Mechanisms of Immune Reconstitution & Reduced Immune Activation Following Darunavir-based ART

Inclusion Criteria:

• Willing to sign consent form
• Naïve to ART (remote ART use >5 years will be considered on a case by case basis)
• No known GI or cardiovascular disease
• Between the ages of 18 and 60
• No active opportunistic infections or therapy for acute OI within 30 days of entry. Subjects can be on secondary prophylaxis with a history of AIDS defining illness.
• All women of childbearing potential (WCBP) must have a negative urine pregnancy test before any of the invasive or radiation exposure study procedures.
• Normal population should be free of chronic metabolic conditions such as diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, or coronary artery disease
• There are no CD4+ T-cell count or HIV plasma viral load restrictions.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Abnormal coagulation parameters (PT>1.2 upper limit of normal (ULN))
• Thrombocytopenia (platelet count <50.000 within 6 weeks)
• Contra-indications to upper endoscopy or conscious sedation
• Anemia (>grade 1 [appendix 1])
• Aspirin, ibuprofen, warfarin or other agents that interfere with the coagulation cascade are prohibited within 1 week of endoscopy.
• Renal insufficiency (serum Creatinine >1.2 ULN)
• History of chronic proteinuria that could impact viread use.
• Allergy to contrast used for CT angiography
• Requirement to take medications that are contraindicated with study ART regimen.