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League AF, Yadav-Samudrala BJ, Kolagani R, Cline CA, Jacobs IR, Manke J, Niphakis MJ, Cravatt BF, Lichtman AH, Ignatowska-Jankowska BM, Fitting S. A helping HAND: therapeutic potential of MAGL inhibition against HIV-1-associated neuroinflammation. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1374301. [PMID: 38835765 PMCID: PMC11148243 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1374301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) affects nearly 40 million people globally, with roughly 80% of all people living with HIV receiving antiretroviral therapy. Antiretroviral treatment suppresses viral load in peripheral tissues but does not effectively penetrate the blood-brain barrier. Thus, viral reservoirs persist in the central nervous system and continue to produce low levels of inflammatory factors and early viral proteins, including the transactivator of transcription (Tat). HIV Tat is known to contribute to chronic neuroinflammation and synaptodendritic damage, which is associated with the development of cognitive, motor, and/or mood problems, collectively known as HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). Cannabinoid anti-inflammatory effects are well documented, but therapeutic utility of cannabis remains limited due to its psychotropic effects, including alterations within brain regions encoding reward processing and motivation, such as the nucleus accumbens. Alternatively, inhibiting monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) has demonstrated therapeutic potential through interactions with the endocannabinoid system. Methods The present study utilized a reward-related operant behavioral task to quantify motivated behavior in female Tat transgenic mice treated with vehicle or MAGL inhibitor MJN110 (1 mg/kg). Brain tissue was collected to assess dendritic injury and neuroinflammatory profiles, including dendritic microtubule-associated protein (MAP2ab) intensity, microglia density, microglia morphology, astrocyte density, astrocytic interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) colocalization, and various lipid mediators. Results No significant behavioral differences were observed; however, MJN110 protected against Tat-induced dendritic injury by significantly upregulating MAP2ab intensity in the nucleus accumbens and in the infralimbic cortex of Tat(+) mice. No or only minor effects were noted for Iba-1+ microglia density and/or microglia morphology. Further, Tat increased GFAP+ astrocyte density in the infralimbic cortex and GFAP+ astrocytic IL-1ß colocalization in the nucleus accumbens, with MJN110 significantly reducing these measures in Tat(+) subjects. Lastly, selected HETE-related inflammatory lipid mediators in the striatum were downregulated by chronic MJN110 treatment. Conclusions These findings demonstrate anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties of MJN110 without cannabimimetic behavioral effects and suggest a promising alternative to cannabis for managing neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis F. League
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Barkha J. Yadav-Samudrala
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Ramya Kolagani
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Calista A. Cline
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Ian R. Jacobs
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Jonathan Manke
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Micah J. Niphakis
- Department of Chemistry, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | | | - Aron H. Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | | | - Sylvia Fitting
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
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Lark AR, Nass SR, Hahn YK, Gao B, Milne GL, Knapp PE, Hauser KF. HIV-1 Tat and morphine interactions dynamically shift striatal monoamine levels and exploratory behaviors over time. J Neurochem 2024; 168:185-204. [PMID: 38308495 PMCID: PMC10922901 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.16057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
Despite the advent of combination anti-retroviral therapy (cART), nearly half of people infected with HIV treated with cART still exhibit HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). HAND can be worsened by co-morbid opioid use disorder. The basal ganglia are particularly vulnerable to HIV-1 and exhibit higher viral loads and more severe pathology, which can be exacerbated by co-exposure to opioids. Evidence suggests that dopaminergic neurotransmission is disrupted by HIV exposure, however, little is known about whether co-exposure to opioids may alter neurotransmitter levels in the striatum and if this in turn influences behavior. Therefore, we assayed motor, anxiety-like, novelty-seeking, exploratory, and social behaviors, and levels of monoamines and their metabolites following 2 weeks and 2 months of Tat and/or morphine exposure in transgenic mice. Morphine decreased dopamine levels, but significantly elevated norepinephrine, the dopamine metabolites dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA), and the serotonin metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, which typically correlated with increased locomotor behavior. The combination of Tat and morphine altered dopamine, DOPAC, and HVA concentrations differently depending on the neurotransmitter/metabolite and duration of exposure but did not affect the numbers of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons in the mesencephalon. Tat exposure increased the latency to interact with novel conspecifics, but not other novel objects, suggesting the viral protein inhibits exploratory behavior initiation in a context-dependent manner. By contrast, and consistent with prior findings that opioid misuse can increase novelty-seeking behavior, morphine exposure increased the time spent exploring a novel environment. Finally, Tat and morphine interacted to affect locomotor activity in a time-dependent manner, while grip strength and rotarod performance were unaffected. Together, our results provide novel insight into the unique effects of HIV-1 Tat and morphine on monoamine neurochemistry that may underlie their divergent effects on motor and exploratory behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Benlian Gao
- Neurochemistry Core, Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University
| | - Ginger L. Milne
- Neurochemistry Core, Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University
| | - Pamela E. Knapp
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology
- Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University
| | - Kurt F. Hauser
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology
- Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University
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Yadav-Samudrala BJ, Ravula HP, Barmada KM, Dodson H, Poklis JL, Ignatowska-Jankowska BM, Lichtman AH, Reissner KJ, Fitting S. Acute Effects of Monoacylglycerol Lipase Inhibitor ABX1431 on Neuronal Hyperexcitability, Nociception, Locomotion, and the Endocannabinoid System in HIV-1 Tat Male Mice. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2024. [PMID: 38394322 DOI: 10.1089/can.2023.0247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Evidence suggests that monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) inhibitors can potentially treat HIV symptoms by increasing the concentration of 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). We examined a selective MAGL inhibitor ABX1431 in the context of neuroHIV. Methods: To assess the effects of ABX1431, we conducted in vitro and in vivo studies. In vitro calcium imaging on frontal cortex neuronal cultures was performed to evaluate the role of ABX1431 (10, 30, 100 nM) on transactivator of transcription (Tat)-induced neuronal hyperexcitability. Following in vitro experiments, in vivo experiments were performed using Tat transgenic male mice. Mice were treated with 4 mg/kg ABX1431 and assessed for antinociception using tail-flick and hot plate assays followed by locomotor activity. After the behavioral experiments, their brains were harvested to quantify endocannabinoids (eCB) and related lipids through mass spectrometry, and cannabinoid type-1 and -2 receptors (CB1R and CB2R) were quantified through western blot. Results: In vitro studies revealed that adding Tat directly to the neuronal cultures significantly increased intracellular calcium concentration, which ABX1431 completely reversed at all concentrations. Preincubating the cultures with CB1R and CB2R antagonists showed that ABX1431 exhibited its effects partially through CB1R. In vivo studies demonstrated that acute ABX1431 increased overall total distance traveled and speed of mice regardless of their genotype. Mass spectrometry and western blot analyses revealed differential effects on the eCB system based on Tat expression. The 2-AG levels were significantly upregulated following ABX1431 treatment in the striatum and spinal cord. Arachidonic acid (AA) was also upregulated in the striatum of vehicle-treated Tat(+) mice. No changes were noted in CB1R expression levels; however, CB2R levels were increased in ABX1431-treated Tat(-) mice only. Conclusion: Findings indicate that ABX1431 has potential neuroprotective effects in vitro partially mediated through CB1R. Acute treatment of ABX1431 in vivo shows antinociceptive effects, and seems to alter locomotor activity, with upregulating 2-AG levels in the striatum and spinal cord.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barkha J Yadav-Samudrala
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Havilah P Ravula
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Karenna M Barmada
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Hailey Dodson
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Justin L Poklis
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | | | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Kathryn J Reissner
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Sylvia Fitting
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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Yadav-Samudrala BJ, Gorman BL, Dodson H, Ramineni S, Wallace ED, Peace MR, Poklis JL, Jiang W, Fitting S. Effects of acute Δ 9-tetrahydrocannabinol on behavior and the endocannabinoid system in HIV-1 Tat transgenic female and male mice. Brain Res 2024; 1822:148638. [PMID: 37858856 PMCID: PMC10873064 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2023.148638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Cannabis use is highly prevalent especially among people living with HIV (PLWH). Activation of the anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective endocannabinoid system by phytocannabinoids, i.e. Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), has been proposed to reduce HIV symptoms. However, THC's effects on HIV-related memory deficits are unclear. Using HIV-1 Tat transgenic mice, the current study investigates acute THC effects on various behavioral outcomes and the endocannabinoid system. For the rodent tetrad model, THC doses (1, 3, 10 mg/kg) induced known antinociceptive effects, with Tat induction increasing antinociceptive THC effects at 3 and 10 mg/kg doses. Only minor or no effects were noted for acute THC on body temperature, locomotor activity, and coordination. Increased anxiety-like behavior was found for females compared to males, but acute THC had no effect on anxiety. Object recognition memory was diminished by acute THC in Tat(-) females but not Tat(+) females, without affecting males. The endocannabinoid system and related lipids were not affected by acute THC, except for THC-induced decreases in CB1R protein expression levels in the spinal cord of Tat(-) mice. Female sex and Tat induction was associated with elevated 2-AG, AEA, AA, CB1R, CB2R, FAAH and/or MAGL expression in various brain regions. Further, AEA levels in the prefrontal cortex of Tat(+) females were negatively associated with object recognition memory. Overall, findings indicate that acute THC exerts differential effects on antinociception and memory, dependent on sex and HIV Tat expression, potentially in relation to an altered endocannabinoid system, which may be of relevance in view of potential cannabis-based treatment options for PLWH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barkha J Yadav-Samudrala
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Benjamin L Gorman
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Hailey Dodson
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Shreya Ramineni
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - E Diane Wallace
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Michelle R Peace
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Justin L Poklis
- Department of Forensic Science, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA
| | - Wei Jiang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Sylvia Fitting
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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Lark ARS, Silva LK, Nass SR, Marone MG, Ohene-Nyako M, Ihrig TM, Marks WD, Yarotskyy V, Rory McQuiston A, Knapp PE, Hauser KF. Progressive Degeneration and Adaptive Excitability in Dopamine D1 and D2 Receptor-Expressing Striatal Neurons Exposed to HIV-1 Tat and Morphine. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2023; 43:1105-1127. [PMID: 35695980 PMCID: PMC9976699 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-022-01232-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
The striatum is especially vulnerable to HIV-1 infection, with medium spiny neurons (MSNs) exhibiting marked synaptodendritic damage that can be exacerbated by opioid use disorder. Despite known structural defects in MSNs co-exposed to HIV-1 Tat and opioids, the pathophysiological sequelae of sustained HIV-1 exposure and acute comorbid effects of opioids on dopamine D1 and D2 receptor-expressing (D1 and D2) MSNs are unknown. To address this question, Drd1-tdTomato- or Drd2-eGFP-expressing reporter and conditional HIV-1 Tat transgenic mice were interbred. MSNs in ex vivo slices from male mice were assessed by whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology and filled with biocytin to explore the functional and structural effects of progressive Tat and acute morphine exposure. Although the excitability of both D1 and D2 MSNs increased following 48 h of Tat exposure, D1 MSN firing rates decreased below control (Tat-) levels following 2 weeks and 1 month of Tat exposure but returned to control levels after 2 months. D2 neurons continued to display Tat-dependent increases in excitability at 2 weeks, but also returned to control levels following 1 and 2 months of Tat induction. Acute morphine exposure increased D1 MSN excitability irrespective of the duration of Tat exposure, while D2 MSNs were variably affected. That D1 and D2 MSN excitability would return to control levels was unexpected since both subpopulations displayed significant synaptodendritic degeneration and pathologic phospho-tau-Thr205 accumulation following 2 months of Tat induction. Thus, despite frank morphologic damage, D1 and D2 MSNs uniquely adapt to sustained Tat and acute morphine insults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna R S Lark
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Molecular Medicine Research Building, Room 4040, 1220 East Broad Street, PO Box 980613, Richmond, VA, 23298-0613, USA
| | - Lindsay K Silva
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Molecular Medicine Research Building, Room 4040, 1220 East Broad Street, PO Box 980613, Richmond, VA, 23298-0613, USA
- PPD®, Part of Thermo Fisher Scientific, Richmond, VA, 23230-3323, USA
| | - Sara R Nass
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Molecular Medicine Research Building, Room 4040, 1220 East Broad Street, PO Box 980613, Richmond, VA, 23298-0613, USA
| | - Michael G Marone
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Molecular Medicine Research Building, Room 4040, 1220 East Broad Street, PO Box 980613, Richmond, VA, 23298-0613, USA
| | - Michael Ohene-Nyako
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Molecular Medicine Research Building, Room 4040, 1220 East Broad Street, PO Box 980613, Richmond, VA, 23298-0613, USA
| | - Therese M Ihrig
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Molecular Medicine Research Building, Room 4040, 1220 East Broad Street, PO Box 980613, Richmond, VA, 23298-0613, USA
| | - William D Marks
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Molecular Medicine Research Building, Room 4040, 1220 East Broad Street, PO Box 980613, Richmond, VA, 23298-0613, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Southwestern Medical Center, University of Texas, Dallas, TX, 75235, USA
| | - Viktor Yarotskyy
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Molecular Medicine Research Building, Room 4040, 1220 East Broad Street, PO Box 980613, Richmond, VA, 23298-0613, USA
| | - A Rory McQuiston
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, PO Box 980709, Richmond, VA, 23298-0709, USA
| | - Pamela E Knapp
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Molecular Medicine Research Building, Room 4040, 1220 East Broad Street, PO Box 980613, Richmond, VA, 23298-0613, USA
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, PO Box 980709, Richmond, VA, 23298-0709, USA
- Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA
| | - Kurt F Hauser
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Molecular Medicine Research Building, Room 4040, 1220 East Broad Street, PO Box 980613, Richmond, VA, 23298-0613, USA.
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, PO Box 980709, Richmond, VA, 23298-0709, USA.
- Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA.
