Periodontitis and HIV treatment–related bone loss in the jaw and teeth
Official title: Intersection of Periodontitis with HIV-Antiretroviral Therapy-Induced Immune Reconstitution Bone Loss, on Alveolar Bone and Tooth Loss, in People Living with HIV
Funded at Emory University · NIH-11596026 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project studies how HIV and its treatment affect jawbone and tooth loss in people living with HIV, aiming to understand and reduce bone damage around teeth.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $15,147 |
| NIH project number | 3R01DE033635-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11596026 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People living with HIV who are undergoing ART and who have or are at risk for periodontal disease.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without HIV or those not undergoing ART are unlikely to benefit from this study.
What this research studies
If you have HIV and are starting or managing ART, this study explores why your jawbone and teeth may be affected during immune recovery. Researchers will look at inflammatory signals and how immune reconstitution influences bone loss in the jaw, using data and models to connect periodontal disease with HIV treatment. The goal is to identify mechanisms that could lead to better dental health and fewer tooth losses for people living with HIV. The work may include analyses of patient data and animal models to map the connection between HIV, ART, and alveolar bone erosion. This could lay groundwork for future therapies to protect teeth during HIV treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: A better understanding of why jawbone and tooth loss happens in HIV treatment, which could lead to strategies to protect dental health in PLH.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown bone loss in HIV and ART settings; this project builds on that to explore jawbone involvement.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Weitzmann, Mervyn Neale — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Weitzmann, Mervyn Neale
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
How HIV and HIV meds affect jaw bone and teeth
This project looks at how HIV, its treatment, and immune changes may cause jawbone and tooth loss in people living with HIV.
-
Periodontitis and HIV therapy–related bone loss in people living with HIV
A study exploring how HIV treatment–related immune changes can drive bone loss around the teeth in people with HIV, and how periodontitis may worsen this effect.
-
How HIV and its treatment affect bone and tooth health
This study is looking at how HIV and the medications used to treat it can affect bone health in the jaw, which is important for keeping your teeth healthy, and it's aimed at helping people living with HIV understand and improve their oral health.
-
Oral-Gut–Bone Links in Periodontitis and Bone Loss
This research explores how gum disease could affect bone health by studying the connection between the mouth, gut, and bones in adults.
-
How bacteria affect bone loss in periodontal disease
This study is looking at how certain bacteria that cause gum disease affect bone cells in your jaw, which can lead to tooth loss, and it aims to find new ways to help people who aren't getting better with current treatments.
-
New treatment to stop bone loss in severe gum disease
This study is testing a new treatment to help prevent bone loss in your jaw caused by severe gum disease, using a special antibody to target certain proteins, and it's designed for adults dealing with this common issue.
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.