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Lark AR, Nass SR, Hahn YK, Gao B, Milne GL, Knapp PE, Hauser KF. HIV-1 Tat and morphine interactions dynamically shift striatal monoamine levels and exploratory behaviors over time. J Neurochem 2024; 168:185-204. [PMID: 38308495 PMCID: PMC10922901 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.16057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
Despite the advent of combination anti-retroviral therapy (cART), nearly half of people infected with HIV treated with cART still exhibit HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). HAND can be worsened by co-morbid opioid use disorder. The basal ganglia are particularly vulnerable to HIV-1 and exhibit higher viral loads and more severe pathology, which can be exacerbated by co-exposure to opioids. Evidence suggests that dopaminergic neurotransmission is disrupted by HIV exposure, however, little is known about whether co-exposure to opioids may alter neurotransmitter levels in the striatum and if this in turn influences behavior. Therefore, we assayed motor, anxiety-like, novelty-seeking, exploratory, and social behaviors, and levels of monoamines and their metabolites following 2 weeks and 2 months of Tat and/or morphine exposure in transgenic mice. Morphine decreased dopamine levels, but significantly elevated norepinephrine, the dopamine metabolites dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA), and the serotonin metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, which typically correlated with increased locomotor behavior. The combination of Tat and morphine altered dopamine, DOPAC, and HVA concentrations differently depending on the neurotransmitter/metabolite and duration of exposure but did not affect the numbers of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons in the mesencephalon. Tat exposure increased the latency to interact with novel conspecifics, but not other novel objects, suggesting the viral protein inhibits exploratory behavior initiation in a context-dependent manner. By contrast, and consistent with prior findings that opioid misuse can increase novelty-seeking behavior, morphine exposure increased the time spent exploring a novel environment. Finally, Tat and morphine interacted to affect locomotor activity in a time-dependent manner, while grip strength and rotarod performance were unaffected. Together, our results provide novel insight into the unique effects of HIV-1 Tat and morphine on monoamine neurochemistry that may underlie their divergent effects on motor and exploratory behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Benlian Gao
- Neurochemistry Core, Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University
| | - Ginger L. Milne
- Neurochemistry Core, Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University
| | - Pamela E. Knapp
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology
- Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University
| | - Kurt F. Hauser
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology
- Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University
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2
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Lark ARS, Silva LK, Nass SR, Marone MG, Ohene-Nyako M, Ihrig TM, Marks WD, Yarotskyy V, Rory McQuiston A, Knapp PE, Hauser KF. Progressive Degeneration and Adaptive Excitability in Dopamine D1 and D2 Receptor-Expressing Striatal Neurons Exposed to HIV-1 Tat and Morphine. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2023; 43:1105-1127. [PMID: 35695980 PMCID: PMC9976699 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-022-01232-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
The striatum is especially vulnerable to HIV-1 infection, with medium spiny neurons (MSNs) exhibiting marked synaptodendritic damage that can be exacerbated by opioid use disorder. Despite known structural defects in MSNs co-exposed to HIV-1 Tat and opioids, the pathophysiological sequelae of sustained HIV-1 exposure and acute comorbid effects of opioids on dopamine D1 and D2 receptor-expressing (D1 and D2) MSNs are unknown. To address this question, Drd1-tdTomato- or Drd2-eGFP-expressing reporter and conditional HIV-1 Tat transgenic mice were interbred. MSNs in ex vivo slices from male mice were assessed by whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology and filled with biocytin to explore the functional and structural effects of progressive Tat and acute morphine exposure. Although the excitability of both D1 and D2 MSNs increased following 48 h of Tat exposure, D1 MSN firing rates decreased below control (Tat-) levels following 2 weeks and 1 month of Tat exposure but returned to control levels after 2 months. D2 neurons continued to display Tat-dependent increases in excitability at 2 weeks, but also returned to control levels following 1 and 2 months of Tat induction. Acute morphine exposure increased D1 MSN excitability irrespective of the duration of Tat exposure, while D2 MSNs were variably affected. That D1 and D2 MSN excitability would return to control levels was unexpected since both subpopulations displayed significant synaptodendritic degeneration and pathologic phospho-tau-Thr205 accumulation following 2 months of Tat induction. Thus, despite frank morphologic damage, D1 and D2 MSNs uniquely adapt to sustained Tat and acute morphine insults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna R S Lark
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Molecular Medicine Research Building, Room 4040, 1220 East Broad Street, PO Box 980613, Richmond, VA, 23298-0613, USA
| | - Lindsay K Silva
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Molecular Medicine Research Building, Room 4040, 1220 East Broad Street, PO Box 980613, Richmond, VA, 23298-0613, USA
- PPD®, Part of Thermo Fisher Scientific, Richmond, VA, 23230-3323, USA
| | - Sara R Nass
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Molecular Medicine Research Building, Room 4040, 1220 East Broad Street, PO Box 980613, Richmond, VA, 23298-0613, USA
| | - Michael G Marone
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Molecular Medicine Research Building, Room 4040, 1220 East Broad Street, PO Box 980613, Richmond, VA, 23298-0613, USA
| | - Michael Ohene-Nyako
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Molecular Medicine Research Building, Room 4040, 1220 East Broad Street, PO Box 980613, Richmond, VA, 23298-0613, USA
| | - Therese M Ihrig
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Molecular Medicine Research Building, Room 4040, 1220 East Broad Street, PO Box 980613, Richmond, VA, 23298-0613, USA
| | - William D Marks
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Molecular Medicine Research Building, Room 4040, 1220 East Broad Street, PO Box 980613, Richmond, VA, 23298-0613, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Southwestern Medical Center, University of Texas, Dallas, TX, 75235, USA
| | - Viktor Yarotskyy
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Molecular Medicine Research Building, Room 4040, 1220 East Broad Street, PO Box 980613, Richmond, VA, 23298-0613, USA
| | - A Rory McQuiston
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, PO Box 980709, Richmond, VA, 23298-0709, USA
| | - Pamela E Knapp
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Molecular Medicine Research Building, Room 4040, 1220 East Broad Street, PO Box 980613, Richmond, VA, 23298-0613, USA
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, PO Box 980709, Richmond, VA, 23298-0709, USA
- Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA
| | - Kurt F Hauser
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Molecular Medicine Research Building, Room 4040, 1220 East Broad Street, PO Box 980613, Richmond, VA, 23298-0613, USA.
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, PO Box 980709, Richmond, VA, 23298-0709, USA.
- Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA.
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3
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Li L, Zhao X, He JJ. HIV Tat Expression and Cocaine Exposure Lead to Sex- and Age-Specific Changes of the Microbiota Composition in the Gut. Microorganisms 2023; 11:799. [PMID: 36985373 PMCID: PMC10054272 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11030799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The balance of microbial communities in the gut is extremely important for normal physiological function. Disruption of the balance is often associated with various disorders and diseases. Both HIV infection and cocaine use are known to change the gut microbiota and the epithelial barrier integrity, which contribute to inflammation and immune activation. Our recent study shows that Tat expression and cocaine exposure result in changes of genome-wide DNA methylation and gene expression and lead to worsen the learning and memory impairments. In the current study, we extended the study to determine effects of Tat and cocaine on the gut microbiota composition. We found that both Tat expression and cocaine exposure increased Alteromonadaceae in 6-month-old female/male mice. In addition, we found that Tat, cocaine, or both increased Alteromonadaceae, Bacteroidaceae, Cyanobiaceae, Erysipelotrichaceae, and Muribaculaceae but decreased Clostridiales_vadinBB60_group, Desulfovibrionaceae, Helicobacteraceae, Lachnospiraceae, and Ruminococcaceae in 12-month-old female mice. Lastly, we analyzed changes of metabolic pathways and found that Tat decreased energy metabolism and nucleotide metabolism, and increased lipid metabolism and metabolism of other amino acids while cocaine increased lipid metabolism in 12-month-old female mice. These results demonstrated that Tat expression and cocaine exposure resulted in significant changes of the gut microbiota in an age- and sex-dependent manner and provide additional evidence to support the bidirectional gut-brain axis hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Li
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University, 3333 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA
- Center for Cancer Cell Biology, Immunology and Infection, Rosalind Franklin University, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA
- School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Rosalind Franklin University, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA
| | - Xiaojie Zhao
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University, 3333 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA
- Center for Cancer Cell Biology, Immunology and Infection, Rosalind Franklin University, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA
- School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Rosalind Franklin University, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA
| | - Johnny J. He
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University, 3333 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA
- Center for Cancer Cell Biology, Immunology and Infection, Rosalind Franklin University, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA
- School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Rosalind Franklin University, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA
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4
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Young JW, Kenton JA, Milienne-Petiot M, Deben D, Achim C, Geyer MA, Perry W, Grant IE, Minassian A. Chronic methamphetamine exposure exerts few effects on the iTat mouse model of HIV, but blocks Tat expression-induced slowed reward retrieval. Behav Brain Res 2023; 437:114109. [PMID: 36108778 PMCID: PMC10878174 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.114109] [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: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to infect millions worldwide, negatively impacting neurobehavioral function. Further understanding of the combined effects of HIV and methamphetamine use is crucial, as methamphetamine use is prevalent in people with HIV. The HIV-associated protein Tat may contribute to cognitive dysfunction, modeled preclinically in mice using doxycycline (DOX)-inducible Tat expression (iTat). Tat may exert its effects on cognitive function via disruption of the dopamine transporter, similar to the action of methamphetamine. Additionally, Tat and methamphetamine both decrease interneuron populations, including those expressing calbindin. It is important to understand the combined effects of Tat and methamphetamine in preclinical models of HIV infection. Here, we used iTat transgenic mice and a chronic binge regimen of methamphetamine exposure to determine their combined impact on reward learning and motivation. We also measured calbindin expression in behavior-relevant brain regions. Before induction with DOX, iTat mice exhibited no differences in behavior. Chronic methamphetamine exposure before Tat induction impaired initial reward learning but did not affect motivation. Furthermore, DOX-induced Tat expression did not alter behavior, but slowed latencies to retrieve rewards. This effect of Tat, however, was not observed in methamphetamine-treated mice, indicative of a potential protective effect. Finally, Tat expression was associated with an increase in calbindin-expressing cells in the VTA, while methamphetamine exposure did not alter calbindin numbers. These findings may indicate a protective role of methamphetamine in HIV neuropathology, which in turn may help in our understanding of why people with HIV use methamphetamine at disproportionately higher rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jared W Young
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States; Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, United States.
| | - Johnny A Kenton
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | | | - Debbie Deben
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States; Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Cristian Achim
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Mark A Geyer
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States; Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - William Perry
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Igor E Grant
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States; Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, United States; Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; VA Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, Veterans Administration San Diego HealthCare System, 3350 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Arpi Minassian
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 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, United States
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5
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Davis SE, Ferris MJ, Ananthan S, Augelli-Szafran CE, Zhu J. Novel Allosteric Modulator Southern Research Institute-32743 Reverses HIV-1 Transactivator of Transcription-Induced Increase in Dopamine Release in the Caudate Putamen of Inducible Transactivator of Transcription Transgenic Mice. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2023; 384:306-314. [PMID: 36456195 PMCID: PMC9875314 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.122.001291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Development of neurocognitive disorder in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients has been linked to dysregulation of dopamine by the HIV-1 transactivator of transcription (Tat) protein, a negative allosteric modulator of dopamine transporter (DAT). Using fast scan cyclic voltammetry, the present study determined the effects of in vivo Tat expression on dopamine release in the caudate putamen of inducible Tat transgenic (iTat-tg) mice and the impact of a novel DAT allosteric modulator, Southern Research Institute (SRI)-32743, on the Tat effect. We found that 7- or 14-day doxycycline (Dox)-induced Tat expression in iTat-tg mice resulted in a 2-fold increase in phasic but not tonic stimulated baseline dopamine release relative to saline control mice. To determine whether the Tat-induced increase in dopamine release is mediated by DAT regulation, we examined the effect of an in vitro applied DAT inhibitor, nomifensine, on the dopamine release. Nomifensine (1 nM-10 µM) concentration-dependently enhanced phasic stimulated dopamine release in both saline- and Dox-treated iTat-tg mice, while the magnitude of the nomifensine-mediated dopamine release was unchanged between saline and Dox treatment groups. A single systemic administration of SRI-32743 prior to animal sacrifice reversed the increased dopamine release in the baseline of phasic dopamine release and nomifensine-augmented dopamine levels in Dox-treated iTat-tg mice, while SRI-32743 alone did not alter baseline of dopamine release. These findings suggest that Tat expression induced an increase in extracellular dopamine levels by not only inhibiting DAT-mediated dopamine transport but also stimulating synaptic dopamine release. Thus, DAT allosteric modulators may serve as a potential therapeutic intervention for HIV infection-dysregulated dopamine system observed in HIV-1 positive individuals. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: HIV infection-induced dysregulation of the dopaminergic system has been implicated in the development of neurocognitive impairments observed in HIV positive patients. Understanding the mechanisms underlying HIV-1 Tat protein-induced alteration of extracellular dopamine levels will provide insights into the development of molecules that can attenuate Tat interaction with targets in the dopaminergic system. Here, we determined whether Tat alters dopamine release and how the novel DAT allosteric modulator, SRI-32743, impacts dopamine neurotransmission to attenuate Tat-induced effects on extracellular dopamine dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Davis
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina (S.E.D., J.Z.); Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (M.M.F.); and Department of Chemistry, Scientific Platforms, Southern Research, Birmingham, Alabama (S.A., C.E.A.)
| | - Mark J Ferris
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina (S.E.D., J.Z.); Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (M.M.F.); and Department of Chemistry, Scientific Platforms, Southern Research, Birmingham, Alabama (S.A., C.E.A.)
| | - Subramaniam Ananthan
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina (S.E.D., J.Z.); Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (M.M.F.); and Department of Chemistry, Scientific Platforms, Southern Research, Birmingham, Alabama (S.A., C.E.A.)
| | - Corinne E Augelli-Szafran
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina (S.E.D., J.Z.); Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (M.M.F.); and Department of Chemistry, Scientific Platforms, Southern Research, Birmingham, Alabama (S.A., C.E.A.)
| | - Jun Zhu
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina (S.E.D., J.Z.); Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (M.M.F.); and Department of Chemistry, Scientific Platforms, Southern Research, Birmingham, Alabama (S.A., C.E.A.)
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6
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SRI-32743, a novel allosteric modulator, attenuates HIV-1 Tat protein-induced inhibition of the dopamine transporter and alleviates the potentiation of cocaine reward in HIV-1 Tat transgenic mice. Neuropharmacology 2022; 220:109239. [PMID: 36126727 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Cocaine abuse increases the incidence of HIV-1-associated neurocognitive disorders. We have demonstrated that HIV-1 transactivator of transcription (Tat) allosterically modulates dopamine (DA) reuptake through the human DA transporter (hDAT), potentially contributing to Tat-induced cognitive impairment and potentiation of cocaine conditioned place preference (CPP). This study determined the effects of a novel allosteric modulator of DAT, SRI-32743, on the interactions of HIV-1 Tat, DA, cocaine, and [3H]WIN35,428 with hDAT in vitro. SRI-32743 (50 nM) attenuated Tat-induced inhibition of [3H]DA uptake and decreased the cocaine-mediated dissociation of [3H]WIN35,428 binding in CHO cells expressing hDAT, suggesting a SRI-32743-mediated allosteric modulation of the Tat-DAT interaction. In further in vivo studies utilizing doxycycline-inducible Tat transgenic (iTat-tg) mice, 14 days of Tat expression significantly reduced the recognition index by 31.7% in the final phase of novel object recognition (NOR) and potentiated cocaine-CPP 2.7-fold compared to responses of vehicle-treated control iTat-tg mice. The Tat-induced NOR deficits and potentiation of cocaine-CPP were not observed in saline-treated iTat-tg or doxycycline-treated G-tg (Tat-null) mice. Systemic administration (i.p.) of SRI-32743 prior to behavioral testing ameliorated Tat-induced impairment of NOR (at a dose of 10 mg/kg) and the Tat-induced potentiation of cocaine-CPP (at doses of 1 or 10 mg/kg). These findings demonstrate that Tat and cocaine interactions with DAT may be regulated by compounds interacting at the DAT allosteric modulatory sites, suggesting a potential therapeutic intervention for HIV-infected patients with concurrent cocaine abuse.
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7
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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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8
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Denton AR, Mactutus CF, Lateef AU, Harrod SB, Booze RM. Chronic SSRI treatment reverses HIV-1 protein-mediated synaptodendritic damage. J Neurovirol 2021; 27:403-421. [PMID: 34003469 PMCID: PMC8504184 DOI: 10.1007/s13365-021-00960-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
HIV-1 infection affects approximately 37 million individuals, and approximately 50% of seropositive individuals will develop symptoms of clinical depression and/or apathy. Dysfunctions of both serotonergic and dopaminergic neurotransmission have been implicated in the pathogenesis of motivational alterations. The present study evaluated the efficacy of a SSRI (escitalopram) in the HIV-1 transgenic (Tg) rat. Behavioral, neurochemical, and neuroanatomical outcomes with respect to HIV-1 and sex were evaluated to determine the efficacy of chronic escitalopram treatment. Escitalopram treatment restored function in each of the behavioral tasks that were sensitive to HIV-1-induced impairments. Further, escitalopram treatment restored HIV-1-mediated synaptodendritic damage in the nucleus accumbens; treatment with escitalopram significantly increased dendritic proliferation in HIV-1 Tg rats. However, restoration did not consistently occur with the neurochemical analysis in the HIV-1 rat. Taken together, these results suggest a role for SSRI therapies in repairing long-term HIV-1 protein-mediated neuronal damage and restoring function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam R Denton
- Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Charles F Mactutus
- Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Almeera U Lateef
- Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Steven B Harrod
- Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Rosemarie M Booze
- Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA.
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9
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Marks WD, Paris JJ, Barbour AJ, Moon J, Carpenter VJ, McLane VD, Lark ARS, Nass SR, Zhang J, Yarotskyy V, McQuiston AR, Knapp PE, Hauser KF. HIV-1 Tat and Morphine Differentially Disrupt Pyramidal Cell Structure and Function and Spatial Learning in Hippocampal Area CA1: Continuous versus Interrupted Morphine Exposure. eNeuro 2021; 8:ENEURO.0547-20.2021. [PMID: 33782102 PMCID: PMC8146490 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0547-20.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
About half the people infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have neurocognitive deficits that often include memory impairment and hippocampal deficits, which can be exacerbated by opioid abuse. To explore the effects of opioids and HIV on hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neuron structure and function, we induced HIV-1 transactivator of transcription (Tat) expression in transgenic mice for 14 d and co-administered time-release morphine or vehicle subcutaneous implants during the final 5 d (days 9-14) to establish steady-state morphine levels. Morphine was withheld from some ex vivo slices during recordings to begin to assess the initial pharmacokinetic consequences of opioid withdrawal. Tat expression reduced hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neuronal excitability at lower stimulating currents. Pyramidal cell firing rates were unaffected by continuous morphine exposure. Behaviorally, exposure to Tat or high dosages of morphine impaired spatial memory Exposure to Tat and steady-state levels of morphine appeared to have largely independent effects on pyramidal neuron structure and function, a response that is distinct from other vulnerable brain regions such as the striatum. By contrast, acutely withholding morphine (from morphine-tolerant ex vivo slices) revealed unique and selective neuroadaptive shifts in CA1 pyramidal neuronal excitability and dendritic plasticity, including some interactions with Tat. Collectively, the results show that opioid-HIV interactions in hippocampal area CA1 are more nuanced than previously assumed, and appear to vary depending on the outcome assessed and on the pharmacokinetics of morphine exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- William D Marks
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298-0613
| | - Jason J Paris
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, University of Mississippi, School of Pharmacy, University, MS 38677-1848
| | - Aaron J Barbour
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0709
| | - Jean Moon
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298-0613
| | - Valerie J Carpenter
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298-0613
| | - Virginia D McLane
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298-0613
| | - Arianna R S Lark
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298-0613
| | - Sara R Nass
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298-0613
| | - Jingli Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298-0613
| | - Viktor Yarotskyy
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298-0613
| | - A Rory McQuiston
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0709
| | - Pamela E Knapp
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298-0613
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0709
- Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0709
| | - Kurt F Hauser
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298-0613
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0709
- Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0709
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10
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Strauss M, O'Donovan B, Ma Y, Xiao Z, Lin S, Bardo MT, Ortinski PI, McLaughlin JP, Zhu J. [ 3H]Dopamine Uptake through the Dopamine and Norepinephrine Transporters is Decreased in the Prefrontal Cortex of Transgenic Mice Expressing HIV-1 Transactivator of Transcription Protein. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2020; 374:241-251. [PMID: 32461322 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.120.266023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation of dopamine neurotransmission has been linked to the development of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND). To investigate the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon, this study used an inducible HIV-1 transactivator of transcription (Tat) transgenic (iTat-tg) mouse model, which demonstrates brain-specific Tat expression induced by administration of doxycycline. We found that induction of Tat expression in the iTat-tg mice for either 7 or 14 days resulted in a decrease (∼30%) in the V max of [3H]dopamine uptake via both the dopamine transporter (DAT) and norepinephrine transporter (NET) in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), which was comparable to the magnitude (∼35%) of the decrease in B max for [3H]WIN 35,428 and [3H]nisoxetine binding to DAT and NET, respectively. The decreased V max was not accompanied by a reduction of total or plasma membrane expression of DAT and NET. Consistent with the decreased V max for DAT and NET in the PFC, the current study also found an increase in the tissue content of DA and dihydroxyphenylacetic acid in the PFC of iTat-tg mice after 7 days' administration of doxycycline. Electrophysiological recordings in layer V pyramidal neurons of the prelimbic cortex from iTat-tg mice found a significant reduction in action potential firing, which was not sensitive to selective inhibitors for DAT and NET, respectively. These findings provide a molecular basis for using the iTat-tg mouse model in the studies of NeuroHIV. Determining the mechanistic basis underlying the interaction between Tat and DAT/NET may reveal novel therapeutic possibilities for preventing the increase in comorbid conditions as well as HAND. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 infection disrupts dopaminergic neurotransmission, leading to HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HANDs). Based on our in vitro and in vivo studies, dopamine uptake via both dopamine and norepinephrine transporters is decreased in the prefrontal cortex of HIV-1 Tat transgenic mice, which is consistent with the increased dopamine and dihydroxyphenylacetic acid contents in this brain region. Thus, these plasma membrane transporters are an important potential target for therapeutic intervention for patients with HAND.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Strauss
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy (M.S., Y.M., Z.X., S.L., J.Z.) and Department of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine (B.O.), University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina; Departments of Psychology (M.B.) and Neuroscience (P.O.), University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky; and Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida (J.M.)
| | - Bernadette O'Donovan
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy (M.S., Y.M., Z.X., S.L., J.Z.) and Department of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine (B.O.), University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina; Departments of Psychology (M.B.) and Neuroscience (P.O.), University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky; and Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida (J.M.)
| | - Yizhi Ma
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy (M.S., Y.M., Z.X., S.L., J.Z.) and Department of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine (B.O.), University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina; Departments of Psychology (M.B.) and Neuroscience (P.O.), University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky; and Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida (J.M.)
| | - Ziyu Xiao
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy (M.S., Y.M., Z.X., S.L., J.Z.) and Department of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine (B.O.), University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina; Departments of Psychology (M.B.) and Neuroscience (P.O.), University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky; and Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida (J.M.)
| | - Steven Lin
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy (M.S., Y.M., Z.X., S.L., J.Z.) and Department of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine (B.O.), University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina; Departments of Psychology (M.B.) and Neuroscience (P.O.), University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky; and Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida (J.M.)
| | - Michael T Bardo
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy (M.S., Y.M., Z.X., S.L., J.Z.) and Department of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine (B.O.), University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina; Departments of Psychology (M.B.) and Neuroscience (P.O.), University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky; and Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida (J.M.)
| | - Pavel I Ortinski
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy (M.S., Y.M., Z.X., S.L., J.Z.) and Department of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine (B.O.), University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina; Departments of Psychology (M.B.) and Neuroscience (P.O.), University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky; and Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida (J.M.)
| | - Jay P McLaughlin
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy (M.S., Y.M., Z.X., S.L., J.Z.) and Department of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine (B.O.), University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina; Departments of Psychology (M.B.) and Neuroscience (P.O.), University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky; and Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida (J.M.)
| | - Jun Zhu
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy (M.S., Y.M., Z.X., S.L., J.Z.) and Department of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine (B.O.), University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina; Departments of Psychology (M.B.) and Neuroscience (P.O.), University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky; and Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida (J.M.)
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11
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Salahuddin MF, Qrareya AN, Mahdi F, Jackson D, Foster M, Vujanovic T, Box JG, Paris JJ. Combined HIV-1 Tat and oxycodone activate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and -gonadal axes and promote psychomotor, affective, and cognitive dysfunction in female mice. Horm Behav 2020; 119:104649. [PMID: 31821792 PMCID: PMC7071558 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2019.104649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Revised: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The majority of HIV+ patients present with neuroendocrine dysfunction and ~50% experience co-morbid neurological symptoms including motor, affective, and cognitive dysfunction, collectively termed neuroHIV. In preclinical models, the neurotoxic HIV-1 regulatory protein, trans-activator of transcription (Tat), promotes neuroHIV pathology that can be exacerbated by opioids. We and others find gonadal steroids, estradiol (E2) or progesterone (P4), to rescue Tat-mediated pathology. However, the combined effects of Tat and opioids on neuroendocrine function and the subsequent ameliorative capacity of gonadal steroids are unknown. We found that conditional HIV-1 Tat expression in naturally-cycling transgenic mice dose-dependently potentiated oxycodone-mediated psychomotor behavior. Tat increased depression-like behavior in a tail-suspension test among proestrous mice, but decreased it among diestrous mice (who already demonstrated greater depression-like behavior); oxycodone reversed these effects. Combined Tat and oxycodone produced apparent behavioral disinhibition of anxiety-like responding which was greater on diestrus than on proestrus. These mice made more central entries in an open field, but spent less time there and demonstrated greater circulating corticosterone. Tat increased the E2:P4 ratio of circulating steroids on diestrus and acute oxycodone attenuated this effect, but repeated oxycodone exacerbated it. Corticotropin-releasing factor was increased by Tat expression, acute oxycodone exposure, and was greater on diestrus compared to proestrus. In human neuroblastoma cells, Tat exerted neurotoxicity that was ameliorated by E2 (1 or 10 nM) or P4 (100, but not 10 nM) independent of oxycodone. Oxycodone decreased gene expression of estrogen and κ-opioid receptors. Thus, neuroendocrine function may be an important target for HIV-1 Tat/opioid interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed F Salahuddin
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, University of Mississippi, School of Pharmacy, University, MS 38677-1848, USA
| | - Alaa N Qrareya
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, University of Mississippi, School of Pharmacy, University, MS 38677-1848, USA
| | - Fakhri Mahdi
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, University of Mississippi, School of Pharmacy, University, MS 38677-1848, USA
| | - Dejun Jackson
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, University of Mississippi, School of Pharmacy, University, MS 38677-1848, USA
| | - Matthew Foster
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, University of Mississippi, School of Pharmacy, University, MS 38677-1848, USA
| | - Tamara Vujanovic
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, University of Mississippi, School of Pharmacy, University, MS 38677-1848, USA
| | - J Gaston Box
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, University of Mississippi, School of Pharmacy, University, MS 38677-1848, USA
| | - Jason J Paris
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, University of Mississippi, School of Pharmacy, University, MS 38677-1848, USA; Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA.
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12
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Cirino TJ, Harden SW, McLaughlin JP, Frazier CJ. Region-specific effects of HIV-1 Tat on intrinsic electrophysiological properties of pyramidal neurons in mouse prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. J Neurophysiol 2020; 123:1332-1341. [PMID: 32101482 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00029.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 transactivator of transcription protein (Tat) is a viral protein that promotes transcription of the HIV genome and possesses cell-signaling properties. Long-term exposure of central nervous system (CNS) tissue to HIV-1 Tat is theorized to contribute to HIV-associated neurodegenerative disorder (HAND). In the current study, we sought to directly evaluate the effect of HIV-1 Tat expression on the intrinsic electrophysiological properties of pyramidal neurons located in layer 2/3 of the medial prefrontal cortex and in area CA1 of the hippocampus. Toward that end, we drove Tat expression with doxycycline (100 mg·kg-1·day-1 ip) in inducible Tat (iTat) transgenic mice for 7 days and then performed single-cell electrophysiological studies in acute tissue slices made through the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Control experiments were performed in doxycycline-treated G-tg mice, which retain the tetracycline-sensitive promoter but do not express Tat. Our results indicated that the predominant effects of HIV-1 Tat expression are excitatory in medial prefrontal cortical pyramidal neurons yet inhibitory in hippocampal pyramidal neurons. Notably, in these two populations, HIV-1 Tat expression produced differential effects on neuronal gain, membrane time constant, resting membrane potential, and rheobase. Similarly, we also observed distinct effects on action potential kinetics and afterhyperpolarization, as well as on the current-voltage relationship in subthreshold voltage ranges. Collectively, these data provide mechanistic evidence of complex and region-specific changes in neuronal physiology by which HIV-1 Tat protein may promote cognitive deficits associated with HAND.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We drove expression of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 transactivator of transcription protein (Tat) protein in inducible Tat (iTat) transgenic mice for 7 days and then examined the effects on the intrinsic electrophysiological properties of pyramidal neurons located in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and in the hippocampus. Our results reveal a variety of specific changes that promote increased intrinsic excitability of layer II/III mPFC pyramidal neurons and decreased intrinsic excitability of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons, highlighting both cell type and region-specific effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J Cirino
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Scott W Harden
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Jay P McLaughlin
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Charles J Frazier
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
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13
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Kesby JP, Chang A, Najera JA, Marcondes MCG, Semenova S. Brain Reward Function after Chronic and Binge Methamphetamine Regimens in Mice Expressing the HIV-1 TAT Protein. Curr HIV Res 2020; 17:126-133. [PMID: 31269883 DOI: 10.2174/1570162x17666190703165408] [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: 04/26/2019] [Revised: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Methamphetamine abuse and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are common comorbidities. HIV-associated proteins, such as the regulatory protein TAT, may contribute to brain reward dysfunction, inducing an altered sensitivity to methamphetamine reward and/or withdrawal in this population. OBJECTIVE These studies examined the combined effects of TAT protein expression and, chronic and binge methamphetamine regimens on brain reward function. METHODS Transgenic mice with inducible brain expression of the TAT protein were exposed to either saline, a chronic, or a binge methamphetamine regimen. TAT expression was induced via doxycycline treatment during the last week of methamphetamine exposure. Brain reward function was assessed daily throughout the regimens, using the intracranial self-stimulation procedure, and after a subsequent acute methamphetamine challenge. RESULTS Both methamphetamine regimens induced withdrawal-related decreases in reward function. TAT expression substantially, but not significantly increased the withdrawal associated with exposure to the binge regimen compared to the chronic regimen, but did not alter the response to acute methamphetamine challenge. TAT expression also led to persistent changes in adenosine 2B receptor expression in the caudate putamen, regardless of methamphetamine exposure. These results suggest that TAT expression may differentially affect brain reward function, dependent on the pattern of methamphetamine exposure. CONCLUSION The subtle effects observed in these studies highlight that longer-term TAT expression, or its induction at earlier stages of methamphetamine exposure, may be more consequential at inducing behavioral and neurochemical effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- James P Kesby
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.,Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Qld, Australia.,UQ Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
| | - Ariel Chang
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Julia A Najera
- Department of Neurosciences, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Maria Cecilia G Marcondes
- Department of Neurosciences, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States.,San Diego Biomedical Research Institute, San Diego, CA 92121, United States
| | - Svetlana Semenova
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
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14
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Amini-Khoei H, Saghaei E, Mobini GR, Sabzevary-Ghahfarokhi M, Ahmadi R, Bagheri N, Mokhtari T. Possible involvement of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in the protective effect of selegiline (deprenyl) against memory impairment following ischemia reperfusion in rat. Neuropeptides 2019; 77:101942. [PMID: 31272684 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2019.101942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Revised: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Short-term cerebral ischemia led to memory dysfunction. There is a pressing need to introduce effective agents to reduce complications of the ischemia. Involvement of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway has been determined in the neuroprotective effect of various agents. Selegiline (deprenyl) possessed neuroprotective properties. In this study global ischemia/reperfusion was established in rats. Selegiline (5 mg/kg for 7 consecutive days) administrated via intraperitoneal route. Possible involvement of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway was evaluated using qRT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and histophatologic evaluations in the hippocampus. Spatial memory was evaluated by morris water maze (MWM). Results showed that ischemia impaired the memory and ischemic rats spent more time to find hidden platform in the MWM. Ischemia significantly decreased levels of PI3K, AKT and mTOR in the hippocampus. Histopathologic assessment revealed that the percent of dark neurons significantly increased in the CA1 area of the hippocampus of ischemic rats. Selegiline improved the memory as ischemic rats spent fewer time to find hidden platform in the MWM. Findings showed that selegiline increased the level and expression of PI3K, AKT and mTOR as well as decreased the proportion of dark neurons in the CA1 area of the pyramidal layer of the hippocampus. We concluded that selegiline, partially at least, through increases the expression of PI3K, AKT and mTOR as well as decreases the percent of dark neurons in the hippocampus could improve the memory impairment following the ischemia in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossein Amini-Khoei
- Medical Plants Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
| | - Elham Saghaei
- Medical Plants Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Gholam-Reza Mobini
- Medical Plants Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Milad Sabzevary-Ghahfarokhi
- Medical Plants Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Reza Ahmadi
- Medical Plants Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Nader Bagheri
- Medical Plants Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Tahmineh Mokhtari
- Nervous System Stem Cells Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
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15
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Putatunda R, Ho WZ, Hu W. HIV-1 and Compromised Adult Neurogenesis: Emerging Evidence for a New Paradigm of HAND Persistence. AIDS Rev 2019; 21:11-22. [PMID: 30899112 DOI: 10.24875/aidsrev.19000003] [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] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The face of the HIV-1/AIDS pandemic has changed significantly thanks to the development of antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens. Unfortunately, several HIV-associated comorbidities continuously occur in the clinical population, most notably HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). While many molecular and cellular mechanisms have been characterized by describing HAND pathology (specifically neuroinflammatory insults and oxidative stress) in the ART era, compromised adult neurogenesis is emerging as a potential new mechanism. Neurogenesis is a dynamic process that generates new neurons and glial cells from neural stem cells (NSCs) and neural progenitor cells (NPCs) in specific areas of the brain. There are increasing observations that HIV-1 can productively and non-productively infect NSCs and NPCs. HIV-1 proteins and/or secondary immune/inflammatory responses impair the initial differentiation process of NSCs to NPCs, restrict neuronal lineage differentiation, and aberrantly promote astrocytic lineage differentiation. Recent studies with HIV-1 transgenic animal models demonstrate varying degrees of adult neurogenic deficits, which correlate with milder to moderate forms of neurocognitive impairments. The neurogenic dysfunction underlying HAND highlights the importance of developing potential therapeutics to restore adult neurogenic homeostasis in HIV-1 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raj Putatunda
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Center for Metabolic Disease Research, Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Wen-Zhe Ho
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Wenhui Hu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Center for Metabolic Disease Research, Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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16
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Anxiety-like features and spatial memory problems as a consequence of hippocampal SV2A expression. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0217882. [PMID: 31166988 PMCID: PMC6550411 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0217882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The Synaptic Vesicle Protein 2A (SV2A) is a transmembrane protein whose presence is reduced both in animal models and in patients with chronic epilepsy. Besides its implication in the epileptic process, the behavioural consequences of the changes in its expression remain unclear. The purpose of our research is to better understand the possible role(s) of this protein through the phenotype of cKO (Grik4 Cre+/-, SV2A lox/lox) mice, male and female, which present a specific decrease of SV2A expression levels in the hippocampal glutamatergic neurons but without any epileptic seizures. In this study, we compare the cKO mice with cHZ (Grik4 Cre+/-, SV2A lox/+) and WT (Grik4 Cre+/+, SV2A lox/lox) mice through a battery of tests, used to evaluate different features: the anxiety-related features (Elevated Plus Maze), the locomotor activity (Activity Chambers), the contextual fear-related memory (Contextual Fear Conditioning), and the spatial memory (Barnes Maze). Our results showed statistically significant differences in the habituation to a new environment, an increase in the anxiety levels and spatial memory deficit in the cHZ and cKO groups, compared to the WT group. No statistically significant differences due to the genotype appeared in the spontaneous locomotor activity or the fear-linked memory. However, sexual differences were observed in this last feature. These results highlight not only an important role of the SV2A protein in the cognitive and anxiety problems typically encountered in epileptic patients, but also a possible role in the symptomatology of other neurodegenerative diseases, such as the Alzheimer’s disease.
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17
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Assessment of spatial learning and memory in the Barnes maze task in rodents-methodological consideration. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol 2018; 392:1-18. [PMID: 30470917 PMCID: PMC6311199 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-018-1589-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Among the methods valuable for assessing spatial learning and memory impairments in rodents, the Barnes maze (BM) task deserves special attention. It is based on the assumption that the animal placed into the aversive environment should learn and remember the location of an escape box located below the surface of the platform. Different phases of the task allow to measure spatial learning, memory retrieval, and cognitive flexibility. Herein, we summarize current knowledge about the BM procedure, its variations and critical parameters measured in the task. We highlight confounding factors which should be taken into account when conducting BM task, discussing briefly its advantages and disadvantages. We then propose an extended version of the BM protocol which allows to measure different aspects of spatial learning and memory in rodents. We believe that this review will help to standardize the BM methodology across the laboratories and eventually make the results comparable.
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18
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Effects of HIV-1 TAT protein and methamphetamine exposure on visual discrimination and executive function in mice. Behav Brain Res 2018; 349:73-79. [PMID: 29709610 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2018.04.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Revised: 04/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Mild neurocognitive impairments are common in people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. HIV-encoded proteins, such as trans-activator of transcription (TAT), contribute to neuropathology and cognitive function in medicated subjects. The combination of TAT and comorbid methamphetamine use may further impair neurocognitive function in HIV-positive individuals by affecting dopaminergic systems in the brain. The current study examined the effects of TAT protein expression and methamphetamine exposure on cognitive function and dopamine systems in mice. Transgenic mice with inducible brain expression of the TAT protein were exposed to a binge methamphetamine regimen. TAT expression was induced via a doxycycline-containing diet during the final stage of the regimen and maintained throughout cognitive testing. Learning and executive function were assessed using an operant visual discrimination protocol, with a strategy switch and reversal. TAT expression and methamphetamine exposure improved visual discrimination learning. Combined TAT expression and methamphetamine exposure increased perseverative errors during reversal learning. TAT expression altered reversal learning by improving early stage, but impairing late stage, learning. TAT expression was also associated with an increase in dopamine transporter expression in the caudate putamen. These results highlight that TAT expression and methamphetamine exposure likely affect a range of selective cognitive processes, with some potentially improving function under certain conditions.
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19
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Boutros N, Der-Avakian A, Kesby JP, Lee S, Markou A, Semenova S. Effects of adolescent alcohol exposure on stress-induced reward deficits, brain CRF, monoamines and glutamate in adult rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2018; 235:737-747. [PMID: 29181815 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-017-4789-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adolescent alcohol exposure may increase depression vulnerability in adulthood by increasing the anhedonic response to stress. METHODS Male Wistar rats (postnatal days 28-53) were exposed to binge-like adolescent intermittent ethanol (AIE) or water. In adulthood, rats were exposed to social defeat, consisting of daily confrontations with an aggressive conspecific, followed by testing of brain reward function in a discrete-trial current-intensity intracranial self-stimulation procedure for 10 consecutive days. Neurochemistry and corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and CRF receptor 1 (CRFR1) mRNA levels were assessed in corticolimbic brain areas on day 11 of social defeat stress. RESULTS Social defeat elevated reward thresholds in both AIE- and water-exposed rats indicating stress-induced anhedonia. However, AIE-exposed rats were more likely to show threshold elevations after repeated stress compared to water-exposed rats. AIE exposure decreased CRF mRNA levels in the nucleus accumbens and increased CRFR1 mRNA levels in the prefrontal cortex, while stress increased CRF mRNA levels in the central amygdala. In the caudate putamen, AIE exposure decreased dopamine turnover, while stress increased glutamate and serotonin metabolism and turnover. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate increased risk of repeated stress-induced anhedonia after AIE exposure, an effect that may be due to alterations in brain CRF and dopamine systems. These results suggest that the increased rates of depression reported in people with a history of adolescent alcohol exposure may be related to alterations in brain reward and stress systems that may contribute to increased stress-induced anhedonia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - James P Kesby
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Soon Lee
- The Clayton Foundation Laboratories for Peptide Biology, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Athina Markou
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Svetlana Semenova
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA. .,PAREXEL International, 1560 E Chevy Chase Dr, Glendale, CA, 91206, USA.
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20
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Kesby JP, Chang A, Markou A, Semenova S. Modeling human methamphetamine use patterns in mice: chronic and binge methamphetamine exposure, reward function and neurochemistry. Addict Biol 2018; 23:206-218. [PMID: 28224681 PMCID: PMC5565728 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2016] [Revised: 01/26/2017] [Accepted: 02/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Different methamphetamine use patterns in human subjects may contribute to inconsistent findings regarding the effects of methamphetamine abuse on brain and behavior. The present study investigated whether human-derived chronic and binge methamphetamine use patterns have differential effects on reward and neurochemistry in mice. Brain reward function in mice was evaluated during acute/prolonged withdrawal, and in response to methamphetamine challenge using the intracranial self-stimulation procedure. Brain dopaminergic, serotonergic and glutamatergic neurochemistry was determined with high-performance liquid chromatography. Chronic and binge regimens induced withdrawal-related decreases in reward function that were more severe during the binge regimen during cycles 1-2. Despite large differences in methamphetamine dose, both regimens induced similar reward deficits during cycles 3-4. Neither methamphetamine regimen led to persistent alterations in the sensitivity to the reward-enhancing effects of acute methamphetamine challenge. The binge regimen severely depleted striatal dopamine levels and increased brain glutamine levels. The chronic regimen had milder effects on striatal dopamine levels and altered cortical dopamine and serotonin levels. This work highlights that the magnitude of acute/prolonged withdrawal may not reflect amount or frequency of methamphetamine intake. In contrast, the array of underlying neurochemical alterations was methamphetamine regimen dependent. Thus, stratifying methamphetamine-dependent individuals based on use pattern may help to cater therapeutic interventions more appropriately by targeting use pattern-specific neurotransmitter systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- James P Kesby
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Qld, Australia
| | - Ariel Chang
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Athina Markou
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Svetlana Semenova
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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Boynton FDD, Ericsson AC, Uchihashi M, Dunbar ML, Wilkinson JE. Doxycycline induces dysbiosis in female C57BL/6NCrl mice. BMC Res Notes 2017; 10:644. [PMID: 29187243 PMCID: PMC5708113 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-017-2960-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aims to demonstrate the effect of oral doxycycline on fecal microbiota of mice. Doxycycline is a common effector for control of gene expression using the tet-inducible system in transgenic mice. The effect of oral doxycycline on murine gut microbiota has not been reported. We evaluated the effect of doxycycline treatment by sequencing the V4 hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA gene from fecal samples collected during a 4 week course of treatment at a dose of 2 mg/ml in the drinking water. RESULTS The fecal microbiota of treated animals were distinct from control animals; the decreased richness and diversity were characterized primarily by Bacteroides sp. enrichment. These effects persisted when the treatment was temporarily discontinued for 1 week. These data suggest that doxycycline treatment can induce significant dysbiosis, and its effects should be considered when used in animal models that are or maybe sensitive to perturbation of the gut microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicia D. Duke Boynton
- Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI USA
- Research Animal Resources, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN USA
| | - Aaron C. Ericsson
- University of Missouri Metagenomics Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO USA
| | - Mayu Uchihashi
- Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI USA
- Medtronic Innovation Center Japan, Medtronic Japan Co., Ltd. Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Misha L. Dunbar
- Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI USA
- Research Animal Resources, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN USA
| | - J. Erby Wilkinson
- Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI USA
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22
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HIV-1 TAT protein enhances sensitization to methamphetamine by affecting dopaminergic function. Brain Behav Immun 2017; 65:210-221. [PMID: 28495611 PMCID: PMC5537017 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2017.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2017] [Revised: 04/28/2017] [Accepted: 05/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Methamphetamine abuse is common among humans with immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The HIV-1 regulatory protein TAT induces dysfunction of mesolimbic dopaminergic systems which may result in impaired reward processes and contribute to methamphetamine abuse. These studies investigated the impact of TAT expression on methamphetamine-induced locomotor sensitization, underlying changes in dopamine function and adenosine receptors in mesolimbic brain areas and neuroinflammation (microgliosis). Transgenic mice with doxycycline-induced TAT protein expression in the brain were tested for locomotor activity in response to repeated methamphetamine injections and methamphetamine challenge after a 7-day abstinence period. Dopamine function in the nucleus accumbens (Acb) was determined using high performance liquid chromatography. Expression of dopamine and/or adenosine A receptors (ADORA) in the Acb and caudate putamen (CPu) was assessed using RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry analyses. Microarrays with pathway analyses assessed dopamine and adenosine signaling in the CPu. Activity-dependent neurotransmitter switching of a reserve pool of non-dopaminergic neurons to a dopaminergic phenotype in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) was determined by immunohistochemistry and quantified with stereology. TAT expression enhanced methamphetamine-induced sensitization. TAT expression alone decreased striatal dopamine (D1, D2, D4, D5) and ADORA1A receptor expression, while increasing ADORA2A receptors expression. Moreover, TAT expression combined with methamphetamine exposure was associated with increased adenosine A receptors (ADORA1A) expression and increased recruitment of dopamine neurons in the VTA. TAT expression and methamphetamine exposure induced microglia activation with the largest effect after combined exposure. Our findings suggest that dopamine-adenosine receptor interactions and reserve pool neuronal recruitment may represent potential targets to develop new treatments for methamphetamine abuse in individuals with HIV.
