HIV Lung Research Center

Despite availability of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)[1], pulmonary disease remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in HIV-infected patients, and some pulmonary conditions may actually be increasing in persons with HIV.  The University of Pittsburgh HIV Lung Research Center (HLRC) was established in 2010 to increase the scientific understanding of HIV-associated lung diseases including infectious and non-infectious complications in order to develop novel therapeutic and preventive approaches to decreasing the burden of lung disease in this population.   The University of Pittsburgh is the site of significant research in HIV-associated lung disease with funded investigators performing studies in human populations and non-human primate models investigating infectious and non-infectious lung complications of HIV. The HLRC provides a forum for exchange and interactions between  MD and PhD scientists in different disciplines including pulmonary, immunology, and infectious diseases. The HLRC is led by Alison Morris, MD, MS.

Research Team

Alison Morris, MD, MS, Professor of Medicine and Immunology conducts translational research in HIV-associated pulmonary disease with a focus on epidemiology and causes of HIV-associated COPD.  She is a Primary Investigator in the NHLBI-sponsored, “Lung HIV,” a consortium of 8 clinical centers investigating HIV-associated pulmonary disease, and she serves on the Lung HIV steering committee and chairs the CT scan committee.   She is also the PI of an NHLBI R01 to investigate COPD in HIV and the role of pulmonary infections such as Pneumocystis colonization in HIV-associated COPD as well as an NHLBI U01 investigating the role of the microbiome in HIV-associated lung diseases.  Dr. Morris’ key scientific discoveries include identifying the association of Pneumocystis colonization and COPD in both HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected subjects, determining outcome and epidemiology of Pneumocystis pneumonia, and documenting a relationship between use of antiretroviral therapy and airway obstruction.

CT scan from 44 yo HIV-infected female on antiretroviral therapy

CT scan of 54y/o HIV-infected man

Clinical Research

Several clinical research studies are ongoing that investigate epidemiology and pathogenesis of HIV-associated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary arterial hypertension and asthma, the role of various infections and associated host response in HIV-associated lung disease, and the role of antiretroviral therapy in lung disease.  A specimen bank of blood, sputum, and bronchoalveolar lavage with corresponding clinical and physiologic (pulmonary function testing, chest computed-tomography, and echocardiograms) located in Dr. Morris’ laboratory and would be available for collaborative studies.

Basic Research

Center scientists perform basic research on multiple aspects of HIV-associated lung diseases including tuberculosis, Pneumocystis infection and colonization, host immune response, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and pulmonary arterial hypertension. Research is conducted using cell lines, rodent models, and non-human primate models.  Molecular, immunologic, physiologic, radiologic and genetic studies are performed as part of these investigations.

Division of PACCSM
Academic Offices

NW 628 UPMC Montefiore
3459 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
412-692-2210

Patient Care and Referral

Comprehensive Lung Center (CLC)
Falk Medical Building, 4th Floor
3601 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
412-648-6161