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Li L, Zhao X, He JJ. HIV Tat Expression and Cocaine Exposure Lead to Sex- and Age-Specific Changes of the Microbiota Composition in the Gut. Microorganisms 2023; 11:799. [PMID: 36985373 PMCID: PMC10054272 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11030799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The balance of microbial communities in the gut is extremely important for normal physiological function. Disruption of the balance is often associated with various disorders and diseases. Both HIV infection and cocaine use are known to change the gut microbiota and the epithelial barrier integrity, which contribute to inflammation and immune activation. Our recent study shows that Tat expression and cocaine exposure result in changes of genome-wide DNA methylation and gene expression and lead to worsen the learning and memory impairments. In the current study, we extended the study to determine effects of Tat and cocaine on the gut microbiota composition. We found that both Tat expression and cocaine exposure increased Alteromonadaceae in 6-month-old female/male mice. In addition, we found that Tat, cocaine, or both increased Alteromonadaceae, Bacteroidaceae, Cyanobiaceae, Erysipelotrichaceae, and Muribaculaceae but decreased Clostridiales_vadinBB60_group, Desulfovibrionaceae, Helicobacteraceae, Lachnospiraceae, and Ruminococcaceae in 12-month-old female mice. Lastly, we analyzed changes of metabolic pathways and found that Tat decreased energy metabolism and nucleotide metabolism, and increased lipid metabolism and metabolism of other amino acids while cocaine increased lipid metabolism in 12-month-old female mice. These results demonstrated that Tat expression and cocaine exposure resulted in significant changes of the gut microbiota in an age- and sex-dependent manner and provide additional evidence to support the bidirectional gut-brain axis hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Li
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University, 3333 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA
- Center for Cancer Cell Biology, Immunology and Infection, Rosalind Franklin University, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA
- School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Rosalind Franklin University, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA
| | - Xiaojie Zhao
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University, 3333 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA
- Center for Cancer Cell Biology, Immunology and Infection, Rosalind Franklin University, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA
- School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Rosalind Franklin University, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA
| | - Johnny J. He
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University, 3333 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA
- Center for Cancer Cell Biology, Immunology and Infection, Rosalind Franklin University, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA
- School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Rosalind Franklin University, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA
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7
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Nass SR, Hahn YK, Ohene-Nyako M, McLane VD, Damaj MI, Thacker LR, Knapp PE, Hauser KF. Depressive-like Behavior Is Accompanied by Prefrontal Cortical Innate Immune Fatigue and Dendritic Spine Losses after HIV-1 Tat and Morphine Exposure. Viruses 2023; 15:v15030590. [PMID: 36992299 PMCID: PMC10052300 DOI: 10.3390/v15030590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Opioid use disorder (OUD) and HIV are comorbid epidemics that can increase depression. HIV and the viral protein Tat can directly induce neuronal injury within reward and emotionality brain circuitry, including the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Such damage involves both excitotoxic mechanisms and more indirect pathways through neuroinflammation, both of which can be worsened by opioid co-exposure. To assess whether excitotoxicity and/or neuroinflammation might drive depressive behaviors in persons infected with HIV (PWH) and those who use opioids, male mice were exposed to HIV-1 Tat for eight weeks, given escalating doses of morphine during the last two weeks, and assessed for depressive-like behavior. Tat expression decreased sucrose consumption and adaptability, whereas morphine administration increased chow consumption and exacerbated Tat-induced decreases in nesting and burrowing—activities associated with well-being. Across all treatment groups, depressive-like behavior correlated with increased proinflammatory cytokines in the PFC. Nevertheless, supporting the theory that innate immune responses adapt to chronic Tat exposure, most proinflammatory cytokines were unaffected by Tat or morphine. Further, Tat increased PFC levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, which were exacerbated by morphine administration. Tat, but not morphine, decreased dendritic spine density on layer V pyramidal neurons in the anterior cingulate. Together, our findings suggest that HIV-1 Tat and morphine differentially induce depressive-like behaviors associated with increased neuroinflammation, synaptic losses, and immune fatigue within the PFC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara R. Nass
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0613, USA
| | - Yun K. Hahn
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0709, USA
| | - Michael Ohene-Nyako
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0613, USA
| | - Virginia D. McLane
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0613, USA
| | - M. Imad Damaj
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0613, USA
| | - Leroy R. Thacker
- Department of Biostatistics, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23219, USA
| | - Pamela E. Knapp
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0613, USA
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0709, USA
- Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0059, USA
| | - Kurt F. Hauser
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0613, USA
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0709, USA
- Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0059, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-804-628-7579; Fax: +1-804-828-0676
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8
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Toma W, Paris JJ, Warncke UO, Nass SR, Caillaud M, McKiver B, Ondo O, Bagdas D, Bigbee J, Knapp PE, Hauser KF, Damaj MI. Persistent sensory changes and sex differences in transgenic mice conditionally expressing HIV-1 Tat regulatory protein. Exp Neurol 2022; 358:114226. [PMID: 36096180 PMCID: PMC10053560 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2022.114226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
HIV-associated sensory neuropathies (HIV-SN) are prevalent in >50% of patients aged over 45 years many of which report moderate to severe chronic pain. Previous preclinical studies have investigated the mechanisms by which HIV-1 causes sensory neuropathies and pain-like behaviors. The aim of the present study is to delineate the role of chronic HIV-1 trans-activator of transcription protein (Tat) exposure in the development of neuropathy in mice. The temporal effects of conditional Tat expression on the development of hypersensitivity to mechanical (von Frey filaments) and thermal (heat or cold) stimuli were tested in male and female mice that transgenically expressed HIV-1 Tat in a doxycycline-inducible manner. Inducing Tat expression produced an allodynic response to mechanical or cold (but not heat) stimuli that respectively persisted for at least 23-weeks (mechanical hypersensitivity) or at least 8-weeks (cold hypersensitivity). Both allodynic states were greater in magnitude among females, compared to males, and mechanical increased hypersensitivity progressively in females over time. Acute morphine or gabapentin treatment partly attenuated allodynia in males, but not females. Irrespective of sex, Tat reduced intraepidermal nerve fiber density, the mean amplitude of sensory nerve action potentials (but not conductance), engagement in some pain-related ethological behaviors (cage-hanging and rearing), and down-regulated PPAR-α gene expression in lumbar spinal cord while upregulating TNF-α expression in dorsal root ganglion. Taken together, these data reveal fundamental sex differences in mechanical and cold hypersensitivity in response to Tat and demonstrate the intractable nature in female mice to current therapeutics. Understanding the role of Tat in these pathologies may aid the design of future therapies aimed at mitigating the peripheral sensory neuropathies that accompany neuroHIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wisam Toma
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Jason J Paris
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, USA; Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, USA
| | - Urszula O Warncke
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Sara R Nass
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Martial Caillaud
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Bryan McKiver
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Olivia Ondo
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Deniz Bagdas
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - John Bigbee
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Pamela E Knapp
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA; Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Kurt F Hauser
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA; Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA; Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - M Imad Damaj
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA; Translational Research Initiative for Pain and Neuropathy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
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9
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McLane VD, Lark ARS, Nass SR, Knapp PE, Hauser KF. HIV-1 Tat reduces apical dendritic spine density throughout the trisynaptic pathway in the hippocampus of male transgenic mice. Neurosci Lett 2022; 782:136688. [PMID: 35595189 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2022.136688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Nearly one-third of persons infected with HIV-1 (PWH) develop HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND), which can be exacerbated by exposure to opioids. The impact of opioids on HIV-induced alterations in neuronal plasticity is less well understood. Both morphine exposure and HIV have been shown to disrupt synaptic growth and stability in the hippocampus suggesting a potential site of convergence for their deleterious effects. In the present study, we examined the density of dendritic spines in CA1 and CA3 pyramidal neurons, and granule neurons within the dentate gyrus representing the hippocampal trisynaptic pathway after short-term exposure to the HIV transactivator of transcription (Tat) protein and morphine. We exposed inducible male, HIV-1 Tat transgenic mice to escalating doses of morphine (10-40 mg/kg, b.i.d.) and examined synaptodendritic structure in Golgi-impregnated hippocampal neurons. HIV-1 Tat, but not morphine, systematically reduced the density of apical, but not basilar, dendrites of CA1 and CA3 pyramidal neurons, and granule neuronal apical dendrites, suggesting the coordinated loss of specific synaptic interconnections throughout the hippocampal trisynaptic pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia D McLane
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Arianna R S Lark
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
| | - Sara R Nass
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
| | - Pamela E Knapp
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA; Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA; Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
| | - Kurt F Hauser
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA; Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA; Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
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10
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Nass SR, Ohene-Nyako M, Hahn YK, Knapp PE, Hauser KF. Neurodegeneration Within the Amygdala Is Differentially Induced by Opioid and HIV-1 Tat Exposure. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:804774. [PMID: 35600626 PMCID: PMC9115100 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.804774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a critical problem that contributes to the spread of HIV and may intrinsically worsen neuroHIV. Despite the advent of combined antiretroviral therapies (cART), about half of persons infected with HIV (PWH) experience cognitive and emotional deficits that can be exacerbated by opioid abuse. HIV-1 Tat is expressed in the central nervous system (CNS) of PWH on cART and is thought to contribute to neuroHIV. The amygdala regulates emotion and memories associated with fear and stress and is important in addiction behavior. Notwithstanding its importance in emotional saliency, the effects of HIV and opioids in the amygdala are underexplored. To assess Tat- and morphine-induced neuropathology within the amygdala, male Tat transgenic mice were exposed to Tat for 8 weeks and administered saline and/or escalating doses of morphine twice daily (s.c.) during the last 2 weeks of Tat exposure. Eight weeks of Tat exposure decreased the acoustic startle response and the dendritic spine density in the basolateral amygdala, but not the central nucleus of the amygdala. In contrast, repeated exposure to morphine alone, but not Tat, increased the acoustic startle response and whole amygdalar levels of amyloid-β (Aβ) monomers and oligomers and tau phosphorylation at Ser396, but not neurofilament light chain levels. Co-exposure to Tat and morphine decreased habituation and prepulse inhibition to the acoustic startle response and potentiated the morphine-induced increase in Aβ monomers. Together, our findings indicate that sustained Tat and morphine exposure differentially promote synaptodendritic degeneration within the amygdala and alter sensorimotor processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara R. Nass
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Michael Ohene-Nyako
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Yun K. Hahn
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Pamela E. Knapp
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
- Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Kurt F. Hauser
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
- Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
- *Correspondence: Kurt F. Hauser,
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11
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Clathrin-nanoparticles deliver BDNF to hippocampus and enhance neurogenesis, synaptogenesis and cognition in HIV/neuroAIDS mouse model. Commun Biol 2022; 5:236. [PMID: 35301411 PMCID: PMC8931075 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03177-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) promotes the growth, differentiation, maintenance and survival of neurons. These attributes make BDNF a potentially powerful therapeutic agent. However, its charge, instability in blood, and poor blood brain barrier (BBB) penetrability have impeded its development. Here, we show that engineered clathrin triskelia (CT) conjugated to BDNF (BDNF-CT) and delivered intranasally increased hippocampal BDNF concentrations 400-fold above that achieved previously with intranasal BDNF alone. We also show that BDNF-CT targeted Tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) and increased TrkB expression and downstream signaling in iTat mouse brains. Mice were induced to conditionally express neurotoxic HIV Transactivator-of-Transcription (Tat) protein that decreases BDNF. Down-regulation of BDNF is correlated with increased severity of HIV/neuroAIDS. BDNF-CT enhanced neurorestorative effects in the hippocampus including newborn cell proliferation and survival, granule cell neurogenesis, synaptogenesis and increased dendritic integrity. BDNF-CT exerted cognitive-enhancing effects by reducing Tat-induced learning and memory deficits. These results show that CT bionanoparticles efficiently deliver BDNF to the brain, making them potentially powerful tools in regenerative medicine.
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12
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Xu C, Yadav-Samudrala BJ, Xu C, Nath B, Mistry T, Jiang W, Niphakis MJ, Cravatt BF, Mukhopadhyay S, Lichtman AH, Ignatowska-Jankowska BM, Fitting S. Inhibitory Neurotransmission Is Sex-Dependently Affected by Tat Expression in Transgenic Mice and Suppressed by the Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase Enzyme Inhibitor PF3845 via Cannabinoid Type-1 Receptor Mechanisms. Cells 2022; 11:857. [PMID: 35269478 PMCID: PMC8909692 DOI: 10.3390/cells11050857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background. The endocannabinoid (eCB) system, which regulates physiological and cognitive processes, presents a promising therapeutic target for treating HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). Here we examine whether upregulating eCB tone has potential protective effects against HIV-1 Tat (a key HIV transactivator of transcription) protein-induced alterations in synaptic activity. (2) Methods. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were performed to assess inhibitory GABAergic neurotransmission in prefrontal cortex slices of Tat transgenic male and female mice, in the presence and absence of the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) enzyme inhibitor PF3845. Western blot and mass spectrometry analyses assessed alterations of cannabinoid receptor and enzyme protein expression as well as endogenous ligands, respectively, to determine the impact of Tat exposure on the eCB system. (3) Results. GABAergic activity was significantly altered upon Tat exposure based on sex, whereas the effectiveness of PF3845 to suppress GABAergic activity in Tat transgenic mice was not altered by Tat or sex and involved CB1R-related mechanisms that depended on calcium signaling. Additionally, our data indicated sex-dependent changes for AEA and related non-eCB lipids based on Tat induction. (4) Conclusion. Results highlight sex- and/or Tat-dependent alterations of GABAergic activity and eCB signaling in the prefrontal cortex of Tat transgenic mice and further increase our understanding about the role of FAAH inhibition in neuroHIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changqing Xu
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (C.X.); (B.J.Y.-S.); (C.X.)
| | - Barkha J. Yadav-Samudrala
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (C.X.); (B.J.Y.-S.); (C.X.)
| | - Callie Xu
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (C.X.); (B.J.Y.-S.); (C.X.)
| | - Bhupendra Nath
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA; (B.N.); (T.M.); (S.M.)
| | - Twisha Mistry
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA; (B.N.); (T.M.); (S.M.)
| | - Wei Jiang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA;
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Micah J. Niphakis
- Department of Chemical Physiology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; (M.J.N.); (B.F.C.)
| | - Benjamin F. Cravatt
- Department of Chemical Physiology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; (M.J.N.); (B.F.C.)
| | - Somnath Mukhopadhyay
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA; (B.N.); (T.M.); (S.M.)
| | - Aron H. Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA;
| | | | - Sylvia Fitting
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (C.X.); (B.J.Y.-S.); (C.X.)
