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Asia LK, Van Vuren EJ, Kruger IM, Williams ME. A Pilot Investigation of the Association Between Vpr Amino Acid Substitutions and Peripheral Immune Marker Levels in People With Human Immunodeficiency Virus: Implications for Neurocognitive Impairment. Open Forum Infect Dis 2024; 11:ofae111. [PMID: 38524224 PMCID: PMC10960601 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofae111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Subtype-specific amino acid variations in viral proteins of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) influence disease progression. Furthermore, Vpr sequence variation correlates with chronic inflammation, a central mechanism in HIV-1 (neuro)pathogenesis. Nevertheless, no clinical study has investigated the link between Vpr sequence variation and peripheral inflammation in people with HIV (PWH). The aim of this pilot study was to ascertain whether specific Vpr amino acid variants were associated with immune markers in PWH. Methods We included a unique cohort of 48 treatment-naive South African PWH to determine the association between blood-derived Vpr sequence variation and peripheral immune marker levels using Sanger sequencing and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analysis, respectively. Results Our findings indicate that among the many neuropathogenic Vpr amino acid variants and immune markers examined, after applying Bonferroni corrections (P = .05/3) and adjusting for sex and locality, soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) was nearing significance for higher levels in participants with the G41 amino acid variant compared to those with the S41 variant (P = .035). Furthermore, amino acid variations at position 41 (between G41 and S41) exhibited a significant association with suPAR (adjusted R2 = 0.089, β = .386 [95% confidence interval, .125-3.251]; P = .035). Conclusions These findings suggest that Vpr amino acid sequence variations might contribute to dysregulated inflammation, which could explain the observed association between specific Vpr variants and HIV-1 (neuro)pathogenesis found in prior research. These Vpr variants merit further investigation to fully understand their roles in HIV-1 pathogenesis and neuropathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Levanco K Asia
- Human Metabolomics, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Esmé Jansen Van Vuren
- Hypertension in Africa Research Team, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council, Unit for Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Iolanthé M Kruger
- Africa Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Monray E Williams
- Human Metabolomics, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
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Fabrazzo M, Cipolla S, Pisaturo M, Camerlengo A, Bucci P, Pezzella P, Coppola N, Galderisi S. Bidirectional Relationship between HIV/HBV Infection and Comorbid Depression and/or Anxiety: A Systematic Review on Shared Biological Mechanisms. J Pers Med 2023; 13:1689. [PMID: 38138916 PMCID: PMC10744606 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13121689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mental disorders that are comorbid with chronic infectious diseases may worsen clinical outcomes and patients' quality of life. We hypothesized that depression and/or anxiety syndromes or symptoms comorbid with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection might stem from shared biological mechanisms. METHODS We conducted a systematic review applying the PRISMA statement by searching into the PubMed, APA PsycInfo, and Scopus databases. We examined the literature on HIV/HBV infection comorbid with depression and/or anxiety in adults ≥18 years. RESULTS Thirty-one studies on HIV and three on HBV were analyzed. The Tat protein contributed to HIV-associated mood disorders due to the protein's ability to cause neurodegeneration and induce hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation in response to natural stressors. The decreased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels also emerged as a mechanism involved in HIV neuropathogenesis and the associated mood symptoms. Neuroinflammation was implicated in depression and/or anxiety onset in patients with HIV/HBV infections. Microglial activation and release of cytokines, in particular, appeared as potential pathogenetic mechanisms. Furthermore, an altered balance between quinolinic acid and kynurenic acid production emerged in HIV patients with comorbid depression, indicating a glutamatergic dysfunction. Inflammatory cytokine production and the downregulation of cellular immune responses contributed to persisting inflammation, delayed healing, and functional decline in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection. A shift in type 1-type 2 cytokine balance might be implicated in HBV-related immune pathogenesis, and depression and anxiety might be considered immunomodulatory factors. Cytokines also caused HPA axis hyperactivity, frequently observed in HIV/HBV patients with comorbid depression/anxiety. CONCLUSIONS The present systematic review showed, for the first time, that HIV/HBV and depression and/or anxiety might have several biological mechanisms as common denominators. The longitudinal course of the highlighted biological mechanisms should be explored to establish the causative interrelationship among the involved mechanisms. In addition, future research should investigate the possibility that a patient's clinical outcome might improve using pharmacological treatments acting on the biological mechanisms we described as common denominators of chronic inflammatory infective diseases and depression/anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Fabrazzo
- Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (S.C.); (M.P.); (A.C.); (P.B.); (P.P.); (N.C.); (S.G.)
