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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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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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Young JW, Barback CV, Stolz LA, Groman SM, Vera DR, Hoh C, Kotta KK, Minassian A, Powell SB, Brody AL. MicroPET evidence for a hypersensitive neuroinflammatory profile of gp120 mouse model of HIV. Psychiatry Res Neuroimaging 2022; 321:111445. [PMID: 35101828 DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2022.111445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Despite increased survivability for people living with HIV (PLWH), HIV-related cognitive deficits persist. Determining biological mechanism(s) underlying abnormalities is critical to minimize the long-term impact of HIV. Positron emission tomography (PET) studies reveal that PLWH exhibit elevated neuroinflammation, potentially contributing to these problems. PLWH are hypersensitive to environmental insults that drive elevated inflammatory profiles. Gp120 is an envelope glycoprotein exposed on the surface of the HIV envelope which enables HIV entry into a cell contributing to HIV-related neurotoxicity. In vivo evidence for mice overexpressing gp120 (transgenic) mice exhibiting neuroinflammation remains unclear. Here, we conducted microPET imaging in gp120 transgenic and wildtype mice, using the radiotracer [(18)F]FEPPA (binds to the translocator protein expressed by activated microglial serving as a neuroinflammatory marker). Imaging was performed at baseline and 24 h after lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 5 mg/kg) treatment (endotoxin that triggers an immune response). Gp120 transgenic mice exhibited elevated [(18F)]FEPPA in response to LPS vs. wildtype mice throughout the brain including dorsal and ventral striata, hypothalamus, and hippocampus. Gp120 transgenic mice are hypersensitive to environmental inflammatory insults, consistent with PLWH, measurable in vivo. It remains to-be-determined whether this heightened sensitivity is connected to the behavioral abnormalities of these mice or sensitive to any treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jared W Young
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive MC 0804, La Jolla, CA 92093-0804, USA; Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA.
| | - Christopher V Barback
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla California; UCSD In Vivo Cancer and Molecular Imaging Program
| | - Louise A Stolz
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive MC 0804, La Jolla, CA 92093-0804, USA
| | - Stephanie M Groman
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical Discovery Team on Addiction, University of Minnesota
| | - David R Vera
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla California; UCSD In Vivo Cancer and Molecular Imaging Program
| | - Carl Hoh
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla California; UCSD In Vivo Cancer and Molecular Imaging Program
| | - Kishore K Kotta
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla California; UCSD In Vivo Cancer and Molecular Imaging Program
| | - Arpi Minassian
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive MC 0804, La Jolla, CA 92093-0804, USA; Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Susan B Powell
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive MC 0804, La Jolla, CA 92093-0804, USA; Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Arthur L Brody
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive MC 0804, La Jolla, CA 92093-0804, USA; Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA
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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: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [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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Cirino TJ, McLaughlin JP. Mini review: Promotion of substance abuse in HIV patients: Biological mediation by HIV-1 Tat protein. Neurosci Lett 2021; 753:135877. [PMID: 33838257 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.135877] [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: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Despite successful viral suppression by combinatorial anti-retroviral therapy, HIV infection continues to negatively impact the quality of life of patients by promoting neuropathy and HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders (HAND), where substance use disorder (SUD) is highly comorbid and known to worsen health outcomes. While substance abuse exacerbates the progression of HIV, emerging evidence also suggests the virus may potentiate the rewarding effect of abused substances. As HIV does not infect neurons, these effects are theorized to be mediated by viral proteins. Key among these proteins are HIV-1 Tat, which can continue to be produced under viral suppression in patients. This review will recap the behavioral evidence for HIV-1 Tat mediation of a potentiation of cocaine, opioid and alcohol reward, and explore the neurochemical dysfunction associated by Tat as potential mechanisms underlying changes in reward. Targeting rampant oxidative stress, inflammation and excitotoxicity associated with HIV and Tat protein exposure may prove useful in combating persistent substance abuse comorbid with HIV in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J Cirino
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Jay P McLaughlin
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
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Sil S, Thangaraj A, Chivero ET, Niu F, Kannan M, Liao K, Silverstein PS, Periyasamy P, Buch S. HIV-1 and drug abuse comorbidity: Lessons learned from the animal models of NeuroHIV. Neurosci Lett 2021; 754:135863. [PMID: 33794296 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.135863] [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: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Various research studies that have investigated the association between HIV infection and addiction underpin the role of various drugs of abuse in impairing immunological and non-immunological pathways of the host system, ultimately leading to augmentation of HIV infection and disease progression. These studies have included both in vitro and in vivo animal models wherein investigators have assessed the effects of various drugs on several disease parameters to decipher the impact of drugs on both HIV infection and progression of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). However, given the inherent limitations in the existing animal models of HAND, these investigations only recapitulated specific aspects of the disease but not the complex human syndrome. Despite the inability of HIV to infect rodents over the last 30 years, multiple strategies have been employed to develop several rodent models of HAND. While none of these models can accurately mimic the overall pathophysiology of HAND, they serve the purpose of modeling some unique aspects of HAND. This review provides an overview of various animal models used in the field and a careful evaluation of methodological strengths and limitations inherent in both the model systems and study designs to understand better how the various animal models complement one another.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susmita Sil
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Annadurai Thangaraj
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Ernest T Chivero
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Fang Niu
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Muthukumar Kannan
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Ke Liao
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Peter S Silverstein
- School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, 64108, USA
| | - Palsamy Periyasamy
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.