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13
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Jiang Y, Chai L, Wang H, Shen X, Fasae MB, Jiao J, Yu Y, Ju J, Liu B, Bai Y. HIV Tat Protein Induces Myocardial Fibrosis Through TGF-β1-CTGF Signaling Cascade: A Potential Mechanism of HIV Infection-Related Cardiac Manifestations. Cardiovasc Toxicol 2021; 21:965-972. [PMID: 34519946 DOI: 10.1007/s12012-021-09687-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a risk factor of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). HIV-infected patients exhibit cardiac dysfunction coupled with cardiac fibrosis. However, the reason why HIV could induce cardiac fibrosis remains largely unexplored. HIV-1 trans-activator of transcription (Tat) protein is a regulatory protein, which plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of various HIV-related complications. In the present study, recombinant Tat was administered to mouse myocardium or neonatal mouse cardiac fibroblasts in different doses. Hematoxylin-eosin and Masson's trichrome staining were performed to observe the histological changes of mice myocardial tissues. EdU staining and MTS assay were used to evaluate the proliferation and viability of neonatal mouse cardiac fibroblasts, respectively. Real-time PCR and western blot analysis were used to detect CTGF, TGF-β1, and collagen I mRNA and protein expression levels, respectively. The results showed that Tat promoted the occurrence of myocardial fibrosis in mice. Also, we found that Tat increased the proliferative ability and the viability of neonatal mouse cardiac fibroblasts. The protein and mRNA expression levels of TGF-β1 and CTGF were significantly upregulated both in Tat-treated mouse myocardium and neonatal mouse cardiac fibroblasts. However, co-administration of TGF-β inhibitor abrogated the enhanced expression of collagen I induced by Tat in neonatal mouse cardiac fibroblasts. In conclusion, Tat contributes to HIV-related cardiac fibrosis through enhanced TGF-β1-CTGF signaling cascade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yannan Jiang
- Department of Pharmacology (State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine- Pharmaceutics of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, People's Republic of China
- Translational Medicine Research and Cooperation Center of Northern China, Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Harbin, 150086, People's Republic of China
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, People's Republic of China
| | - Lu Chai
- Department of Pharmacology (State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine- Pharmaceutics of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, People's Republic of China
- Department of Pharmacy, Inner Mongolia Cancer Hospital, Huhhot, 010000, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongguang Wang
- School of Civil Engineering, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Based Material Science and Technology (Ministry of Education), School of Material Science and Engineering, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiuyun Shen
- Department of Pharmacology (State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine- Pharmaceutics of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, People's Republic of China
| | - Moyondafoluwa Blessing Fasae
- Department of Pharmacology (State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine- Pharmaceutics of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinfeng Jiao
- Department of Pharmacology (State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine- Pharmaceutics of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, People's Republic of China
| | - Yahan Yu
- Department of Pharmacology (State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine- Pharmaceutics of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiaming Ju
- Department of Pharmacology (State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine- Pharmaceutics of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, People's Republic of China
| | - Bing Liu
- Translational Medicine Research and Cooperation Center of Northern China, Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Harbin, 150086, People's Republic of China
| | - Yunlong Bai
- Department of Pharmacology (State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine- Pharmaceutics of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, People's Republic of China.
- Translational Medicine Research and Cooperation Center of Northern China, Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Harbin, 150086, People's Republic of China.
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14
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Longitudinal trajectories of brain volume in combined antiretroviral therapy treated and untreated simian immunodeficiency virus-infected rhesus macaques. AIDS 2021; 35:2433-2443. [PMID: 34870927 PMCID: PMC8631166 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000003055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We used simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected nonhuman primates to investigate longitudinal changes of brain volume caused by SIV and the effect of combined antiretroviral therapy (cART). In addition, the relation between viral load, immune status, and brain volume were explored. DESIGN A longitudinal study of two healthy controls, five SIVmac239-infected macaques received cART (SIV+cART+) at 40 days postinnoculation, and five SIVmac239-infected macaques received no therapy (SIV+cART-). METHODS Structural T1-weighted MRI, blood and cerebrospinal fluid testing were acquired at multiple time points for 48 weeks postinfection (wpi). Brain volume was estimated using region of interest (ROI)-based analysis. Volume differences were compared among three groups. Linear regression models tested the associations between brain volumes and biomarkers (viral load, CD4+ T-cell count, CD4+/CD8+ ratio). RESULTS In our model, brain volume alteration in SIV-infected macaques can be detected at 12 wpi in several brain regions. As the infection progresses, the SIV+cART- macaques displayed generalized gray matter atrophy at the endpoint. Though initiate cART right after acute infection, SIV+cART+ macaques still displayed brain atrophy but showed signs of reversibility. Plasma viral load is mainly associated with subcortical nucleus volume whereas CD4+ T-cell count and CD4+/CD8+ ratio in plasma were associated with widespread cortical volume. CONCLUSION The SIVmac239-infected Chinese origin macaque is a valid model for neuroHIV. Brain atrophy caused by SIV infection can be relieved, even reversed, by cART. Our model also provides new insights into understanding the pathogenesis of brain injury in people with HIV (PWH).
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15
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Sil S, Periyasamy P, Thangaraj A, Niu F, Chemparathy DT, Buch S. Advances in the Experimental Models of HIV-Associated Neurological Disorders. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep 2021; 18:459-474. [PMID: 34427869 DOI: 10.1007/s11904-021-00570-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) in HIV-1 infection is commonly associated with neurological disorders and cognitive impairment, commonly referred to as HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). Severe and progressive neurocognitive impairment is rarely observed in the post-cART era; however, asymptomatic and mild neurocognitive disorders still exist, despite viral suppression. Additionally, comorbid conditions can also contribute to the pathogenesis of HAND. RECENT FINDINGS In this review, we summarize the characterization of HAND, factors contributing, and the functional impairments in both preclinical and clinical models. Specifically, we also discuss recent advances in the animal models of HAND and in in vitro cultures and the potential role of drugs of abuse in this model system of HAND. Potential peripheral biomarkers associated with HAND are also discussed. Overall, this review identifies some of the recent advances in the field of HAND in cell culture studies, animal models, clinical findings, and the limitations of each model system, which can play a key role in developing novel therapeutics in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susmita Sil
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5880, USA.
| | - Palsamy Periyasamy
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5880, USA.
| | - Annadurai Thangaraj
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5880, USA
| | - Fang Niu
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5880, USA
| | - Divya T Chemparathy
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5880, USA
| | - Shilpa Buch
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5880, USA
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16
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Zhao X, Wilson K, Uteshev V, He JJ. Activation of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor ameliorates HIV-associated neurology and neuropathology. Brain 2021; 144:3355-3370. [PMID: 34196664 PMCID: PMC8677536 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awab251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2021] [Revised: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) in the era of combination antiretroviral therapy are primarily manifested as impaired behaviours, glial activation/neuroinflammation and compromised neuronal integrity, for which there are no effective treatments currently available. In the current study, we used doxycycline-inducible astrocyte-specific HIV Tat transgenic mice (iTat), a surrogate HAND model, and determined effects of PNU-125096, a positive allosteric modulator of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR) on Tat-induced behavioural impairments and neuropathologies. We showed that PNU-125096 treatment significantly improved locomotor, learning and memory deficits of iTat mice while inhibited glial activation and increased PSD-95 expression in the cortex and hippocampus of iTat mice. Using α7 nAChR knockout mice, we showed that α7 nAChR knockout eliminated the protective effects of PNU-125096 on iTat mice. In addition, we showed that inhibition of p38 phosphorylation by SB239063, a p38 MAPK-specific inhibitor exacerbated Tat neurotoxicity in iTat mice. Last, we used primary mouse cortical individual cultures and neuron-astrocytes co-cultures and in vivo staining of iTat mouse brain tissues and showed that glial activation was directly involved in the interplay among Tat neurotoxicity, α7 nAChR activation and the p38 MAPK signalling pathway. Taken together, these findings demonstrated for the first time that α7 nAChR activation led to protection against HAND and suggested that α7 nAChR modulator PNU-125096 holds significant promise for development of therapeutics for HAND.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojie Zhao
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rosalind Franklin University, Chicago Medical School, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA.,Center for Cancer Cell Biology, Immunology and Infection, Rosalind Franklin University, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA
| | - Kelly Wilson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rosalind Franklin University, Chicago Medical School, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA.,Center for Cancer Cell Biology, Immunology and Infection, Rosalind Franklin University, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA
| | - Victor Uteshev
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences of University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
| | - Johnny J He
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rosalind Franklin University, Chicago Medical School, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA.,Center for Cancer Cell Biology, Immunology and Infection, Rosalind Franklin University, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA.,School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Rosalind Franklin University, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA
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17
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Nass SR, Lark ARS, Hahn YK, McLane VD, Ihrig TM, Contois L, Napier TC, Knapp PE, Hauser KF. HIV-1 Tat and morphine decrease murine inter-male social interactions and associated oxytocin levels in the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus. Horm Behav 2021; 133:105008. [PMID: 34171549 PMCID: PMC8277758 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2021.105008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 04/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Many persons infected with HIV-1 (PWH) and opioid-dependent individuals experience deficits in sociability that interfere with daily living. Sociability is regulated by the prefrontal cortico-hippocampal-amygdalar circuit. Within this circuit HIV-1 trans-activator of transcription (HIV-1 Tat) and opioids can increase dendritic pathology and alter neuronal firing. Changes in sociability are also associated with dysregulation of hypothalamic neuropeptides such as oxytocin or corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) in the prefrontal cortico-hippocampal-amygdalar circuit. Accordingly, we hypothesized that the interaction of HIV-1 Tat and morphine would impair inter-male social interactions and disrupt oxytocin and CRF within the PFC and associated circuitry. Male mice were exposed to HIV-1 Tat for 8 weeks and administered saline or escalating doses of morphine twice daily (s.c.) during the last 2 weeks of HIV-1 Tat exposure. Tat attenuated aggressive interactions with an unknown intruder, whereas morphine decreased both non-aggressive and aggressive social interactions in the resident-intruder test. However, there was no effect of Tat or morphine on non-reciprocal interactions in the social interaction and novelty tests. Tat, but not morphine, decreased oxytocin levels in the PFC and amygdala, whereas both Tat and morphine decreased the percentage of oxytocin-immunoreactive neurons in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN). In Tat(+) or morphine-exposed mice, regional levels of CRF and oxytocin correlated with alterations in behavior in the social interaction and novelty tests. Overall, decreased expression of oxytocin in the prefrontal cortico-hippocampal-amygdalar circuit is associated with morphine- and HIV-Tat-induced deficits in social behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara R Nass
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Richmond, VA 23298-0613, USA
| | - Arianna R S Lark
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Richmond, VA 23298-0613, USA
| | - Yun K Hahn
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Richmond, VA 23298-0709, USA
| | - Virginia D McLane
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Richmond, VA 23298-0613, USA
| | - Therese M Ihrig
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Richmond, VA 23298-0613, USA
| | - Liangru Contois
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Richmond, VA 23298-0613, USA
| | - T Celeste Napier
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612-2847, USA; Center for Compulsive Behavior and Addiction, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612-3818, USA
| | - Pamela E Knapp
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Richmond, VA 23298-0613, USA; Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Richmond, VA 23298-0709, USA; Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Richmond, VA 23298-0059, USA
| | - Kurt F Hauser
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Richmond, VA 23298-0613, USA; Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Richmond, VA 23298-0709, USA; Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Richmond, VA 23298-0059, USA.
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18
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Marks WD, Paris JJ, Barbour AJ, Moon J, Carpenter VJ, McLane VD, Lark ARS, Nass SR, Zhang J, Yarotskyy V, McQuiston AR, Knapp PE, Hauser KF. HIV-1 Tat and Morphine Differentially Disrupt Pyramidal Cell Structure and Function and Spatial Learning in Hippocampal Area CA1: Continuous versus Interrupted Morphine Exposure. eNeuro 2021; 8:ENEURO.0547-20.2021. [PMID: 33782102 PMCID: PMC8146490 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0547-20.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
About half the people infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have neurocognitive deficits that often include memory impairment and hippocampal deficits, which can be exacerbated by opioid abuse. To explore the effects of opioids and HIV on hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neuron structure and function, we induced HIV-1 transactivator of transcription (Tat) expression in transgenic mice for 14 d and co-administered time-release morphine or vehicle subcutaneous implants during the final 5 d (days 9-14) to establish steady-state morphine levels. Morphine was withheld from some ex vivo slices during recordings to begin to assess the initial pharmacokinetic consequences of opioid withdrawal. Tat expression reduced hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neuronal excitability at lower stimulating currents. Pyramidal cell firing rates were unaffected by continuous morphine exposure. Behaviorally, exposure to Tat or high dosages of morphine impaired spatial memory Exposure to Tat and steady-state levels of morphine appeared to have largely independent effects on pyramidal neuron structure and function, a response that is distinct from other vulnerable brain regions such as the striatum. By contrast, acutely withholding morphine (from morphine-tolerant ex vivo slices) revealed unique and selective neuroadaptive shifts in CA1 pyramidal neuronal excitability and dendritic plasticity, including some interactions with Tat. Collectively, the results show that opioid-HIV interactions in hippocampal area CA1 are more nuanced than previously assumed, and appear to vary depending on the outcome assessed and on the pharmacokinetics of morphine exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- William D Marks
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298-0613
| | - Jason J Paris
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, University of Mississippi, School of Pharmacy, University, MS 38677-1848
| | - Aaron J Barbour
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0709
| | - Jean Moon
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298-0613
| | - Valerie J Carpenter
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298-0613
| | - Virginia D McLane
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298-0613
| | - Arianna R S Lark
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298-0613
| | - Sara R Nass
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298-0613
| | - Jingli Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298-0613
| | - Viktor Yarotskyy
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298-0613
| | - A Rory McQuiston
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0709
| | - Pamela E Knapp
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298-0613
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0709
- Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0709
| | - Kurt F Hauser
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298-0613
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0709
- Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0709
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19
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In vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy detection of metabolite abnormalities in aged Tat-transgenic mouse brain. GeroScience 2021; 43:1851-1862. [PMID: 33818687 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-021-00354-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Most individuals living with HIV in the USA are over 45 years old and are vulnerable to the combined effects of HIV and aging. Antiretroviral therapies reduce HIV morbidity and mortality but do not prevent HIV trans-activator of transcription (Tat) protein expression or development of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND), which may be caused by Tat. Tat-transgenic (Tat-tg) mice are used to study Tat's effects, typically after transgene induction with doxycycline. However, uninduced Tat-tg mice experience transgene leak and model aspects of HAND when aged, including neuroinflammation. We used in vivo 9.4-tesla proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy to compare neurochemistry in aged versus young female and male uninduced Tat-tg mice. Aged Tat-tg mice demonstrated measurable tat mRNA brain expression and had lower medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) GABA, glutamate, and taurine levels and lower striatal GABA and taurine levels. Females had lower MPFC glutathione and taurine and lower striatal taurine levels. Brain testosterone levels were negatively correlated with age in aged males but not females. Aged mice had cortical abnormalities not previously reported in aged wild-type mice including lower MPFC GABA and taurine levels. As glutathione and taurine levels reflect inflammation and oxidative stress, our data suggest that Tat may exacerbate these processes in aged Tat-tg mice. However, additional studies in controls not expressing Tat are needed to confirm this point and to deconvolve individual effects of age and Tat expression. Sex steroid hormone supplements, which counter climacteric effects, increase taurine levels, and reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, could attenuate some of the brain abnormalities we identified in aged Tat-tg mice.
