Investigating how aging affects immune cells in HIV patients who don't respond to treatment
Official title: Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Aging CD4 T cells in HIV-immune Non-responders.
Funded at East Tennessee State University · NIH-10845843 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at why some older HIV patients have trouble with their immune cells and age faster, hoping to find ways to help them feel better and improve their health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | East Tennessee State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Johnson City, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $375,000 |
| NIH project number | 3R15AG069544-01A1S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10845843 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults living with HIV who are classified as immune non-responders despite receiving antiretroviral therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are younger or those who have a robust immune response to HIV treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the mitochondrial dysfunction and premature aging of CD4 T cells in older HIV patients who do not respond well to antiretroviral therapy. The study aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms behind these changes, which may contribute to ongoing health issues in these patients. By analyzing the cellular processes involved, researchers hope to identify potential targets for improving immune function and overall health in this population. The approach includes examining mitochondrial respiration, ATP production, and markers of aging in these immune cells.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments that enhance immune function and reduce health complications for older HIV patients.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific focus on mitochondrial dysfunction in aging CD4 T cells in HIV non-responders is relatively novel, related research has shown promising results in understanding immune aging and dysfunction.
Where this research is happening
-
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yao, Zhi Q. — East Tennessee State University
- Study coordinator: Yao, Zhi Q.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Aging Well with HIV: Alcohol, Risk Reduction, and Education Center (AWAR3E)
A center at Yale is exploring how aging with HIV interacts with alcohol use to create inflammation and frailty, with the goal of finding biomarkers and potential treatments.
-
Cognitive SuperAging: Exploring why some octogenarians stay sharp in memory
This NIH grant studies why a small group of people aged 80+ keep memory skills as good as much younger people, hoping to understand how to protect memory as we age.
-
Biological aging across the lifespan through a national high school-to-adult study
This grant uses a long-running national study of students and adults to collect saliva biomarkers of aging, alongside surveys, to understand how aging markers relate to health and life experiences.
-
Understanding how aging and Alzheimer’s affect how people make tough choices
This NIH grant studies how aging and Alzheimer’s risk change how people decide between immediate and delayed rewards and risky options, with the goal of helping older adults stay financially and healthwise safer.
-
Understanding how brain resilience and multiple brain pathologies influence aging and Alzheimer's disease
A long-term study follows older adults to learn how resilience to brain changes helps reduce dementia risk and what biological factors are linked to better cognitive aging.
-
National Neighborhood Data Archive helps researchers study aging health in U.S. neighborhoods
A nationwide data resource will help researchers understand how where people live affects health and aging, with a focus on respiratory illnesses in older adults.
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.