Why people with HIV develop high blood pressure
Mechanisms of HIV-associated Hypertension
This work looks at whether HIV proteins that remain despite treatment cause inflammation and raise blood pressure in people living with HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Augusta University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Augusta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11166416 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will study HIV-derived proteins that persist even when virus levels are controlled and test how they affect blood vessel health, inflammation, and nervous-system signals that control blood pressure. Much of the work uses a mouse model that carries HIV genes to see if immune cells drive blood pressure increases, including experiments transplanting bone marrow to transfer the effect. The team will block T cell activation in the model to see if blood pressure and vessel function improve, while measuring inflammatory markers like IL-1α, endothelial relaxation, and sympathetic activity. The goal is to link immune-driven mechanisms to the early cardiovascular aging seen in people with HIV.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People living with HIV, especially those with high blood pressure or at risk for cardiovascular disease, would be the most relevant candidates for related clinical work.
Not a fit: People without HIV or whose high blood pressure is clearly unrelated to immune or HIV-related factors are less likely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new immune-targeted ways to prevent or treat high blood pressure in people living with HIV.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal studies have suggested immune-driven hypertension in HIV models, but translating these findings to people is still relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Augusta, United States
- Augusta University — Augusta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Belin de Chantemele, Eric J — Augusta University
- Study coordinator: Belin de Chantemele, Eric J
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.