Researchers from Cleveland Clinic and Case Western Reserve University have received a three-year, $3 million grant to study HIV and the body’s response in autoimmune diseases.

The grant comes from the Richard J. Fasenmyer Foundation, according to a statement from the Clinic and Case.

Immunologists Dr. Leonard Calabrese from the Clinic and Dr. Michael Lederman from Case will continue their nearly 30-year collaboration to investigate potential relationships between autoimmune, inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, and HIV and AIDS.

“In addition to helping us better understand why some people exposed to HIV do not get infected, this grant ultimately will help amplify current research to apply what we’ve learned about HIV immunology to better understand a host of other diseases,” Lederman said.

The research will also examine why many well-treated HIV patients fail to achieve a restored immune system despite effective therapy for the disease.

Fasenmyer died in 2002 and was the founder of RJF International Corp., which manufactures and distributes wall coverings.

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