Mucosal tissues are particularly vulnerable to infection because they are the major interface between the host internal environment and the outside world. Protection from infection at mucosal sites is provided by an intricate network of innate and adaptive immune populations, soluble mediators, epithelial and mucus layers and the host microbiota. Due to the extraordinary complexity of the mucosal environment, the exact mechanisms underlying mucosal immune dysfunction in the context of infectious diseases remain elusive. My research program is centered on understanding the critical role of mucosal immunity in HIV pathogenesis and determining the impact of relevant co-infections on mucosal function in people living with HIV. Currently, we are using the non-human primate model to examine how malaria co-infection alters HIV/SIV vaccination and SIV-associated mucosal dysfunction. We are interested in expanding these studies to explore the impact of other emerging and neglected infectious diseases on HIV immunopathogenesis. Finally, given the significant crosstalk between the gut and the liver, a related interest is to explore the mechanisms by which intestinal mucosal disruptions in HIV and malaria infection, separately and in concert, could enhance the risk for liver disease. A better understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying HIV-associated mucosal dysfunction, alone and in the context of important co-infections, will reveal novel therapeutic targets that can be manipulated to improve clinical outcomes and reduce morbidity and mortality in people living with HIV.
