Targeting aging pathways to help people living with HIV live longer, healthier lives
Official title: Targeting Novel Senescence-Associated Pathways to Combat Premature Aging in People with HIV
Funded at Northwestern University · NIH-11401327 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-centered research project aims to slow aging-related health problems in people with HIV by studying how aging mechanisms work and testing strategies to slow inflammation and aging.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $794,664 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AG099681-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11401327 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People living with HIV, especially those experiencing aging-related health issues, may be eligible for future studies or related trials.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without HIV or without aging-related health concerns may not benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
People living with HIV often experience premature aging and more health problems, even when their HIV is well controlled. This project looks at a special group called SuperAgers to understand why some individuals age more healthily and how their biology differs. The team focuses on enzymes that remove protective glycans from proteins, which can fuel inflammation and aging, and tests approaches to block these enzymes in models that mimic HIV infection. The research could lead to new strategies that reduce inflammation and help people with HIV maintain better health as they age. If successful, future work may explore translating these findings into therapies that slow aging-related conditions in PWH.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to therapies that reduce aging-related inflammation and improve healthspan for people living with HIV.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows that targeting glycan-degrading enzymes can reduce inflammation in HIV models, supporting potential benefits in humans.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Abdel Mohsen, Mohamed — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Abdel Mohsen, Mohamed
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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.