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Irollo E, Luchetta J, Ho C, Nash B, Meucci O. Mechanisms of neuronal dysfunction in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:4283-4303. [PMID: 33585975 PMCID: PMC8164580 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03785-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) is characterized by cognitive and behavioral deficits in people living with HIV. HAND is still common in patients that take antiretroviral therapies, although they tend to present with less severe symptoms. The continued prevalence of HAND in treated patients is a major therapeutic challenge, as even minor cognitive impairment decreases patient’s quality of life. Therefore, modern HAND research aims to broaden our understanding of the mechanisms that drive cognitive impairment in people with HIV and identify promising molecular pathways and targets that could be exploited therapeutically. Recent studies suggest that HAND in treated patients is at least partially induced by subtle synaptodendritic damage and disruption of neuronal networks in brain areas that mediate learning, memory, and executive functions. Although the causes of subtle neuronal dysfunction are varied, reversing synaptodendritic damage in animal models restores cognitive function and thus highlights a promising therapeutic approach. In this review, we examine evidence of synaptodendritic damage and disrupted neuronal connectivity in HAND from clinical neuroimaging and neuropathology studies and discuss studies in HAND models that define structural and functional impairment of neurotransmission. Then, we report molecular pathways, mechanisms, and comorbidities involved in this neuronal dysfunction, discuss new approaches to reverse neuronal damage, and highlight current gaps in knowledge. Continued research on the manifestation and mechanisms of synaptic injury and network dysfunction in HAND patients and experimental models will be critical if we are to develop safe and effective therapies that reverse subtle neuropathology and cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Irollo
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, 245 N. 15th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19102, USA
| | - Jared Luchetta
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, 245 N. 15th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19102, USA
| | - Chunta Ho
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, 245 N. 15th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19102, USA
| | - Bradley Nash
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, 245 N. 15th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19102, USA
| | - Olimpia Meucci
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, 245 N. 15th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19102, USA. .,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, 245 N. 15th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19102, USA. .,Center for Neuroimmunology and CNS Therapeutics, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, 245 N. 15th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19102, USA.
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21
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Qrareya AN, Mahdi F, Kaufman MJ, Ashpole NM, Paris JJ. HIV-1 Tat promotes age-related cognitive, anxiety-like, and antinociceptive impairments in female mice that are moderated by aging and endocrine status. GeroScience 2021; 43:309-327. [PMID: 32940828 PMCID: PMC8050151 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-020-00268-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypogonadism is a common comorbidity associated with HIV-1 that is more prevalent among infected individuals over the age of 45. The underlying mechanisms are unknown, but both combined antiretroviral therapeutics and HIV-1 proteins, such as trans-activator of transcription protein (Tat), dysregulate steroid-synthetic mechanisms including lipid storage/synthesis and mitochondrial function. Thus, Tat expression may accelerate age-related comorbidities partly by impairing endocrine function. Few studies exist of Tat-mediated behavioral deficits in aged animals and effects of endocrine status have not been investigated. Accordingly, we tested whether conditional Tat expression in aged (~ 1.5 years old), female, Tat-transgenic [Tat(+)] mice increases anxiety-like behavior, impairs cognition, and augments mechanical allodynia, when compared to age-matched controls that do not express Tat protein [Tat(-)]. We further tested whether aged mice that maintained their endocrine status (pre-estropausal) were more resilient to Tat/age-related comorbidities than peri- or post-estropausal mice. Tat and endocrine aging status exerted separate and interacting effects that influenced anxiety-like and cognitive behaviors. Peri- and post-estropausal mice exhibited greater anxiety-like behavior in the elevated plus-maze and impaired learning in the radial arm water maze compared to pre-estropausal mice. Irrespective of estropause status, Tat(+) mice demonstrated impaired learning, reduced grip strength, and mechanical allodynia compared to Tat(-) mice. Tat exposure reduced circulating estradiol in post-estropausal mice and increased the estradiol-to-testosterone ratio in pre-estropausal mice. Changes in circulating estradiol, testosterone, and progesterone correlated with grip strength. Thus, endocrine status is an important factor in age-related anxiety, cognition, neuromuscular function, and allodynia that can be accelerated by HIV-1 Tat protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaa N Qrareya
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, 315 Faser Hall, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS, 38677-1848, USA
| | - Fakhri Mahdi
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, 315 Faser Hall, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS, 38677-1848, USA
| | - Marc J Kaufman
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Imaging Center, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, 02478, USA
| | - Nicole M Ashpole
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, 315 Faser Hall, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS, 38677-1848, USA
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Mississippi, University, MS, 38677, USA
| | - Jason J Paris
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, 315 Faser Hall, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS, 38677-1848, USA.
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Mississippi, University, MS, 38677, USA.
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Barbour AJ, Nass SR, Hahn YK, Hauser KF, Knapp PE. Restoration of KCC2 Membrane Localization in Striatal Dopamine D2 Receptor-Expressing Medium Spiny Neurons Rescues Locomotor Deficits in HIV Tat-Transgenic Mice. ASN Neuro 2021; 13:17590914211022089. [PMID: 34445881 PMCID: PMC8404672 DOI: 10.1177/17590914211022089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
People infected with HIV (PWH) are highly susceptible to striatal and hippocampal damage. Motor and memory impairments are common among these patients, likely as behavioral manifestations of damage to these brain regions. GABAergic dysfunction from HIV infection and viral proteins such as transactivator of transcription (Tat) have been well documented. We recently demonstrated that the neuron specific Cl- extruder, K+ Cl- cotransporter 2 (KCC2), is diminished after exposure to HIV proteins, including Tat, resulting in disrupted GABAAR-mediated hyperpolarization and inhibition. Here, we utilized doxycycline (DOX)-inducible, GFAP-driven HIV-1 Tat transgenic mice to further explore this phenomenon. After two weeks of Tat expression, we found no changes in hippocampal KCC2 levels, but a significant decrease in the striatum that was associated with hyperlocomotion in the open field assay. We were able to restore KCC2 activity and baseline locomotion with the KCC2 enhancer, CLP290. Additionally, we found that CLP290, whose mechanism of action has yet to be described, acts to restore phosphorylation of serine 940 resulting in increased KCC2 membrane localization. We also examined neuronal subpopulation contributions to the noted effects and found significant differences. Dopamine D2 receptor-expressing medium spiny neurons (MSNs) were selectively vulnerable to Tat-induced KCC2 loss, with no changes observed in dopamine D1 receptor-expressing MSNs. These results suggest that disinhibition/diminished hyperpolarization of dopamine D2 receptor-expressing MSNs can manifest as increased locomotion in this context. They further suggest that KCC2 activity might be a therapeutic target to alleviate motor disturbances related to HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron J. Barbour
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, United States
| | - Sara R. Nass
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, United States
| | - Yun K. Hahn
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, United States
| | - Kurt F. Hauser
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, United States
- Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, United States
| | - Pamela E. Knapp
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, United States
- Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, United States
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23
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Joshi CR, Stacy S, Sumien N, Ghorpade A, Borgmann K. Astrocyte HIV-1 Tat Differentially Modulates Behavior and Brain MMP/TIMP Balance During Short and Prolonged Induction in Transgenic Mice. Front Neurol 2020; 11:593188. [PMID: 33384653 PMCID: PMC7769877 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.593188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite effective antiretroviral therapy (ART), mild forms of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) continue to afflict approximately half of all people living with HIV (PLWH). As PLWH age, HIV-associated inflammation perturbs the balance between brain matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), likely contributing to neuropathogenesis. The MMP/TIMP balance is associated with cognition, learning, and memory, with TIMPs eliciting neuroprotective effects. Dysregulation of the MMP/TIMP balance was evident in the brains of PLWH where levels of TIMP-1, the inducible family member, were significantly lower than non-infected controls, and MMPs were elevated. Here, we evaluated the MMP/TIMP levels in the doxycycline (DOX)-induced glial fibrillary acidic protein promoter-driven HIV-1 transactivator of transcription (Tat) transgenic mouse model. The HIV-1 protein Tat is constitutively expressed by most infected cells, even during ART suppression of viral replication. Many studies have demonstrated indirect and direct mechanisms of short-term Tat-associated neurodegeneration, including gliosis, blood-brain barrier disruption, elevated inflammatory mediators and neurotoxicity. However, the effects of acute vs. prolonged exposure on Tat-induced dysregulation remain to be seen. This is especially relevant for TIMP-1 as expression was previously shown to be differentially regulated in human astrocytes during acute vs. chronic inflammation. In this context, acute Tat expression was induced with DOX intraperitoneal injections over 3 weeks, while DOX-containing diet was used to achieve long-term Tat expression over 6 months. First, a series of behavior tests evaluating arousal, ambulation, anxiety, and cognition was performed to examine impairments analogous to those observed in HAND. Next, gene expression of components of the MMP/TIMP axis and known HAND-relevant inflammatory mediators were assessed. Altered anxiety-like, motor and/or cognitive behaviors were observed in Tat-induced (iTat) mice. Gene expression of MMPs and TIMPs was altered depending on the duration of Tat expression, which was independent of the HIV-associated neuroinflammation typically implicated in MMP/TIMP regulation. Collectively, we infer that HIV-1 Tat-mediated dysregulation of MMP/TIMP axis and behavioral changes are dependent on duration of exposure. Further, prolonged Tat expression demonstrates a phenotype comparable to asymptomatic to mild HAND manifestation in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaitanya R Joshi
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, United States
| | - Satomi Stacy
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, United States
| | - Nathalie Sumien
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, United States
| | - Anuja Ghorpade
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, United States
| | - Kathleen Borgmann
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, United States
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Hermes DJ, Jacobs IR, Key MC, League AF, Yadav-Samudrala BJ, Xu C, McLane VD, Nass SR, Jiang W, Meeker RB, Ignatowska-Jankowska BM, Lichtman AH, Li Z, Wu Z, Yuan H, Knapp PE, Hauser KF, Fitting S. Escalating morphine dosing in HIV-1 Tat transgenic mice with sustained Tat exposure reveals an allostatic shift in neuroinflammatory regulation accompanied by increased neuroprotective non-endocannabinoid lipid signaling molecules and amino acids. J Neuroinflammation 2020; 17:345. [PMID: 33208151 PMCID: PMC7672881 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-020-01971-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) and opiates cause long-term inflammatory insult to the central nervous system (CNS) and worsen disease progression and HIV-1-related neuropathology. The combination of these proinflammatory factors reflects a devastating problem as opioids have high abuse liability and continue to be prescribed for certain patients experiencing HIV-1-related pain. METHODS Here, we examined the impact of chronic (3-month) HIV-1 transactivator of transcription (Tat) exposure to short-term (8-day), escalating morphine in HIV-1 Tat transgenic mice that express the HIV-1 Tat protein in a GFAP promoter-regulated, doxycycline (DOX)-inducible manner. In addition to assessing morphine-induced tolerance in nociceptive responses organized at spinal (i.e., tail-flick) and supraspinal (i.e., hot-plate) levels, we evaluated neuroinflammation via positron emission tomography (PET) imaging using the [18F]-PBR111 ligand, immunohistochemistry, and cytokine analyses. Further, we examined endocannabinoid (eCB) levels, related non-eCB lipids, and amino acids via mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Tat-expressing [Tat(+)] transgenic mice displayed antinociceptive tolerance in the tail withdrawal and hot-plate assays compared to control mice lacking Tat [Tat(-)]. This tolerance was accompanied by morphine-dependent increases in Iba-1 ± 3-nitrotryosine immunoreactive microglia, and alterations in pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and chemokines in the spinal cord and striatum, while increases in neuroinflammation were absent by PET imaging of [18F]-PBR111 uptake. Tat and morphine exposure differentially affected eCB levels, non-eCB lipids, and specific amino acids in a region-dependent manner. In the striatum, non-eCB lipids were significantly increased by short-term, escalating morphine exposure, including peroxisome proliferator activator receptor alpha (PPAR-α) ligands N-oleoyl ethanolamide (OEA) and N-palmitoyl ethanolamide (PEA), as well as the amino acids phenylalanine and proline. In the spinal cord, Tat exposure increased amino acids leucine and valine, while morphine decreased levels of tyrosine and valine but did not affect eCBs or non-eCB lipids. CONCLUSION Overall results demonstrate that 3 months of Tat exposure increased morphine tolerance and potentially innate immune tolerance evidenced by reductions in specific cytokines (e.g., IL-1α, IL-12p40) and microglial reactivity. In contrast, short-term, escalating morphine exposure acted as a secondary stressor revealing an allostatic shift in CNS baseline inflammatory responsiveness from sustained Tat exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas J Hermes
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Ian R Jacobs
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Megan C Key
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Alexis F League
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | | | - Changqing Xu
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Virginia D McLane
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Sara R Nass
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Wei Jiang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Rick B Meeker
- Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | | | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Zibo Li
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Zhanhong Wu
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Hong Yuan
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Pamela E Knapp
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Kurt F Hauser
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Sylvia Fitting
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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Morphine and HIV-1 Tat interact to cause region-specific hyperphosphorylation of tau in transgenic mice. Neurosci Lett 2020; 741:135502. [PMID: 33202259 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2020.135502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2020] [Revised: 11/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Opiate abuse is prevalent among HIV-infected individuals and may exacerbate HIV-associated age-related neurocognitive disorders. However, the extent to which HIV and opiates converge to accelerate pathological traits indicative of brain aging remains unknown. The pathological phospho-isotypes of tau (pSer396, pSer404, pThr205, pSer202, and pThr181) and the tau kinases GSK3β and CDK5/p35 were explored in the striatum, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex of inducible male and female HIV-1 Tat-transgenic mice, with some receiving escalating doses of morphine for 2 weeks. In the striatum of male mice, pSer396 was increased by co-exposure to morphine and Tat as compared to all other groups. Striatal pSer404 and pThr205 were increased by Tat alone, while pSer202 and pThr181 were unchanged. A comparison between Tat-transgenic female and male mice revealed disparate outcomes for pThr205. No other sex-related changes to tau phosphorylation were observed. In the hippocampus, Tat increased pSer396, while other phosphorylation sites were unchanged and pSer202 was not detected. In the prefrontal cortex, morphine increased pSer396 levels, which were unaffected by Tat, while other phosphorylation sites were unaffected. Assessment of tau kinases revealed no changes to striatal GSK3β (phosphorylated or total) or the total CDK5 levels. Striatal levels of phosphorylated CDK5 and p35, the activator of CDK5, were increased by Tat and with morphine co-exposure, respectively. P35 levels positively correlated with those of pSer396 with Tat and morphine co-exposure. The results reveal region-specific hyperphosphorylation of tau induced by exposure to morphine, Tat, and unique morphine and Tat interactions.
