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Jha NA, Ayoub SM, Flesher MM, Morton K, Sikkink M, de Guglielmo G, Khokhar JY, Minassian A, Brody AL, Young JW. Acute nicotine vapor normalizes sensorimotor gating and reduces locomotor activity deficits in HIV-1 transgenic rats. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.18.599641. [PMID: 38948796 PMCID: PMC11212989 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.18.599641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Rationale Despite improved life expectancy of people with HIV (PWH), HIV-associated neurocognitive impairment (NCI) persists, alongside deficits in sensorimotor gating and neuroinflammation. PWH exhibit high smoking rates, possibly due to neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and cognitive-enhancing effects of nicotine, suggesting potential self-medication. Objectives Here, we tested the effects of acute nicotine vapor exposure on translatable measures of sensorimotor gating and exploratory behavior in the HIV-1 transgenic (HIV-1Tg) rat model of HIV. Methods Male and female HIV-1Tg and F344 control rats (n=57) were exposed to acute nicotine or vehicle vapor. Sensorimotor gating was assessed using prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the acoustic startle response, and exploratory behavior was evaluated using the behavioral pattern monitor (BPM). Results Vehicle-treated HIV-1Tg rats exhibited PPI deficits at low prepulse intensities compared to F344 controls, as seen previously. No PPI deficits were observed in nicotine-treated HIV1-Tg rats, however. HIV-1Tg rats were hypoactive in the BPM relative to controls, whilst nicotine vapor increased activity and exploratory behavior across genotypes. Cotinine analyses confirmed comparable levels of the primary metabolite of nicotine across genotypes. Conclusions Previous findings of PPI deficits in HIV-1Tg rats were replicated and, importantly, attenuated by acute nicotine vapor. Evidence for similar cotinine levels suggest a nicotine-specific effect in HIV-1Tg rats. HIV-1Tg rats had reduced exploratory behavior compared to controls, attenuated by acute nicotine vapor. Therefore, acute nicotine may be beneficial for remediating sensorimotor and locomotor activity deficits in PWH. Future studies should determine the long-term effects of nicotine vapor on similar HIV/NCI-relevant behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neal A. Jha
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Samantha M. Ayoub
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - M. Melissa Flesher
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Kathleen Morton
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Megan Sikkink
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Giordano de Guglielmo
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Jibran Y. Khokhar
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON N61 3K7, Canada
| | - Arpi Minassian
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, VA San Diego Healthcare System 3350 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego, CA 92161, USA
| | - Arthur L. Brody
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System 3350 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego, CA 92161, USA
| | - Jared W. Young
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System 3350 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego, CA 92161, USA
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Nicotine's effect on cognition, a friend or foe? Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2023; 124:110723. [PMID: 36736944 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2023.110723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Tobacco smoking is a preventable cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Smoking comes in form of absorption of many compounds, among which nicotine is the main psychoactive component of tobacco and its positive and negative reinforcement effects are proposed to be the key mechanism for the initiation and maintenance of smoking. Growing evidence suggests that the cognitive enhancement effects of nicotine may also contribute to the difficulty of quitting smoking, especially in individuals with psychiatric disorders. In this review, we first introduce the beneficial effect of nicotine on cognition including attention, short-term memory and long-term memory. We next summarize the beneficial effect of nicotine on cognition under pathological conditions, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Schizophrenia, Stress-induced Anxiety, Depression, and drug-induced memory impairment. The possible mechanism underlying nicotine's effect is also explored. Finally, nicotine's detrimental effect on cognition is discussed, including in the prenatal and adolescent periods, and high-dose nicotine- and withdrawal-induced memory impairment is emphasized. Therefore, nicotine serves as both a friend and foe. Nicotine-derived compounds could be a promising strategy to alleviate neurological disease-associated cognitive deficit, however, due to nicotine's detrimental effect, continued educational programs and public awareness campaigns are needed to reduce tobacco use among pregnant women and smoking should be quitted even if it is e-cigarette, especially for the adolescents.
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Nass SR, Ohene-Nyako M, Hahn YK, Knapp PE, Hauser KF. Neurodegeneration Within the Amygdala Is Differentially Induced by Opioid and HIV-1 Tat Exposure. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:804774. [PMID: 35600626 PMCID: PMC9115100 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.804774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a critical problem that contributes to the spread of HIV and may intrinsically worsen neuroHIV. Despite the advent of combined antiretroviral therapies (cART), about half of persons infected with HIV (PWH) experience cognitive and emotional deficits that can be exacerbated by opioid abuse. HIV-1 Tat is expressed in the central nervous system (CNS) of PWH on cART and is thought to contribute to neuroHIV. The amygdala regulates emotion and memories associated with fear and stress and is important in addiction behavior. Notwithstanding its importance in emotional saliency, the effects of HIV and opioids in the amygdala are underexplored. To assess Tat- and morphine-induced neuropathology within the amygdala, male Tat transgenic mice were exposed to Tat for 8 weeks and administered saline and/or escalating doses of morphine twice daily (s.c.) during the last 2 weeks of Tat exposure. Eight weeks of Tat exposure decreased the acoustic startle response and the dendritic spine density in the basolateral amygdala, but not the central nucleus of the amygdala. In contrast, repeated exposure to morphine alone, but not Tat, increased the acoustic startle response and whole amygdalar levels of amyloid-β (Aβ) monomers and oligomers and tau phosphorylation at Ser396, but not neurofilament light chain levels. Co-exposure to Tat and morphine decreased habituation and prepulse inhibition to the acoustic startle response and potentiated the morphine-induced increase in Aβ monomers. Together, our findings indicate that sustained Tat and morphine exposure differentially promote synaptodendritic degeneration within the amygdala and alter sensorimotor processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara R. Nass
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Michael Ohene-Nyako
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Yun K. Hahn
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Pamela E. Knapp
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
- Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Kurt F. Hauser
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
- Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
- *Correspondence: Kurt F. Hauser,
