Cannabis Pregnancy HIV Study: OHSU Receives $6.7 Million Grant
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NIH Awards $6.7M to Study Cannabis Use During HIV Pregnancy
Table of Contents
What Happened?
A research team led by Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) has received a $6.7 million grant from the National Institutes of health (NIH) to investigate the effects of cannabis use during pregnancy on individuals with HIV. The five-year grant, awarded by the NIH’s National Institute on Drug Abuse, will support research examining the interplay between THC exposure, HIV infection, antiretroviral therapy, and pregnancy outcomes.
The Research Team & Expertise
The project is led by Jamie Lo, MD, MCR, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology (maternal-fetal medicine) at OHSU, and Benjamin Burwitz, ph.D.,associate professor in the Division of Pathobiology and Immunology at the Oregon National Primate Research Center (ONPRC). Co-lead principal investigator is Jennifer Manuzak, Ph.D., of the Tulane National Primate research Center, with additional OHSU co-investigators Matthias Schabel, Ph.D. and James Frank, Ph.D.
The research leverages the expertise of the Lo Lab, specializing in the effects of substance use on reproductive health, and the Burwitz Lab, focused on infectious disease immunology using nonhuman primate models.
Why This Research Matters: The Intersection of HIV & Cannabis
“This project really brings together Ben’s infectious disease expertise and my work on cannabis and pregnancy,” Lo explained. “A lot of people with HIV use cannabis for different reasons – for their symptoms and side effects of treatment. But there’s been almost no research on how HIV and cannabis combined can impact maternal, placental and fetal outcomes in pregnancy.”
This research is crucial as individuals with HIV already face increased pregnancy risks,including premature birth and placental complications,even with effective antiretroviral therapy. These risks are often linked to chronic inflammation. The study aims to determine if cannabis use exacerbates these risks.
Global Context & Prevalence
HIV & Pregnancy Statistics
According to the World Health Organization, approximately 1.2 million pregnant individuals were living with HIV in 2023.This highlights the significant public health need for research addressing the complexities of HIV and pregnancy.
Rising Cannabis Use
Cannabis use is increasing globally, including among pregnant individuals. Understanding the potential impacts of this trend, particularly within vulnerable populations like those with HIV, is paramount.
Study Methodology
The study will utilize a nonhuman primate model to simulate HIV infection and pregnancy. Researchers will examine the effects of daily prenatal exposure to THC on immune function, viral control, placental advancement, and fetal outcomes in the context of HIV-like infection and antiretroviral therapy. this model allows for controlled investigation of complex interactions that are difficult to study directly in human pregnancies.