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Moidunny S, Benneyworth MA, Titus DJ, Beurel E, Kolli U, Meints J, Jalodia R, Ramakrishnan S, Atkins CM, Roy S. Glycogen synthase kinase-3 inhibition rescues sex-dependent contextual fear memory deficit in human immunodeficiency virus-1 transgenic mice. Br J Pharmacol 2020; 177:5658-5676. [PMID: 33080056 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE A significant number of HIV-1 patients on antiretroviral therapy develop HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). Evidence indicate that biological sex may regulate HAND pathogenesis, but the mechanisms remain unknown. We investigated synaptic mechanisms associated with sex differences in HAND, using the HIV-1-transgenic 26 (Tg26) mouse model. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Contextual- and cue-dependent memories of male and female Tg26 mice and littermate wild type mice were assessed in a fear conditioning paradigm. Hippocampal electrophysiology, immunohistochemistry, western blot, qRT-PCR and ELISA techniques were used to investigate cellular, synaptic and molecular impairments. KEY RESULTS Cue-dependent memory was unaltered in male and female Tg26 mice, when compared to wild type mice. Male, but not female, Tg26 mice showed deficits in contextual fear memory. Consistently, only male Tg26 mice showed depressed hippocampal basal synaptic transmission and impaired LTP induction in area CA1. These deficits in male Tg26 mice were independent of hippocampal neuronal loss and microglial activation but were associated with increased HIV-1 long terminal repeat mRNA expression, reduced hippocampal synapsin-1 protein, reduced BDNF mRNA and protein, reduced AMPA glutamate receptor (GluA1) phosphorylation levels and increased glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) activity. Importantly, selective GSK3 inhibition using 4-benzyl-2-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazolidine-3,5-dione increased levels of synapsin-1, BDNF and phosphorylated-GluA1 proteins, restored hippocampal basal synaptic transmission and LTP, and improved contextual fear memory in male Tg26 mice. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Sex-dependent impairments in contextual fear memory and synaptic plasticity in Tg26 mice are associated with increased GSK3 activity. This implicates GSK3 inhibition as a potential therapeutic strategy to improve cognition in HIV-1 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shamsudheen Moidunny
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | | | - David J Titus
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.,The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Eleonore Beurel
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Udhghatri Kolli
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Joyce Meints
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Richa Jalodia
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Sundaram Ramakrishnan
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Coleen M Atkins
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Sabita Roy
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
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Bagdas D, Paris JJ, Carper M, Wodarski R, Rice ASC, Knapp PE, Hauser KF, Damaj MI. Conditional expression of HIV-1 tat in the mouse alters the onset and progression of tonic, inflammatory and neuropathic hypersensitivity in a sex-dependent manner. Eur J Pain 2020; 24:1609-1623. [PMID: 32533878 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.1618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND At least one-third of HIV-1-afflicted individuals experience peripheral neuropathy. Although the underlying mechanisms are not known, they may involve neurotoxic HIV-1 proteins. METHODS We assessed the influence of the neurotoxic HIV-1 regulatory protein, Tat, on inflammatory and neuropathic nociceptive behaviours using transgenic male and female mice that conditionally expressed (or did not express) HIV-1 Tat1-86 in fibrillary acidic protein-expressing glia in the central and peripheral nervous systems. RESULTS Tat induction significantly attenuated the time spent paw-licking following formalin injection (2.5%, i.pl.) in both male and female mice. However, significant sex differences were observed in the onset and magnitude of inflammation and sensory sensitivity following complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) injection (10%, i.pl.) after Tat activation. Unlike female mice, male mice showed a significant attenuation of paw swelling and an absence of mechanical/thermal hypersensitivity in response to CFA after Tat induction. Male Tat(+) mice also showed accelerated recovery from chronic constrictive nerve injury (CCI)-induced neuropathic mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity compared to female Tat(+) mice. Morphine (3.2 mg/kg) fully reversed CCI-induced mechanical hypersensitivity in female Tat(-) mice, but not in Tat(+) females. CONCLUSIONS The ability of Tat to decrease oedema, paw swelling, and limit allodynia suggests a sequel of events in which Tat-induced functional deficits precede the onset of mechanical hypersensitivity. Moreover, HIV-1 Tat attenuated responses to inflammatory and neuropathic insults in a sex-dependent manner. HIV-1 Tat appears to directly contribute to HIV sensory neuropathy and reveals sex differences in HIV responsiveness and/or the underlying peripheral neuroinflammatory and nociceptive mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deniz Bagdas
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.,The Center for the Study for Tobacco Products, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Jason J Paris
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.,Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, MS, USA.,Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, MS, USA
| | - Moriah Carper
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Rachel Wodarski
- Pain Research Group, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Andrew S C Rice
- Pain Research Group, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Pamela E Knapp
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.,Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.,Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Kurt F Hauser
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.,Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.,Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - M Imad Damaj
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.,The Center for the Study for Tobacco Products, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.,Translational Research Initiative for Pain and Neuropathy at VCU, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
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Nass SR, Hahn YK, McLane VD, Varshneya NB, Damaj MI, Knapp PE, Hauser KF. Chronic HIV-1 Tat exposure alters anterior cingulate cortico-basal ganglia-thalamocortical synaptic circuitry, associated behavioral control, and immune regulation in male mice. Brain Behav Immun Health 2020; 5:100077. [PMID: 33083793 PMCID: PMC7571616 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2020.100077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV-1 selectively disrupts neuronal integrity within specific brain regions, reflecting differences in viral tropism and/or the regional differences in the vulnerability of distinct neuronal subpopulations within the CNS. Deficits in prefrontal cortex (PFC)-mediated executive function and the resultant loss of behavioral control are a particularly debilitating consequence of neuroHIV. To explore how HIV-1 disrupts executive function, we investigated the effects of 48 h, 2 and/or 8 weeks of HIV-1 Tat exposure on behavioral control, synaptic connectivity, and neuroimmune function in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and associated cortico-basal ganglia (BG)-thalamocortical circuitry in adult, Tat transgenic male mice. HIV-1 Tat exposure increased novelty-exploration in response to novel food, flavor, and environmental stimuli, suggesting that Tat triggers increased novelty-exploration in situations of competing motivation (e.g., drive to feed or explore vs. fear of novel, brightly lit open areas). Furthermore, Tat induced adaptability in response to an environmental stressor and pre-attentive filtering deficits. The behavioral insufficiencies coincided with decreases in the inhibitory pre- and post-synaptic proteins, synaptotagmin 2 and gephyrin, respectively, in the ACC, and alterations in specific pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines out of 23 assayed. The interaction of Tat exposure and the resultant time-dependent, selective alterations in CCL4, CXCL1, IL-12p40, and IL-17A levels in the PFC predicted significant decreases in adaptability. Tat decreased dendritic spine density and cortical VGLUT1 inputs, while increasing IL-1β, IL-6, CCL5, and CCL11 in the striatum. Alternatively, IL-1α, CCL5, and IL-13 were decreased in the mediodorsal thalamus despite the absence of synaptic changes. Thus, HIV-1 Tat appears to uniquely and systematically disrupt immune regulation and the inhibitory and excitatory synaptic balance throughout the ACC-BG-thalamocortical circuitry resulting in a loss of behavioral control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara R. Nass
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Richmond, P.O. Box 980613, VA, 23298-0613, USA
| | - Yun K. Hahn
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, P.O. Box 980709, Richmond, VA, 23298-0709, USA
| | - Virginia D. McLane
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Richmond, P.O. Box 980613, VA, 23298-0613, USA
| | - Neil B. Varshneya
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Richmond, P.O. Box 980613, VA, 23298-0613, USA
| | - M. Imad Damaj
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Richmond, P.O. Box 980613, VA, 23298-0613, USA
| | - Pamela E. Knapp
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Richmond, P.O. Box 980613, VA, 23298-0613, USA
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, P.O. Box 980709, Richmond, VA, 23298-0709, USA
- Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, P.O. Box 980059, Richmond, VA, 23298-0059, USA
| | - Kurt F. Hauser
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Richmond, P.O. Box 980613, VA, 23298-0613, USA
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, P.O. Box 980709, Richmond, VA, 23298-0709, USA
- Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, P.O. Box 980059, Richmond, VA, 23298-0059, USA
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Salahuddin MF, Qrareya AN, Mahdi F, Jackson D, Foster M, Vujanovic T, Box JG, Paris JJ. Combined HIV-1 Tat and oxycodone activate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and -gonadal axes and promote psychomotor, affective, and cognitive dysfunction in female mice. Horm Behav 2020; 119:104649. [PMID: 31821792 PMCID: PMC7071558 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2019.104649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Revised: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The majority of HIV+ patients present with neuroendocrine dysfunction and ~50% experience co-morbid neurological symptoms including motor, affective, and cognitive dysfunction, collectively termed neuroHIV. In preclinical models, the neurotoxic HIV-1 regulatory protein, trans-activator of transcription (Tat), promotes neuroHIV pathology that can be exacerbated by opioids. We and others find gonadal steroids, estradiol (E2) or progesterone (P4), to rescue Tat-mediated pathology. However, the combined effects of Tat and opioids on neuroendocrine function and the subsequent ameliorative capacity of gonadal steroids are unknown. We found that conditional HIV-1 Tat expression in naturally-cycling transgenic mice dose-dependently potentiated oxycodone-mediated psychomotor behavior. Tat increased depression-like behavior in a tail-suspension test among proestrous mice, but decreased it among diestrous mice (who already demonstrated greater depression-like behavior); oxycodone reversed these effects. Combined Tat and oxycodone produced apparent behavioral disinhibition of anxiety-like responding which was greater on diestrus than on proestrus. These mice made more central entries in an open field, but spent less time there and demonstrated greater circulating corticosterone. Tat increased the E2:P4 ratio of circulating steroids on diestrus and acute oxycodone attenuated this effect, but repeated oxycodone exacerbated it. Corticotropin-releasing factor was increased by Tat expression, acute oxycodone exposure, and was greater on diestrus compared to proestrus. In human neuroblastoma cells, Tat exerted neurotoxicity that was ameliorated by E2 (1 or 10 nM) or P4 (100, but not 10 nM) independent of oxycodone. Oxycodone decreased gene expression of estrogen and κ-opioid receptors. Thus, neuroendocrine function may be an important target for HIV-1 Tat/opioid interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed F Salahuddin
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, University of Mississippi, School of Pharmacy, University, MS 38677-1848, USA
| | - Alaa N Qrareya
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, University of Mississippi, School of Pharmacy, University, MS 38677-1848, USA
| | - Fakhri Mahdi
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, University of Mississippi, School of Pharmacy, University, MS 38677-1848, USA
| | - Dejun Jackson
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, University of Mississippi, School of Pharmacy, University, MS 38677-1848, USA
| | - Matthew Foster
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, University of Mississippi, School of Pharmacy, University, MS 38677-1848, USA
| | - Tamara Vujanovic
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, University of Mississippi, School of Pharmacy, University, MS 38677-1848, USA
| | - J Gaston Box
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, University of Mississippi, School of Pharmacy, University, MS 38677-1848, USA
| | - Jason J Paris
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, University of Mississippi, School of Pharmacy, University, MS 38677-1848, USA; Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA.
