# The Gut Microbiota, Inflammation and Cardiovascular Disease in HIV-InfectedIndividuals.

> **NIH NIH K01** · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · 2022 · $168,588

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The global burden of HIV associated cardiovascular disease (CVD) has tripled over the last two decades with
the majority of the burden experienced in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Reducing the burden of CVD in this
population will require a firm understanding of region-specific risk factors, particularly those known to modulate
the inflammatory response involved in CVD. Although alteration of the gut bacteria communities (dysbiosis)
has been linked to CVD in healthy adults, the role of gut dysbiosis on CVD risk is not well investigated among
HIV-infected patients receiving suppressive ART. This K01 proposal details a five-year plan to provide the
candidate, Dr. Tecla Temu, with the training and expertise needed to evaluate the relationship between gut
dysbiosis and markers of early CVD in an established cohort of HIV-infected adults enrolled in the Kenya HIV-
CVD study (R21 TW010459; PI: Farquhar). Taking advantage of stool specimens, archived blood samples,
extensive data on HIV-infection related factors, co-infections (latent TB, helminths), and measures of early
atherosclerotic disease (carotid intima media thickness) and metabolic disease in the Kenya HIV-CVD study,
this project proposes to 1) characterize gut microbiota of HIV-infected adults in SSA and 2) determine the
relationship of gut microbiota with measures of inflammation and subclinical CVD. Dr. Temu's long-term goal
is to be a successful physician-scientist and independent investigator focused on understanding the
pathogenesis of HIV-associated CVD in resource-limited settings. She aims to develop new preventive and
therapeutic methods that will improve the health of disadvantaged, underserved populations in SSA and
globally. The proposed program will build on the candidate's extensive experience with international clinical
and laboratory research and improve her skills in cardiovascular research, specifically study design, as well as
analysis and interpretation of microbiome data, and HIV mucosal immunology. Dr. Temu has strong
institutional support from the University of Washington's Department of Global Health where she is currently a
Clinical Assistant Professor. Her training plan incorporates an outstanding mentoring environment, one that
includes experts in HIV, cardiovascular disease, and gut microbiome research in SSA, and it leverages more
than 30 years of Fogarty-funded research and training collaborations between the University of Washington
and University of Nairobi. This highly supportive environment will enable Dr. Temu to not only accomplish her
proposed research and training goals and successfully position herself for an independent research career, but
also allow her to achieve her full potential for productivity and creativity as a physician-scientist in the UW
Department of Global Health.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10463677
- **Project number:** 5K01HL147723-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
- **Principal Investigator:** TECLA MTUI TEMU
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $168,588
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-08-25 → 2023-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10463677

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10463677, The Gut Microbiota, Inflammation and Cardiovascular Disease in HIV-InfectedIndividuals. (5K01HL147723-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10463677. Licensed CC0.

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