HIV+ Alveolar Macrophage Oxidant-mediated Apoptosis of Pulmonary Endothelium
In HIV+ cigarette smokers, with no prior history of pulmonary infections, emphysema is often developed at an earlier age and is a significant cause of morbidity despite treatment with antiretroviral drugs. Preliminary data gathered from HIV+ individuals that smoke cigarettes strongly support the hypothesis that the combination of HIV infection and smoking creates increased stress in the lower respiratory tract. To examine the underlying factors that contribute to the accelerated development of emphysema in this cohort, samples from the lower respiratory tract will be provided by HIV+ and HIV- subjects. The samples collected will serve as biomarkers for assessing the onset of emphysema.
⁃ HEALTHY VOLUNTEER RESEARCH SUBJECTS
• All study subjects should be able to provide informed consent
• Males or females ages 18 years and older
• Must provide HIV informed consent
⁃ VOLUNTEER RESEARCH SUBJECTS WITH LUNG DISEASE
• Must provide informed consent
• Males and females age 18 years and older
• Lung disease proven by at least one of the following: symptoms consistent with pulmonary disease; (2) chest X-rays consistent with lung disease; (3) pulmonary function tests consistent with lung disease; (4) lung biopsy consistent with lung disease; (5) family history of lung disease; and/or (6) diseases of organs with known association with lung disease
• Must provide HIV informed consent