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Zhao X, Fan Y, Vann PH, Wong JM, Sumien N, He JJ. Long-term HIV-1 Tat Expression in the Brain Led to Neurobehavioral, Pathological, and Epigenetic Changes Reminiscent of Accelerated Aging. Aging Dis 2020; 11:93-107. [PMID: 32010484 PMCID: PMC6961778 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2019.0323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV infects the central nervous system and causes HIV/neuroAIDS, which is predominantly manifested in the form of mild cognitive and motor disorder in the era of combination antiretroviral therapy. HIV Tat protein is known to be a major pathogenic factor for HIV/neuroAIDS through a myriad of direct and indirect mechanisms. However, most, if not all of studies involve short-time exposure of recombinant Tat protein in vitro or short-term Tat expression in vivo. In this study, we took advantage of the doxycycline-inducible brain-specific HIV-1 Tat transgenic mouse model, fed the animals for 12 months, and assessed behavioral, pathological, and epigenetic changes in these mice. Long-term Tat expression led to poorer short-and long-term memory, lower locomotor activity and impaired coordination and balance ability, increased astrocyte activation and compromised neuronal integrity, and decreased global genomic DNA methylation. There were sex- and brain region-dependent differences in behaviors, pathologies, and epigenetic changes resulting from long-term Tat expression. All these changes are reminiscent of accelerated aging, raising the possibility that HIV Tat contributes, at least in part, to HIV infection-associated accelerated aging in HIV-infected individuals. These findings also suggest another utility of this model for HIV infection-associated accelerated aging studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojie Zhao
- 1Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Genetics and
| | - Yan Fan
- 2Department of Pharmacology & Neuroscience, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas 76107, USA
| | - Philip H Vann
- 2Department of Pharmacology & Neuroscience, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas 76107, USA
| | - Jessica M Wong
- 2Department of Pharmacology & Neuroscience, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas 76107, USA
| | - Nathalie Sumien
- 2Department of Pharmacology & Neuroscience, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas 76107, USA
| | - Johnny J He
- 1Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Genetics and
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Hu G, Niu F, Liao K, Periyasamy P, Sil S, Liu J, Dravid SM, Buch S. HIV-1 Tat-Induced Astrocytic Extracellular Vesicle miR-7 Impairs Synaptic Architecture. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2019; 15:538-553. [PMID: 31401755 PMCID: PMC7008083 DOI: 10.1007/s11481-019-09869-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2018] [Accepted: 07/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Although combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has improved the health of millions of those living with HIV-1 (Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Type 1), the penetration into the central nervous system (CNS) of many such therapies is limited, thereby resulting in residual neurocognitive impairment commonly referred to as NeuroHIV. Additionally, while cART has successfully suppressed peripheral viremia, cytotoxicity associated with the presence of viral Transactivator of transcription (Tat) protein in tissues such as the brain, remains a significant concern. Our previous study has demonstrated that both HIV-1 Tat as well as opiates such as morphine, can directly induce synaptic alterations via independent pathways. Herein, we demonstrate that exposure of astrocytes to HIV-1 protein Tat mediates the induction and release of extracellular vesicle (EV) microRNA-7 (miR-7) that is taken up by neurons, leading in turn, to downregulation of neuronal neuroligin 2 (NLGN2) and ultimately to synaptic alterations. More importantly, we report that these impairments could be reversed by pretreatment of neurons with a neurotrophic factor platelet-derived growth factor-CC (PDGF-CC). Graphical Abstract ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoku Hu
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
| | - Fang Niu
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Ke Liao
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Palsamy Periyasamy
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Susmita Sil
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Jinxu Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, USA
| | | | - Shilpa Buch
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
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Sex-specific neurogenic deficits and neurocognitive disorders in middle-aged HIV-1 Tg26 transgenic mice. Brain Behav Immun 2019; 80:488-499. [PMID: 30999016 PMCID: PMC6660421 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2019.04.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Revised: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Varying degrees of cognitive deficits affect over half of all HIV-1 infected patients. Because of antiretroviral treatment (ART) regimens, the HIV-1 patient population is increasing in age. Very few epidemiological studies have focused on sex-specific differences in HIV-1-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). The purpose of this study is to examine any possible differences between male and female mice in the progression of cognitive dementia during persistent low-level HIV-1 protein exposure, mimicking the typical clinical setting in the post-ART era. Eight to ten-month old HIV-1 Tg26(+/-) transgenic mice were utilized to assess for specific learning and memory modalities. Initial physiological screening and fear conditioning assessments revealed that Tg26 mice exhibited no significant differences in general behavioral function, contextual fear conditioning, or cued fear conditioning responses when compared to their wild-type (WT) littermates, regardless of sex. However, Barnes maze testing revealed significantly impaired short and long-term spatial memory in males, while females had impaired spatial learning abilities and short-term spatial memory. The potential cellular mechanism underlying these sex-specific neurocognitive deficits was explored with hippocampal neurogenic analysis. Compared to WT mice, both male and female Tg26(+/-) mice had fewer quiescent neural stem cells and neuroblasts in their hippocampi. Male Tg26(+/-) mice had a more robust reduction of the quiescent neural stem cell pool than female Tg26(+/-) mice. While female WT mice had a higher number of neural progenitor cells than male WT mice, only female Tg26(+/-) mice exhibited a robust reduction in the number of neural progenitor cells. Altogether, these results suggest that middle-aged male and female Tg26(+/-) mice manifest differing impairments in cognitive functioning and hippocampal neurogenesis. This study emphasizes the importance of understanding sex related differences in HAND pathology, which would aid in designing more optimized therapeutic regimens for the treatment of HAND.
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Jacobs IR, Xu C, Hermes DJ, League AF, Xu C, Nath B, Jiang W, Niphakis MJ, Cravatt BF, Mackie K, Mukhopadhyay S, Lichtman AH, Ignatowska-Jankowska BM, Fitting S. Inhibitory Control Deficits Associated with Upregulation of CB 1R in the HIV-1 Tat Transgenic Mouse Model of Hand. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2019; 14:661-678. [PMID: 31372820 PMCID: PMC6898753 DOI: 10.1007/s11481-019-09867-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In the era of combined antiretroviral therapy, HIV-1 infected individuals are living longer lives; however, longevity is met with an increasing number of HIV-1 associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) diagnoses. The transactivator of transcription (Tat) is known to mediate the neurotoxic effects in HAND by acting directly on neurons and also indirectly via its actions on glia. The Go/No-Go (GNG) task was used to examine HAND in the Tat transgenic mouse model. The GNG task involves subjects discriminating between two stimuli sets in order to determine whether or not to inhibit a previously trained response. Data reveal inhibitory control deficits in female Tat(+) mice (p = .048) and an upregulation of cannabinoid type 1 receptors (CB1R) in the infralimbic (IL) cortex in the same female Tat(+) group (p < .05). A significant negative correlation was noted between inhibitory control and IL CB1R expression (r = −.543, p = .045), with CB1R expression predicting 30% of the variance of inhibitory control (R2 = .295, p = .045). Furthermore, there was a significant increase in spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic current (sEPSC) frequencies in Tat(+) compared to Tat(−) mice (p = .008, across sexes). The increase in sEPSC frequency was significantly attenuated by bath application of PF3845, a fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) enzyme inhibitor (p < .001). Overall, the GNG task is a viable measure to assess inhibitory control deficits in Tat transgenic mice and results suggest a potential therapeutic treatment for the observed deficits with drugs which modulate endocannabinoid enzyme activity. Results of the Go/No-Go operant conditioning task reveal inhibitory control deficits in female transgenic Tat(+) mice without significantly affecting males. The demonstrated inhibitory control deficits appear to be associated with an upregulation of cannabinoid type 1 receptors (CB1R) in the infralimbic (IL) cortex in the same female Tat(+) group. ![]()
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MESH Headings
- AIDS Dementia Complex/genetics
- AIDS Dementia Complex/metabolism
- AIDS Dementia Complex/psychology
- Animals
- Disease Models, Animal
- Female
- HIV-1
- Inhibition, Psychological
- Limbic Lobe/metabolism
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Transgenic
- Neurocognitive Disorders/genetics
- Neurocognitive Disorders/metabolism
- Psychomotor Performance/physiology
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/biosynthesis
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/genetics
- Up-Regulation/physiology
- tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus/biosynthesis
- tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian R Jacobs
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
| | - Changqing Xu
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Douglas J Hermes
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Alexis F League
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Callie Xu
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Bhupendra Nath
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC, 27707, USA
| | - Wei Jiang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Micah J Niphakis
- The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Benjamin F Cravatt
- The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Ken Mackie
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA
| | - Somnath Mukhopadhyay
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC, 27707, USA
| | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA
| | | | - Sylvia Fitting
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
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SIV-Mediated Synaptic Dysfunction Is Associated with an Increase in Synapsin Site 1 Phosphorylation and Impaired PP2A Activity. J Neurosci 2019; 39:7006-7018. [PMID: 31270156 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0178-19.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2019] [Revised: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the reduction of viral loads in people with HIV undergoing combination antiretroviral therapy has mitigated AIDS-related symptoms, the prevalence of neurological impairments has remained unchanged. HIV-associated CNS dysfunction includes impairments in memory, attention, memory processing, and retrieval. Here, we show a significant site-specific increase in the phosphorylation of Syn I serine 9, site 1, in the frontal cortex lysates and synaptosome preparations of male rhesus macaques infected with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) but not in uninfected or SIV-infected antiretroviral therapy animals. Furthermore, we found that a lower protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) activity, a phosphatase responsible for Syn I (S9) dephosphorylation, is primarily associated with the higher S9 phosphorylation in the frontal cortex of SIV-infected macaques. Comparison of brain sections confirmed higher Syn I (S9) in the frontal cortex and greater coexpression of Syn I and PP2A A subunit, which was observed as perinuclear aggregates in the somata of the frontal cortex of SIV-infected macaques. Synaptosomes from SIV-infected animals were physiologically tested using a synaptic vesicle endocytosis assay and FM4-64 dye showing a significantly higher baseline depolarization levels in synaptosomes of SIV+-infected than uninfected control or antiretroviral therapy animals. A PP2A-activating FDA-approved drug, FTY720, decreased the higher synaptosome depolarization in SIV-infected animals. Our results suggest that an impaired distribution and lower activity of serine/threonine phosphatases in the context of HIV infection may cause an indirect effect on the phosphorylation levels of essential proteins involving in synaptic transmission, supporting the occurrence of specific impairments in the synaptic activity during SIV infection.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Even with antiretroviral therapy, neurocognitive deficits, including impairments in attention, memory processing, and retrieval, are still major concerns in people living with HIV. Here, we used the rhesus macaque simian immunodeficiency virus model with and without antiretroviral therapy to study the dynamics of phosphorylation of key amino acid residues of synapsin I, which critically impacts synaptic vesicle function. We found a significant increase in synapsin I phosphorylation at serine 9, which was driven by dysfunction of serine/threonine protein phosphatase 2A in the nerve terminals. Our results suggest that an impaired distribution and lower activity of serine/threonine phosphatases in the context of HIV infection may cause an indirect effect on the phosphorylation levels of essential proteins involved in synaptic transmission.
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McLaurin KA, Li H, Booze RM, Mactutus CF. Disruption of Timing: NeuroHIV Progression in the Post-cART Era. Sci Rep 2019; 9:827. [PMID: 30696863 PMCID: PMC6351586 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-36822-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The marked increase in life expectancy for HIV-1 seropositive individuals, following the great success of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), heralds an examination of the progression of HIV-1 associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). However, since the seminal call for animal models of HIV-1/AIDS in 1988, there has been no extant in vivo animal model system available to provide a truly longitudinal study of HAND. Here, we demonstrate that the HIV-1 transgenic (Tg) rat, resembling HIV-1 seropositive individuals on lifelong cART, exhibits age-related, progressive neurocognitive impairments (NCI), including alterations in learning, sustained attention, flexibility, and inhibition; deficits commonly observed in HIV-1 seropositive individuals. Pyramidal neurons from layers II-III of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) displayed profound synaptic dysfunction in HIV-1 Tg animals relative to controls; dysfunction that was characterized by alterations in dendritic branching complexity, synaptic connectivity, and dendritic spine morphology. NCI and synaptic dysfunction in pyramidal neurons from layers II-III of the mPFC independently identified the presence of the HIV-1 transgene with at least 78.5% accuracy. Thus, even in the absence of sensory or motor system deficits and comorbidities, HAND is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by age-related disease progression; impairments which may be due, at least partly, to synaptic dysfunction in the mPFC. Further, the progression of HAND with age in the HIV-1 Tg rat and associated synaptic dysfunction affords an instrumental model system for the development of therapeutics and functional cure strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen A McLaurin
- Program in Behavioral Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Barnwell College, 1512 Pendleton Street, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | - Hailong Li
- Program in Behavioral Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Barnwell College, 1512 Pendleton Street, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | - Rosemarie M Booze
- Program in Behavioral Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Barnwell College, 1512 Pendleton Street, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | - Charles F Mactutus
- Program in Behavioral Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Barnwell College, 1512 Pendleton Street, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA.
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Wodarski R, Bagdas D, Paris JJ, Pheby T, Toma W, Xu R, Damaj MI, Knapp PE, Rice AS, Hauser KF. Reduced intraepidermal nerve fibre density, glial activation, and sensory changes in HIV type-1 Tat-expressing female mice: involvement of Tat during early stages of HIV-associated painful sensory neuropathy. Pain Rep 2018; 3:e654. [PMID: 29922746 PMCID: PMC5999412 DOI: 10.1097/pr9.0000000000000654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2017] [Revised: 02/19/2018] [Accepted: 03/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION HIV infection is associated with chronic pain states, including sensory neuropathy, which affects greater than 40% of patients. OBJECTIVES AND METHODS To determine the impact of HIV-Tat induction on nociceptive behaviour in female mice conditionally expressing HIV Tat1-86 protein through a doxycycline (DOX)-driven glial fibrillary acidic protein promoter, intraepidermal nerve fibre density and immune cell activation in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and spinal cord were assessed by immunohistochemistry. Mice were assessed for mechanical and thermal sensitivity for 9 weeks using von-Frey and Hargreaves tests. RESULTS Intraepidermal nerve fibre density was significantly reduced after 6 weeks of Tat induction, similar to sensory neuropathy seen in clinical HIV infection. Tat induction through DOX caused a significant reduction in paw withdrawal thresholds in a time-dependent manner starting the 4th week after Tat induction. No changes in paw withdrawal latencies were seen in Tat(-) control mice lacking the tat transgene. Although reductions in paw withdrawal thresholds increased throughout the study, no significant change in spontaneous motor activity was observed. Spinal cord (cervical and lumbar), DRG, and hind paw skin were collected at 8 days and 6 weeks after Tat induction. HIV-Tat mRNA expression was significantly increased in lumbar DRG and skin samples 8 days after DOX treatment. Tat induced a significant increase in the number of Iba-1 positive cells at 6 weeks, but not after 8 days, of exposure. No differences in glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactivity were observed. CONCLUSION These results suggest that Tat protein contributes to painful HIV-related sensory neuropathy during the initial stages of the pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Wodarski
- Pain Research Group, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Deniz Bagdas
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Jason J. Paris
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, University of Mississippi, University, MS, USA
| | - Tim Pheby
- Pain Research Group, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Wisam Toma
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Ruqiang Xu
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - M. Imad Damaj
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Pamela E. Knapp
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Andrew S.C. Rice
- Pain Research Group, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kurt F. Hauser
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
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Fitting S, McLaurin KA, Booze RM, Mactutus CF. Dose-dependent neurocognitive deficits following postnatal day 10 HIV-1 viral protein exposure: Relationship to hippocampal anatomy parameters. Int J Dev Neurosci 2018; 65:66-82. [PMID: 29111178 PMCID: PMC5889695 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2017.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2017] [Revised: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the availability of antiretroviral prophylactic treatment, pediatric human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) continues to be a significant risk factor in the post-cART era. The time of infection (i.e., during pregnancy, delivery or breastfeeding) may play a role in the development of neurocognitive deficits in pediatric HIV-1. HIV-1 viral protein exposure on postnatal day (P)1, preceding the postnatal brain growth spurt in rats, had deleterious effects on neurocognitive development and anatomical parameters of the hippocampus (Fitting et al., 2008a,b). In the present study, rats were stereotaxically injected with HIV-1 viral proteins, including Tat1-86 and gp120, on P10 to further examine the role of timing on neurocognitive development and anatomical parameters of the hippocampus (Fitting et al., 2010). The dose-dependent virotoxin effects observed across development following P10 Tat1-86 exposure were specific to spatial learning and absent from prepulse inhibition and locomotor activity. A relationship between alterations in spatial learning and/or memory and hippocampal anatomical parameters was noted. Specifically, the estimated number of neurons and astrocytes in the hilus of the dentate gyrus explained 70% of the variance of search behavior in Morris water maze acquisition training for adolescents and 65% of the variance for adults; a brain-behavior relationship consistent with observations following P1 viral protein exposure. Collectively, late viral protein exposure (P10) results in selective alterations in neurocognitive development without modifying measures of somatic growth, preattentive processing, or locomotor activity, as characterized by early viral protein exposure (P1). Thus, timing may be a critical factor in disease progression, with children infected with HIV earlier in life being more vulnerable to CNS disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvia Fitting
- University of South Carolina, Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Columbia, SC 29208, USA; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
| | - Kristen A McLaurin
- University of South Carolina, Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Rosemarie M Booze
- University of South Carolina, Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Charles F Mactutus
- University of South Carolina, Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Columbia, SC 29208, USA.
