Overview of the project
Chronic HIV infection leads to a dysregulated immune system, even if viral suppression is achieved by combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). cART-suppressed people living with HIV still experience persistent immune activation, which is related to an array of common non-AIDS related diseases such as cardiovascular disease (CVD), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and non-AIDS defining malignancies. Furthermore, accelerated aging and depletion (senescence) of the immune system hinders effective immunity against infectious diseases and cancer. Likewise, this derailed inflammatory balance creates a niche for persisting viral replication and reservoir, and prevents HIV cure or functional cure.
Mechanisms behind these phenomena are poorly understood. Restoring this balance has proven to be challenging and new targets for effectively restoring it are lacking. An integrative view on the functionality of different traits of the immune system is therefore warranted. Studies within the Human Functional Genomics Project (HFGP) have shown such integrative view in healthy subjects and certain disease cohorts. Within the 2000HIV project, we aim to provide these insights in people living with HIV.
