THE EFFECT OF HAART ON HCV REPLICATION AND IMMUNE RESPONSE TO HCV

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. HCV-infected individuals who are co-infected with HIV have a significantly increased risk of cirrhosis and liver failure when compared to those who are HIV-negative. Furthermore, severe HIV-related immunodeficiency appears to be an independent predictor of advanced liver disease. Many HIV-infected individuals are now treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), and more than 50% experience immune reconstitution with therapy. We will collect blood and perform liver biopsies in co-infected patients before and 12 months after initiating HAART. Assays measuring HCV replication and the HCV-specific immune response will allow us to test several hypotheses regarding the effect of HAART-related immune reconstitution on hepatitis C replication, immune responses, and HCV liver disease.