Cocaine enhances HIV replication by inducing transcriptionally active chromatin s

George Washington University, Washington DC

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Abstract

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Injection and non-injection drug use and abuse remain significant cofactors for HIV infection and transmission. The drugs of abuse such as cocaine has also been implicated in HIV-1-associated pathogenesis e.g. HAD, HAND. It has become clear that drugs of abuse, including cocaine can modify both cellular epigenetics and signaling pathways, which ultimately modulate the expression of several cellular genes. Therefore, it would not be surprising if the gene expression of integrated HIV proviruses are also influenced with this type of stimuli. Although, HIV gene expression by cocaine until now is mainly attributed to up regulation of several chemokines, cytokines, signaling pathways and some of viral proteins (e.g. Tat and Env), however, the molecular mechanism such as epigenetic changes by drugs of abuse could explain better the continuous induction of several genes even after removal of drug of abuse, which is normally the case. In order to develop better understanding of the complex interplay between drugs of abuse and HIV replication, it is important to investigate the impact of drugs of abuse on HIV gene expression especially in brain cells, as brain is the target organ for both drugs of abuse and HIV. Cocaine is one of the most widely abused drugs in the United States, which both impair the normal functioning of brain cells and also activate HIV gene expression in central nervous system (CNS). As a result, HIV-infected individuals who abuse cocaine experience more severe and rapid onset of NeuroAIDS than non-abusing individuals. In this grant we will study the molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of HIV gene expression and replication by cocaine in two primary macrophage cells, microglial (from brain) and peripheral macrophage (MDMs from PBMCs). Cocaine is known to modulate expression of several cellular genes via inducing selective chromatin modifications by regulating specific set of enzymes. We will investigate how gene expression of integrated HIV provirus is affected by cocaine induced selective core histones acetylations in primary macrophage cells. These modifications ultimately contribute to more rapid deterioration of immune and nervous system, which is quite prevalent in drug addict HIV patients. Broader Impact: This work is expected to lead towards the discovery of new epigenetic pathways, which could direct towards the new therapeutic strategies to address several adverse disease outcomes due to aberrant proviral gene expression and replication in drug addict HIV patients.