Long-term HIV and HIV medicines' effects on retinal blood-vessel diseases
Chronic HIV infection and ischemic retinopathies
This project looks at whether living with HIV or taking long-term HIV medicines changes the risk or course of blood-vessel diseases of the retina in people with HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Augusta University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Augusta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11262214 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I live with HIV, this research uses lab and animal work to see whether long-term infection or HIV drugs harm the tiny blood vessels in my retina. The team will use a mouse model that mimics chronic HIV and give mice the antiretroviral drug emtricitabine to look for structural retinal changes and signs of accelerated cell aging. They will link those findings to known features of ischemic retinopathies like diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration. The goal is to generate knowledge that could guide future studies in people and possible ways to reduce eye disease risk.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People living with HIV—especially older adults or those on long-term antiretroviral therapy—who are concerned about or at risk for retinal blood-vessel diseases would be the most relevant group.
Not a fit: People without HIV or those with eye problems not related to retinal ischemia are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this specific project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could clarify whether chronic HIV or long-term antiretroviral therapy raises the risk of retinal blood-vessel diseases and point to targets for prevention or treatment.
How similar studies have performed: Preliminary animal data suggest retinal vascular changes with chronic HIV and some antiretroviral drugs, but human evidence is limited and this is an exploratory approach.
Where this research is happening
Augusta, United States
- Augusta University — Augusta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bartoli, Manuela — Augusta University
- Study coordinator: Bartoli, Manuela
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.