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Namba MD, Xie Q, Park K, Jackson JG, Barker JM. EcoHIV Infection Modulates the Effects of Cocaine Exposure Pattern and Abstinence on Cocaine Seeking and Neuroimmune Protein Expression in Male Mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.15.589615. [PMID: 38659915 PMCID: PMC11042347 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.15.589615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Cocaine use disorders (CUDs) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remain persistent public health dilemmas throughout the world. One major hurdle for treating CUD is the increase in cocaine craving and seeking behavior that occurs over a protracted period of abstinence, an effect known as the incubation of craving. Little is known about how HIV may modulate this process. Thus, we sought to examine the impact of chronic HIV infection on the incubation of cocaine craving and associated changes in the central and peripheral immune systems. Here, mice were inoculated with EcoHIV, which is a chimeric HIV-1 construct that produces chronic HIV infection in mice. EcoHIV- and sham-infected mice were conditioned with cocaine daily or intermittently in a conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm, followed by 1 or 21 days of forced abstinence prior to assessing preference for the cocaine-paired chamber. Under both conditioning regimens, sham mice exhibited incubation of cocaine CPP after 21 days of abstinence. EcoHIV-infected mice conditioned daily with cocaine showed enhanced cocaine seeking at both abstinence timepoints, whereas infected mice conditioned intermittently showed a reversal of the incubation effect, with higher cocaine seeking after 1 day of abstinence compared to 21 days. Analysis of corticolimbic CX3CL1-CX3CR1 and glutamate receptor expression revealed alterations in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) CX3CL1 and nucleus accumbens (NAc) GluN2A receptors that correlated with cocaine seeking following daily cocaine exposure. Moreover, examination of peripheral immune markers showed that the effect of abstinence and EcoHIV infection on these measures depended on the cocaine exposure regimen. Altogether, these results highlight the importance of cocaine abstinence and exposure pattern as critical variables that modulate HIV-associated neuroimmune outcomes and relapse vulnerability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark D. Namba
- Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Qiaowei Xie
- Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Graduate Program in Pharmacology and Physiology, College of Medicine, Drexel University
| | - Kyewon Park
- Center for AIDS Research (CFAR), University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Joshua G. Jackson
- Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jacqueline M. Barker
- Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Namba MD, Xie Q, Barker JM. Advancing the preclinical study of comorbid neuroHIV and substance use disorders: Current perspectives and future directions. Brain Behav Immun 2023; 113:453-475. [PMID: 37567486 PMCID: PMC10528352 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remains a persistent public health concern throughout the world. Substance use disorders (SUDs) are a common comorbidity that can worsen treatment outcomes for people living with HIV. The relationship between HIV infection and SUD outcomes is likely bidirectional, making clear interrogation of neurobehavioral outcomes challenging in clinical populations. Importantly, the mechanisms through which HIV and addictive drugs disrupt homeostatic immune and CNS function appear to be highly overlapping and synergistic within HIV-susceptible reward and motivation circuitry in the central nervous system. Decades of animal research have revealed invaluable insights into mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology SUDs and HIV, although translational studies examining comorbid SUDs and HIV are very limited due to the technical challenges of modeling HIV infection preclinically. In this review, we discuss preclinical animal models of HIV and highlight key pathophysiological characteristics of each model, with a particular emphasis on rodent models of HIV. We then review the implementation of these models in preclinical SUD research and identify key gaps in knowledge in the field. Finally, we discuss how cutting-edge behavioral neuroscience tools, which have revealed key insights into the neurobehavioral mechanisms of SUDs, can be applied to preclinical animal models of HIV to reveal potential, novel treatment avenues for comorbid HIV and SUDs. Here, we argue that future preclinical SUD research would benefit from incorporating comorbidities such as HIV into animal models and would facilitate the discovery of more refined, subpopulation-specific mechanisms and effective SUD prevention and treatment targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark D Namba
- Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Qiaowei Xie
- Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jacqueline M Barker
- Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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Namba MD, Phillips MN, Chen PJ, Blass BE, Olive MF, Neisewander JL. HIV gp120 impairs nucleus accumbens neuroimmune function and dopamine D3 receptor-mediated inhibition of cocaine seeking in male rats. ADDICTION NEUROSCIENCE 2023; 5:100062. [PMID: 36909738 PMCID: PMC9997483 DOI: 10.1016/j.addicn.2023.100062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Cocaine Use Disorders (CUDs) are associated with an increased risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Cocaine and the HIV envelope protein gp120 each induce distinct deficits to mesocorticolimbic circuit function and motivated behavior; however, little is known regarding how they interact to dysregulate these functions or how such interactions impact pharmacotherapeutic efficacy. We have previously shown that the selective, weak partial agonist of the dopamine D3 receptor (D3R), MC-25-41, attenuates cocaine-seeking behavior in male rats. Here, we sought to characterize changes in striatal neuroimmune function in gp120-exposed rats across abstinence from operant access to cocaine (0.75 mg/kg, i.v.) or sucrose (45 mg/pellet), and to examine the impact of gp120 exposure on MC-25-41-reduced cocaine seeking. After establishing a history of cocaine or sucrose self-administration, rats received intracerebroventricular gp120 infusions daily the first 5 days of abstinence and were sacrificed either on day 6 or after 21 days of forced abstinence and a cue-induced cocaine seeking test. We demonstrated that MC-25-41 treatment attenuated cue-induced cocaine seeking among control rats but not gp120-exposed rats. Moreover, postmortem analysis of nucleus accumbens (NAc) core neuroimmune function indicated cocaine abstinence- and gp120-induced impairments, and the expression of several immune factors within the NAc core significantly correlated with cocaine-seeking behavior. We conclude that cocaine abstinence dysregulates striatal neuroimmune function and interacts with gp120 to inhibit the effectiveness of a D3R partial agonist in reducing cocaine seeking. These findings highlight the need to consider comorbidities, such as immune status, when evaluating the efficacy of novel pharmacotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark D Namba
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Megan N Phillips
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Peng-Jen Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Moulder Center for Drug Discovery Research, School of Pharmacy, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Benjamin E Blass
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Moulder Center for Drug Discovery Research, School of Pharmacy, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - M Foster Olive
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
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McLaurin KA, Cranston MN, Li H, Mactutus CF, Harrod SB, Booze RM. Synaptic dysfunction is associated with alterations in the initiation of goal-directed behaviors: Implications for HIV-1-associated apathy. Exp Neurol 2022; 357:114174. [PMID: 35863502 PMCID: PMC9990912 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2022.114174] [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: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Individuals living with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) exhibit an increased prevalence of neuropsychiatric comorbities (e.g., apathy) relative to their seronegative counterparts. Given the profound functional consequences associated with apathy, characterizing the multidimensional neuropsychiatric syndrome, and associated neural mechanisms, following chronic HIV-1 viral protein exposure remains a critical need. HIV-1-associated apathy was examined by quantifying goal-directed behaviors, indexed using voluntary wheel running, during the diurnal and nocturnal cycle. Apathetic behaviors in the HIV-1 transgenic (Tg) rat were characterized by a profound decrease in the number of running bouts during both the diurnal and nocturnal cycle, supporting a prominent deficit in the self-initiation of spontaneous behaviors. Additionally, HIV-1 Tg animals exhibited a decreased reinforcing efficacy of voluntary wheel running during the nocturnal cycle. Following the completion of voluntary wheel running, synaptic dysfunction in medium spiny neurons (MSNs) of the nucleus accumbens core (NAcc) was examined as a potential neural mechanism underlying HIV-1-associated apathy. HIV-1 Tg animals displayed prominent synaptic dysfunction in MSNs of the NAcc, characterized by enhanced dendritic branching complexity and a population shift towards an immature dendritic spine phenotype relative to control animals. Synaptic dysfunction, which accounted for 42.0% to 68.5% of the variance in the number of running bouts, was strongly associated with the self-initiation of spontaneous behaviors. Establishment of the relationship between synaptic dysfunction and apathy affords a key target for the development of novel therapeutics and cure strategies for affective alterations associated with HIV-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen A McLaurin
- Cognitive and Neural Science Program, Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, United States of America
| | - Michael N Cranston
- Cognitive and Neural Science Program, Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, United States of America
| | - Hailong Li
- Cognitive and Neural Science Program, Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, United States of America
| | - Charles F Mactutus
- Cognitive and Neural Science Program, Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, United States of America
| | - Steven B Harrod
- Cognitive and Neural Science Program, Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, United States of America
| | - Rosemarie M Booze
- Cognitive and Neural Science Program, Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, United States of America.
