAHOMA MEDICAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION
- Study coordinator: AHAMED, JASIMUDDIN
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.
Conditions: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Virus, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Virus