# 2022 CCS Oral Microbiome and Pulmonary Function Supplement

> **NIH NIH U01** · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $15,411

## Abstract

Abstract. FY 2022 OAR Strategic Funds are requested to perform a detailed investigation of
the relationship of the oral microbiome, immune response, and HIV to chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD, including airway obstruction and emphysema, is an
increasing health problem in people with HIV (PWH) even in the current era of antiretroviral
therapy (ART). Our preliminary data suggest that the oral microbiome is associated with lung
function, but we lack a detailed understanding of the role of particular microbial communities
and the potential mechanisms underpinning the association, which currently impedes
development of intervention strategies. We will utilize oral data, microbiome analyses, blood
specimens, and pulmonary function measures already being collected throughout MWCCS in
visits 102 and 103 in order to analyze the relationship of oral health and the oral microbiome to
lung function. We will also perform measurements of peripheral cytokines, inflammatory
responses, and the oral cavity environment to assess potential mechanisms linking the
microbiome to lung health. These investigations will be performed in all individuals who have
completed pulmonary function testing across MWCCS. We will then perform detailed oral
evaluations and collect microbial samples from multiple oral niches in a subset of participants to
better delineate relationships of specific oral health components and lung function at Pitt and
UNC. Using a novel technique to identify immunoglobulin-bound bacteria and fungi, we will
identify key microbes that drive host response and are related to COPD. These investigations
will identify potentially modifiable targets contributing to COPD in PWH.
We will address NIH high priority AIDS-designated topics of: 1) a common and high-burden HIV-
associated comorbidity; 2) interdisciplinary collaborations among experts in pulmonary disease,
microbiome, dental medicine, and analytics; 3) disparities in HIV given impact of social
determinants of health on both lung function and oral health; 4) fundamental discovery in cross-
cutting science; and 5) training the next generation of HIV investigators.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10659696
- **Project number:** 3U01HL146193-04S1
- **Recipient organization:** JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Gypsyamber D'Souza
- **Activity code:** U01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $15,411
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2019-04-09 → 2026-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10659696

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10659696, 2022 CCS Oral Microbiome and Pulmonary Function Supplement (3U01HL146193-04S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10659696. Licensed CC0.

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