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Chang L, Liang H, Kandel SR, He JJ. Independent and Combined Effects of Nicotine or Chronic Tobacco Smoking and HIV on the Brain: A Review of Preclinical and Clinical Studies. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2020; 15:658-693. [PMID: 33108618 DOI: 10.1007/s11481-020-09963-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Tobacco smoking is highly prevalent among HIV-infected individuals. Chronic smokers with HIV showed greater cognitive deficits and impulsivity, and had more psychopathological symptoms and greater neuroinflammation than HIV non-smokers or smokers without HIV infection. However, preclinical studies that evaluated the combined effects of HIV-infection and tobacco smoking are scare. The preclinical models typically used cell cultures or animal models that involved specific HIV viral proteins or the administration of nicotine to rodents. These preclinical models consistently demonstrated that nicotine had neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects, leading to cognitive enhancement. Although the major addictive ingredient in tobacco smoking is nicotine, chronic smoking does not lead to improved cognitive function in humans. Therefore, preclinical studies designed to unravel the interactive effects of chronic tobacco smoking and HIV infection are needed. In this review, we summarized the preclinical studies that demonstrated the neuroprotective effects of nicotine, the neurotoxic effects of the HIV viral proteins, and the scant literature on nicotine or tobacco smoke in HIV transgenic rat models. We also reviewed the clinical studies that evaluated the neurotoxic effects of tobacco smoking, HIV infection and their combined effects on the brain, including studies that evaluated the cognitive and behavioral assessments, as well as neuroimaging measures. Lastly, we compared the different approaches between preclinical and clinical studies, identified some gaps and proposed some future directions. Graphical abstract Independent and combined effects of HIV and tobacco/nicotine. Left top and bottom panels: Both clinical studies of HIV infected persons and preclinical studies using viral proteins in vitro or in vivo in animal models showed that HIV infection could lead to neurotoxicity and neuroinflammation. Right top and bottom panels: While clinical studies of tobacco smoking consistently showed deleterious effects of smoking, clinical and preclinical studies that used nicotine show mild cognitive enhancement, neuroprotective and possibly anti-inflammatory effects. In the developing brain, however, nicotine is neurotoxic. Middle overlapping panels: Clinical studies of persons with HIV who were smokers typically showed additive deleterious effects of HIV and tobacco smoking. However, in the preclinical studies, when nicotine was administered to the HIV-1 Tg rats, the neurotoxic effects of HIV were attenuated, but tobacco smoke worsened the inflammatory cascade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Chang
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 670 W. Baltimore Street, HSF III, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
- Department of Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, USA.
| | - Huajun Liang
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 670 W. Baltimore Street, HSF III, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Suresh R Kandel
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Chicago Medical School, Center for Cancer Cell Biology, Immunology and Infection, Rosalind Franklin University, 3333 Green Bay Road, Basic Science Building 2.300, North Chicago, IL, 60064, USA
| | - Johnny J He
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Chicago Medical School, Center for Cancer Cell Biology, Immunology and Infection, Rosalind Franklin University, 3333 Green Bay Road, Basic Science Building 2.300, North Chicago, IL, 60064, USA.
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Denaro F, Benedetti F, Worthington MD, Scapagnini G, Krauss CC, Williams S, Bryant J, Davis H, Latinovic OS, Zella D. The HIV-1 Transgenic Rat: Relevance for HIV Noninfectious Comorbidity Research. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8111643. [PMID: 33114165 PMCID: PMC7690772 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8111643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV noninfectious comorbidities (NICMs) are a current healthcare challenge. The situation is further complicated as there are very few effective models that can be used for NICM research. Previous research has supported the use of the HIV-1 transgenic rat (HIV-1TGR) as a model for the study of HIV/AIDS. However, additional studies are needed to confirm whether this model has features that would support NICM research. A demonstration of the utility of the HIV-1TGR model would be to show that the HIV-1TGR has cellular receptors able to bind HIV proteins, as this would be relevant for the study of cell-specific tissue pathology. In fact, an increased frequency of HIV receptors on a specific cell type may increase tissue vulnerability since binding to HIV proteins would eventually result in cell dysfunction and death. Evidence suggests that observations of selective cellular vulnerability in this model are consistent with some specific tissue vulnerabilities seen in NICMs. We identified CXCR4-expressing cells in the brain, while specific markers for neuronal degeneration demonstrated that the same neural types were dying. We also confirm the presence of gp120 and Tat by immunocytochemistry in the spleen, as previously reported. However, we observed very rare positive cells in the brain. This underscores the point that gp120, which has been reported as detected in the sera and CSF, is a likely source to which these CXCR4-positive cells are exposed. This alternative appears more probable than the local production of gp120. Further studies may indicate some level of local production, but that will not eliminate the role of receptor-mediated pathology. The binding of gp120 to the CXCR4 receptor on neurons and other neural cell types in the HIV-1TGR can thus explain the phenomena of selective cell death. Selective cellular vulnerability may be a contributing factor to the development of NICMs. Our data indicate that the HIV-1TGR can be an effective model for the studies of HIV NICMs because of the difference in the regional expression of CXCR4 in rat tissues, thus leading to specific organ pathology. This also suggests that the model can be used in the development of therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Denaro
- Department of Biology, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD 21251, USA; (F.D.); (M.D.W.); (C.C.K.); (S.W.)
| | - Francesca Benedetti
- Institute of Human Virology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (F.B.); (J.B.); (H.D.); (O.S.L.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Myla D. Worthington
- Department of Biology, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD 21251, USA; (F.D.); (M.D.W.); (C.C.K.); (S.W.)
| | - Giovanni Scapagnini
- Department of Medicine and Health Science, University of Molise, Via F. De Sanctis, 86100 Campobasso, Italy;
| | - Christopher C. Krauss
- Department of Biology, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD 21251, USA; (F.D.); (M.D.W.); (C.C.K.); (S.W.)
| | - Sumiko Williams
- Department of Biology, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD 21251, USA; (F.D.); (M.D.W.); (C.C.K.); (S.W.)
- Institute of Human Virology-Animal Core Division, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Joseph Bryant
- Institute of Human Virology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (F.B.); (J.B.); (H.D.); (O.S.L.)
- Institute of Human Virology-Animal Core Division, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Harry Davis
- Institute of Human Virology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (F.B.); (J.B.); (H.D.); (O.S.L.)
