The  Integrase Strand Transfer Inhibitor (INSTI) antiretrovirals are  among the last generation drugs to treat HIV-infected patients. Recent data indicate that these patients show abnormally increased adiposity after treatment. Thus, the HIV infection and global obesity epidemics meet to confer to HIV patients increased metabolic and cardiovascular comorbidities.The coordinated research projects  will assess the molecular and cellular basis of such phenomenon and will identify potential targets of preventive intervention.