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Cocaine Self-Administration Influences Central Nervous System Immune Responses in Male HIV-1 Transgenic Rats. Cells 2022; 11:cells11152405. [PMID: 35954251 PMCID: PMC9368446 DOI: 10.3390/cells11152405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Cocaine use increases the neurotoxic severity of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection and the development of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). Among the studied cellular mechanisms promoting neurotoxicity in HIV-1 and cocaine use, central nervous system (CNS) immunity, such as neuroimmune signaling and reduced antiviral activity, are risk determinants; however, concrete evidence remains elusive. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that cocaine self-administration by transgenic HIV-1 (HIV-1Tg) rats promotes CNS inflammation. To test this hypothesis, we measured cytokine, chemokine, and growth factor protein levels in the frontal cortex (fCTX) and caudal striatum (cSTR). Our results demonstrated that cocaine self-administration significantly increased fCTX inflammation in HIV-1Tg rats, but not in the cSTR. Accordingly, we postulate that cocaine synergizes with HIV-1 proteins to increase neuroinflammation in a region-selective manner, including the fCTX. Given the fCTX role in cognition, this interaction may contribute to the hyperimmunity and reduced antiviral activity associated with cocaine-mediated enhancement of HAND.
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Intraneuronal β-Amyloid Accumulation: Aging HIV-1 Human and HIV-1 Transgenic Rat Brain. Viruses 2022; 14:v14061268. [PMID: 35746739 PMCID: PMC9230035 DOI: 10.3390/v14061268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of HIV-1 associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) is significantly greater in older, relative to younger, HIV-1 seropositive individuals; the neural pathogenesis of HAND in older HIV-1 seropositive individuals, however, remains elusive. To address this knowledge gap, abnormal protein aggregates (i.e., β-amyloid) were investigated in the brains of aging (>12 months of age) HIV-1 transgenic (Tg) rats. In aging HIV-1 Tg rats, double immunohistochemistry staining revealed abnormal intraneuronal β-amyloid accumulation in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus, relative to F344/N control rats. Notably, in HIV-1 Tg animals, increased β-amyloid accumulation occurred in the absence of any genotypic changes in amyloid precursor protein (APP). Furthermore, no clear amyloid plaque deposition was observed in HIV-1 Tg animals. Critically, β-amyloid was co-localized with neurons in the cortex and hippocampus, supporting a potential mechanism underlying synaptic dysfunction in the HIV-1 Tg rat. Consistent with these neuropathological findings, HIV-1 Tg rats exhibited prominent alterations in the progression of temporal processing relative to control animals; temporal processing relies, at least in part, on the integrity of the PFC and hippocampus. In addition, in post-mortem HIV-1 seropositive individuals with HAND, intraneuronal β-amyloid accumulation was observed in the dorsolateral PFC and hippocampal dentate gyrus. Consistent with observations in the HIV-1 Tg rat, no amyloid plaques were found in these post-mortem HIV-1 seropositive individuals with HAND. Collectively, intraneuronal β-amyloid aggregation observed in the PFC and hippocampus of HIV-1 Tg rats supports a potential factor underlying HIV-1 associated synaptodendritic damage. Further, the HIV-1 Tg rat provides a biological system to model HAND in older HIV-1 seropositive individuals.
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HIV Transgenic Rats Demonstrate Superior Task Acquisition and Intact Reversal Learning in the Within-Session Probabilistic Reversal Learning Task. COGNITIVE, AFFECTIVE & BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2021; 21:1207-1221. [PMID: 34312815 PMCID: PMC9815827 DOI: 10.3758/s13415-021-00926-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The HIV transgenic (HIVtg) rat is a commonly used animal model of chronic HIV infection that exhibits a wide range of cognitive deficits. To date, relatively little work has been conducted on these rats' capacity for reversal learning, an assay of executive function and cognitive flexibility used in humans. The present study sought to determine the impact of HIV genotype on probabilistic reversal learning, effortful motivation, and spontaneous locomotion/exploration in rats. Male (n = 8) and female (n = 8) HIVtg rats and wildtype (WT) controls were utilized. Cognitive flexibility was assessed via the Probabilistic Reversal Learning Task (PRLT), which reinforced responses to two stimuli on differential probabilistic schedules that periodically reversed. Effortful motivation and locomotor/exploratory behavior were assessed via the Progressive Ratio Breakpoint Task (PRBT) and the Behavioral Pattern Monitor (BPM), respectively. Regardless of sex, HIVtg rats required fewer trials to ascertain initial PRLT reward schedules than WT rats, and completed the same number of reversals. Secondary behaviors suggested that HIVtg PRLT performance was facilitated by a speed-accuracy tradeoff strategy. No main or interactive effects of genotype were observed in the PRBT or BPM. Relative to WT controls, HIVtg rats exhibited superior probabilistic reinforcement learning. Reversal learning was unaffected by HIV genotype, as was effortful motivation and exploratory behavior. These findings contrast with previous characterizations of the HIVtg rat, thus indicating a nuanced cognitive profile that is dependent upon such task specifications as within- versus between-session assessment and probabilistic versus deterministic reward schedules.
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Haddad A, Voth B, Brooks J, Swang M, Carryl H, Algarzae N, Taylor S, Parker C, Van Rompay KKA, De Paris K, Burke MW. Reduced neuronal population in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in infant macaques infected with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV). J Neurovirol 2021; 27:923-935. [PMID: 34554407 PMCID: PMC8901521 DOI: 10.1007/s13365-021-01019-2] [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: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Pediatric HIV infection remains a global health crisis with an estimated 150,000 new mother-to-child (MTCT) infections each year. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has improved childhood survival, but only an estimated 53% of children worldwide have access to treatment. Adding to the health crisis is the neurological impact of HIV on the developing brain, in particular cognitive and executive function, which persists even when ART is available. Imaging studies suggest structural, connectivity, and functional alterations in perinatally HIV-infected youth. However, the paucity of histological data limits our ability to identify specific cortical regions that may underlie the clinical manifestations. Utilizing the pediatric simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection model in infant macaques, we have previously shown that early-life SIV infection depletes the neuronal population in the hippocampus. Here, we expand on these previous studies to investigate the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC). A total of 11 ART-naïve infant rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) from previous studies were retrospectively analyzed. Infant macaques were either intravenously (IV) inoculated with highly virulent SIVmac251 at ~1 week of age and monitored for 6-10 weeks or orally challenged with SIVmac251 from week 9 of age onwards with a monitoring period of 10-23 weeks post-infection (19-34 weeks of age), and SIV-uninfected controls were euthanized at 16-17 weeks of age. Both SIV-infected groups show a significant loss of neurons along with evidence of ongoing neuronal death. Oral- and IV-infected animals showed a similar neuronal loss which was negatively correlated to chronic viremia levels as assessed by an area under the curve (AUC) analysis. The loss of dlPFC neurons may contribute to the rapid neurocognitive decline associated with pediatric HIV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Haddad
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Howard University, Washington, DC, 20059, USA
| | - Brittany Voth
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Howard University, Washington, DC, 20059, USA
| | - Janiya Brooks
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Howard University, Washington, DC, 20059, USA
| | - Melanie Swang
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Howard University, Washington, DC, 20059, USA
| | - Heather Carryl
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Howard University, Washington, DC, 20059, USA
| | - Norah Algarzae
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Howard University, Washington, DC, 20059, USA
- King Saudi University, Riyadh, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Shane Taylor
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Howard University, Washington, DC, 20059, USA
| | - Camryn Parker
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Howard University, Washington, DC, 20059, USA
| | - Koen K A Van Rompay
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Kristina De Paris
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Mark W Burke
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Howard University, Washington, DC, 20059, USA.