- Institute of Human Virology-Animal Core Division, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Olga S. Latinovic
- Institute of Human Virology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (F.B.); (J.B.); (H.D.); (O.S.L.)
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Davide Zella
- Institute of Human Virology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (F.B.); (J.B.); (H.D.); (O.S.L.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Correspondence:
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Shu H, Wang M, Song M, Sun Y, Shen X, Zhang J, Jin X. Acute Nicotine Treatment Alleviates LPS-Induced Impairment of Fear Memory Reconsolidation Through AMPK Activation and CRTC1 Upregulation in Hippocampus. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2020; 23:687-699. [PMID: 32516360 PMCID: PMC7727489 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyaa043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fear memory is a fundamental capability for animals and humans to survive. Its impairment results in the disability to avoid danger. When memory is reactivated, a reconsolidation process, which can be disrupted by various stimuli, including inflammation, is required to become permanent. Nicotine has been shown to improve cognitive deficits induced by inflammation and other stimuli. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the effect of nicotine on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced impairment of fear memory reconsolidation and the underlying mechanism. METHODS Step-through inhibitory avoidance task was recruited to study fear memory of rat, i.p. LPS (0.5 mg/kg) treatment was used to induce inflammation, and western blot and immunostaining were applied to detect protein expression and distribution in medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. RESULTS Our data showed that LPS induced fear memory reconsolidation impairment without affecting retrieval. In addition, LPS significantly increased inflammation factors tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1 beta and decreased CREB-regulated transcription coactivator 1 (CRTC1) expression and adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation in hippocampus. More importantly, LPS significantly decreased CRTC1 expression and AMPK activation in neurons by activating microglia cells. Of note, either nicotine treatment or activation of AMPK by intracerebroventricular infusion of metformin reduced LPS-induced impairment of fear memory reconsolidation and ameliorated inflammation factor tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1 beta as well as the expression of CRTC1. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, our results showed that acute nicotine treatment alleviates LPS-induced impairment of fear memory reconsolidation through activation of AMPK and upregulation of CRTC1 in hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Shu
- Institute of Neuroscience, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China,Cambridge-Suda Genomic Resource Center, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Mengwei Wang
- Institute of Neuroscience, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Min Song
- Institute of Neuroscience, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yanyun Sun
- Institute of Neuroscience, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xianzhi Shen
- Institute of Neuroscience, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Junfang Zhang
- School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China,Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Ningbo, China,Correspondence: Xinchun Jin, PhD, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100054, China () or Junfang Zhang, PhD, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China ()
| | - Xinchun Jin
- Institute of Neuroscience, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China,Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China,Correspondence: Xinchun Jin, PhD, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100054, China () or Junfang Zhang, PhD, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China ()
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Huynh YW, Thompson BM, Larsen CE, Buch S, Guo ML, Bevins RA, Murray JE. Male HIV-1 transgenic rats show reduced cocaine-maintained lever-pressing compared to F344 wildtype rats despite similar baseline locomotion. J Exp Anal Behav 2020; 113:468-484. [PMID: 32077125 DOI: 10.1002/jeab.586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Revised: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The HIV-1 transgenic (Tg) rat model is valuable for understanding HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) and accompanying substance use and misuse. Tg and F344/NHsd wildtype (WT) rats were allowed to self-administer intrajugular cocaine. For the first 7 sessions, neither genotype self-administered cocaine (0.1 mg/kg/infusion) on a fixed ratio 1 schedule. We thus implemented a lever-cocaine "autoshaping" session followed by a series of manipulations changing dose and reinforcement schedule. Tg rats self-administered much less cocaine than WT rats throughout the study. Of 8 Tg rats, 5 modestly increased self-administration from sessions 36-50. Of those, only 3 showed a lever discrimination. Of 10 WT rats, 8 acquired robust self-administration by session 19; all WT rats self-administered cocaine by the end of the study. WT and Tg rats had similar baseline locomotor activity in the self-administration chamber suggesting that the low levels of cocaine intake in the Tg rats did not reflect a nonspecific motor impairment in this rat strain. Concomitant measurement of activity with self-administration revealed activity increases that followed increased cocaine intake. That relation held in Tg rats. Therefore, the present study provides evidence that HIV-1 Tg rats are less sensitive to the reinforcing effects of cocaine than their F344 WT counterparts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Wendy Huynh
- Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-, Lincoln
| | | | | | - Shilpa Buch
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha
| | - Ming-Lei Guo
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha
| | - Rick A Bevins
- Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-, Lincoln
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Ghura S, Gross R, Jordan-Sciutto K, Dubroff J, Schnoll R, Collman RG, Ashare RL. Bidirectional Associations among Nicotine and Tobacco Smoke, NeuroHIV, and Antiretroviral Therapy. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2019; 15:694-714. [PMID: 31834620 DOI: 10.1007/s11481-019-09897-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