| | - Shilpa Buch
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.
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Saloner R, Fields JA, Marcondes MCG, Iudicello JE, von Känel S, Cherner M, Letendre SL, Kaul M, Grant I. Methamphetamine and Cannabis: A Tale of Two Drugs and their Effects on HIV, Brain, and Behavior. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2020; 15:743-764. [PMID: 32929575 DOI: 10.1007/s11481-020-09957-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
HIV infection and drug use intersect epidemiologically, and their combination can result in complex effects on brain and behavior. The extent to which drugs affect the health of persons with HIV (PWH) depends on many factors including drug characteristics, use patterns, stage of HIV disease and its treatment, comorbid factors, and age. To consider the range of drug effects, we have selected two that are in common use by PWH: methamphetamine and cannabis. We compare the effects of methamphetamine with those of cannabis, to illustrate how substances may potentiate, worsen, or even buffer the effects of HIV on the CNS. Data from human, animal, and ex vivo studies provide insights into how these drugs have differing effects on the persistent inflammatory state that characterizes HIV infection, including effects on viral replication, immune activation, mitochondrial function, gut permeability, blood brain barrier integrity, glia and neuronal signaling. Moving forward, we consider how these mechanistic insights may inform interventions to improve brain outcomes in PWH. This review summarizes literature from clinical and preclinical studies demonstrating the adverse effects of METH, as well as the potentially beneficial effects of cannabis, on the interacting systemic (e.g., gut barrier leakage/microbial translocation, immune activation, inflammation) and CNS-specific (e.g., glial activation/neuroinflammation, neural injury, mitochondrial toxicity/oxidative stress) mechanisms underlying HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rowan Saloner
- Department of Psychiatry, HIV Neurobehavioral Research Program, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA. .,Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego , San Diego, CA, USA.
| | - Jerel Adam Fields
- Department of Psychiatry, HIV Neurobehavioral Research Program, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | - Jennifer E Iudicello
- Department of Psychiatry, HIV Neurobehavioral Research Program, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Sofie von Känel
- Department of Psychiatry, HIV Neurobehavioral Research Program, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Mariana Cherner
- Department of Psychiatry, HIV Neurobehavioral Research Program, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Scott L Letendre
- Department of Psychiatry, HIV Neurobehavioral Research Program, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Marcus Kaul
- Department of Psychiatry, HIV Neurobehavioral Research Program, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA.,Division of Biomedical Sciences, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Igor Grant
- Department of Psychiatry, HIV Neurobehavioral Research Program, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
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Systems Biology Analysis of the Antagonizing Effects of HIV-1 Tat Expression in the Brain over Transcriptional Changes Caused by Methamphetamine Sensitization. Viruses 2020; 12:v12040426. [PMID: 32283831 PMCID: PMC7232389 DOI: 10.3390/v12040426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Methamphetamine (Meth) abuse is common among humans with immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The HIV-1 regulatory protein, trans-activator of transcription (Tat), has been described to induce changes in brain gene transcription that can result in impaired reward circuitry, as well as in inflammatory processes. In transgenic mice with doxycycline-induced Tat protein expression in the brain, i.e., a mouse model of neuroHIV, we tested global gene expression patterns induced by Meth sensitization. Meth-induced locomotor sensitization included repeated daily Meth or saline injections for seven days and Meth challenge after a seven-day abstinence period. Brain samples were collected 30 min after the Meth challenge. We investigated global gene expression changes in the caudate putamen, an area with relevance in behavior and HIV pathogenesis, and performed pathway and transcriptional factor usage predictions using systems biology