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McLaurin KA, Li H, Booze RM, Mactutus CF. Neurodevelopmental Processes in the Prefrontal Cortex Derailed by Chronic HIV-1 Viral Protein Exposure. Cells 2021; 10:3037. [PMID: 34831259 PMCID: PMC8616332 DOI: 10.3390/cells10113037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to the widespread access to, and implementation of, combination antiretroviral therapy, individuals perinatally infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) are living into adolescence and adulthood. Perinatally infected adolescents living with HIV-1 (pALHIV) are plagued by progressive, chronic neurocognitive impairments; the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying these deficits, however, remain understudied. A longitudinal experimental design from postnatal day (PD) 30 to PD 180 was utilized to establish the development of pyramidal neurons, and associated dendritic spines, from layers II-III of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in HIV-1 transgenic (Tg) and control animals. Three putative neuroinflammatory markers (i.e., IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) were evaluated early in development (i.e., PD 30) as a potential mechanism underlying synaptic dysfunction in the mPFC. Constitutive expression of HIV-1 viral proteins induced prominent neurodevelopmental alterations and progressive synaptodendritic dysfunction, independent of biological sex, in pyramidal neurons from layers II-III of the mPFC. From a neurodevelopmental perspective, HIV-1 Tg rats exhibited prominent deficits in dendritic and synaptic pruning. With regards to progressive synaptodendritic dysfunction, HIV-1 Tg animals exhibited an age-related population shift towards dendritic spines with decreased volume, increased backbone length, and decreased head diameter; parameters associated with a more immature dendritic spine phenotype. There was no compelling evidence for neuroinflammation in the mPFC during early development. Collectively, progressive neuronal and dendritic spine dysmorphology herald synaptodendritic dysfunction as a key neural mechanism underlying chronic neurocognitive impairments in pALHIV.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Charles F. Mactutus
- Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA; (K.A.M.); (H.L.); (R.M.B.)
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HIV-Proteins-Associated CNS Neurotoxicity, Their Mediators, and Alternative Treatments. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2021; 42:2553-2569. [PMID: 34562223 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-021-01151-x] [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] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected people's livelihoods are gradually being prolonged with the use of combined antiretroviral therapy (ART). Conversely, despite viral suppression by ART, the symptoms of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) endure. HAND persists because ART cannot really permanently confiscate the virus from the body. HAND encompasses a variety of conditions based on clinical presentation and severity level, comprising asymptomatic neurocognitive impairment, moderate neurocognitive disorder, and HIV-associated dementia. During the early stages of HIV infection, inflammation compromises the blood-brain barrier, allowing toxic virus, infected monocytes, macrophages, T-lymphocytes, and cellular products from the bloodstream to enter the brain and eventually the entire central nervous system. Since there are no resident T-lymphocytes in the brain, the virus will live for decades in macrophages and astrocytes, establishing a reservoir of infection. The HIV proteins then inflame neurons both directly and indirectly. The purpose of this review is to provide a synopsis of the effects of these proteins on the central nervous system and conceptualize avenues to be considered in mitigating HAND. We used bioinformatics repositories extensively to simulate the transcription factors that bind to the promoter of the HIV-1 protein and possibly could be used as a target to circumvent HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders. In the same vein, a protein-protein interaction complex was also deduced from a Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes. In conclusion, this provides an alternative strategy that could be used to avert HAND.
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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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McLaurin KA, Harris M, Madormo V, Harrod SB, Mactutus CF, Booze RM. HIV-Associated Apathy/Depression and Neurocognitive Impairments Reflect Persistent Dopamine Deficits. Cells 2021; 10:2158. [PMID: 34440928 PMCID: PMC8392364 DOI: 10.3390/cells10082158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Individuals living with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) are often plagued by debilitating neurocognitive impairments and affective alterations;the pathophysiology underlying these deficits likely includes dopaminergic system dysfunction. The present review utilized four interrelated aims to critically examine the evidence for dopaminergic alterations following HIV-1 viral protein exposure. First, basal dopamine (DA) values are dependent upon both brain region andexperimental approach (i.e., high-performance liquid chromatography, microdialysis or fast-scan cyclic voltammetry). Second, neurochemical measurements overwhelmingly support decreased DA concentrations following chronic HIV-1 viral protein exposure. Neurocognitive impairments, including alterations in pre-attentive processes and attention, as well as apathetic behaviors, provide an additional line of evidence for dopaminergic deficits in HIV-1. Third, to date, there is no compelling evidence that combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), the primary treatment regimen for HIV-1 seropositive individuals, has any direct pharmacological action on the dopaminergic system. Fourth, the infection of microglia by HIV-1 viral proteins may mechanistically underlie the dopamine deficit observed following chronic HIV-1 viral protein exposure. An inclusive and critical evaluation of the literature, therefore, supports the fundamental conclusion that long-term HIV-1 viral protein exposure leads to a decreased dopaminergic state, which continues to persist despite the advent of cART. Thus, effective treatment of HIV-1-associated apathy/depression and neurocognitive impairments must focus on strategies for rectifying decreases in dopamine function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Rosemarie M. Booze
- Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA; (K.A.M.); (M.H.); (V.M.); (S.B.H.); (C.F.M.)
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Li H, McLaurin KA, Illenberger JM, Mactutus CF, Booze RM. Microglial HIV-1 Expression: Role in HIV-1 Associated Neurocognitive Disorders. Viruses 2021; 13:924. [PMID: 34067600 PMCID: PMC8155894 DOI: 10.3390/v13050924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The persistence of HIV-1 viral reservoirs in the brain, despite treatment with combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), remains a critical roadblock for the development of a novel cure strategy for HIV-1. To enhance our understanding of viral reservoirs, two complementary studies were conducted to (1) evaluate the HIV-1 mRNA distribution pattern and major cell type expressing HIV-1 mRNA in the HIV-1 transgenic (Tg) rat, and (2) validate our findings by developing and critically testing a novel biological system to model active HIV-1 infection in the rat. First, a restricted, region-specific HIV-1 mRNA distribution pattern was observed in the HIV-1 Tg rat. Microglia were the predominant cell type expressing HIV-1 mRNA in the HIV-1 Tg rat. Second, we developed and critically tested a novel biological system to model key aspects of HIV-1 by infusing F344/N control rats with chimeric HIV (EcoHIV). In vitro, primary cultured microglia were treated with EcoHIV revealing prominent expression within 24 h of infection. In vivo, EcoHIV expression was observed seven days after stereotaxic injections. Following EcoHIV infection, microglia were the major cell type expressing HIV-1 mRNA, results that are consistent with observations in the HIV-1 Tg rat. Within eight weeks of infection, EcoHIV rats exhibited neurocognitive impairments and synaptic dysfunction, which may result from activation of the NogoA-NgR3/PirB-RhoA signaling pathway and/or neuroinflammation. Collectively, these studies enhance our understanding of HIV-1 viral reservoirs in the brain and offer a novel biological system to model HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders and associated comorbidities (i.e., drug abuse) in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Rosemarie M. Booze
- Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA; (H.L.); (K.A.M.); (J.M.I.); (C.F.M.)
