Characterising the impact of chronic HIV infection on B cell immunity in the lung of Malawian adults

HIV is a major public health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa and lung infections are one of the leading causes of death in people infected with the virus. HIV infection causes adverse effects to the immune system and studies on blood have shown that one of the key immune cells affected are B cells. However, there is limited knowledge on the effect of HIV infection on B cells found in the lung. We have shown that there is an increase in the number of B cells in the lung during HIV infection, but it is unclear whether these B cells are functional. 

I will determine the nature of the B cells found in the airways of people with HIV and assess how well these B cells function. 

Findings from this research will contribute to the development of new therapeutic interventions against lung infections.