People living with HIV (PLWH) in the antiretroviral therapy (ART) era may lose more life-years to tobacco use than to HIV. Yet, smoking rates are more than twice as high among PLWH than the general population, contributing not just to mortality but to other adverse health outcomes, including neurocognitive deficits (neuroHIV). There is growing evidence that synergy with chronic inflammation and immune dysregulation that persists despite ART may be one mechanism by which tobacco smoking contributes to neuroHIV. This review will summarize the differential effects of nicotine vs tobacco smoking on inflammation in addition to the effects of tobacco smoke components on HIV disease progression. We will also discuss biomarkers of inflammation via neuroimaging as well as biomarkers of nicotine dependence (e.g., nicotine metabolite ratio). Tobacco smoking and nicotine may impact ART drug metabolism and conversely, certain ARTs may impact nicotine metabolism. Thus, we will review these bidirectional relationships and how they may contribute to neuroHIV and other adverse outcomes. We will also discuss the effects of tobacco use on the interaction between peripheral organs (lungs, heart, kidney) and subsequent CNS function in the context of HIV. Lastly, given the dramatic rise in the use of electronic nicotine delivery systems, we will discuss the implications of vaping on these processes. Despite the growing recognition of the importance of addressing tobacco use among PLWH, more research is necessary at both the preclinical and clinical level to disentangle the potentially synergistic effects of tobacco use, nicotine, HIV, cognition and immune dysregulation, as well as identify optimal approaches to reduce tobacco use. Graphical Abstract Proposed model of the relationships among HIV, ART, smoking, inflammation, and neurocognition. Solid lines represent relationships supported by evidence. Dashed lines represent relationships for which there is not enough evidence to make a conclusion. (a) HIV infection produces elevated levels of inflammation even among virally suppressed individuals. (b) HIV is associated with deficits in cognition function. (c) Smoking rates are higher among PLWH, compared to the general population. (d) The nicotine metabolite ratio (NMR) is associated with smoking behavior. (e) HIV and tobacco use are both associated with higher rates of psychiatric comorbidities, such as depression, and elevated levels of chronic stress. These factors may represent other mechanisms linking HIV and tobacco use. (f) The relationship between nicotine, tobacco smoking, and inflammation is complex, but it is well-established that smoking induces inflammation; the evidence for nicotine as anti-inflammatory is supported in some studies, but not others. (g) The relationship between tobacco use and neurocognition may differ for the effects of nicotine (acute nicotine use may have beneficial effects) vs. tobacco smoking (chronic use may impair cognition). (h) Elevated levels of inflammation may be associated with deficits in cognition. (i) PLWH may metabolize nicotine faster than those without HIV; the mechanism is not yet known and the finding needs validation in larger samples. We also hypothesize that if HIV-infection increases nicotine metabolism, then we should observe an attenuation effect once ART is initiated. (j) It is possible that the increase in NMR is due to ART effects on CYP2A6. (k) We hypothesize that faster nicotine metabolism may result in higher levels of inflammation since nicotine has anti-inflammatory properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivesh Ghura
- Department of Pathology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Robert Gross
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kelly Jordan-Sciutto
- Department of Pathology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jacob Dubroff
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Robert Schnoll
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, 3535 Market Street, Suite, Philadelphia, PA, 4100, USA
| | - Ronald G Collman
- Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Division, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Rebecca L Ashare
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, 3535 Market Street, Suite, Philadelphia, PA, 4100, USA.
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Age-Related Decrease in Tyrosine Hydroxylase Immunoreactivity in the Substantia Nigra and Region-Specific Changes in Microglia Morphology in HIV-1 Tg Rats. Neurotox Res 2019; 36:563-582. [PMID: 31286433 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-019-00077-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Animal models have been used to study cellular processes related to human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1)-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). The HIV-1 transgenic (Tg) rat expresses HIV viral genes except the gag-pol replication genes and exhibits neuropathological features similar to HIV patients receiving combined antiretroviral therapy (cART). Using this rat, alterations in dopaminergic function have been demonstrated; however, the data for neuroinflammation and glial reactivity is conflicting. Differences in behavior, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactivity, neuroinflammation, and glia reactivity were assessed in HIV-1 Tg male rats. At 6 and 12 weeks of age, rotarod performance was diminished, motor activity was not altered, and active avoidance latency performance and memory were diminished in HIV-1 Tg rats. TH+ immunoreactivity in the substantia nigra (SN) was decreased at 8 months but not at 2-5 months. At 5 months, astrocyte and microglia morphology was not altered in the cortex, hippocampus, or SN. In the striatum, astrocytes were unaltered, microglia displayed slightly thickened proximal processes, mRNA levels for Iba1 and Cd11b were elevated, and interleukin (Il)1α,Cxcr3, and cell adhesion molecule, Icam, decreased. In the hippocampus, mRNA levels for Tnfa and Cd11b were slightly elevated. No changes were observed in the cortex or SN. The data support an age-related effect of HIV proteins upon the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system and suggest an early response of microglia in the terminal synaptic region with little evidence of an associated neuroinflammatory response across brain regions.
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Modulatory Effects of Nicotine on neuroHIV/neuroAIDS. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2018; 13:467-478. [PMID: 30215204 DOI: 10.1007/s11481-018-9806-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 08/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Nicotine, one of the key active ingredients in tobacco smoke, exerts its effects via binding to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Although both negative and positive pharmacological effects of nicotine have been shown in numerous animals and human studies, its interaction with human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) have not been fully elucidated. Even though combined anti-retroviral therapy (cART) limits the progression of HIV-1 to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) remain prevalent. There is thus a compelling need to enhance our understanding of HAND-related neurologic dysfunction. Some biochemical pathways and physiological dysfunctions have been found to be shared by HAND and Alzheimer's (AD) or Parkinson's (PD) diseases, and nicotine may exert the same neuroprotection in HAND that has been observed in both AD and PD. In the past dozen years, various potential therapeutic effects of nicotine such as neuroprotection have been revealed in both in vivo and in vitro studies, including using HIV-1 transgenic (HIV-1Tg) rat model, which mimics HIV-infected patients receiving cART. In the current review, we describe recent progress in the prevalence of HIV/AIDS with and without cigarette smoking, some animal models for studying neural dysfunction associated with HIV-1 infection, elucidating the modulatory effects of cigarette smoking/nicotine on HIV/AIDS, the anti-inflammatory effects of nicotine, and the neuroprotective effects observed in HIV-1Tg rat model. Taken together, these findings suggest the following: although tobacco smoking does cause deleterious effects in both health and disease conditions such as HIV infection, nicotine, the significant component of tobacco smoke, has been shown to possess some neuroprotective effects in HIV patients, possible via its anti-inflammatory activities. It is therefore necessary to study nicotine's dual effects on neuroHIV/neuroAIDS in hope of better defining the potential medical uses of nicotine or its analogues, and to make them available in a purer and less dangerous form.
