Understanding inflammation differences in women and men living with HIV
Official title: Defining Sex-Specific Systemic and Gut Inflammatory Profiles in People Living with HIV
Funded at Emory University · NIH-10996128 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how chronic HIV affects inflammation in women and men differently, especially considering how certain sexual behaviors might play a role, to help us understand what’s happening in the bodies of people living with HIV.
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 | January 3, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $758,985 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI174933-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10996128 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include women and men living with HIV who are receiving antiretroviral therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not living with HIV or those who are not on antiretroviral therapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how chronic HIV infection affects inflammation differently in women compared to men. It aims to define specific inflammatory profiles in the blood and gut of individuals living with HIV, particularly focusing on the impact of sexual behaviors like receptive anal intercourse. By analyzing these differences, the study seeks to uncover the underlying microbial and molecular mechanisms that contribute to inflammation in treated HIV patients. The research will involve carefully matched populations to ensure accurate comparisons.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies that address the unique inflammatory responses in women living with HIV.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been research on inflammation in HIV, this specific focus on sex-specific and sexual behavior-specific inflammatory profiles is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Smith, Stacey Abigail — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Smith, Stacey Abigail
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.