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Mudra Rakshasa-Loots A. Depression and HIV: a scoping review in search of neuroimmune biomarkers. Brain Commun 2023; 5:fcad231. [PMID: 37693812 PMCID: PMC10489482 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcad231] [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: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
People with HIV are at increased risk for depression, though the neurobiological mechanisms underlying this are unclear. In the last decade, there has been a substantial rise in interest in the contribution of (neuro)inflammation to depression, coupled with rapid advancements in the resolution and sensitivity of biomarker assays such as Luminex, single molecular array and newly developed positron emission tomography radioligands. Numerous pre-clinical and clinical studies have recently leveraged these next-generation immunoassays to identify biomarkers that may be associated with HIV and depression (separately), though few studies have explored these biomarkers in co-occurring HIV and depression. Using a systematic search, we detected 33 publications involving a cumulative N = 10 590 participants which tested for associations between depressive symptoms and 55 biomarkers of inflammation and related processes in participants living with HIV. Formal meta-analyses were not possible as statistical reporting in the field was highly variable; future studies must fully report test statistics and effect size estimates. The majority of included studies were carried out in the United States, with samples that were primarily older and primarily men. Substantial further work is necessary to diversify the geographical, age, and sex distribution of samples in the field. This review finds that alterations in concentrations of certain biomarkers of neuroinflammation (interleukin-6, tumour necrosis factor-α, neopterin) may influence the association between HIV and depression. Equally, the chemokines monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) or the metabolic index kynurenine:tryptophan (Kyn:Trp), which have been the focus of several studies, do not appear to be associated with depressive symptoms amongst people living with HIV, as all (MCP-1) or most (IL-8 and Kyn:Trp) available studies of these biomarkers reported non-significant associations. We propose a biomarker-driven hypothesis of the neuroimmunometabolic mechanisms that may precipitate the increased risk of depression among people with HIV. Chronically activated microglia, which trigger key neuroinflammatory cascades shown to be upregulated in people with HIV, may be the central link connecting HIV infection in the central nervous system with depressive symptoms. Findings from this review may inform research design in future studies of HIV-associated depression and enable concerted efforts towards biomarker discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arish Mudra Rakshasa-Loots
- Edinburgh Neuroscience, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
- Family Centre for Research with Ubuntu (FAMCRU), Tygerberg Hospital, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town 7505, South Africa
- Department of Global Health and Infection, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Brighton BN2 5BE, UK
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Petersen KJ, Yu X, Masters MC, Lobo JD, Lu T, Letendre S, Ellis RJ, McCutchan JA, Sundermann E. Sex-specific associations between plasma interleukin-6 and depression in persons with and without HIV. Brain Behav Immun Health 2023; 30:100644. [PMID: 37347049 PMCID: PMC10279778 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2023.100644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Persons with HIV (PWH) have both more frequent depression and higher levels of plasma inflammatory biomarkers compared to persons without HIV (PWoH). Inflammation and depressive symptoms are linked, including in PWH; however, it is unclear whether these associations differ by HIV serostatus and biological sex. Methods Six plasma inflammatory biomarkers were assessed using samples from PWH and PWoH who participated in six NIH-funded studies through the UCSD HIV Neurobehavioral Research Program (HNRP) from 2011 to 2019. Factor analysis was performed to identify intercorrelated groups of biomarkers. Factors and their components were then examined for relationships with Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and modifying effects of sex or HIV serostatus using multivariable linear regression, adjusting for demographics, substance use diagnoses, and relevant co-morbidities. Results Participants included 150 PWH (age = 48.3 ± 13.1 yr; 88% biologically male) and 138 PWoH (age = 46.3 ± 15.9; 56% male). Two inflammatory factors were identified: Factor 1 loaded on interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and D-dimer; Factor 2 loaded on interleukin-8, chemokine C-C ligand 2 (CCL2), and chemokine C-X-C ligand 10 (CXCL10). Sex modified the effect of Factor 1 on BDI-II, with a more positive association for men than women (p = 0.04). No significant association between Factor 2 and BDI-II was found. Of the biomarkers in Factor 1, only IL-6 was significantly associated with BDI-II and was modified by sex (p = 0.003). In sex-stratified analysis, a positive association was found for men (β = 5.42; 95% confidence interval = [1.32, 9.52]) but not women (β = -3.88; 95% C.I. = [-11.02, 3.26]). No HIV-related interactions were detected. Interpretation We identified a depression-associated inflammatory factor present in both PWH and PWoH, consistent with prior studies of PWH only. The association was driven by a correlation between IL-6 and depression exclusively in men, suggesting that the depression-inflammation link differs by sex. Future studies of depression etiology or treatment, including those on persons with HIV, should consider the impact of biological sex in both design and analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalen J. Petersen
- Department of Neurology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Xiaoying Yu
- Department of Biostatistics & Data Science, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Mary Clare Masters
- Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Judith D. Lobo
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Tina Lu
- Department of Neurology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Scott Letendre
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, The University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Ronald J. Ellis
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - J. Allen McCutchan
- Department of Medicine, The University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Erin Sundermann
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