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Casas R, Muthusamy S, Wakim PG, Sinharay S, Lentz MR, Reid WC, Hammoud DA. MR brain volumetric measurements are predictive of neurobehavioral impairment in the HIV-1 transgenic rat. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL 2017; 17:659-666. [PMID: 29204344 PMCID: PMC5705794 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2017.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2017] [Revised: 09/11/2017] [Accepted: 11/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Introduction HIV infection is known to be associated with brain volume loss, even in optimally treated patients. In this study, we assessed whether dynamic brain volume changes over time are predictive of neurobehavorial performance in the HIV-1 transgenic (Tg) rat, a model of treated HIV-positive patients. Materials and methods Cross-sectional brain MRI imaging was first performed comparing Tg and wild type (WT) rats at 3 and 19 months of age. Longitudinal MRI and neurobehavioral testing of another group of Tg and WT rats was then performed from 5 to 23 weeks of age. Whole brain and subregional image segmentation was used to assess the rate of brain growth over time. We used repeated-measures mixed models to assess differences in brain volumes and to establish how predictive the volume differences are of specific neurobehavioral deficits. Results Cross-sectional imaging showed smaller whole brain volumes in Tg compared to WT rats at 3 and at 19 months of age. Longitudinally, Tg brain volumes were smaller than age-matched WT rats at all time points, starting as early as 5 weeks of age. The Tg striatal growth rate delay between 5 and 9 weeks of age was greater than that of the whole brain. Striatal volume in combination with genotype was the most predictive of rota-rod scores and in combination with genotype and age was the most predictive of total exploratory activity scores in the Tg rats. Conclusion The disproportionately delayed striatal growth compared to whole brain between 5 and 9 weeks of age and the role of striatal volume in predicting neurobehavioral deficits suggest an important role of the dopaminergic system in HIV associated neuropathology. This might explain problems with motor coordination and executive decisions in this animal model. Smaller brain and subregional volumes and neurobehavioral deficits were seen as early as 5 weeks of age, suggesting an early brain insult in the Tg rat. Neuroprotective therapy testing in this model should thus target this early stage of development, before brain damage becomes irreversible. HIV infection is known to be associated with brain volume loss. HIV transgenic rats showed smaller brain volumes than wild type rats. Tg rats showed disproportionate loss of volume in the striatum compared to brain. Tg striatal volume loss along with genotype/age predict neurobehavioral deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Casas
- Center for Infectious Disease Imaging (CIDI), Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Siva Muthusamy
- Center for Infectious Disease Imaging (CIDI), Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Paul G Wakim
- Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology Service, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Sanhita Sinharay
- Center for Infectious Disease Imaging (CIDI), Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Margaret R Lentz
- Center for Infectious Disease Imaging (CIDI), Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - William C Reid
- Center for Infectious Disease Imaging (CIDI), Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Dima A Hammoud
- Center for Infectious Disease Imaging (CIDI), Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, United States.
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Yang Z, Nesil T, Wingo T, Chang SL, Li MD. HIV-1 Proteins Influence Novelty-Seeking Behavior and Alter Region-Specific Transcriptional Responses to Chronic Nicotine Treatment in HIV-1Tg Rats. Nicotine Tob Res 2017; 19:1024-1032. [PMID: 28339662 PMCID: PMC5896433 DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntx047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2016] [Accepted: 02/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Clinical studies suggest that HIV-1-infected patients are more likely to use or abuse addictive drugs than is the general population. We hypothesized that HIV-1 proteins impact novelty-seeking behavior and enhance the transcriptional response to nicotine in genes implicated in both novelty-seeking behavior and drug addiction. METHODS We assessed the effects of HIV-1 proteins on novelty-seeking behavior by comparing baseline activity differences of HIV-1Tg and F344 control rats in the open-field test. One day after behavioral testing, all rats began daily subcutaneous injections of either nicotine (0.4 mg/kg, base) or saline (the same for each rat) for 27 days. At the end of treatment, the prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, and ventral tegmental area were collected for RNA expression analysis of genes in the receptor families for dopamine, GABA, glutamate, and serotonin. RESULTS Significant strain difference was detected in the distance moved in the center, such that HIV-1Tg rats traveled greater distance in the center of the arena than did F344 rats. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed that mRNA from Drd3 and Grm2 in the prefrontal cortex and Drd5 and Gabra6 in the ventral tegmental area was significantly upregulated, whereas that of Drd5 in the nucleus accumbens was downregulated in HIV-1Tg rats compared with F344 rats. Further, more addiction-related genes were significantly modulated by nicotine in each brain region in the HIV-1Tg rats than in the control animals. CONCLUSIONS HIV-1 proteins may affect novelty-seeking behavior and modulate the expression of genes related to drug addiction and novelty-seeking behavior. IMPLICATIONS HIV-1 viral proteins and chronic nicotine treatment impact the expression of genes involved in novelty-seeking behavior and addiction in three brain regions of the HIV-1 transgenic rat. These findings implicate that HIV-1 proteins may be involved in novelty-seeking behavior and in modulating the expression of genes related to drug addiction and novelty seeking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongli Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Research Center for Air Pollution and Health, Zhejiang University,Hangzhou,China
- Institute of NeuroImmune Pharmacology, Seton Hall University,South Orange, NJ
| | - Tanseli Nesil
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
| | - Taylor Wingo
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
| | - Sulie L Chang
- Institute of NeuroImmune Pharmacology, Seton Hall University,South Orange, NJ
- Department of Biology, Seton Hall University,South Orange, NJ
| | - Ming D Li
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Research Center for Air Pollution and Health, Zhejiang University,Hangzhou,China
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW As of the year 2016, an estimated 50% of the United States' HIV-Positive population is aged 50 years or older. Due to a combination of increased rates of infection in older adults, and successful anti-retroviral (ART) regimens allowing HIV-positive adults to survive for decades with the disease, we are now faced with a steadily graying HIV-positive population, with only limited knowledge of how the cognitive and physiological effects of aging intersect with those of chronic HIV-infection. RECENT FINDINGS Age-related changes to mood, cognition, and neurological health may be experienced differently in those living with HIV, and research concerning quality of life, mental health, and cognitive aging needs to account for and explore these factors more carefully in the coming years. SUMMARY This review will explore the topic of cognitive aging with HIV: 1. Central nervous system (CNS) infection of HIV and how the virus affects brain integrity and function; 2. Cognitive and behavioral symptoms of HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders (HAND); 3. Neurobiological theories of Cognitive Aging and how these processes may be exacerbated by HIV-infection; 4: Clinical implications and complications of aging with HIV and factors that may result in poorer cognitive outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paul Newhouse
