# Aging with HIV: Novel Biomarkers of Inflammation and Morbidity - Administrative Supplement

> **NIH NIH K23** · WEILL MEDICAL COLL OF CORNELL UNIV · 2024 · $75,599

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The candidate’s career goal is to become an independent physician-scientist studying HIV infection with a
focus on HIV and Aging, and the increased burden of medical co-morbidities and geriatric syndromes in older
adults with HIV (OAH). The candidate has laid the foundation for achieving this goal by gaining clinical
expertise in caring for OAH, participating in research, obtaining a Master’s Degree in Clinical and Translational
Investigation. To achieve her career goal, the candidate will need to expand upon her translational research
skills, including additional biostatistics and research methods training.
A key component of the candidates training will be conducting the proposed research project investigating
novel biomarkers in the field of HIV and aging. Despite effective antiretroviral medications, OAH bear a greater
burden of medical co-morbidities and geriatric syndromes than their HIV-negative peers. Translational
research investigating novel biomarkers of chronic inflammation offers as opportunity for insight to the process
of accelerated/accentuated aging that is observed in OAH. Cell-free mitochondrial DNA (cfmtDNA) is released
from cells undergoing stress and necroptosis-mediated cell death, and in the plasma has the potential to serve
as a mediator and marker of chronic immune activation and dysregulation.
We hypothesize that cfmtDNA will be associated with lower cognitive performance and greater frailty in a
longitudinal study of OAH. Previously, we have studied a cohort of OAH (age 55 and over) at our institution,
and those with cognitive impairment had higher average levels of cfmtDNA in plasma than participants without
cognitive impairment. We propose to leverage this existing study to investigate the following specific aims: To
determine if plasma cfmtDNA is associated with cognition; 2) To determine if cfmtDNA predicts physical
function; and 3) Evaluate the immunostimulatory potential of cfmtDNA from OAH with and without cognitive
decline. Participants from our existing cohort will be invited back for two study visits separated by 18-24
months, each visit will include detailed neurocognitive assessment, physical function measures, and blood and
urine specimen collection. Together, these investigations will shed light on the relationship between cfmtDNA,
immune activation and geriatric-related syndromes in OAH.
This project proposes a five-year, multifaceted training program under the mentorship of Dr. Marshall Glesby
as the primary mentor, as well as Drs. Mary Choi, Lishomwa Ndhlovu, and Eugenia Siegler as co-mentors.
Together with a Scientific Advisory Committee, they will provide the expertise in research design, biomarkers,
immunology and geriatrics that will allow support the success of this project. The completion of the proposed
project will lead to an enhanced understanding of cfmtDNA as a biomarker of geriatric syndromes in OAH, and
a translational research tool to identify OAH at the highest r...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11082050
- **Project number:** 3K23AG072960-04S1
- **Recipient organization:** WEILL MEDICAL COLL OF CORNELL UNIV
- **Principal Investigator:** Carrie Down Johnston
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $75,599
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2021-08-15 → 2026-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11082050

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11082050, Aging with HIV: Novel Biomarkers of Inflammation and Morbidity - Administrative Supplement (3K23AG072960-04S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11082050. Licensed CC0.

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