strategies. We found that Tat expression alone had a very limited impact in gene transcription after the Meth challenge. In contrast, Meth-induced sensitization in the absence of Tat induced a global suppression of gene transcription. Interestingly, the interaction between Tat and Meth broadly prevented the Meth-induced global transcriptional suppression, by maintaining regulation pathways, and resulting in gene expression profiles that were more similar to the controls. Pathways associated with mitochondrial health, initiation of transcription and translation, as well as with epigenetic control, were heavily affected by Meth, and by its interaction with Tat in anti-directional ways. A series of systems strategies have predicted several components impacted by these interactions, including mitochondrial pathways, mTOR/RICTOR, AP-1 transcription factor, and eukaryotic initiation factors involved in transcription and translation. In spite of the antagonizing effects of Tat, a few genes identified in relevant gene networks remained downregulated, such as sirtuin 1, and the amyloid precursor protein (APP). In conclusion, Tat expression in the brain had a low acute transcriptional impact but strongly interacted with Meth sensitization, to modify effects in the global transcriptome.
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11
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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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Zhao J, Ying L, Liu Y, Liu N, Tu G, Zhu M, Wu Y, Xiao B, Ye L, Li J, Guo F, Zhang L, Wang H, Zhang L. Different roles of Rac1 in the acquisition and extinction of methamphetamine-associated contextual memory in the nucleus accumbens. Am J Cancer Res 2019; 9:7051-7071. [PMID: 31660086 PMCID: PMC6815963 DOI: 10.7150/thno.34655] [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: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Repeated methamphetamine (METH) exposure induces long-term cognitive deficits and pathological drug-associated memory that can be disrupted by manipulating memory reconsolidation and extinction. The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is the key region of the brain reward system and predominantly consists of two subtypes of medium spiny neurons (MSNs) based on the expression of D1 or D2 dopamine receptors (D1-MSNs or D2-MSNs). Spine structural plasticity in the NAc is critical for the acquisition, reconsolidation and extinction of drug-associated memory. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying METH-associated memory and spine remodelling in each type of MSNs in the NAc remain unknown. Here, we explored whether Rac1 in the NAc mediates METH-associated contextual memory and spine remodelling. Methods: Pharmacological and genetic manipulations of Rac1 were used to investigate its role during the acquisition, reconsolidation and extinction of METH-associated contextual memory. Recombinant adeno-associated viruses expressing mCherry under the control of the dopamine D1 receptor gene promoter (Drd1-mCherry) or dopamine D2 receptor gene promoter (Drd2-mCherry) were used to specifically label D1-MSNs or D2-MSNs. Results: Using viral-mediated gene transfer, we demonstrated that decreased Rac1 activity was required for the acquisition of METH-associated contextual memory and the METH-induced increase in thin spine density, whereas increased Rac1 signalling was important for the extinction of METH-associated contextual memory and the related elimination of thin spines. Moreover, the increase of dendritic spines was both found in D1-MSNs and D2-MSNs during the acquisition process, but extinction training selectively decreased the spine density in D1-MSNs. Interestingly, Rac1 was responsible for METH-induced spine plasticity in D1-MSNs but not in D2-MSNs. Additionally, we found that microinjection of a Rac1 inhibitor or activator into the NAc was not sufficient to disrupt reconsolidation, and the pharmacological activation of Rac1 in the NAc facilitated the extinction of METH-associated contextual memory. Regarding cognitive memory, decreased Rac1 activity improved the METH-induced impairment in object recognition memory. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that Rac1 plays opposing roles in the acquisition and extinction of METH-associated contextual memory and reveal the cell-specific role of Rac1 in METH-associated spine remodelling, suggesting that Rac1 is a potential therapeutic target for reducing relapse in METH addiction and remediating METH-induced recognition memory impairment.