- Vanderbilt University Center for Cognitive Medicine.,Veterans Affairs Tennessee Valley Healthcare System Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center (VA TVHS GRECC)
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Fu Z, Wu J, Nesil T, Li MD, Aylor KW, Liu Z. Long-term high-fat diet induces hippocampal microvascular insulin resistance and cognitive dysfunction. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2017; 312:E89-E97. [PMID: 27899343 PMCID: PMC5336564 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00297.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Revised: 11/04/2016] [Accepted: 11/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Insulin action on hippocampus improves cognitive function, and obesity and type 2 diabetes are associated with decreased cognitive function. Cerebral microvasculature plays a critical role in maintaining cerebral vitality and function by supplying nutrients, oxygen, and hormones such as insulin to cerebral parenchyma, including hippocampus. In skeletal muscle, insulin actively regulates microvascular opening and closure, and this action is impaired in the insulin-resistant states. To examine insulin's action on hippocampal microvasculature and parenchyma and the impact of diet-induced obesity, we determined cognitive function and microvascular insulin responses, parenchyma insulin responses, and capillary density in the hippocampus in 2- and 8-mo-old rats on chow diet and 8-mo-old rats on a long-term high-fat diet (6 mo). Insulin infusion increased hippocampal microvascular perfusion in rats on chow diet by ~80-90%. High-fat diet feeding completely abolished insulin-mediated microvascular responses and protein kinase B phosphorylation but did not alter the capillary density in the hippocampus. This was associated with a significantly decreased cognitive function assessed using both the two-trial spontaneous alternation behavior test and the novel object recognition test. As the microvasculature provides the needed endothelial surface area for delivery of nutrients, oxygen, and insulin to hippocampal parenchyma, we conclude that hippocampal microvascular insulin resistance may play a critical role in the development of cognitive impairment seen in obesity and diabetes. Our results suggest that improvement in hippocampal microvascular insulin sensitivity might help improve or reverse cognitive function in the insulin-resistant states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuo Fu
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Jing Wu
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia
- Department of Endocrinology, Central South University Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China; and
| | - Tanseli Nesil
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Ming D Li
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Kevin W Aylor
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Zhenqi Liu
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia;
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Chronic Binge Alcohol Administration Dysregulates Hippocampal Genes Involved in Immunity and Neurogenesis in Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Macaques. Biomolecules 2016; 6:biom6040043. [PMID: 27834864 PMCID: PMC5197953 DOI: 10.3390/biom6040043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2016] [Revised: 10/23/2016] [Accepted: 10/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Alcohol use disorders (AUD) exacerbate neurocognitive dysfunction in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV+) patients. We have shown that chronic binge alcohol (CBA) administration (13–14 g EtOH/kg/wk) prior to and during simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection in rhesus macaques unmasks learning deficits in operant learning and memory tasks. The underlying mechanisms of neurocognitive alterations due to alcohol and SIV are not known. This exploratory study examined the CBA-induced differential expression of hippocampal genes in SIV-infected (CBA/SIV+; n = 2) macaques in contrast to those of sucrose administered, SIV-infected (SUC/SIV+; n = 2) macaques. Transcriptomes of hippocampal samples dissected from brains obtained at necropsy (16 months post-SIV inoculation) were analyzed to determine differentially expressed genes. MetaCore from Thomson Reuters revealed enrichment of genes involved in inflammation, immune responses, and neurodevelopment. Functional relevance of these alterations was examined in vitro by exposing murine neural progenitor cells (NPCs) to ethanol (EtOH) and HIV trans-activator of transcription (Tat) protein. EtOH impaired NPC differentiation as indicated by decreased βIII tubulin expression. These findings suggest a role for neuroinflammation and neurogenesis in CBA/SIV neuropathogenesis and warrant further investigation of their potential contribution to CBA-mediated neurobehavioral deficits.
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16
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Khodr CE, Chen L, Dave S, Al-Harthi L, Hu XT. Combined chronic blockade of hyper-active L-type calcium channels and NMDA receptors ameliorates HIV-1 associated hyper-excitability of mPFC pyramidal neurons. Neurobiol Dis 2016; 94:85-94. [PMID: 27326669 PMCID: PMC4983475 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2016.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2016] [Revised: 05/04/2016] [Accepted: 06/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection induces neurological and neuropsychological deficits, which are associated with dysregulation of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and other vulnerable brain regions. We evaluated the impact of HIV infection in the mPFC and the therapeutic potential of targeting over-active voltage-gated L-type Ca(2+) channels (L-channel) and NMDA receptors (NMDAR), as modeled in HIV-1 transgenic (Tg) rats. Whole-cell patch-clamp recording was used to assess the membrane properties and voltage-sensitive Ca(2+) potentials (Ca(2+) influx) in mPFC pyramidal neurons. Neurons from HIV-1 Tg rats displayed reduced rheobase, spike amplitude and inwardly-rectifying K(+) influx, increased numbers of action potentials, and a trend of aberrant firing compared to those from non-Tg control rats. Neuronal hyper-excitation was associated with abnormally-enhanced Ca(2+) influx (independent of NMDAR), which was eliminated by acute L-channel blockade. Combined chronic blockade of over-active L-channels and NMDARs with open-channel blockers abolished HIV effects on spiking, aberrant firing and Ca(2+) potential half-amplitude duration, though not the reduced inward rectification. In contrast, individual chronic blockade of over-active L-channels or NMDARs did not alleviate HIV-induced mPFC hyper-excitability. These studies demonstrate that HIV alters mPFC neuronal activity by dysregulating membrane excitability and Ca(2+) influx through the L-channels. This renders these neurons more susceptible and vulnerable to excitatory stimuli, and could contribute to HIV-associated neuropathogenesis. Combined targeting of over-active L-channels/NMDARs alleviates HIV-induced dysfunction of mPFC pyramidal neurons, emphasizing a potential novel therapeutic strategy that may effectively decrease HIV-induced Ca(2+) dysregulation in the mPFC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina E Khodr
- Department of Pharmacology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, United States
| | - Lihua Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, United States
| | - Sonya Dave
- Department of Pharmacology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, United States
| | - Lena Al-Harthi
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, United States
| | - Xiu-Ti Hu
- Department of Pharmacology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, United States.
