Understanding how HIV affects oral cells and their risk for HPV infection
Official title: Epigenetics of dysfunctional oral epithelium in people living with HIV and risk for HPV infection
Funded at Case Western Reserve University · NIH-10880690 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the mouth cells of people living with HIV might not work as well, which could make them more likely to get HPV, and it aims to find out how these cells differ from those of healthy people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Case Western Reserve University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project start | July 3, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $195,375 |
| NIH project number | 5R21DE032626-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10880690 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living with HIV who may be experiencing oral health issues.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not living with HIV or do not have oral health complications may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the oral epithelial cells of people living with HIV (PLWH) may become dysfunctional, potentially increasing their risk for HPV infection. The team will collect oral mucosal cells from PLWH using a non-invasive method and analyze their genomic and epigenomic characteristics. By comparing these cells to those from healthy individuals, the researchers aim to understand the differences in susceptibility to HPV infection. This study combines expertise in HIV and HPV virology, cell biology, and bioinformatics to explore these important health issues.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and management of oral health complications in people living with HIV, potentially reducing their risk of HPV infection.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of this research is novel, previous studies have shown that understanding the epigenetic factors in viral infections can lead to significant insights and advancements in treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Weinberg, Aaron — Case Western Reserve University
- Study coordinator: Weinberg, Aaron
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Epigenetics of oral HPV-related mouth and throat cancer in people with HIV in Nigeria
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Antibodies and vaginal bacteria in HPV-related cervical changes
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-
Oral bacteria, gum disease, and oral HPV in people living with HIV
This project looks at how the mouth’s bacteria and gum disease relate to oral HPV in people with HIV, and what immune factors might be involved.
-
How HIV Treatment Might Change Oral HPV Risk
A study explored how antiretroviral therapy for HIV could affect the mouth’s lining and the chance of catching oral HPV, with participants including people living with HIV on ART and people using ART for PrEP.
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Understanding how the penile cancer microbiome and p16 relate to HPV and outcomes across diverse patients
This project will look at how the tiny microbes living in penile tumors, p16 protein levels, high-risk HPV, and clinical outcomes are connected across patients from different regions.
-
Understanding how HIV medication affects oral HPV infection
This research explores if medications for HIV or HIV prevention might make people more likely to get oral human papillomavirus (HPV) infections.
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.