Impact of HIV infection and treatment with highly active retroviral therapy on reverse cholesterol transport [ 2005 - 2007 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Prof Dmitri Sviridov (Principal investigator) ,  Prof Anthony Dart ,  Prof Jennifer Hoy ,  Prof Michael Bukrinsky

Brief description HIV has been found to be associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. The introduction of new treatment for HIV resulted in a dramatic improvement in morbidity and mortality of HIV-infected patients, but paradoxically cardiovascular complications became more frequent and severe. It is not currently clear whether increased cardiovascular risk is due to long lasting HIV or due to the impact of therapy. In both cases a major complication of HIV and-or therapy is rapid development of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is the cause of more than half of heart diseases, which is a leading cause of death in Western societies. Atherosclerosis develops when cholesterol is deposited within artery walls, causing the formation of a fatty plaque and restricting blood flow. The mechanism behind the effect of HIV and its treatment on development of atherosclerosis is unknown. This project is designed to investigate how and why HIV infection and its treatment results in this increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Funding Amount $AUD 339,375.00

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant