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Yadav-Samudrala BJ, Gorman BL, Barmada KM, Ravula HP, Huguely CJ, Wallace ED, Peace MR, Poklis JL, Jiang W, Fitting S. Effects of acute cannabidiol on behavior and the endocannabinoid system in HIV-1 Tat transgenic female and male mice. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1358555. [PMID: 38505774 PMCID: PMC10949733 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1358555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Some evidence suggests that cannabidiol (CBD) has potential to help alleviate HIV symptoms due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Here we examined acute CBD effects on various behaviors and the endocannabinoid system in HIV Tat transgenic mice. Methods Tat transgenic mice (female/male) were injected with CBD (3, 10, 30 mg/kg) and assessed for antinociception, activity, coordination, anxiety-like behavior, and recognition memory. Brains were taken to quantify endocannabinoids, cannabinoid receptors, and cannabinoid catabolic enzymes. Additionally, CBD and metabolite 7-hydroxy-CBD were quantified in the plasma and cortex. Results Tat decreased supraspinal-related nociception and locomotion. CBD and sex had little to no effects on any of the behavioral measures. For the endocannabinoid system male sex was associated with elevated concentration of the proinflammatory metabolite arachidonic acid in various CNS regions, including the cerebellum that also showed higher FAAH expression levels for Tat(+) males. GPR55 expression levels in the striatum and cerebellum were higher for females compared to males. CBD metabolism was altered by sex and Tat expression. Conclusion Findings indicate that acute CBD effects are not altered by HIV Tat, and acute CBD has no to minimal effects on behavior and the endocannabinoid system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barkha J. Yadav-Samudrala
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Benjamin L. Gorman
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Karenna M. Barmada
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Havilah P. Ravula
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Caitlin J. Huguely
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - E. Diane Wallace
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Michelle R. Peace
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Justin L. Poklis
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Wei Jiang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Sylvia Fitting
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
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Yadav-Samudrala BJ, Ravula HP, Barmada KM, Dodson H, Poklis JL, Ignatowska-Jankowska BM, Lichtman AH, Reissner KJ, Fitting S. Acute Effects of Monoacylglycerol Lipase Inhibitor ABX1431 on Neuronal Hyperexcitability, Nociception, Locomotion, and the Endocannabinoid System in HIV-1 Tat Male Mice. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2024. [PMID: 38394322 DOI: 10.1089/can.2023.0247] [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] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Evidence suggests that monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) inhibitors can potentially treat HIV symptoms by increasing the concentration of 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). We examined a selective MAGL inhibitor ABX1431 in the context of neuroHIV. Methods: To assess the effects of ABX1431, we conducted in vitro and in vivo studies. In vitro calcium imaging on frontal cortex neuronal cultures was performed to evaluate the role of ABX1431 (10, 30, 100 nM) on transactivator of transcription (Tat)-induced neuronal hyperexcitability. Following in vitro experiments, in vivo experiments were performed using Tat transgenic male mice. Mice were treated with 4 mg/kg ABX1431 and assessed for antinociception using tail-flick and hot plate assays followed by locomotor activity. After the behavioral experiments, their brains were harvested to quantify endocannabinoids (eCB) and related lipids through mass spectrometry, and cannabinoid type-1 and -2 receptors (CB1R and CB2R) were quantified through western blot. Results: In vitro studies revealed that adding Tat directly to the neuronal cultures significantly increased intracellular calcium concentration, which ABX1431 completely reversed at all concentrations. Preincubating the cultures with CB1R and CB2R antagonists showed that ABX1431 exhibited its effects partially through CB1R. In vivo studies demonstrated that acute ABX1431 increased overall total distance traveled and speed of mice regardless of their genotype. Mass spectrometry and western blot analyses revealed differential effects on the eCB system based on Tat expression. The 2-AG levels were significantly upregulated following ABX1431 treatment in the striatum and spinal cord. Arachidonic acid (AA) was also upregulated in the striatum of vehicle-treated Tat(+) mice. No changes were noted in CB1R expression levels; however, CB2R levels were increased in ABX1431-treated Tat(-) mice only. Conclusion: Findings indicate that ABX1431 has potential neuroprotective effects in vitro partially mediated through CB1R. Acute treatment of ABX1431 in vivo shows antinociceptive effects, and seems to alter locomotor activity, with upregulating 2-AG levels in the striatum and spinal cord.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barkha J Yadav-Samudrala
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Havilah P Ravula
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Karenna M Barmada
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Hailey Dodson
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Justin L Poklis
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | | | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Kathryn J Reissner
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Sylvia Fitting
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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Yadav-Samudrala BJ, Gorman BL, Dodson H, Ramineni S, Wallace ED, Peace MR, Poklis JL, Jiang W, Fitting S. Effects of acute Δ 9-tetrahydrocannabinol on behavior and the endocannabinoid system in HIV-1 Tat transgenic female and male mice. Brain Res 2024; 1822:148638. [PMID: 37858856 PMCID: PMC10873064 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2023.148638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Cannabis use is highly prevalent especially among people living with HIV (PLWH). Activation of the anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective endocannabinoid system by phytocannabinoids, i.e. Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), has been proposed to reduce HIV symptoms. However, THC's effects on HIV-related memory deficits are unclear. Using HIV-1 Tat transgenic mice, the current study investigates acute THC effects on various behavioral outcomes and the endocannabinoid system. For the rodent tetrad model, THC doses (1, 3, 10 mg/kg) induced known antinociceptive effects, with Tat induction increasing antinociceptive THC effects at 3 and 10 mg/kg doses. Only minor or no effects were noted for acute THC on body temperature, locomotor activity, and coordination. Increased anxiety-like behavior was found for females compared to males, but acute THC had no effect on anxiety. Object recognition memory was diminished by acute THC in Tat(-) females but not Tat(+) females, without affecting males. The endocannabinoid system and related lipids were not affected by acute THC, except for THC-induced decreases in CB1R protein expression levels in the spinal cord of Tat(-) mice. Female sex and Tat induction was associated with elevated 2-AG, AEA, AA, CB1R, CB2R, FAAH and/or MAGL expression in various brain regions. Further, AEA levels in the prefrontal cortex of Tat(+) females were negatively associated with object recognition memory. Overall, findings indicate that acute THC exerts differential effects on antinociception and memory, dependent on sex and HIV Tat expression, potentially in relation to an altered endocannabinoid system, which may be of relevance in view of potential cannabis-based treatment options for PLWH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barkha J Yadav-Samudrala
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Benjamin L Gorman
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Hailey Dodson
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Shreya Ramineni
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - E Diane Wallace
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Michelle R Peace
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Justin L Poklis
- Department of Forensic Science, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA
| | - Wei Jiang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Sylvia Fitting
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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Fields JA, Swinton M, Sundermann EE, Scrivens N, Vallee KAJ, Moore DJ. Complement component 3 and complement factor H protein levels are altered in brain tissues from people with human immunodeficiency virus: A pilot study. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:981937. [PMID: 36118688 PMCID: PMC9472593 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.981937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
People with HIV (PWH) continue to suffer from dysfunction of the central nervous system, as evidenced by HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND), despite antiretroviral therapy and suppressed viral loads. As PWH live longer they may also be at risk of age-related neurodegenerative diseases such Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and its precursor, amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). The complement system is associated with deposition of AD-related proteins such as beta amyloid (Aβ), neuroinflammation, and neurological dysfunction in PWH. Complement component 3 (C3) is a key protagonist in the complement cascade and complement factor H (CFH) is an antagonist of C3 activity. We investigated the relationship between C3 and CFH levels in the brain and Aβ plaques and neurological dysfunction in 22 PWH. We analyzed by immunoblot C3 and CFH protein levels in frontal cortex (FC) and cerebellum (CB) brain specimens from PWH previously characterized for Aβ plaque deposition. C3 and CFH protein levels were then correlated with specific cognitive domains. C3 protein levels in the FC were significantly increased in brains with Aβ plaques and in brains with HAND compared to controls. In the CB, C3 levels trended higher in brains with Aβ plaques. Overall C3 protein levels were significantly higher in the FC compared to the CB, but the opposite was true for CFH, having significantly higher levels of CFH protein in the CB compared to the FC. However, only CFH in the FC showed significant correlations with specific domains, executive function and motor performance. These findings corroborate previous results showing that complement system proteins are associated with HAND and AD neuropathogenesis.
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Xu C, Yadav-Samudrala BJ, Xu C, Nath B, Mistry T, Jiang W, Niphakis MJ, Cravatt BF, Mukhopadhyay S, Lichtman AH, Ignatowska-Jankowska BM, Fitting S. Inhibitory Neurotransmission Is Sex-Dependently Affected by Tat Expression in Transgenic Mice and Suppressed by the Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase Enzyme Inhibitor PF3845 via Cannabinoid Type-1 Receptor Mechanisms. Cells 2022; 11:857. [PMID: 35269478 PMCID: PMC8909692 DOI: 10.3390/cells11050857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background. The endocannabinoid (eCB) system, which regulates physiological and cognitive processes, presents a promising therapeutic target for treating HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). Here we examine whether upregulating eCB tone has potential protective effects against HIV-1 Tat (a key HIV transactivator of transcription) protein-induced alterations in synaptic activity. (2) Methods. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were performed to assess inhibitory GABAergic neurotransmission in prefrontal cortex slices of Tat transgenic male and female mice, in the presence and absence of the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) enzyme inhibitor PF3845. Western blot and mass spectrometry analyses assessed alterations of cannabinoid receptor and enzyme protein expression as well as endogenous ligands, respectively, to determine the impact of Tat exposure on the eCB system. (3) Results. GABAergic activity was significantly altered upon Tat exposure based on sex, whereas the effectiveness of PF3845 to suppress GABAergic activity in Tat transgenic mice was not altered by Tat or sex and involved CB1R-related mechanisms that depended on calcium signaling. Additionally, our data indicated sex-dependent changes for AEA and related non-eCB lipids based on Tat induction. (4) Conclusion. Results highlight sex- and/or Tat-dependent alterations of GABAergic activity and eCB signaling in the prefrontal cortex of Tat transgenic mice and further increase our understanding about the role of FAAH inhibition in neuroHIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changqing Xu
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (C.X.); (B.J.Y.-S.); (C.X.)
| | - Barkha J. Yadav-Samudrala
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (C.X.); (B.J.Y.-S.); (C.X.)
| | - Callie Xu
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (C.X.); (B.J.Y.-S.); (C.X.)
| | - Bhupendra Nath
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA; (B.N.); (T.M.); (S.M.)
| | - Twisha Mistry
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA; (B.N.); (T.M.); (S.M.)
| | - Wei Jiang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA;
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Micah J. Niphakis
- Department of Chemical Physiology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; (M.J.N.); (B.F.C.)
| | - Benjamin F. Cravatt
- Department of Chemical Physiology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; (M.J.N.); (B.F.C.)
| | - Somnath Mukhopadhyay
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA; (B.N.); (T.M.); (S.M.)
| | - Aron H. Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA;
| | | | - Sylvia Fitting
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (C.X.); (B.J.Y.-S.); (C.X.)
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