Federal Grant Award Summary

Emory University received a $683,346 Project Grant award from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) under the Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs (CFDA 93.279) to conduct research examining how cocaine and cannabis use interfere with antiretroviral therapy (ART) efficacy and promote HIV infection and inflammatory responses at the maternal-fetal interface. The research project, which commenced on May 15, 2026 and extends through February 28, 2031, addresses a critical knowledge gap regarding the impact of comorbid substance use and HIV/ART exposure on placental function in pregnant women living with HIV—a population experiencing elevated rates of marijuana and cocaine use compared to the general population.

The research deliverables include three primary objectives: (1) evaluating pharmacologic mechanisms by which comorbid substance use and HIV alter ART placental efficacy; (2) investigating immunologic and virologic mechanisms underlying the effects of comorbid substance use and HIV/ART on the placenta; and (3) assessing whether HIV, ART, and/or comorbid substance use are associated with placental dysfunction and inflammation in tissue samples and maternal blood from HIV-positive and HIV-negative pregnancies. The project will generate scientific findings and mechanistic insights regarding PXR signaling pathways involved in substance-ART interactions, contributing to improved understanding of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes in pregnant women with comorbid HIV and substance use disorders.