Methamphetamine's effects on inflammation and immunity in people with HIV
Methamphetamine Activation of Inflammasome and Altered immunity in HIV (MAIA) Study
['FUNDING_R01'] · EMORY UNIVERSITY · NIH-11197588
This project looks at whether methamphetamine use changes inflammation and immune function in people living with HIV who are taking antiretroviral therapy.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | EMORY UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (ATLANTA, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11197588 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you have HIV and are on ART, the team will compare people who do and do not use methamphetamine to see how the drug affects immune cells and inflammation. They will study previously collected blood samples from a UCSF cohort and collect new blood and cerebrospinal fluid to measure metabolic, epigenetic, and inflammasome-related changes. Labs will use techniques like ATAC-seq and other immune assays to track how metabolism and DNA accessibility in immune cells relate to inflammasome activation. The researchers aim to trace a stepwise chain from metabolic shifts to epigenetic changes to inflammasome-driven immune dysfunction that could explain ongoing inflammation despite ART.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people living with HIV who are on suppressive ART, including both those who do and do not use methamphetamine, and who are willing to provide blood and possibly cerebrospinal fluid samples.
Not a fit: People without HIV, those not on ART, or individuals unwilling to provide blood or undergo a lumbar puncture would not be candidates and are unlikely to benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help tailor HIV cure or inflammation-reduction strategies for people who use methamphetamine and improve long-term health outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Preliminary work from this group found links between methamphetamine use, inflammasome activation, and residual HIV transcription, but this integrated metabolic–epigenetic–inflammasome approach is a newer, more detailed effort.
Where this research is happening
ATLANTA, UNITED STATES
- EMORY UNIVERSITY — ATLANTA, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: PEREIRA RIBEIRO, SUSAN — EMORY UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: PEREIRA RIBEIRO, SUSAN
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