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Namba MD, Leyrer-Jackson JM, Nagy EK, Olive MF, Neisewander JL. Neuroimmune Mechanisms as Novel Treatment Targets for Substance Use Disorders and Associated Comorbidities. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:650785. [PMID: 33935636 PMCID: PMC8082184 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.650785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies examining the neurobiology of substance abuse have revealed a significant role of neuroimmune signaling as a mechanism through which drugs of abuse induce aberrant changes in synaptic plasticity and contribute to substance abuse-related behaviors. Immune signaling within the brain and the periphery critically regulates homeostasis of the nervous system. Perturbations in immune signaling can induce neuroinflammation or immunosuppression, which dysregulate nervous system function including neural processes associated with substance use disorders (SUDs). In this review, we discuss the literature that demonstrates a role of neuroimmune signaling in regulating learning, memory, and synaptic plasticity, emphasizing specific cytokine signaling within the central nervous system. We then highlight recent preclinical studies, within the last 5 years when possible, that have identified immune mechanisms within the brain and the periphery associated with addiction-related behaviors. Findings thus far underscore the need for future investigations into the clinical potential of immunopharmacology as a novel approach toward treating SUDs. Considering the high prevalence rate of comorbidities among those with SUDs, we also discuss neuroimmune mechanisms of common comorbidities associated with SUDs and highlight potentially novel treatment targets for these comorbid conditions. We argue that immunopharmacology represents a novel frontier in the development of new pharmacotherapies that promote long-term abstinence from drug use and minimize the detrimental impact of SUD comorbidities on patient health and treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark D. Namba
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
| | | | - Erin K. Nagy
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
| | - M. Foster Olive
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
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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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16
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Pocuca N, Young JW, MacQueen DA, Letendre S, Heaton RK, Geyer MA, Perry W, Grant I, Minassian A. Sustained attention and vigilance deficits associated with HIV and a history of methamphetamine dependence. Drug Alcohol Depend 2020; 215:108245. [PMID: 32871507 PMCID: PMC7811354 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated neurocognitive disorders persist in the era of antiretroviral therapy. One factor that is elevated among persons with HIV (PWH) and independently associated with neurocognitive impairment is methamphetamine dependence (METH). Such dependence may further increase cognitive impairment among PWH, by delaying HIV diagnosis (and thus, antiretroviral therapy initiation), which has been posited to account for persistent cognitive impairment among PWH, despite subsequent treatment-related viral load suppression (VLS; <50 copies of the virus per milliliter in plasma or cerebrospinal fluid). This study examined the main and interactive (additive versus synergistic) effects of HIV and history of METH on the sustained attention and vigilance cognitive domain, while controlling for VLS. METHODS Participants included 205 (median age = 44 years; 77% males; HIV-/METH- n = 67; HIV+/METH - n = 49; HIV-/METH+ n = 36; HIV+/METH+ n = 53) individuals enrolled in the Translational Methamphetamine AIDS Research Center, who completed Conners' and the 5-Choice continuous performance tests (CPTs). RESULTS METH participants exhibited deficits in sustained attention and vigilance; however, these effects were not significant after excluding participants who had a positive urine toxicology screen for methamphetamine. Controlling for VLS, PWH did not have worse sustained attention and vigilance, but consistently displayed slower reaction times across blocks, relative to HIV- participants. There was no HIV x METH interaction on sustained attention and vigilance. CONCLUSIONS Recent methamphetamine use among METH people and detectable viral loads are detrimental to sustained attention and vigilance. These findings highlight the need for prompt diagnosis of HIV and initiation of antiretroviral therapy, and METH use interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Pocuca
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive MC 0804, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0804, United States.
| | - Jared W Young
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive MC 0804, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0804, United States; Desert-Pacific Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - David A MacQueen
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive MC 0804, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0804, United States; Desert-Pacific Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Scott Letendre
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive MC 0804, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0804, United States
| | - Robert K Heaton
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive MC 0804, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0804, United States
| | - Mark A Geyer
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive MC 0804, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0804, United States; Desert-Pacific Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - William Perry
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive MC 0804, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0804, United States
| | - Igor Grant
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive MC 0804, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0804, United States
| | - Arpi Minassian
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive MC 0804, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0804, United States; VA Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, Veterans Administration San Diego HealthCare System, 3350 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego, CA, 92161, United States
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McLaurin KA, Li H, Cook AK, Booze RM, Mactutus CF. S-EQUOL: a neuroprotective therapeutic for chronic neurocognitive impairments in pediatric HIV. J Neurovirol 2020; 26:704-718. [PMID: 32870477 DOI: 10.1007/s13365-020-00886-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Chronic neurocognitive impairments, commonly associated with pediatric human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (PHIV), are a detrimental consequence of early exposure to HIV-1 viral proteins. Strong evidence supports S-Equol (SE) as an efficacious adjunctive neuroprotective and/or neurorestorative therapeutic for neurocognitive impairments in adult ovariectomized female HIV-1 transgenic (Tg) rats. There remains, however, a critical need to assess the therapeutic efficacy of SE when treatment occurs at an earlier age (i.e., resembling a therapeutic for children with PHIV) and across the factor of biological sex. Utilization of a series of signal detection operant tasks revealed prominent, sex-dependent neurocognitive deficits in the HIV-1 Tg rat, characterized by alterations in stimulus-reinforcement learning, the response profile, and temporal processing. Early (i.e., postnatal day 28) initiation of SE treatment precluded the development of chronic neurocognitive impairments in all (i.e., 100%) HIV-1 Tg animals, albeit not for all neurocognitive domains. Most notably, the therapeutic effects of SE are generalized across the factor of biological sex, despite the presence of endogenous hormones. Results support, therefore, the efficacy of SE as a neuroprotective therapeutic for chronic neurocognitive impairments in the post-cART era; an adjunctive therapeutic that demonstrates high efficacy in both males and females. Optimizing treatment conditions by evaluating multiple factors (i.e., age, neurocognitive domains, and biological sex) associated with PHIV and HIV-1 associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) affords a key opportunity to improve the therapeutic efficacy of SE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen A McLaurin
- Program in Behavioral Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, 1512 Pendleton Street, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | - Hailong Li
- Program in Behavioral Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, 1512 Pendleton Street, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | - Anna K Cook
- Program in Behavioral Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, 1512 Pendleton Street, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | - Rosemarie M Booze
- Program in Behavioral Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, 1512 Pendleton Street, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | - Charles F Mactutus
- Program in Behavioral Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, 1512 Pendleton Street, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA.
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Selective Estrogen Receptor β Agonists: a Therapeutic Approach for HIV-1 Associated Neurocognitive Disorders. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2019; 15:264-279. [PMID: 31858373 PMCID: PMC7266801 DOI: 10.1007/s11481-019-09900-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The persistence of HIV-1 associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) in the post-cART era, afflicting between 40 and 70% of HIV-1 seropositive individuals, supports a critical need for the development of adjunctive therapeutic treatments. Selective estrogen receptor β agonists, including S-Equol (SE), have been implicated as potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of neurocognitive disorders. In the present study, the therapeutic efficacy of 0.2 mg SE for the treatment of HAND was assessed to address two key questions in the HIV-1 transgenic (Tg) rat. First, does SE exhibit robust therapeutic efficacy when treatment is initiated relatively early (i.e., between 2 and 3 months of age) in the course of viral protein exposure? Second, does the therapeutic utility of SE generalize across multiple neurocognitive domains? Treatment with SE enhanced preattentive processes and stimulus-response learning to the level of controls in all (i.e., 100%) HIV-1 Tg animals. For sustained and selective attention, statistically significant effects were not observed in the overall analyses (Control: Placebo, n = 10, SE, n = 10; HIV-1 Tg: Placebo, n = 10, SE, n = 10). However, given our a priori hypothesis, subsequent analyses were conducted, revealing enhanced sustained and selective attention, approximating controls, in a subset (i.e., 50%, n = 5 and 80%, n = 8, respectively) of HIV-1 Tg animals treated with SE. Thus, the therapeutic efficacy of SE is greater when treatment is initiated relatively early in the course of viral protein exposure and generalizes across neurocognitive domains, supporting an adjunctive therapeutic for HAND in the post-cART era. HIV-1 transgenic (Tg) and control animals were treated with either 0.2 mg S-Equol (SE) or placebo between 2 and 3 months of age (Control: Placebo, n = 10, SE, n = 10; HIV-1 Tg: Placebo, n = 10, SE, n = 10). Neurocognitive assessments, tapping preattentive processes, stimulus response learning, sustained attention and selective attention, were conducted to evaluate the utility of SE as a therapeutic for HIV-1 associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). Planned comparisons between HIV-1 Tg and control animals treated with placebo were utilized to establish a genotype effect, revealing prominent neurocognitive impairments (NCI) in the HIV-1 Tg rat across all domains. Furthermore, to establish the utility of SE, HIV-1 Tg animals treated with SE were compared to control animals treated with placebo. Treatment with 0.2 mg SE ameliorated NCI, to levels that were indistinguishable from controls, in at least a subset (i.e., 50–100%) of HIV-1 Tg animals. Thus, SE supports an efficacious, adjunctive therapeutic for HAND. ![]()
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McLaurin KA, Mactutus CF, Booze RM, Fairchild AJ. An Empirical Mediation Analysis of Mechanisms Underlying HIV-1-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders. Brain Res 2019; 1724:146436. [PMID: 31513791 PMCID: PMC7092796 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2019.146436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Revised: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
HIV-1-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND), characterized by alterations in the core components of cognitive function and age-related disease progression, persist in the post-cART era. However, the neurobehavioral mechanisms that mediate alterations in the core components of cognitive function and the progression of neurocognitive impairments have yet to be systematically evaluated. To address this knowledge gap, statistical mediation analysis was assessed, providing a critical opportunity to empirically evaluate putative neurobehavioral mechanisms underlying HAND. Neurocognitive assessments, conducted in HIV-1 transgenic (Tg) and control animals across the functional lifespan (i.e., Postnatal Day (PD) 30 to PD 600), tapped multiple cognitive domains including preattentive processes, learning, sustained attention, and long-term episodic memory. Three longitudinal mediation models were utilized to assess whether deficits in preattentive processes mediate alterations in learning, sustained attention and/or long-term episodic memory over time. Preattentive processes partially mediated the relationship between genotype and learning, genotype and sustained attention, and genotype and long-term episodic memory across the functional lifespan, explaining between 44% and 58% of the HIV-1 transgene effect. Understanding the neurobehavioral mechanisms mediating alterations in HAND may provide key targets for the development of a diagnostic biomarker, novel therapeutics, and cure/restoration strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen A McLaurin
- University of South Carolina, Department of Psychology, Program in Behavioral Neuroscience, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Charles F Mactutus
- University of South Carolina, Department of Psychology, Program in Behavioral Neuroscience, Columbia, SC, USA.
| | - Rosemarie M Booze
- University of South Carolina, Department of Psychology, Program in Behavioral Neuroscience, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Amanda J Fairchild
- University of South Carolina, Department of Psychology, Columbia, SC, USA.
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20
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Moran LM, McLaurin KA, Booze RM, Mactutus CF. Neurorestoration of Sustained Attention in a Model of HIV-1 Associated Neurocognitive Disorders. Front Behav Neurosci 2019; 13:169. [PMID: 31447657 PMCID: PMC6691343 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to the sustained prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) in the post-combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) era, as well as the increased prevalence of older HIV-1 seropositive individuals, there is a critical need to develop adjunctive therapeutics targeted at preserving and/or restoring neurocognitive function. To address this knowledge gap, the present study examined the utility of S-Equol (SE), a phytoestrogen produced by gut microbiota, as an innovative therapeutic strategy. A signal detection operant task with varying signal durations (1,000, 500, 100 ms) was utilized to assess sustained attention in HIV-1 transgenic (Tg) and control animals. During the signal detection pretest assessment, HIV-1 Tg animals displayed profound deficits in stimulus-response learning and sustained attention relative to control animals. Subsequently, between 6 and 8 months of age, HIV-1 Tg and control animals were treated with a daily oral dose of either placebo or SE (0.05, 0.1, 0.2 mg) and a posttest assessment was conducted in the signal detection operant task with varying signal durations. In HIV-1 Tg animals, a linear decrease in the number of misses at 100 ms was observed as SE dose increased, suggesting a dose response with the most effective dose at 0.2 mg SE, approximating controls. Comparison of the number of misses across signal durations at the pretest and posttest revealed a preservation of neurocognitive function in HIV-1 Tg animals treated with 0.2 mg SE; an effect that was in sharp contrast to the neurocognitive decline observed in HIV-1 Tg animals treated with placebo. The results support the utility of 0.2 mg SE as a potential efficacious neuroprotective and/or neurorestorative therapeutic for sustained attention, in the absence of any adverse peripheral effects, in the HIV-1 Tg rat. Thus, the present study highlights the critical need for further in vivo studies to elucidate the full potential and generalizability of phytoestrogen treatment for HAND.
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Affiliation(s)
- Landhing M Moran
- Program in Behavioral Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - 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
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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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McLaurin KA, Cook AK, Li H, League AF, Mactutus CF, Booze RM. Synaptic Connectivity in Medium Spiny Neurons of the Nucleus Accumbens: A Sex-Dependent Mechanism Underlying Apathy in the HIV-1 Transgenic Rat. Front Behav Neurosci 2018; 12:285. [PMID: 30524255 PMCID: PMC6262032 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Frontal-subcortical circuit dysfunction is commonly associated with apathy, a neuropsychiatric sequelae of human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1). Behavioral and neurochemical indices of apathy in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), a key brain region involved in frontal-subcortical circuitry, are influenced by the factor of biological sex. Despite evidence of sex differences in HIV-1, the effect of biological sex on medium spiny neurons (MSNs), which are central integrators of frontal-subcortical input, has not been systematically evaluated. In the present study, a DiOlistic labeling technique was used to investigate the role of long-term HIV-1 viral protein exposure, the factor of biological sex, and their possible interaction, on synaptic dysfunction in MSNs of the NAc in the HIV-1 transgenic (Tg) rat. HIV-1 Tg rats, independent of biological sex, displayed profound alterations in synaptic connectivity, evidenced by a prominent shift in the distribution of dendritic spines. Female HIV-1 Tg rats, but not male HIV-1 Tg rats, exhibited alterations in dendritic branching and neuronal arbor complexity relative to control animals, supporting an alteration in glutamate neurotransmission. Morphologically, HIV-1 Tg male, but not female HIV-1 Tg rats, displayed a population shift towards decreased dendritic spine volume, suggesting decreased synaptic area, relative to control animals. Synaptic dysfunction accurately identified presence of the HIV-1 transgene, dependent upon biological sex, with at least 80% accuracy (i.e., Male: 80%; Female: 90%). Collectively, these results support a primary alteration in circuit connectivity, the mechanism of which is dependent upon biological sex. Understanding the effect of biological sex on the underlying neural mechanism for HIV-1 associated apathy is vital for the development of sex-based therapeutics and cure strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen A McLaurin
- Department of Psychology, Program in Behavioral Neuroscience, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Anna K Cook
- Department of Psychology, Program in Behavioral Neuroscience, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Hailong Li
- Department of Psychology, Program in Behavioral Neuroscience, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Alexis F League
- Department of Psychology, Program in Behavioral Neuroscience, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Charles F Mactutus
- Department of Psychology, Program in Behavioral Neuroscience, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Rosemarie M Booze
- Department of Psychology, Program in Behavioral Neuroscience, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
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HIV-1 proteins dysregulate motivational processes and dopamine circuitry. Sci Rep 2018; 8:7869. [PMID: 29777165 PMCID: PMC5959859 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-25109-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Motivational alterations, such as apathy, in HIV-1+ individuals are associated with decreased performance on tasks involving frontal-subcortical circuitry. We used the HIV-1 transgenic (Tg) rat to assess effect of long-term HIV-1 protein exposure on motivated behavior using sucrose (1–30%, w/v) and cocaine (0.01–1.0 mg/kg/infusion) maintained responding with fixed-ratio (FR) and progressive-ratio (PR) schedules of reinforcement. For sucrose-reinforced responding, HIV-1 Tg rats displayed no change in EC50 relative to controls, suggesting no change in sucrose reinforcement but had a downward shifted concentration-response curves, suggesting a decrease in response vigor. Cocaine-maintained responding was attenuated in HIV-1 Tg rats (FR1 0.33 mg/kg/infusion and PR 1.0 mg/kg/infusion). Dose-response tests (PR) revealed that HIV-1 Tg animals responded significantly less than F344 control rats and failed to earn significantly more infusions of cocaine as the unit dose increased. When choosing between cocaine and sucrose, control rats initially chose sucrose but with time shifted to a cocaine preference. In contrast, HIV-1 disrupted choice behaviors. DAT function was altered in the striatum of HIV-1 Tg rats; however, prior cocaine self-administration produced a unique effect on dopamine homeostasis in the HIV-1 Tg striatum. These findings of altered goal directed behaviors may determine neurobiological mechanisms of apathy in HIV-1+ patients.
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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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Unraveling Individual Differences In The HIV-1 Transgenic Rat: Therapeutic Efficacy Of Methylphenidate. Sci Rep 2018; 8:136. [PMID: 29317696 PMCID: PMC5760575 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-18300-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2017] [Accepted: 12/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the heterogeneity of HIV-1 associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND), assignment of categorical diagnoses based on the level of impairment (e.g., Frascati criteria) obfuscates the well-acknowledged variability observed within the population of HIV-1+ individuals. The present study sought to elucidate the natural heterogeneity in adult HIV-1 transgenic (Tg) rats using three interrelated aims. First, heterogeneity of the HIV-1 transgene was examined using a pretest-posttest design to assess therapeutic efficacy of oral self-administration (OSA) of methylphenidate (MPH; 2.4 ± 0.2 mg/kg), targeting neurotransmitter alterations in HIV-1, on temporal processing. Approximately 42% of HIV-1 Tg animals displayed an improvement in temporal processing following OSA of MPH. Second, repeated OSA of MPH (22–27 days) altered dendritic spine morphology in layer II-III pyramidal neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex. HIV-1 Tg animals exhibited a population shift towards longer spines with decreased head diameter on lower order branches; a shift associated with temporal processing impairment. Third, in HIV-1 Tg animals, dendritic spine backbone length (µm) was associated with temporal processing impairment; a brain/behavior relationship not observed in control animals. Assessing the therapeutic efficacy of MPH revealed heterogeneity in the neural mechanisms underlying neurocognitive impairments, providing a key target for individualized therapeutic and diagnostic approaches for HAND.
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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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Evolution of the HIV-1 transgenic rat: utility in assessing the progression of HIV-1-associated neurocognitive disorders. J Neurovirol 2017; 24:229-245. [PMID: 28730408 DOI: 10.1007/s13365-017-0544-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2017] [Revised: 05/05/2017] [Accepted: 06/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the progression of HIV-1-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) is a critical need as the prevalence of HIV-1 in older individuals (>50 years) is markedly increasing due to the great success of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). Longitudinal experimental designs, in comparison to cross-sectional studies, provide an opportunity to establish age-related disease progression in HAND. The HIV-1 transgenic (Tg) rat, which has been promoted for investigating the effect of long-term HIV-1 viral protein exposure, was used to examine two interrelated goals. First, to establish the integrity of sensory and motor systems through the majority of the animal's functional lifespan. Strong evidence for intact sensory and motor system function through advancing age in HIV-1 Tg and control animals was observed in cross-modal prepulse inhibition (PPI) and locomotor activity. The integrity of sensory and motor system function suggested the utility of the HIV-1 Tg rat in investigating the progression of HAND. Second, to assess the progression of neurocognitive impairment, including temporal processing and long-term episodic memory, in the HIV-1 Tg rat; the factor of biological sex was integral to the experimental design. Cross-modal PPI revealed significant alterations in the development of temporal processing in HIV-1 Tg animals relative to controls; alterations which were more pronounced in female HIV-1 Tg rats relative to male HIV-1 Tg rats. Locomotor activity revealed deficits in intrasession habituation, suggestive of a disruption in long-term episodic memory, in HIV-1 Tg animals. Understanding the progression of HAND heralds an opportunity for the development of an advantageous model of progressive neurocognitive deficits in HIV-1 and establishes fundamental groundwork for the development of neurorestorative treatments.
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McLaurin KA, Booze RM, Mactutus CF. Progression of temporal processing deficits in the HIV-1 transgenic rat. Sci Rep 2016; 6:32831. [PMID: 27596023 PMCID: PMC5011765 DOI: 10.1038/srep32831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2016] [Accepted: 08/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The HIV-1 transgenic (Tg) rat, which expresses 7 of the 9 HIV-1 genes, was used to investigate the effect(s) of long-term HIV-1 viral protein exposure on chronic neurocognitive deficits observed in pediatric HIV-1 (PHIV). A longitudinal experimental design was used to assess the progression of temporal processing deficits, a potential underlying dimension of neurocognitive impairment in HIV-1. Gap prepulse inhibition (gap-PPI), a translational experimental paradigm, was conducted every thirty days from postnatal day (PD) 30 to PD 180. HIV-1 Tg animals, regardless of sex, displayed profound alterations in the development of temporal processing, assessed using prepulse inhibition. A differential sensitivity to the manipulation of interstimulus interval was observed in HIV-1 Tg animals in comparison to control animals. Moreover, presence of the HIV-1 transgene was diagnosed with 90.8% accuracy using measures of prepulse inhibition and temporal sensitivity. Progression of temporal processing deficits in the HIV-1 Tg rat affords a relatively untapped opportunity to increase our mechanistic understanding of the role of long-term exposure to HIV-1 viral proteins, observed in pediatric HIV-1, in the development of chronic neurological impairment, as well as suggesting an innovative clinical diagnostic screening tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen A McLaurin
- Program in Behavioral Neuroscience Department of Psychology University of South Carolina Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Rosemarie M Booze
- Program in Behavioral Neuroscience Department of Psychology University of South Carolina Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Charles F Mactutus
- Program in Behavioral Neuroscience Department of Psychology University of South Carolina Columbia, SC 29208, USA
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McLaurin KA, Booze RM, Mactutus CF. Selective developmental alterations in The HIV-1 transgenic rat: Opportunities for diagnosis of pediatric HIV-1. J Neurovirol 2016; 23:87-98. [PMID: 27538996 DOI: 10.1007/s13365-016-0476-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Revised: 07/18/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Since the advent of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), pediatric HIV-1 (PHIV) has evolved from a fatal disease to a chronic disease as children perinatally infected with HIV-1 survive into adulthood. The HIV-1 transgenic (Tg) rat, which expresses 7 of the 9 HIV-1 genes constitutively throughout development, was used to model the early development of chronic neurological impairment in PHIV. Male and female Fischer HIV-1 Tg and F344 N control rats, sampled from 35 litters, were repeatedly assessed during early development using multiple experimental paradigms, including somatic growth, locomotor activity, cross-modal prepulse inhibition (PPI) and gap-prepulse inhibition (gap-PPI). Later eye opening was observed in HIV-1 Tg animals relative to controls. HIV-1 Tg animals exhibited a shift in the development of locomotor activity implicating alterations in the maturation of the forebrain cholinergic inhibitory system. Alterations in the development of PPI and perceptual sharpening were observed in both auditory and visual PPI as indexed by a relative insensitivity to the dimension of time (msec for ISI; days of age for perceptual sharpening) as a function of the HIV-1 transgene. Presence of the HIV-1 transgene was diagnosed with 97.1 % accuracy using auditory and visual PPI measurements from PD 17 and 21. Early selective developmental alterations observed in the HIV-1 Tg rats provide an opportunity for the development of a point-of-care screening tool, which would permit the early diagnosis of PHIV and improve the long-term outcome for children perinatally infected with HIV-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen A McLaurin
- Program in Behavioral Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, 1512 Pendleton Street, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | - Rosemarie M Booze
- Program in Behavioral Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, 1512 Pendleton Street, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | - Charles F Mactutus
- Program in Behavioral Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, 1512 Pendleton Street, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA.
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Neurobehavioral Abnormalities in the HIV-1 Transgenic Rat Do Not Correspond to Neuronal Hypometabolism on 18F-FDG-PET. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0152265. [PMID: 27010205 PMCID: PMC4807106 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0152265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2015] [Accepted: 03/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Motor and behavioral abnormalities are common presentations among individuals with HIV-1 associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). We investigated whether longitudinal motor and behavioral performance in the HIV-1 transgenic rat (Tg), a commonly used neuro-HIV model, corresponded to in vivo neuronal death/dysfunction, by using rotarod and open field testing in parallel to [18F] 2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET). We demonstrated that age-matched non-Tg wild type (WT) rats outperformed the HIV-1 Tg rats at most time points on rotarod testing. Habituation to rotarod occurred at 8 weeks of age (fifth weekly testing session) in the WT rats but it never occurred in the Tg rats, suggesting deficits in motor learning. Similarly, in open field testing, WT rats outperformed the Tg rats at most time points, suggesting defective exploratory/motor behavior and increased emotionality in the Tg rat. Despite the neurobehavioral abnormalities, there were no concomitant deficits in 18F-FDG uptake in Tg rats on PET compared to age-matched WT rats and no significant longitudinal loss of FDG uptake in either group. The negative PET findings were confirmed using 14C- Deoxy-D-glucose autoradiography in 32 week-old Tg and WT rats. We believe that the neuropathology in the HIV-1 Tg rat is more likely a consequence of neuronal dysfunction rather than overt neurodegeneration/neuronal cell death, similar to what is seen in HIV-positive patients in the post-ART era.
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Reid WC, Ibrahim WG, Kim SJ, Denaro F, Casas R, Lee DE, Maric D, Hammoud DA. Characterization of neuropathology in the HIV-1 transgenic rat at different ages. J Neuroimmunol 2016; 292:116-25. [PMID: 26943969 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2016.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2015] [Revised: 01/27/2016] [Accepted: 01/31/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The transgenic HIV-1 rat (Tg) is a commonly used neuroHIV model with documented neurologic/behavioral deficits. Using immunofluorescent staining of the Tg brain, we found astrocytic dysfunction/damage, as well as dopaminergic neuronal loss/dysfunction, both of which worsening significantly in the striatum with age. We saw mild microglial activation in young Tg brains, but this decreased with age. There were no differences in neurogenesis potential suggesting a neurodegenerative rather than a neurodevelopmental process. Gp120 CSF levels exceeded serum gp120 levels in some animals, suggesting local viral protein production in the brain. Further probing of the pathophysiology underlying astrocytic injury in this model is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- William C Reid
- Center for Infectious Disease Imaging (CIDI), Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Wael G Ibrahim
- Center for Infectious Disease Imaging (CIDI), Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Saejeong J Kim
- Frank Laboratory, Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Frank Denaro
- Department of Biology, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Rafael Casas
- Center for Infectious Disease Imaging (CIDI), Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Dianne E Lee
- Center for Infectious Disease Imaging (CIDI), Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Dragan Maric
- Division of Intermural Research (DIR), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Dima A Hammoud
- Center for Infectious Disease Imaging (CIDI), Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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Fitting S, Booze RM, Mactutus CF. HIV-1 proteins, Tat and gp120, target the developing dopamine system. Curr HIV Res 2015; 13:21-42. [PMID: 25613135 DOI: 10.2174/1570162x13666150121110731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2014] [Revised: 11/17/2014] [Accepted: 12/23/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
In 2014, 3.2 million children (< 15 years of age) were estimated to be living with HIV and AIDS worldwide, with the 240,000 newly infected children in the past year, i.e., another child infected approximately every two minutes [1]. The primary mode of HIV infection is through mother-to-child transmission (MTCT), occurring either in utero, intrapartum, or during breastfeeding. The effects of HIV-1 on the central nervous system (CNS) are putatively accepted to be mediated, in part, via viral proteins, such as Tat and gp120. The current review focuses on the targets of HIV-1 proteins during the development of the dopamine (DA) system, which appears to be specifically susceptible in HIV-1-infected children. Collectively, the data suggest that the DA system is a clinically relevant target in chronic HIV-1 infection, is one of the major targets in pediatric HIV-1 CNS infection, and may be specifically susceptible during development. The present review discusses the development of the DA system, follows the possible targets of the HIV-1 proteins during the development of the DA system, and suggests potential therapeutic approaches. By coupling our growing understanding of the development of the CNS with the pronounced age-related differences in disease progression, new light may be shed on the neurological and neurocognitive deficits that follow HIV-1 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rosemarie M Booze
- Department of Psychology, 1512 Pendleton Street, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA.