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Abstract
A defining feature of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) is the loss of excitatory synaptic connections. Synaptic changes that occur during exposure to HIV appear to result, in part, from a homeostatic scaling response. Here we discuss the mechanisms of these changes from the perspective that they might be part of a coping mechanism that reduces synapses to prevent excitotoxicity. In transgenic animals expressing the HIV proteins Tat or gp120, the loss of synaptic markers precedes changes in neuronal number. In vitro studies have shown that HIV-induced synapse loss and cell death are mediated by distinct mechanisms. Both in vitro and animal studies suggest that HIV-induced synaptic scaling engages new mechanisms that suppress network connectivity and that these processes might be amenable to therapeutic intervention. Indeed, pharmacological reversal of synapse loss induced by HIV Tat restores cognitive function. In summary, studies indicate that there are temporal, mechanistic and pharmacological features of HIV-induced synapse loss that are consistent with homeostatic plasticity. The increasingly well delineated signaling mechanisms that regulate synaptic scaling may reveal pharmacological targets suitable for normalizing synaptic function in chronic neuroinflammatory states such as HAND.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew V Green
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Jonathan D Raybuck
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Xinwen Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Mariah M Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Stanley A Thayer
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
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Gonek M, McLane VD, Stevens DL, Lippold K, Akbarali HI, Knapp PE, Dewey WL, Hauser KF, Paris JJ. CCR5 mediates HIV-1 Tat-induced neuroinflammation and influences morphine tolerance, dependence, and reward. Brain Behav Immun 2018; 69:124-138. [PMID: 29146238 PMCID: PMC5857418 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2017.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2017] [Revised: 10/02/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The HIV-1 regulatory protein, trans-activator of transcription (Tat), interacts with opioids to potentiate neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration within the CNS. These effects may involve the C-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5); however, the behavioral contribution of CCR5 on Tat/opioid interactions is not known. Using a transgenic murine model that expresses HIV-1 Tat protein in a GFAP-regulated, doxycycline-inducible manner, we assessed morphine tolerance, dependence, and reward. To assess the influence of CCR5 on these effects, mice were pretreated with oral vehicle or the CCR5 antagonist, maraviroc, prior to morphine administration. We found that HIV-1 Tat expression significantly attenuated the antinociceptive potency of acute morphine (2-64 mg/kg, i.p.) in non-tolerant mice. Consistent with this, Tat attenuated withdrawal symptoms among morphine-tolerant mice. Pretreatment with maraviroc blocked the effects of Tat, reinstating morphine potency in non-tolerant mice and restoring withdrawal symptomology in morphine-tolerant mice. Twenty-four hours following morphine administration, HIV-1 Tat significantly potentiated (∼3.5-fold) morphine-conditioned place preference and maraviroc further potentiated these effects (∼5.7-fold). Maraviroc exerted no measurable behavioral effects on its own. Protein array analyses revealed only minor changes to cytokine profiles when morphine was administered acutely or repeatedly; however, 24 h post morphine administration, the expression of several cytokines was greatly increased, including endogenous CCR5 chemokine ligands (CCL3, CCL4, and CCL5), as well as CCL2. Tat further elevated levels of several cytokines and maraviroc pretreatment attenuated these effects. These data demonstrate that CCR5 mediates key aspects of HIV-1 Tat-induced alterations in the antinociceptive potency and rewarding properties of opioids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maciej Gonek
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Richmond, P.O. Box 980613, VA 23298-0613, USA
| | - Virginia D. McLane
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Richmond, P.O. Box 980613, VA 23298-0613, USA
| | - David L. Stevens
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Richmond, P.O. Box 980613, VA 23298-0613, USA
| | - Kumiko Lippold
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Richmond, P.O. Box 980613, VA 23298-0613, USA
| | - Hamid I. Akbarali
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Richmond, P.O. Box 980613, VA 23298-0613, USA
| | - Pamela E. Knapp
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Richmond, P.O. Box 980613, VA 23298-0613, USA,Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, P.O. Box 980709, Richmond, VA 23298-0709, USA,Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, P.O. Box 980059, Richmond, VA 23298-0059, USA
| | - William L. Dewey
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Richmond, P.O. Box 980613, VA 23298-0613, USA,Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, P.O. Box 980059, Richmond, VA 23298-0059, USA
| | - Kurt F. Hauser
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Richmond, P.O. Box 980613, VA 23298-0613, USA,Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, P.O. Box 980709, Richmond, VA 23298-0709, USA,Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, P.O. Box 980059, Richmond, VA 23298-0059, USA
| | - Jason J. Paris
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Richmond, P.O. Box 980613, VA 23298-0613, USA,Department of BioMolecular Sciences, University of Mississippi, School of Pharmacy, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS 38677-1848, USA,Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Mississippi, School of Pharmacy, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS 38677-1848, USA,Address for Correspondence: Jason J. Paris, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Pharmacology, The University of Mississippi, School of Pharmacy, P.O. Box 1848, 315 Faser Hall, University, MS 38677-1848, U.S.A. Phone: +1-662-915-3096,
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Langford D, Oh Kim B, Zou W, Fan Y, Rahimain P, Liu Y, He JJ. Doxycycline-inducible and astrocyte-specific HIV-1 Tat transgenic mice (iTat) as an HIV/neuroAIDS model. J Neurovirol 2017; 24:168-179. [PMID: 29143286 DOI: 10.1007/s13365-017-0598-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2017] [Revised: 10/08/2017] [Accepted: 11/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
HIV-1 Tat is known to be neurotoxic and important for HIV/neuroAIDS pathogenesis. However, the overwhelming majority of the studies involved use of recombinant Tat protein. To understand the contributions of Tat protein to HIV/neuroAIDS and the underlying molecular mechanisms of HIV-1 Tat neurotoxicity in the context of a whole organism and independently of HIV-1 infection, a doxycycline-inducible astrocyte-specific HIV-1 Tat transgenic mouse (iTat) was created. Tat expression in the brains of iTat mice was determined to be in the range of 1-5 ng/ml and led to astrocytosis, loss of neuronal dendrites, and neuroinflammation. iTat mice have allowed us to define the direct effects of Tat on astrocytes and the molecular mechanisms of Tat-induced GFAP expression/astrocytosis, astrocyte-mediated Tat neurotoxicity, Tat-impaired neurogenesis, Tat-induced loss of neuronal integrity, and exosome-associated Tat release and uptake. In this review, we will provide an overview about the creation and characterization of this model and its utilities for our understanding of Tat neurotoxicity and the underlying molecular mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dianne Langford
- Department of Neuroscience, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA
| | - Byung Oh Kim
- School of Food Science & Biotechnology and College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 702-701, South Korea
| | - Wei Zou
- The 1st Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, China
| | - Yan Fan
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA
| | - Pejman Rahimain
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA
| | - Ying Liu
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA
| | - Johnny J He
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA.
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McLaurin KA, Booze RM, Mactutus CF, Fairchild AJ. Sex Matters: Robust Sex Differences in Signal Detection in the HIV-1 Transgenic Rat. Front Behav Neurosci 2017; 11:212. [PMID: 29163084 PMCID: PMC5681841 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2017.00212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 10/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Sex differences in human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) have been repeatedly suggested. Females, who account for 51% of HIV-1 seropositive individuals, are inadequately represented in clinical and preclinical studies, as well as in the description of HIV-1 associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). Direct comparisons of neurocognitive decline in women and men must be made to address this underrepresentation. The effect of biological sex (i.e., the biological factors, including chromosomes and hormones, determining male or female characteristics; WHO, 2017) on sustained attention, which is commonly impaired in HIV-1 seropositive individuals, was investigated in intact HIV-1 transgenic (Tg) and control animals using a signal detection operant task. Analyses revealed a robust sex difference in the rate of task acquisition, collapsed across genotype, with female animals meeting criteria in shaping (at least 60 reinforcers for three consecutive or five non-consecutive sessions) and signal detection (70% accuracy for five consecutive or seven non-consecutive sessions) significantly more slowly than male animals. Presence of the HIV-1 transgene also had a significant effect on shaping and signal detection acquisition, with HIV-1 Tg animals displaying significant deficits in the rate of acquisition relative to control animals–deficits that were more prominent in female HIV-1 Tg animals. Once the animals’ reached asymptotic performance in the signal detection task, female animals achieved a lower percent accuracy across test sessions and exhibited a decreased response rate relative to male animals, although there was no compelling evidence for any effect of transgene. Results indicate that the factor of biological sex may be a moderator of the influence of the HIV-1 transgene on signal detection. Understanding the impact of biological sex on neurocognitive deficits in HIV-1 is crucial for the development of sex-based therapeutics and cure strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen A McLaurin
- Program in Behavioral Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Rosemarie M Booze
- Program in Behavioral Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Charles F Mactutus
- Program in Behavioral Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Amanda J Fairchild
- Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
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McLaughlin JP, Paris JJ, Mintzopoulos D, Hymel KA, Kim JK, Cirino TJ, Gillis TE, Eans SO, Vitaliano GD, Medina JM, Krapf RC, Stacy HM, Kaufman MJ. Conditional Human Immunodeficiency Virus Transactivator of Transcription Protein Expression Induces Depression-like Effects and Oxidative Stress. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY. COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2017; 2:599-609. [PMID: 29057370 PMCID: PMC5648358 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2017.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence of major depression in those with HIV/AIDS is substantially higher than in the general population. Mechanisms underlying this comorbidity are poorly understood. HIV-transactivator of transcription (Tat) protein, produced and excreted by HIV, could be involved. We determined whether conditional Tat protein expression in mice is sufficient to induce depression-like behaviors and oxidative stress. Further, as oxidative stress is associated with depression, we determined whether decreasing or increasing oxidative stress by administering methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) or diethylmaleate (DEM), respectively, altered depression-like behavior. METHODS GT-tg bigenic mice received intraperitoneal saline or doxycycline (Dox, 25-100 mg/kg/day) to induce Tat expression. G-tg mice, which do not express Tat protein, also received Dox. Depression-like behavior was assessed with the tail suspension test (TST) and the two-bottle saccharin/water consumption task. Reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) were assessed ex vivo. Medial frontal cortex (MFC) oxidative stress and temperature were measured in vivo with 9.4-Tesla proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). RESULTS Tat expression increased TST immobility time in an exposure-dependent manner and reduced saccharin consumption. MSM decreased immobility time while DEM increased it in saline-treated GT-tg mice. Tat and MSM behavioral effects persisted for 28 days. Tat and DEM increased while MSM decreased ROS/RNS levels. Tat expression increased MFC glutathione levels and temperature. CONCLUSIONS Tat expression induced rapid and enduring depression-like behaviors and oxidative stress. Increasing/decreasing oxidative stress increased/decreased, respectively, depression-like behavior. Thus, Tat produced by HIV may contribute to the high depression prevalence among those with HIV. Further, mitigation of oxidative stress could reduce depression severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jay P. McLaughlin
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610
| | - Jason J. Paris
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610
- Virginia Commonwealth University, Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Richmond, VA 23298
| | - Dionyssios Mintzopoulos
- McLean Imaging Center, Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA 02478
| | - Kristen A. Hymel
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610
| | - Jae K. Kim
- McLean Imaging Center, Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA 02478
| | - Thomas J. Cirino
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610
| | - Timothy E. Gillis
- McLean Imaging Center, Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA 02478
| | - Shainnel O. Eans
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610
| | - Gordana D. Vitaliano
- McLean Imaging Center, Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA 02478
| | - Jessica M. Medina
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610
| | - Richard C. Krapf
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610
| | - Heather M. Stacy
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610
| | - Marc J. Kaufman
- McLean Imaging Center, Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA 02478
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Gaskill PJ, Miller DR, Gamble-George J, Yano H, Khoshbouei H. HIV, Tat and dopamine transmission. Neurobiol Dis 2017; 105:51-73. [PMID: 28457951 PMCID: PMC5541386 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2017.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2017] [Revised: 04/04/2017] [Accepted: 04/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a progressive infection that targets the immune system, affecting more than 37 million people around the world. While combinatorial antiretroviral therapy (cART) has lowered mortality rates and improved quality of life in infected individuals, the prevalence of HIV associated neurocognitive disorders is increasing and HIV associated cognitive decline remains prevalent. Recent research has suggested that HIV accessory proteins may be involved in this decline, and several studies have indicated that the HIV protein transactivator of transcription (Tat) can disrupt normal neuronal and glial function. Specifically, data indicate that Tat may directly impact dopaminergic neurotransmission, by modulating the function of the dopamine transporter and specifically damaging dopamine-rich regions of the CNS. HIV infection of the CNS has long been associated with dopaminergic dysfunction, but the mechanisms remain undefined. The specific effect(s) of Tat on dopaminergic neurotransmission may be, at least partially, a mechanism by which HIV infection directly or indirectly induces dopaminergic dysfunction. Therefore, precisely defining the specific effects of Tat on the dopaminergic system will help to elucidate the mechanisms by which HIV infection of the CNS induces neuropsychiatric, neurocognitive and neurological disorders that involve dopaminergic neurotransmission. Further, this will provide a discussion of the experiments needed to further these investigations, and may help to identify or develop new therapeutic approaches for the prevention or treatment of these disorders in HIV-infected individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J Gaskill
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102, United States.
| | - Douglas R Miller
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, United States
| | - Joyonna Gamble-George
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, United States
| | - Hideaki Yano
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States
| | - Habibeh Khoshbouei
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, United States.