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Nass SR, Hahn YK, Ohene-Nyako M, McLane VD, Damaj MI, Thacker LR, Knapp PE, Hauser KF. Depressive-like Behavior Is Accompanied by Prefrontal Cortical Innate Immune Fatigue and Dendritic Spine Losses after HIV-1 Tat and Morphine Exposure. Viruses 2023; 15:v15030590. [PMID: 36992299 PMCID: PMC10052300 DOI: 10.3390/v15030590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Opioid use disorder (OUD) and HIV are comorbid epidemics that can increase depression. HIV and the viral protein Tat can directly induce neuronal injury within reward and emotionality brain circuitry, including the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Such damage involves both excitotoxic mechanisms and more indirect pathways through neuroinflammation, both of which can be worsened by opioid co-exposure. To assess whether excitotoxicity and/or neuroinflammation might drive depressive behaviors in persons infected with HIV (PWH) and those who use opioids, male mice were exposed to HIV-1 Tat for eight weeks, given escalating doses of morphine during the last two weeks, and assessed for depressive-like behavior. Tat expression decreased sucrose consumption and adaptability, whereas morphine administration increased chow consumption and exacerbated Tat-induced decreases in nesting and burrowing—activities associated with well-being. Across all treatment groups, depressive-like behavior correlated with increased proinflammatory cytokines in the PFC. Nevertheless, supporting the theory that innate immune responses adapt to chronic Tat exposure, most proinflammatory cytokines were unaffected by Tat or morphine. Further, Tat increased PFC levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, which were exacerbated by morphine administration. Tat, but not morphine, decreased dendritic spine density on layer V pyramidal neurons in the anterior cingulate. Together, our findings suggest that HIV-1 Tat and morphine differentially induce depressive-like behaviors associated with increased neuroinflammation, synaptic losses, and immune fatigue within the PFC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara R. Nass
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0613, USA
| | - Yun K. Hahn
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0709, USA
| | - Michael Ohene-Nyako
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0613, USA
| | - Virginia D. McLane
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0613, USA
| | - M. Imad Damaj
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0613, USA
| | - Leroy R. Thacker
- Department of Biostatistics, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23219, USA
| | - Pamela E. Knapp
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0613, USA
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0709, USA
- Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0059, USA
| | - Kurt F. Hauser
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0613, USA
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0709, USA
- Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0059, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-804-628-7579; Fax: +1-804-828-0676
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Hastings PD, Guyer AE, Parra LA. Conceptualizing the Influence of Social and Structural Determinants of Neurobiology and Mental Health: Why and How Biological Psychiatry Can Do Better at Addressing the Consequences of Inequity. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY. COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2022; 7:1215-1224. [PMID: 35718087 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2022.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Psychiatry and allied disciplines have recognized the potency of structural and social determinants of mental health, yet there has been scant attention given to the roles of neurobiology in the links between structural and social determinants and mental health. In this article, we make the case for why greater attention must be given to structural and social determinants of biological psychiatry by researchers, practitioners, and policy-makers. After defining these terms and theoretical frameworks for considering their relevance in biological psychiatry, we review empirical research with marginalized and minoritized racial, ethnic, gender, sexual, and economic communities that reveals the ways in which structural and social determinants affect neurobiological functioning with implications for mental health. We give particular emphasis to developmental science and developmentally informed research, because structural and social determinants influence neurobiological adaptation and maturation across the lifespan. We conclude with recommendations for advancing research, practice, and policy that connect biological psychiatry with structural and social determinants of health. Foremost among these is diversifying the ranks of biological psychiatry, from classrooms through laboratories, hospitals, and community health centers. Transforming and advancing the understanding of the structural and social determinants of neurobiology and mental health is most likely to come through transforming the discipline itself.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul D Hastings
- Department of Psychology, University of California Davis, Davis, California; Center for Mind and Brain, University of California Davis, Davis, California.
| | - Amanda E Guyer
- Center for Mind and Brain, University of California Davis, Davis, California; Department of Human Ecology, University of California Davis, Davis, California
| | - Luis A Parra
- School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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Memiah P, Nkinda L, Majigo M, Humwa F, Haile ZT, Muthoka K, Zuheri A, Kamau A, Ochola L, Buluku G. Correction to: Mental health symptoms and inflammatory markers among HIV infected patients in Tanzania. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:1535. [PMID: 34380450 PMCID: PMC8359104 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-11487-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Peter Memiah
- Division of Epidemiology and Prevention, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 725 West Lombard Street, Room N459, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA. .,Department of Medicine, University of Maryland Medical Centre Midtown Campus, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Lillian Nkinda
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Mtebe Majigo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Felix Humwa
- Global Program for Research Teaching, University of California San Francisco, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Zelalem T Haile
- Department of Social Medicine, Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dublin, OH, USA
| | | | - Aisha Zuheri
- Infectious Disease Centre, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Anne Kamau
- University of Nairobi, Institute for Development Studies, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Lucy Ochola
- Institute of Primate Research, Nairobi, Kenya
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