Methamphetamine and 3, 4- methylenedioxy methamphetamine (MDMA) are two most common club drugs, and are very popular among younger generation. These illicit substances are used by millions of people every year and their use is more popular among gay population. Both methamphetamine and MDMA are known to cause neurotoxicity including changes in structure of the brain, especially in the areas associated with depression and cognitive problems. There is indirect evidence that Methamphetamine and MDMA might affect course of the disease among HIV-1 positive drug-users as evident by higher incidence of HIV-1 infection and increased viral load and as well as neuroinflammation among drug users. Role of dopamine (DA), dopamine transporter (DT), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and oxidative stress markers is well established in methamphetamine and MDMA-mediated neurotoxicity. However role of cytokine and chemokine remains under explored. On the other hand HIV is known to cause HIV-associated dementia (HAD) and illicit substances especially opiates have been documented to compound these effects. Two HIV proteins (Tat and gp120) have been studied in great detail for their ability to induce HAD. However, viral Vpr and Nef, though implicated, but not very well studied for their role in HAD. Furthermore, there is only limited information available regarding possible synergy between methamphetamine and MDMA on one hand and different virotoxins on the other. In this proposal we will determine role of cytokines and chemokine in methamphetamine and MDMA-mediated neurotoxicity and find out whether concurrent use of 2 drugs increases neurotoxicity. We will determine role of HIV Vpr and Nef in neurotoxicity which has been relatively unexplored. We will also determine whether there is synergy between illicit drugs and virotoxins and whether neurotoxic effect can be abrogated by use of antagonist and siRNA. These in vitro findings will be extended to in vivo experiments wherein combined effect of methamphetamine or MDMA and virotoxins will be explored in HIV Tat, Nef and gp120 transgenic mice.

Public Health Relevance

This application proposes to dissect role of the cytokine(s) and chemokine(s) in methamphetamine and MDMA-mediated neurotoxicity. Experiments are also planned to elucidate the role of viral proteins (HIV Vpr and Nef) in HAD, and whether there is synergy between club drugs and virotoxins for their ability to induce neurotoxicity. We will also test pharmacological inhibitors and viral siRNA for their potential to abrogate neurotoxicity. In vitro results will be extended to a model system using transgenic mice.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DA025528-02
Application #
7777854
Study Section
NeuroAIDS and other End-Organ Diseases Study Section (NAED)
Program Officer
Lawrence, Diane M
Project Start
2009-04-01
Project End
2014-03-31
Budget Start
2010-04-01
Budget End
2011-03-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$295,020
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Missouri Kansas City
Department
Pharmacology
Type
Schools of Pharmacy
DUNS #
010989619
City
Kansas City
State
MO
Country
United States
Zip Code
64110
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Shah, Ankit; Vaidya, Naveen K; Bhat, Hari K et al. (2016) HIV-1 gp120 induces type-1 programmed cell death through ER stress employing IRE1?, JNK and AP-1 pathway. Sci Rep 6:18929
Nookala, Anantha R; Li, Junhao; Ande, Anusha et al. (2016) Effect of Methamphetamine on Spectral Binding, Ligand Docking and Metabolism of Anti-HIV Drugs with CYP3A4. PLoS One 11:e0146529
Liu, Xun; Kumar, Anil (2015) Differential signaling mechanism for HIV-1 Nef-mediated production of IL-6 and IL-8 in human astrocytes. Sci Rep 5:9867
Huang, Shengping; Liu, Shufeng; Fu, Jia J et al. (2015) Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-induced Protein 1 and 4 Form a Complex but Act Independently in Regulation of Interleukin-6 mRNA Degradation. J Biol Chem 290:20782-92
Gangwani, Mohitkumar R; Kumar, Anil (2015) Multiple Protein Kinases via Activation of Transcription Factors NF-?B, AP-1 and C/EBP-? Regulate the IL-6/IL-8 Production by HIV-1 Vpr in Astrocytes. PLoS One 10:e0135633
Earla, Ravinder; Kumar, Santosh; Wang, Lei et al. (2014) Enhanced methamphetamine metabolism in rhesus macaque as compared with human: an analysis using a novel method of liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry, kinetic study, and substrate docking. Drug Metab Dispos 42:2097-108
Nookala, Anantha Ram; Kumar, Anil (2014) Molecular mechanisms involved in HIV-1 Tat-mediated induction of IL-6 and IL-8 in astrocytes. J Neuroinflammation 11:214

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