SWG1: HIV Across the Lifespan

Modified Project Summary/Abstract Section

As individuals with HIV live longer due to highly effective treatment, understanding the impact of aging on HIV becomes increasingly important. To date, our knowledge of age-related differences in HIV acquisition, immunopathogenesis, latency, responses to antiretroviral drugs, and the effect of age at the time of infection remains limited. Addressing these critical knowledge gaps about how age influences HIV infection will help develop targeted strategies for prevention, treatment, and cure throughout the lifespan—an essential step toward global HIV eradication. The integration of the HIV research communities at CWRU and Pitt in the current application to form the RUSTBELT CFAR has allowed the HIV Across the Lifespan SWG1 to assemble an outstanding multidisciplinary team of basic, clinical, translational, and behavioral researchers.

Each team member has conducted at least one study on how age affects HIV infection or treatment, or possesses expertise related to HIV treatment in specific age groups. Building on the unique strengths of each institution, the HIV Across the Lifespan SWG1 will collaborate closely with the RUSTBELT CFAR Cores to achieve these specific aims: (1) To involve CFAR members in research on age-related differences in HIV pathogenesis. (2) To promote the integration of age-related considerations into HIV research focused on treatment, prevention, and cure. (3) To develop a structured mentorship program that makes junior investigators aware of resources to study how age impacts HIV infection. The success of the HIV Across the Lifespan SWG1 will be measured by a clearly defined set of key performance metrics. By leveraging ongoing HIV prevention, pathogenesis, and cure research within the RUSTBELT CFAR and combining it with our expertise in basic, translational sciences, and public health, the HIV Across the Lifespan SWG1 is well-positioned to generate valuable insights into controlling and managing both national and global HIV epidemics.

Grant Number: 5P30AI036219-29
NIH Institute/Center: NIH
Principal Investigator: CHERYL CAMERON