# Inflammation, Aging, Microbes, Obstructive Lung Disease and Diffusion Abnormalities (I AM OLD-DA) Study - Diversity Supplement

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · 2022 · $38,599

## Abstract

ABSTRACT (Diversity Supplement)
 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in persons with
HIV, and its clinical significance is increasing as the HIV+ population ages. New therapies to treat or prevent this
growing problem will require improved mechanistic insights. However, our current understanding of the
pathogenesis underlying HIV+ COPD is limited, but both HIV-related and COPD-specific mechanisms are
hypothesized. The I AM OLD-DA Study seeks to improve our understanding using a novel, established
multinational (US and Uganda) cohort of HIV+ persons. The study is measuring HIV-related and COPD-specific
markers of immune activation, inflammation, lung injury, and cellular aging in blood and performing lung function
testing. It is examining the associations between the selected markers and lung function (spirometry and diffusion
capacity for carbon monoxide, DLco). Our central hypothesis is that: (1) different pathogenic mechanisms
underlie abnormal spirometry and abnormal DLco and (2) different pathogenic mechanisms underlie
COPD/emphysema (i.e., abnormal spirometry and abnormal DLco) and isolated reductions in DLco (i.e.,
abnormal DLco with normal spirometry), referred to as iso↓DLco hereafter. To test this hypothesis, we proposed
three Aims, the first two of which are detailed here and are part of this Diversity Supplement proposal: Aim 1:
To test the hypothesis that persistent abnormalities in markers of immune activation, inflammation, lung injury,
and cellular aging measured in peripheral blood are associated with subsequent changes (declines) in FEV1/FVC
and FEV1. Aims 2A and 2B: To test the hypothesis that persistent abnormalities in the same markers measured
in peripheral blood are associated with subsequent changes (declines) in DLco and that the markers associated
with diffusion abnormalities in COPD/emphysema will be different from the markers associated with iso↓DLco.
 This Diversity Supplement to the I AM OLD-DA Study will support a meritorious post-baccalaureate scholar
from an under-privileged background who seeks a future career as a physician-scientist and will provide him with
essential research training, mentoring, and hands-on experience in support of his application to medical school.
Diversity Supplement Aim 1: To test the hypothesis that persistent elevations in plasma IL-6 and hsCRP (non-
specific markers of inflammation previously associated with abnormal spirometry) are associated with
subsequent declines in spirometry: FEV1/FVC and FEV1. Aim 2A: To test the hypothesis that persistent
elevations in plasma pulmonary and activation-regulated chemokine (PARC/CCL-18) and club cell secretory
protein-16 (CC-16) (previously associated with abnormal DLco) are associated with subsequent declines in
DLco. Aim 2B: To test the hypothesis that persistent elevations in plasma soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor
2 (sTNFR-II) and interferon gamma-inducible protein-10 (IP-10) (previ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10412833
- **Project number:** 3R01HL128156-06S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO
- **Principal Investigator:** LAURENCE HUANG
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $38,599
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2015-07-01 → 2025-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10412833

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10412833, Inflammation, Aging, Microbes, Obstructive Lung Disease and Diffusion Abnormalities (I AM OLD-DA) Study - Diversity Supplement (3R01HL128156-06S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10412833. Licensed CC0.

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