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17
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Wingo T, Nesil T, Chang SL, Li MD. Interactive Effects of Ethanol and HIV-1 Proteins on Novelty-Seeking Behaviors and Addiction-Related Gene Expression. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2016; 40:2102-2113. [PMID: 27650554 PMCID: PMC5108578 DOI: 10.1111/acer.13206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2016] [Accepted: 07/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Novelty-seeking behavior is related to the reward system in the brain and can predict the potential for addiction. Alcohol use is prevalent in HIV-1-infected patients and adversely affects antiretroviral medication. The difference in vulnerability to alcohol addiction between HIV-1-infected and noninfected populations has not been fully investigated. This study was designed to determine whether HIV-1 proteins alter the effects of ethanol (EtOH) on novelty-seeking behavior using the HIV-1 transgenic (HIV-1Tg) rat as the study model and to examine the molecular mechanisms responsible for this behavior. METHODS Both HIV-1Tg and F344 control rats were tested for baseline novelty-seeking behavior, then received either EtOH (1 g/kg) at a concentration of 20% v/v or saline treatment for 13 days, and then were retested for novelty seeking. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was conducted to examine the differences in expression of 65 genes implicated in novelty seeking and alcohol addiction between strains and treatment groups. RESULTS The HIV-1 proteins significantly enhanced baseline novelty-seeking behaviors in both the hole-board and open-field tests. Chronic EtOH treatment significantly increased baseline novelty-seeking behavior in both strains, but the effects of EtOH appeared to be more robust and prominent in HIV-1Tg rats. Strain-specific patterns of altered gene expression were observed for dopaminergic, cholinergic, and glutamatergic signaling in the nucleus accumbens, suggesting the effects of HIV-1 proteins on the brain's reward system. Chronic EtOH treatment was shown to greatly modulate the effects of HIV-1 proteins in these neurotransmitter systems. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our findings indicate that HIV-1 proteins could modify novelty-seeking behavior at the gene expression level, and EtOH treatment may enhance this behavior in both strains but to a greater extent in HIV-1Tg rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor Wingo
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Tanseli Nesil
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Sulie L Chang
- Institute of NeuroImmune Pharmacology, Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey.
- Department of Biological Sciences, Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey.
| | - Ming D Li
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia.
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Cao J, Nesil T, Wang S, Chang SL, Li MD. Expression profile of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunits in the brain of HIV-1 transgenic rats given chronic nicotine treatment. J Neurovirol 2016; 22:626-633. [PMID: 27056721 PMCID: PMC5574164 DOI: 10.1007/s13365-016-0438-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2015] [Revised: 03/13/2016] [Accepted: 03/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Abuse of addictive substances, including cigarettes, is much greater in HIV-1-infected individuals than in the general population and challenges the efficiency of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART). The HIV-1 transgenic (HIV-1Tg) rat, an animal model used to study drug addiction in HIV-1-infected patients on HAART, displays abnormal neurobehavioral responses to addictive substances. Given that the cholinergic system plays an essential part in the central reward circuitry, we evaluated the expression profile of nine nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subunit genes in the central nervous system (CNS) of HIV-1Tg rats. We found that nAChR subunits were differentially expressed in various brain regions in HIV-1Tg rats compared to F344 control rats, with more subunits altered in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and nucleus accumbens (NAc) of the HIV-1Tg rats than in other brain regions. We also found that chronic nicotine treatment (0.4 mg/kg/day) decreased the mRNA expression of nAChR subunits α6, β3, and β4 in the VTA of HIV-1Tg rats, whereas expression of α4 and α6 subunits in the NAc increased. No such changes were observed in F344 rats. Together, our data suggest that HIV-1 proteins alter the expression of nAChRs, which may contribute to the vulnerability to cigarette smoking addiction in HIV-1 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junran Cao
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
| | - Tanseli Nesil
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
| | - Shaolin Wang
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
| | - Sulie L Chang
- Institute of NeuroImmune Pharmacology, Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ, USA.
- Department of Biological Sciences, Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ, USA.
| | - Ming D Li
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA.
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Yang Z, Nesil T, Connaghan KP, Li MD, Chang SL. Modulation Effect of HIV-1 Viral Proteins and Nicotine on Expression of the Immune-Related Genes in Brain of the HIV-1 Transgenic Rats. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2016; 11:562-71. [PMID: 27147085 DOI: 10.1007/s11481-016-9679-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2015] [Accepted: 04/26/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The human immunodeficiency virus-1 transgenic (HIV-1Tg) rat is a non-infectious rodent model for HIV-1 infection which develops altered immune-responses similar to those in persons infected with HIV-1. HIV-1Tg and F344 rats respond significantly different to morphine, ethanol, nicotine and other psychostimulants, although the molecular mechanisms underlying these differences remain largely undetermined. Here, we compared expression of 52 immune-related genes in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), nucleus accumbens (NAc), and ventral tegmental area (VTA) of HIV-1Tg and F344 rats treated with either nicotine (0.4 mg/kg nicotine, base, s.c.) or saline for 27 days, to identify differentially expressed genes in the presence of HIV-1 with and without nicotine treatment. Using quantitative RT-PCR array, we measured RNA expression levels. Results showed that RNA expression of CASP3, CCL5, CX3CL1, CX3CR1, IL1α, LRF4, LFR7, TGFβ1 and TLR4 in NAc, CCL2, CCL5, TGFβ1 and TLR4 in PFC, and CASP3, CX3CR1, IFNα1, IL1β and IL6 in VTA was significantly modulated in HIV-1Tg rats compared with F344 rats. IL1α showed a 58 % (P = 0.000072) decrease and IRF6 showed a 93.7 % increase (P = 0.000227) in the NAc of HIV-1Tg compared with F344 rats; results remained significant after correction for multiple testing. We also found that several genes were significantly modulated by nicotine in HIV-1Tg rats while only a small number of immune-related genes were altered by nicotine in F344 rats. These findings imply that HIV-1 viral proteins greatly impact immune function and alter responsiveness to nicotine in certain immune-related genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongli Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Institute of NeuroImmune Pharmacology, Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ, USA
| | - Tanseli Nesil
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Kaitlyn P Connaghan
- Institute of NeuroImmune Pharmacology, Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ, USA
| | - Ming D Li
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Sulie L Chang
- Institute of NeuroImmune Pharmacology, Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ, USA. .,Department of Biological Sciences, Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ, USA.