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Induction of Interleukin-1β by Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 Viral Proteins Leads to Increased Levels of Neuronal Ferritin Heavy Chain, Synaptic Injury, and Deficits in Flexible Attention. J Neurosci 2015. [PMID: 26203149 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.4403-14.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Synaptodendritic pruning and alterations in neurotransmission are the main underlying causes of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). Our studies in humans and nonhuman primates indicated that the protein ferritin heavy chain (FHC) is a critical player in neuronal changes and ensuing cognitive deficit observed in these patients. Here we focus on the effect of HIV proteins and inflammatory cytokines implicated in HAND on neuronal FHC levels, dendritic changes, and neurocognitive behavior. In two well characterized models of HAND (HIV transgenic and gp120-treated rats), we report reductions in spine density and dendritic branches in prefrontal cortex pyramidal neurons compared with age-matched controls. FHC brain levels are elevated in these animals, which also show deficits in reversal learning. Moreover, IL-1β, TNF-α, and HIV gp120 upregulate FHC in rat cortical neurons. However, although the inflammatory cytokines directly altered neuronal FHC, gp120 only caused significant FHC upregulation in neuronal/glial cocultures, suggesting that glia are necessary for sustained elevation of neuronal FHC by the viral protein. Although the envelope protein induced secretion of IL-1β and TNF-α in cocultures, TNF-α blockade did not affect gp120-mediated induction of FHC. Conversely, studies with an IL-1β neutralizing antibody or specific IL-1 receptor antagonist revealed the primary involvement of IL-1β in gp120-induced FHC changes. Furthermore, silencing of neuronal FHC abrogates the effect of gp120 on spines, and spine density correlates negatively with FHC levels or cognitive deficit. These results demonstrate that viral and host components of HIV infection increase brain expression of FHC, leading to cellular and functional changes, and point to IL-1β-targeted strategies for prevention of these alterations. Significance statement: This work demonstrates the key role of the cytokine IL-1β in the regulation of a novel intracellular mediator [i.e., the protein ferritin heavy chain (FHC)] of HIV-induced dendritic damage and the resulting neurocognitive impairment. This is also the first study that systematically investigates dendritic damage in layer II/III prefrontal cortex neurons of two different non-infectious models of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) and reveals a precise correlation of these structural changes with specific biochemical and functional alterations also reported in HIV patients. Overall, these data suggest that targeting the IL-1β-dependent FHC increase may represent a valid strategy for neuroprotective adjuvant therapies in HAND.
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Lee DE, Yue X, Ibrahim WG, Lentz MR, Peterson KL, Jagoda EM, Kassiou M, Maric D, Reid WC, Hammoud DA. Lack of neuroinflammation in the HIV-1 transgenic rat: an [(18)F]-DPA714 PET imaging study. J Neuroinflammation 2015; 12:171. [PMID: 26377670 PMCID: PMC4574011 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-015-0390-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2015] [Accepted: 09/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background HIV-associated neuroinflammation is believed to be a major contributing factor in the development of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). In this study, we used micropositron emission tomography (PET) imaging to quantify neuroinflammation in HIV-1 transgenic rat (Tg), a small animal model of HIV, known to develop neurological and behavioral problems. Methods Dynamic [18F]DPA-714 PET imaging was performed in Tg and age-matched wild-type (WT) rats in three age groups: 3-, 9-, and 16-month-old animals. As a positive control for neuroinflammation, we performed unilateral intrastriatal injection of quinolinic acid (QA) in a separate group of WT rats. To confirm our findings, we performed multiplex immunofluorescent staining for Iba1 and we measured cytokine/chemokine levels in brain lysates of Tg and WT rats at different ages. Results [18F]DPA-714 uptake in HIV-1 Tg rat brains was generally higher than in age-matched WT rats but this was not statistically significant in any age group. [18F]DPA-714 uptake in the QA-lesioned rats was significantly higher ipsilateral to the lesion compared to contralateral side indicating neuroinflammatory changes. Iba1 immunofluorescence showed no significant differences in microglial activation between the Tg and WT rats, while the QA-lesioned rats showed significant activation. Finally, cytokine/chemokine levels in brain lysates of the Tg rats and WT rats were not significantly different. Conclusion Microglial activation might not be the primary mechanism for neuropathology in the HIV-1 Tg rats. Although [18F]DPA-714 is a good biomarker of neuroinflammation, it cannot be reliably used as an in vivo biomarker of neurodegeneration in the HIV-1 Tg rat. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12974-015-0390-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dianne E Lee
- Center for Infectious Disease Imaging (CIDI), Radiology and Imaging Sciences, National Institutes of Health/Clinical Center, 10 Center Drive, Room 1C368, Bethesda, MD, 20814-9692, USA
| | - Xuyi Yue
- Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Wael G Ibrahim
- Center for Infectious Disease Imaging (CIDI), Radiology and Imaging Sciences, National Institutes of Health/Clinical Center, 10 Center Drive, Room 1C368, Bethesda, MD, 20814-9692, USA
| | - Margaret R Lentz
- Center for Infectious Disease Imaging (CIDI), Radiology and Imaging Sciences, National Institutes of Health/Clinical Center, 10 Center Drive, Room 1C368, Bethesda, MD, 20814-9692, USA
| | - Kristin L Peterson
- Center for Infectious Disease Imaging (CIDI), Radiology and Imaging Sciences, National Institutes of Health/Clinical Center, 10 Center Drive, Room 1C368, Bethesda, MD, 20814-9692, USA
| | - Elaine M Jagoda
- Molecular Imaging Program (MIP), National Cancer Institute (NCI), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Michael Kassiou
- Chemistry Department, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Dragan Maric
- Division of Intermural Research (DIR), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - William C Reid
- Center for Infectious Disease Imaging (CIDI), Radiology and Imaging Sciences, National Institutes of Health/Clinical Center, 10 Center Drive, Room 1C368, Bethesda, MD, 20814-9692, USA
| | - Dima A Hammoud
- Center for Infectious Disease Imaging (CIDI), Radiology and Imaging Sciences, National Institutes of Health/Clinical Center, 10 Center Drive, Room 1C368, Bethesda, MD, 20814-9692, USA.
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Roscoe RF, Mactutus CF, Booze RM. HIV-1 transgenic female rat: synaptodendritic alterations of medium spiny neurons in the nucleus accumbens. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2014; 9:642-53. [PMID: 25037595 DOI: 10.1007/s11481-014-9555-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2013] [Accepted: 07/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
HIV-1 associated neurocognitive deficits are increasing in prevalence, although the neuronal basis for these deficits is unclear. HIV-1 Tg rats constitutively express 7 of 9 HIV-associated proteins, and may be useful for studying the neuropathological substrates of HIV-1 associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). In this study, adult female HIV-1 Tg rats and F344 control rats had similar growth rates, estrous cyclicity and startle reflex inhibition to a visual prepulse stimulus. Medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) were ballistically-labeled utilizing the indocarbocyanine dye DiI. The branching complexity of MSNs in the NAcc was significantly decreased in HIV-1 Tg rats, relative to controls; moreover, the shorter length and decreased volume of dendritic spines, but unchanged head diameter, in HIV-1 Tg rats suggested a reduction of longer spines and an increase in shorter, less projected spines, indicating a population shift to a more immature spine phenotype. Collectively, these results from HIV-1 Tg female rats indicated significant synaptodendritic alterations of MSNs in the NAcc occur as a consequence of chronic, low-level, exposure to HIV-1 associated proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert F Roscoe
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, 29208, Columbia, SC, USA
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