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Jacobs IR, Xu C, Hermes DJ, League AF, Xu C, Nath B, Jiang W, Niphakis MJ, Cravatt BF, Mackie K, Mukhopadhyay S, Lichtman AH, Ignatowska-Jankowska BM, Fitting S. Inhibitory Control Deficits Associated with Upregulation of CB 1R in the HIV-1 Tat Transgenic Mouse Model of Hand. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2019; 14:661-678. [PMID: 31372820 PMCID: PMC6898753 DOI: 10.1007/s11481-019-09867-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In the era of combined antiretroviral therapy, HIV-1 infected individuals are living longer lives; however, longevity is met with an increasing number of HIV-1 associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) diagnoses. The transactivator of transcription (Tat) is known to mediate the neurotoxic effects in HAND by acting directly on neurons and also indirectly via its actions on glia. The Go/No-Go (GNG) task was used to examine HAND in the Tat transgenic mouse model. The GNG task involves subjects discriminating between two stimuli sets in order to determine whether or not to inhibit a previously trained response. Data reveal inhibitory control deficits in female Tat(+) mice (p = .048) and an upregulation of cannabinoid type 1 receptors (CB1R) in the infralimbic (IL) cortex in the same female Tat(+) group (p < .05). A significant negative correlation was noted between inhibitory control and IL CB1R expression (r = −.543, p = .045), with CB1R expression predicting 30% of the variance of inhibitory control (R2 = .295, p = .045). Furthermore, there was a significant increase in spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic current (sEPSC) frequencies in Tat(+) compared to Tat(−) mice (p = .008, across sexes). The increase in sEPSC frequency was significantly attenuated by bath application of PF3845, a fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) enzyme inhibitor (p < .001). Overall, the GNG task is a viable measure to assess inhibitory control deficits in Tat transgenic mice and results suggest a potential therapeutic treatment for the observed deficits with drugs which modulate endocannabinoid enzyme activity. Results of the Go/No-Go operant conditioning task reveal inhibitory control deficits in female transgenic Tat(+) mice without significantly affecting males. The demonstrated inhibitory control deficits appear to be associated with an upregulation of cannabinoid type 1 receptors (CB1R) in the infralimbic (IL) cortex in the same female Tat(+) group. ![]()
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MESH Headings
- AIDS Dementia Complex/genetics
- AIDS Dementia Complex/metabolism
- AIDS Dementia Complex/psychology
- Animals
- Disease Models, Animal
- Female
- HIV-1
- Inhibition, Psychological
- Limbic Lobe/metabolism
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Transgenic
- Neurocognitive Disorders/genetics
- Neurocognitive Disorders/metabolism
- Psychomotor Performance/physiology
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/biosynthesis
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/genetics
- Up-Regulation/physiology
- tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus/biosynthesis
- tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian R Jacobs
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
| | - Changqing Xu
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Douglas J Hermes
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Alexis F League
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Callie Xu
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Bhupendra Nath
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC, 27707, USA
| | - Wei Jiang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Micah J Niphakis
- The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Benjamin F Cravatt
- The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Ken Mackie
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA
| | - Somnath Mukhopadhyay
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC, 27707, USA
| | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA
| | | | - Sylvia Fitting
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
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14
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Ramesh J, Ronsard L, Gao A, Venugopal B. Autophagy Intertwines with Different Diseases-Recent Strategies for Therapeutic Approaches. Diseases 2019; 7:diseases7010015. [PMID: 30717078 PMCID: PMC6473623 DOI: 10.3390/diseases7010015] [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: 12/06/2018] [Revised: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is a regular and substantial “clear-out process” that occurs within the cell and that gets rid of debris that accumulates in membrane-enclosed vacuoles by using enzyme-rich lysosomes, which are filled with acids that degrade the contents of the vacuoles. This machinery is well-connected with many prevalent diseases, including cancer, HIV, and Parkinson’s disease. Considering that autophagy is well-known for its significant connections with a number of well-known fatal diseases, a thorough knowledge of the current findings in the field is essential in developing therapies to control the progression rate of diseases. Thus, this review summarizes the critical events comprising autophagy in the cellular system and the significance of its key molecules in manifesting this pathway in various diseases for down- or upregulation. We collectively reviewed the role of autophagy in various diseases, mainly neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, inflammatory diseases, and renal disorders. Here, some collective reports on autophagy showed that this process might serve as a dual performer: either protector or contributor to certain diseases. The aim of this review is to help researchers to understand the role of autophagy-regulating genes encoding functional open reading frames (ORFs) and its connection with diseases, which will eventually drive better understanding of both the progression and suppression of different diseases at various stages. This review also focuses on certain novel therapeutic strategies which have been published in the recent years based on targeting autophagy key proteins and its interconnecting signaling cascades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janani Ramesh
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Dr. A.L.M. Post Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Chennai 600113, India.