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Hahn YK, Paris JJ, Lichtman AH, Hauser KF, Sim-Selley LJ, Selley DE, Knapp PE. Central HIV-1 Tat exposure elevates anxiety and fear conditioned responses of male mice concurrent with altered mu-opioid receptor-mediated G-protein activation and β-arrestin 2 activity in the forebrain. Neurobiol Dis 2016; 92:124-36. [PMID: 26845176 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2016.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2015] [Revised: 12/31/2015] [Accepted: 01/19/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Co-exposure to opiates and HIV/HIV proteins results in enhanced CNS morphological and behavioral deficits in HIV(+) individuals and in animal models. Opiates with abuse liability, such as heroin and morphine, bind preferentially to and have pharmacological actions through μ-opioid-receptors (MORs). The mechanisms underlying opiate-HIV interactions are not understood. Exposure to the HIV-1 transactivator of transcription (Tat) protein causes neurodegenerative outcomes that parallel many aspects of the human disease. We have also observed that in vivo exposure to Tat results in apparent changes in morphine efficacy, and thus have hypothesized that HIV proteins might alter MOR activation. To test our hypothesis, MOR-mediated G-protein activation was determined in neuroAIDS-relevant forebrain regions of transgenic mice with inducible CNS expression of HIV-1 Tat. G-protein activation was assessed by MOR agonist-stimulated [(35)S]guanosine-5'-O-(3-thio)triphosphate ([(35)S]GTPγS) autoradiography in brain sections, and in concentration-effect curves of MOR agonist-stimulated [(35)S]GTPγS binding in membranes isolated from specific brain regions. Comparative studies were done using the MOR-selective agonist DAMGO ([D-Ala(2), N-MePhe(4), Gly-ol]-enkephalin) and a more clinically relevant agonist, morphine. Tat exposure reduced MOR-mediated G-protein activation in an agonist, time, and regionally dependent manner. Levels of the GPCR regulatory protein β-arrestin-2, which is involved in MOR desensitization, were found to be elevated in only one affected brain region, the amygdala; amygdalar β-arrestin-2 also showed a significantly increased association with MOR by co-immunoprecipitation, suggesting decreased availability of MOR. Interestingly, this correlated with changes in anxiety and fear-conditioned extinction, behaviors that have substantial amygdalar input. We propose that HIV-1 Tat alters the intrinsic capacity of MOR to signal in response to agonist binding, possibly via a mechanism involving altered expression and/or function of β-arrestin-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun K Hahn
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Richmond, VA 23298-0709, USA
| | - Jason J Paris
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Richmond, VA 23298-0613, USA
| | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Richmond, VA 23298-0613, USA; Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0059, USA
| | - Kurt F Hauser
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Richmond, VA 23298-0709, USA; Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Richmond, VA 23298-0613, USA; Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0059, USA
| | - Laura J Sim-Selley
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Richmond, VA 23298-0613, USA; Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0059, USA
| | - Dana E Selley
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Richmond, VA 23298-0613, USA; Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0059, USA
| | - Pamela E Knapp
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Richmond, VA 23298-0709, USA; Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, Richmond, VA 23298-0613, USA; Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0059, USA.
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Song G, Nesil T, Cao J, Yang Z, Chang SL, Li MD. Nicotine mediates expression of genes related to antioxidant capacity and oxidative stress response in HIV-1 transgenic rat brain. J Neurovirol 2015; 22:114-24. [PMID: 26306689 DOI: 10.1007/s13365-015-0375-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2015] [Revised: 07/18/2015] [Accepted: 08/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Oxidative stress plays an important role in the progression of HIV-1 infection. Nicotine can either protect neurons from neurodegeneration or induce oxidative stress, depending on its dose and degree of oxidative stress impairment. However, the relationship between nicotine and oxidative stress in the HIV-1-infected individuals remains largely unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of nicotine on expression of genes related to the glutathione (GSH)-centered antioxidant system and oxidative stress in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) of HIV-1 transgenic (HIV-1Tg) and F344 control rats. Adult HIV-1Tg and F344 rats received nicotine (0.4 mg/kg, base, s.c.) or saline injections once per day for 27 days. At the end of treatment, various brain regions including the NAc and VTA were collected from each rat. Following total RNA extraction and complementary DNA (cDNA) synthesis of each sample, quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) analysis was performed for 43 oxidative-stress-related genes. Compared with F344 control rats, HIV-1Tg rats showed a significant downregulation of genes involved in ATPase and cyctochrome oxidase at the messenger RNA (mRNA) level in both regions. Further, we found a significant downregulation of Gstm5 in the NAc and upregulation of Cox1, Cox3, and Gsta6 in the VTA of HIV-1Tg rats. HIV-1Tg rats showed brain-region-specific responses to chronic nicotine treatment. This response resulted in a change in the expression of genes involved in antioxidant mechanisms including the downregulation of genes such as Atp5h, Calml1, Gpx7, Gstm5, Gsr, and Gsta6 and upregulation of Sod1 in the NAc, as well as downregulation of genes like Cox5a, Gpx4, Gpx6, Gpx7, Gstm5, and Sod1 in the VTA of HIV-1Tg rats. Together, we conclude that chronic nicotine treatment has a dual effect on the antioxidant defense system and oxidative-stress-induced apoptosis signaling in HIV-1Tg rats. These findings suggest that nicotine has a negative effect on response to oxidative stress and antioxidant processes in HIV-1 Tg rat brain, especially in the VTA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guohua Song
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, University of Virginia, 450 Ray C Hunt Drive, Suite G-170, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA.,Shanxi Key Laboratory of Experimental Animal Science and Animal Model of Human Disease, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Tanseli Nesil
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, University of Virginia, 450 Ray C Hunt Drive, Suite G-170, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
| | - Junran Cao
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, University of Virginia, 450 Ray C Hunt Drive, Suite G-170, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
| | - Zhongli Yang
- Institute of NeuroImmune Pharmacology, Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ, USA
| | - Sulie L Chang
- Institute of NeuroImmune Pharmacology, Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ, USA
| | - Ming D Li
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, University of Virginia, 450 Ray C Hunt Drive, Suite G-170, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA.
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