Human immunodeficiency virus-1 protein Tat and methamphetamine interactions

Shaji Theodore, Stephanie Stolberg, Wayne A. Cass, William F. Maragos

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

27 Scopus citations

Abstract

The human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) affects the central nervous system (CNS) in ∼30% of infected individuals and basal ganglia structures seem to be most affected. The HIV-1-transactivating protein, Tat, has been suggested to be pathogenically relevant in HIV-1-induced neuronal injury. The abuse of methamphetamine (METH), which is great among this patient population, also affects the basal ganglia, causing degeneration of dopaminergic terminals. In previous studies, we demonstrated that coexposure to these two toxins caused a synergistic loss of striatal dopamine and binding to the dopamine transporter (DAT), suggesting a loss of dopamine terminals. Because the loss of dopamine and DAT, however, do not necessarily reflect dopamine terminal degeneration, we have used silver staining and TH immunohistochemistry to further examine this issue. We have also examined the glial reaction using GFAP as a marker of astrocyte activation and OX-42 as a marker of activated microglia. Lastly, we have begun to explore the mechanism of synergy by investigating the role that the cytokine TNF-α might play in Tat + METH synergy. Our data indicate that the synergistic loss of dopamine is likely the result of dopamine terminal degeneration. This injury is not a direct result of the number of activated glia but does involve TNF-α.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationCellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Drugs of Abuse and Neurotoxicity
Subtitle of host publicationCocaine, GHB, and Substituted Amphetamines
Pages178-190
Number of pages13
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2006

Publication series

NameAnnals of the New York Academy of Sciences
Volume1074
ISSN (Print)0077-8923
ISSN (Electronic)1749-6632

Keywords

  • AIDS
  • Cytokines
  • Dopamine
  • Drug abuse
  • Glia
  • Neurodegeneration

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience
  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • History and Philosophy of Science

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