Division of  Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine

HIV Lung Research Program

Despite advances in highly active antiretroviral therapy, 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. Established in 2010, the University of Pittsburgh HIV Lung Research Program advances understanding of both infectious and non-infectious HIV-associated lung diseases, with the goal of developing new strategies for prevention and treatment. The program brings together a strong community of funded investigators studying human populations and non-human primate models and serves as a hub for collaboration among clinicians and scientists across pulmonary medicine, immunology, and infectious diseases.

Clinical Research

Ongoing studies explore the epidemiology and pathogenesis of HIV-associated lung conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and asthma. Investigators are also examining the role of co-infections, immune responses, and the impact of antiretroviral therapy on pulmonary health. To support these efforts, the program maintains a specimen bank of blood, sputum, and bronchoalveolar lavage linked with clinical and physiologic data, including pulmonary function testing, chest CT, and echocardiography, which is available for collaborative research.

Basic Research

Using cell lines, rodent models, and non-human primates, program scientists investigate a wide spectrum of HIV-associated lung diseases including tuberculosis, Pneumocystis infection and colonization, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and pulmonary arterial hypertension. These studies integrate molecular, immunologic, physiologic, radiologic, and genetic approaches to uncover mechanisms of disease and identify potential therapeutic targets.