- Renal Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Larance Ronsard
- The Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, The Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, 400 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02140, USA.
| | - Anthony Gao
- Renal Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Bhuvarahamurthy Venugopal
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Dr. A.L.M. Post Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Chennai 600113, India.
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15
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Thaney VE, Sanchez AB, Fields JA, Minassian A, Young JW, Maung R, Kaul M. Transgenic mice expressing HIV-1 envelope protein gp120 in the brain as an animal model in neuroAIDS research. J Neurovirol 2017; 24:156-167. [PMID: 29075998 DOI: 10.1007/s13365-017-0584-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2017] [Revised: 09/03/2017] [Accepted: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
HIV-1 infection causes injury to the central nervous system (CNS) and is often associated with neurocognitive disorders. One model for brain damage seen in AIDS patients is the transgenic (tg) mouse expressing a soluble envelope protein gp120 of HIV-1 LAV in the brain in astrocytes under the control of the promoter of glial fibrillary acidic protein. These GFAP-gp120tg mice manifest several key neuropathological features observed in AIDS brains, such as decreased synaptic and dendritic density, increased numbers of activated microglia, and pronounced astrocytosis. Several recent studies show that brains of GFAP-gp120tg mice and neurocognitively impaired HIV patients share also a significant number of differentially regulated genes, activation of innate immunity and other cellular signaling pathways, disturbed neurogenesis, and learning deficits. These findings support the continued relevance of the GFAP-gp120tg mouse as a useful model to investigate neurodegenerative mechanisms and develop therapeutic strategies to mitigate the consequences associated with HIV infection of the CNS, neuroAIDS, and HAND.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria E Thaney
- Infectious and Inflammatory Disease Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Ana B Sanchez
- Infectious and Inflammatory Disease Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Jerel A Fields
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Arpi Minassian
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Jared W Young
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Ricky Maung
- Infectious and Inflammatory Disease Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Marcus Kaul
- Infectious and Inflammatory Disease Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA. .,Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA. .,Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Ave, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA.
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16
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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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17
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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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18
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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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19
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Vigorito M, Connaghan KP, Chang SL. The HIV-1 transgenic rat model of neuroHIV. Brain Behav Immun 2015; 48:336-49. [PMID: 25733103 PMCID: PMC4753047 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2015.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2014] [Revised: 02/16/2015] [Accepted: 02/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the ability of current combination anti-retroviral therapy (cART) to limit the progression of HIV-1 to AIDS, HIV-positive individuals continue to experience neuroHIV in the form of HIV-associated neurological disorders (HAND), which can range from subtle to substantial neurocognitive impairment. NeuroHIV may also influence substance use, abuse, and dependence in HIV-positive individuals. Because of the nature of the virus, variables such as mental health co-morbidities make it difficult to study the interaction between HIV and substance abuse in human populations. Several rodent models have been developed in an attempt to study the transmission and pathogenesis of the HIV-1 virus. The HIV-1 transgenic (HIV-1Tg) rat is a reliable model of neuroHIV because it mimics the condition of HIV-infected patients on cART. Research using this model supports the hypothesis that the presence of HIV-1 viral proteins in the central nervous system increases the sensitivity and susceptibility of HIV-positive individuals to substance abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Vigorito
- Institute of NeuroImmune Pharmacology and Department of Biological Sciences, Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ, USA
| | - Kaitlyn P Connaghan
- Institute of NeuroImmune Pharmacology and Department of Biological Sciences, Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ, USA
| | - Sulie L Chang
- Institute of NeuroImmune Pharmacology and Department of Biological Sciences, Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ, USA.