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23
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Abstract
Although serotonin neurotransmission has been implicated in several neurodevelopmental and psychological disorders, the factors that drive dysfunction of the serotonin system are poorly understood. Current research regarding the serotonin system revolves around its dysfunction in neuropsychiatric disorders, but there is no database collating genetic mutations that result in serotonin abnormalities. To bridge this gap, we developed a list of genes in mice that, when perturbed, result in altered levels of serotonin either in brain or blood. Due to the intrinsic limitations of search, the current list should be considered a preliminary subset of all relevant cases. Nevertheless, it offered an opportunity to gain insight into what types of genes have the potential to impact serotonin by using gene ontology (GO). This analysis found that genes associated with monoamine metabolism were more often associated with increases in brain serotonin than decreases. Speculatively, this could be because several pathways (and therefore many genes) are responsible for the clearance and metabolism of serotonin whereas only one pathway (and therefore fewer genes) is directly involved in the synthesis of serotonin. Another contributor could be cross talk between monoamine systems such as dopamine. In contrast, genes that were associated with decreases in brain serotonin were more likely linked to a developmental process. Sensitivity of serotonin neurons to developmental perturbations could be due to their complicated neuroanatomy or possibly they may be negatively regulated by dysfunction of their innervation targets. Thus, these observations suggest hypotheses regarding the mechanisms underlying the vulnerability of brain serotonin neurotransmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard C. Tenpenny
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain
Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital and Department of Anesthesia,
Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood
Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Kathryn G. Commons
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain
Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital and Department of Anesthesia,
Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood
Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
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Soontornniyomkij V, Kesby JP, Morgan EE, Bischoff-Grethe A, Minassian A, Brown GG, Grant I. Effects of HIV and Methamphetamine on Brain and Behavior: Evidence from Human Studies and Animal Models. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2016; 11:495-510. [PMID: 27484318 PMCID: PMC4985024 DOI: 10.1007/s11481-016-9699-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2016] [Accepted: 07/26/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (Meth) use is frequent among HIV-infected persons. Combined HIV and Meth insults may exacerbate neural injury in vulnerable neuroanatomic structures or circuitries in the brain, leading to increased behavioral disturbance and cognitive impairment. While acute and chronic effects of Meth in humans and animal models have been studied for decades, the neurobehavioral effects of Meth in the context of HIV infection are much less explored. In-depth understanding of the scope of neurobehavioral phenotypes and mechanisms in HIV/Meth intersection is needed. The present report summarizes published research findings, as well as unpublished data, in humans and animal models with regard to neurobehavioral disturbance, neuroimaging, and neuropathology, and in vitro experimental systems, with an emphasis on findings emerging from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) funded Translational Methamphetamine AIDS Research Center (TMARC). Results from human studies and animal (primarily HIV-1 gp120 transgenic mouse) models thus far suggest that combined HIV and Meth insults increase the likelihood of neural injury in the brain. The neurobehavioral effects include cognitive impairment and increased tendencies toward impaired behavioral inhibition and social cognition. These impairments are relevant to behaviors that affect personal and social risks, e.g. worse medication adherence, riskier behaviors, and greater likelihood of HIV transmission. The underlying mechanisms may include electrochemical changes in neuronal circuitries, injury to white matter microstructures, synaptodendritic damage, and selective neuronal loss. Utilization of research methodologies that are valid across species is instrumental in generating new knowledge with clinical translational value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virawudh Soontornniyomkij
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0603, USA.
| | - James P Kesby
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0603, USA
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Qld, Australia
| | - Erin E Morgan
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0603, USA
| | - Amanda Bischoff-Grethe
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0603, USA
| | - Arpi Minassian
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0603, USA
| | - Gregory G Brown
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0603, USA
| | - Igor Grant
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0603, USA
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Kesby JP, Markou A, Semenova S. The effects of HIV-1 regulatory TAT protein expression on brain reward function, response to psychostimulants and delay-dependent memory in mice. Neuropharmacology 2016; 109:205-215. [PMID: 27316905 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2016.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2016] [Revised: 06/08/2016] [Accepted: 06/13/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Depression and psychostimulant abuse are common comorbidities among humans with immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease. The HIV regulatory protein TAT is one of multiple HIV-related proteins associated with HIV-induced neurotoxicity. TAT-induced dysfunction of dopamine and serotonin systems in corticolimbic brain areas may result in impaired reward function, thus, contributing to depressive symptoms and psychostimulant abuse. Transgenic mice with doxycycline-induced TAT protein expression in the brain (TAT+, TAT- control) show neuropathology resembling brain abnormalities in HIV+ humans. We evaluated brain reward function in response to TAT expression, nicotine and methamphetamine administration in TAT+ and TAT- mice using the intracranial self-stimulation procedure. We evaluated the brain dopamine and serotonin systems with high-performance liquid chromatography. The effects of TAT expression on delay-dependent working memory in TAT+ and TAT- mice using the operant delayed nonmatch-to-position task were also assessed. During doxycycline administration, reward thresholds were elevated by 20% in TAT+ mice compared with TAT- mice. After the termination of doxycycline treatment, thresholds of TAT+ mice remained significantly higher than those of TAT- mice and this was associated with changes in mesolimbic serotonin and dopamine levels. TAT+ mice showed a greater methamphetamine-induced threshold lowering compared with TAT- mice. TAT expression did not alter delay-dependent working memory. These results indicate that TAT expression in mice leads to reward deficits, a core symptom of depression, and a greater sensitivity to methamphetamine-induced reward enhancement. Our findings suggest that the TAT protein may contribute to increased depressive-like symptoms and continued methamphetamine use in HIV-positive individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- James P Kesby
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Qld, Australia
| | - Athina Markou
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Svetlana Semenova
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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