Understanding how HIV makes liver damage worse in people with hepatitis B
Cooperative mechanisms of HIV-enhanced liver fibrogenesis in HBV Coinfection
This project aims to understand why HIV speeds up liver scarring in people also living with hepatitis B, even when their hepatitis B is being treated.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11109439 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
People living with both HIV and hepatitis B often experience more severe liver damage and scarring, called fibrosis, compared to those with only hepatitis B, even when their hepatitis B is well-managed. This project wants to uncover the specific ways HIV contributes to this accelerated liver damage. Researchers are using advanced laboratory models, including special cell cultures, to observe how HIV affects hepatitis B virus activity and the development of liver scarring. By understanding these interactions, we hope to find new ways to protect the liver in co-infected individuals.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is relevant to individuals living with both HIV and chronic hepatitis B virus infection who are at risk for or experiencing accelerated liver fibrosis.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have both HIV and chronic hepatitis B infection would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments or strategies to prevent severe liver disease, like cirrhosis and liver cancer, in people living with both HIV and hepatitis B.
How similar studies have performed: While treatments for HBV exist, the specific mechanisms of accelerated liver damage in HIV/HBV co-infection are not well understood, making this a novel area of investigation.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chung, Raymond T — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Chung, Raymond T
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.