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20
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Kesby JP, Heaton RK, Young JW, Umlauf A, Woods SP, Letendre SL, Markou A, Grant I, Semenova S. Methamphetamine Exposure Combined with HIV-1 Disease or gp120 Expression: Comparison of Learning and Executive Functions in Humans and Mice. Neuropsychopharmacology 2015; 40:1899-909. [PMID: 25652249 PMCID: PMC4839513 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2015.39] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2014] [Revised: 01/15/2015] [Accepted: 01/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Methamphetamine dependence is a common comorbid condition among people living with HIV, and may exacerbate HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders. Animal models of neuroAIDS suggest that the gp120 protein may also cause cognitive impairment. The present work evaluated the separate and combined effects of HIV/gp120 and methamphetamine on learning and executive functions in both humans and transgenic mice. Human participants were grouped by HIV serostatus (HIV+ or HIV-) and lifetime methamphetamine dependence (METH+ or METH-). A neurocognitive test battery included domain-specific assessments of learning and executive functions. Mice (gp120+ and gp120-) were exposed to either a methamphetamine binge (METH+) or saline (METH-), then tested in the attentional-set-shifting task to assess learning and executive functions. In humans, HIV status was associated with significant impairments in learning, but less so for executive functions. The frequency of learning impairments varied between groups, with the greatest impairment observed in the HIV+/METH+ group. In mice, gp120 expression was associated with impairments in learning but not reversal learning (executive component). The greatest proportion of mice that failed to complete the task was observed in the gp120+/METH+ group, suggesting greater learning impairments. Our cross-species study demonstrated that HIV in humans and gp120 in mice impaired learning, and that a history of methamphetamine exposure increased the susceptibility to HIV-associated neurocognitive deficits in both species. Finally, the similar pattern of results in both species suggest that the gp120 protein may contribute to HIV-associated learning deficits in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- James P Kesby
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Robert K Heaton
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jared W Young
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA,Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Anya Umlauf
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Steven P Woods
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Scott L Letendre
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Athina Markou
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Igor Grant
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Svetlana Semenova
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA,Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, M/C 0603, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA, Tel: +858 534 1528, Fax: +858 534 9917, E mail:
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21
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Kesby JP, Markou A, Semenova S. Cognitive deficits associated with combined HIV gp120 expression and chronic methamphetamine exposure in mice. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2015; 25:141-50. [PMID: 25476577 PMCID: PMC4289653 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2014.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2014] [Revised: 07/25/2014] [Accepted: 07/26/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Methamphetamine abuse is common among individuals infected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Neurocognitive outcomes tend to be worse in methamphetamine users with HIV. However, it is unclear whether discrete cognitive domains are susceptible to impairment after combined HIV infection and methamphetamine abuse. The expression of HIV/gp120 protein induces neuropathology in mice similar to HIV-induced pathology in humans. We investigated the separate and combined effects of methamphetamine exposure and gp120 expression on cognitive function in transgenic (gp120-tg) and control mice. The mice underwent an escalating methamphetamine binge regimen and were tested in novel object/location recognition, object-in-place recognition, and Barnes maze tests. gp120 expression disrupted performance in the object-in-place test (i.e. similar time spent with all objects, regardless of location), indicating deficits in associative recognition memory. gp120 expression also altered reversal learning in the Barnes maze, suggesting impairments in executive function. Methamphetamine exposure impaired spatial strategy in the Barnes maze, indicating deficits in spatial learning. Methamphetamine-exposed gp120-tg mice had the lowest spatial strategy scores in the final acquisition trials in the Barnes maze, suggesting greater deficits in spatial learning than all of the other groups. Although HIV infection involves interactions between multiple proteins and processes, in addition to gp120, our findings in gp120-tg mice suggest that humans with the dual insult of HIV infection and methamphetamine abuse may exhibit a broader spectrum of cognitive deficits than those with either factor alone. Depending on the cognitive domain, the combination of both insults may exacerbate deficits in cognitive performance compared with each individual insult.