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Chronic low-level expression of HIV-1 Tat promotes a neurodegenerative phenotype with aging. Sci Rep 2017; 7:7748. [PMID: 28798382 PMCID: PMC5552766 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-07570-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2016] [Accepted: 06/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The widespread use of combinational antiretroviral therapies (cART) in developed countries has changed the course of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection from an almost universally fatal disease to a chronic infection for the majority of individuals. Although cART has reduced the severity of neurological damage in HIV-infected individuals, the likelihood of cognitive impairment increases with age, and duration of infection. As cART does not suppress the expression of HIV non-structural proteins, it has been proposed that a constitutive production of HIV regulatory proteins in infected brain cells may contribute to neurological damage. However, this assumption has never been experimentally tested. Here we take advantage of the leaky tetracycline promoter system in the Tat-transgenic mouse to show that a chronic very low-level expression of Tat is associated with astrocyte activation, inflammatory cytokine expression, ceramide accumulation, reductions in brain volume, synaptic, and axonal damage that occurs over a time frame of 1 year. These data suggest that a chronic low-level production of Tat may contribute to progressive neurological damage in virally suppressed HIV-infected individuals.
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Xu C, Hermes DJ, Nwanguma B, Jacobs IR, Mackie K, Mukhopadhyay S, Lichtman AH, Ignatowska-Jankowska B, Fitting S. Endocannabinoids exert CB 1 receptor-mediated neuroprotective effects in models of neuronal damage induced by HIV-1 Tat protein. Mol Cell Neurosci 2017; 83:92-102. [PMID: 28733129 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2017.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2017] [Revised: 07/07/2017] [Accepted: 07/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
In the era of combined antiretroviral therapy (cART), human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is considered a chronic disease that specifically targets the brain and causes HIV-1-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). Endocannabinoids (eCBs) elicit neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory actions in several central nervous system (CNS) disease models, but their effects in HAND remain unknown. HIV-1 does not infect neurons, but produces viral toxins, such as transactivator of transcription (Tat), that disrupt neuronal calcium equilibrium and give rise to synaptodendritic injuries and cell death, the former being highly correlated with HAND. Consequently, we tested whether the eCBs N-arachidonoylethanolamine (anandamide/AEA) and 2-arachidonoyl-glycerol (2-AG) offer neuroprotective actions in a neuronal culture model. Specifically, we examined the neuroprotective actions of these eCBs on Tat excitotoxicity in primary cultures of prefrontal cortex neurons (PFC), and whether cannabinoid receptors mediate this neuroprotection. Tat-induced excitotoxicity was reflected by increased intracellular calcium levels, synaptodendritic damage, neuronal excitability, and neuronal death. Further, upregulation of cannabinoid 1 receptor (CB1R) protein levels was noted in the presence of HIV-1 Tat. The direct application of AEA and 2-AG reduced excitotoxic levels of intracellular calcium and promoted neuronal survival following Tat exposure, which was prevented by the CB1R antagonist rimonabant, but not by the CB2R antagonist AM630. Overall, our findings indicate that eCBs protect PFC neurons from Tat excitotoxicity in vitro via a CB1R-related mechanism. Thus, the eCB system possesses promising targets for treatment of neurodegenerative disorders associated with HIV-1 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changqing Xu
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Douglas J Hermes
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Blessing Nwanguma
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Ian R Jacobs
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Kenneth Mackie
- Department of Psychological & Brain Science, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Somnath Mukhopadhyay
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | | | - Sylvia Fitting
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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A GluN2B-Selective NMDAR Antagonist Reverses Synapse Loss and Cognitive Impairment Produced by the HIV-1 Protein Tat. J Neurosci 2017; 37:7837-7847. [PMID: 28716964 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0226-17.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2017] [Revised: 05/18/2017] [Accepted: 07/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) affects approximately half of HIV-infected patients. Loss of synaptic connections is a hallmark of many neurocognitive disorders, including HAND. The HIV-1 protein transactivator of transcription (Tat) disrupts synaptic connections both in vitro and in vivo and has been linked to impaired neurocognitive function in humans. In vitro studies have shown that ifenprodil, an antagonist selective for GluN2B-containing NMDARs, reverses synapse loss when applied after Tat. Here, we tested the hypothesis that Tat-induced loss and ifenprodil-mediated rescue of synaptic spines in vivo would predict impairment and rescue of cognitive function. Using intracranial multiphoton imaging, we found that infusion of 100 ng of HIV-1 Tat into the lateral ventricle of yellow fluorescent protein-expressing transgenic mice produced a 17 ± 1% loss of dendritic spines in layer 1 of retrosplenial cortex. Repeated imaging of the same dendrites over 3 weeks enabled longitudinal experiments that demonstrated sustained spine loss after Tat infusion and transient rescue after ifenprodil administration (10 mg/kg, i.p.). Parallel trace fear conditioning experiments showed that spine loss predicted learning deficits and that the time course of ifenprodil-induced rescue of spine density correlated with restoration of cognitive function. These results show for the first time that, during exposure to an HIV-1 neurotoxin in vivo, alteration of GluN2B-containing NMDAR signaling suppresses spine density and impairs learning. Pharmacological inhibition of these NMDARs rescued spines and restored cognitive function. Drugs that rescue synapses may improve neurocognitive function in HAND.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Synaptodendritic damage correlates with cognitive decline in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) patients. We developed an in vivo imaging approach for longitudinal tracking of spine density that enabled correlation of synaptic changes with behavioral outcomes in a model of HAND. We show for the first time that spine loss after exposure to an HIV-1 protein can be reversed pharmacologically and that loss and recovery of dendritic spines predict impairment and restoration of cognitive function, respectively. Therefore, synapse loss, the hallmark of cognitive decline in HAND, is reversible. Drugs that restore spine density may have broad application for improving cognitive function during the early phases of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Mondelli V, Vernon AC, Turkheimer F, Dazzan P, Pariante CM. Brain microglia in psychiatric disorders. Lancet Psychiatry 2017; 4:563-572. [PMID: 28454915 DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(17)30101-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 167] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2016] [Revised: 01/30/2017] [Accepted: 01/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The role of immune activation in psychiatric disorders has attracted considerable attention over the past two decades, contributing to the rise of a new era for psychiatry. Microglia, the macrophages of the brain, are progressively becoming the main focus of the research in this field. In this Review, we assess the literature on microglia activation across different psychiatric disorders, including post-mortem and in-vivo studies in humans and experimental studies in animals. Although microglia activation has been noted in all types of psychiatric disorder, no association was seen with specific diagnostic categories. Furthermore, the findings from these studies highlight that not all psychiatric patients have microglial activation. Therefore, the cause of the neuroinflammation in these cohorts and its implications are unclear. We discuss psychosocial stress as one of the main factors determining microglial activation in patients with psychiatric disorders, and explore the relevance of these findings for future treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Mondelli
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; National Institute for Health Research Mental Health Biomedical Research Centre, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London, London, UK.
| | - Anthony C Vernon
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Federico Turkheimer
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Paola Dazzan
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; National Institute for Health Research Mental Health Biomedical Research Centre, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London, London, UK
| | - Carmine M Pariante
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; National Institute for Health Research Mental Health Biomedical Research Centre, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London, London, UK
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Benusa SD, George NM, Sword BA, DeVries GH, Dupree JL. Acute neuroinflammation induces AIS structural plasticity in a NOX2-dependent manner. J Neuroinflammation 2017; 14:116. [PMID: 28595650 PMCID: PMC5465457 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-017-0889-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2017] [Accepted: 05/25/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Chronic microglia-mediated inflammation and oxidative stress are well-characterized underlying factors in neurodegenerative disease, whereby reactive inflammatory microglia enhance ROS production and impact neuronal integrity. Recently, it has been shown that during chronic inflammation, neuronal integrity is compromised through targeted disruption of the axon initial segment (AIS), the axonal domain critical for action potential initiation. AIS disruption was associated with contact by reactive inflammatory microglia which wrap around the AIS, increasing association with disease progression. While it is clear that chronic microglial inflammation and enhanced ROS production impact neuronal integrity, little is known about how acute microglial inflammation influences AIS stability. Here, we demonstrate that acute neuroinflammation induces AIS structural plasticity in a ROS-mediated and calpain-dependent manner. Methods C57BL/6J and NOX2−/− mice were given a single injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 5 mg/kg) or vehicle (0.9% saline, 10 mL/kg) and analyzed at 6 h–2 weeks post-injection. Anti-inflammatory Didox (250 mg/kg) or vehicle (0.9% saline, 10 mL/kg) was administered beginning 24 h post-LPS injection and continued for 5 days; animals were analyzed 1 week post-injection. Microglial inflammation was assessed using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and RT-qPCR, and AIS integrity was quantitatively analyzed using ankyrinG immunolabeling. Data were statistically compared by one-way or two-way ANOVA where mean differences were significant as assessed using Tukey’s post hoc analysis. Results LPS-induced neuroinflammation, characterized by enhanced microglial inflammation and increased expression of ROS-producing enzymes, altered AIS protein clustering. Importantly, inflammation-induced AIS changes were reversed following resolution of microglial inflammation. Modulation of the inflammatory response using anti-inflammatory Didox, even after significant AIS disruption occurred, increased the rate of AIS recovery. qPCR and IHC analysis revealed that expression of microglial NOX2, a ROS-producing enzyme, was significantly increased correlating with AIS disruption. Furthermore, ablation of NOX2 prevented inflammation-induced AIS plasticity, suggesting that ROS drive AIS structural plasticity. Conclusions In the presence of acute microglial inflammation, the AIS undergoes an adaptive change that is capable of spontaneous recovery. Moreover, recovery can be therapeutically accelerated. Together, these findings underscore the dynamic capabilities of this domain in the presence of a pathological insult and provide evidence that the AIS is a viable therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- S D Benusa
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, PO Box 980709, , 1101 East Marshall Street, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA.,Neuroscience Curriculum, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA
| | - N M George
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, PO Box 980709, , 1101 East Marshall Street, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Colorado, Denver, CO, 80204, USA
| | - B A Sword
- Research Service 151, Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Department of Veterans Affairs, 1201 Broad Rock Blvd, Richmond, VA, 23249, USA
| | - G H DeVries
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, PO Box 980709, , 1101 East Marshall Street, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA.,Research Service 151, Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Department of Veterans Affairs, 1201 Broad Rock Blvd, Richmond, VA, 23249, USA
| | - J L Dupree
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, PO Box 980709, , 1101 East Marshall Street, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA. .,Research Service 151, Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Department of Veterans Affairs, 1201 Broad Rock Blvd, Richmond, VA, 23249, USA.
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Selective Vulnerability of Striatal D2 versus D1 Dopamine Receptor-Expressing Medium Spiny Neurons in HIV-1 Tat Transgenic Male Mice. J Neurosci 2017; 37:5758-5769. [PMID: 28473642 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0622-17.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2017] [Revised: 04/20/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite marked regional differences in HIV susceptibility within the CNS, there has been surprisingly little exploration into the differential vulnerability among neuron types and the circuits they underlie. The dorsal striatum is especially susceptible, harboring high viral loads and displaying marked neuropathology, with motor impairment a frequent manifestation of chronic infection. However, little is known about the response of individual striatal neuron types to HIV or how this disrupts function. Therefore, we investigated the morphological and electrophysiological effects of HIV-1 trans-activator of transcription (Tat) in dopamine subtype 1 (D1) and dopamine subtype 2 (D2) receptor-expressing striatal medium spiny neurons (MSNs) by breeding transgenic Tat-expressing mice to Drd1a-tdTomato- or Drd2-eGFP-reporter mice. An additional goal was to examine neuronal vulnerability early during the degenerative process to gain insight into key events underlying the neuropathogenesis. In D2 MSNs, exposure to HIV-1 Tat reduced dendritic spine density significantly, increased dendritic damage (characterized by swellings/varicosities), and dysregulated neuronal excitability (decreased firing at 200-300 pA and increased firing rates at 450 pA), whereas insignificant morphologic and electrophysiological consequences were observed in Tat-exposed D1 MSNs. These changes were concomitant with an increased anxiety-like behavioral profile (lower latencies to enter a dark chamber in a light-dark transition task, a greater frequency of light-dark transitions, and reduced rearing time in an open field), whereas locomotor behavior was unaffected by 2 weeks of Tat induction. Our findings suggest that D2 MSNs and a specific subset of neural circuits within the dorsal striatum are preferentially vulnerable to HIV-1.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Despite combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), neurocognitive disorders afflict 30-50% of HIV-infected individuals and synaptodendritic injury remains evident in specific brain regions such as the dorsal striatum. A possible explanation for the sustained neuronal injury is that the neurotoxic HIV-1 regulatory protein trans-activator of transcription (Tat) continues to be expressed in virally suppressed patients on cART. Using inducible Tat-expressing transgenic mice, we found that dopamine subtype 2 (D2) receptor-expressing medium spiny neurons (MSNs) are selectively vulnerable to Tat exposure compared with D1 receptor-expressing MSNs. This includes Tat-induced reductions in D2 MSN dendritic spine density, increased dendritic damage, and disruptions in neuronal excitability, which coincide with elevated anxiety-like behavior. These data suggest that D2 MSNs and specific circuits within the basal ganglia are preferentially vulnerable to HIV-1.
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50
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Chen NC, Partridge AT, Sell C, Torres C, Martín-García J. Fate of microglia during HIV-1 infection: From activation to senescence? Glia 2016; 65:431-446. [PMID: 27888531 DOI: 10.1002/glia.23081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2016] [Revised: 09/12/2016] [Accepted: 09/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Microglia support productive human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection and disturbed microglial function could contribute to the development of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). Better understanding of how HIV-1 infection and viral protein exposure modulate microglial function during the course of infection could lead to the identification of novel therapeutic targets for both the eradication of HIV-1 reservoir and treatment of neurocognitive deficits. This review first describes microglial origins and function in the normal central nervous system (CNS), and the changes that occur during aging. We then critically discuss how HIV-1 infection and exposure to viral proteins such as Tat and gp120 affect various aspects of microglial homeostasis including activation, cellular metabolism and cell cycle regulation, through pathways implicated in cellular stress responses including p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). We thus propose that the functions of human microglia evolve during both healthy and pathological aging. Aging-associated dysfunction of microglia comprises phenotypes resembling cellular senescence, which could contribute to cognitive impairments observed in various neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, microglia seems to develop characteristics that could be related to cellular senescence post-HIV-1 infection and after exposure to HIV-1 viral proteins. However, despite its potential role as a component of HAND and likely other neurocognitive disorders, microglia senescence has not been well characterized and should be the focus of future studies, which could have high translational relevance. GLIA 2017;65:431-446.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie C Chen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,MD/PhD Program, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics Graduate Program, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Andrea T Partridge
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Microbiology and Immunology Graduate Program, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Christian Sell
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Claudio Torres
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Julio Martín-García
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Center for Molecular Virology and Translational Neuroscience, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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