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Affiliation(s)
- James P Kesby
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, M/C 0603, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Athina Markou
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, M/C 0603, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Svetlana Semenova
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, M/C 0603, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
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22
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Hoefer MM, Sanchez AB, Maung R, de Rozieres CM, Catalan IC, Dowling CC, Thaney VE, Piña-Crespo J, Zhang D, Roberts AJ, Kaul M. Combination of methamphetamine and HIV-1 gp120 causes distinct long-term alterations of behavior, gene expression, and injury in the central nervous system. Exp Neurol 2014; 263:221-34. [PMID: 25246228 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2014.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2014] [Revised: 08/27/2014] [Accepted: 09/06/2014] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH) abuse is frequent in individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) and is suspected to aggravate HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). METH is a psychostimulant that compromises several neurotransmitter systems and HIV proteins trigger neuronal injury but the combined effects of viral infection and METH abuse are incompletely understood. In this study we treated transgenic mice expressing the HIV envelope protein gp120 in the brain (HIV-1 gp120tg) at 3-4 months of age with an escalating-dose, multiple-binge METH regimen. The long-term effects were analyzed after 6-7 months of drug abstinence employing behavioral tests and analysis of neuropathology, electrophysiology and gene expression. Behavioral testing showed that both HIV-1 gp120tg and WT animals treated with METH displayed impaired learning and memory. Neuropathological analysis revealed that METH similar to HIV-1 gp120 caused a significant loss of neuronal dendrites and pre-synaptic terminals in hippocampus and cerebral cortex of WT animals. Electrophysiological studies in hippocampal slices showed that METH exposed HIV-1 gp120tg animals displayed reduced post-tetanic potentiation, whereas both gp120 expression and METH lead to reduced long-term potentiation. A quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction array showed that gp120 expression, METH and their combination each caused a significant dysregulation of specific components of GABAergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission systems, providing a possible mechanism for synaptic dysfunction and behavioral impairment. In conclusion, both HIV-1 gp120 and METH caused lasting behavioral impairment in association with neuropathology and altered gene expression. However, combined METH exposure and HIV-1 gp120 expression resulted in the most pronounced, long lasting pre- and post-synaptic alterations coinciding with impaired learning and memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie M Hoefer
- Infectious and Inflammatory Disease Center, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
| | - Ana B Sanchez
- Infectious and Inflammatory Disease Center, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
| | - Ricky Maung
- Infectious and Inflammatory Disease Center, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
| | - Cyrus M de Rozieres
- Infectious and Inflammatory Disease Center, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
| | - Irene C Catalan
- Infectious and Inflammatory Disease Center, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
| | - Cari C Dowling
- Infectious and Inflammatory Disease Center, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
| | - Victoria E Thaney
- Infectious and Inflammatory Disease Center, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
| | - Juan Piña-Crespo
- Del E. Webb Center for Neuroscience & Aging Research, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
| | - Dongxian Zhang
- Del E. Webb Center for Neuroscience & Aging Research, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
| | - Amanda J Roberts
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, MB6, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
| | - Marcus Kaul
- Infectious and Inflammatory Disease Center, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, San Diego, CA 92093, USA.
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23
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Gannon BM, Reichard EE, Fantegrossi WE. Psychostimulant Abuse and HIV Infection: cocaine, methamphetamine, and "bath salts" cathinone analogues. CURRENT ADDICTION REPORTS 2014; 1:237-242. [PMID: 26413453 DOI: 10.1007/s40429-014-0025-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Psychostimulants are among the most widely-abused substances worldwide, and typically exert their abuse-related effects via interactions with monoamine reuptake transporters within the CNS. Over the last decade, a symbiotic relationship between psychostimulant abuse and HIV infection has been demonstrated, where psychostimulants potentiate the effects of HIV infection, and HIV infection increases sensitivity to psychostimulant drugs. Most recently, a new class of designer psychostimulants has emerged in abuse-ready "bath salt" preparations. These commercial products typically contain ring-substituted and/or side-chain-substituted analogues of cathinone, which is itself a psychostimulant drug of abuse in its natural plant form. The cathinone analogues exhibit a range of interactions with monoamine transporters, from cocaine-like reuptake inhibition to methamphetamine-like release. Since the primary mechanism of action of these novel drugs overlaps with those of traditional psychostimulants, it may be the case that the cathinone analogues also interact with HIV infection. As use of these emerging cathinone-derived drugs continues to rise, there is an urgent need to better understand the pharmacology and toxicology of these novel compounds, both in terms of their abuse-related effects, and in terms of their capacity to interact with HIV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenda M Gannon
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Little Rock, AR
| | - Emily E Reichard
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Little Rock, AR
| | - William E Fantegrossi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Little Rock, AR
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