HIV-1 Tat and cocaine impair survival of cultured primary neuronal cells via a mitochondrial pathway

FI De Simone, N Darbinian, S Amini… - Journal of Neuroimmune …, 2016 - Springer
FI De Simone, N Darbinian, S Amini, M Muniswamy, MK White, JW Elrod, PK Datta
Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology, 2016Springer
Addictive stimulant drugs, such as cocaine, are known to increase the risk of exposure to
HIV-1 infection and hence predispose towards the development of AIDS. Previous findings
suggested that the combined effect of chronic cocaine administration and HIV-1 infection
enhances cell death. Neuronal survival is highly dependent on the health of mitochondria
providing a rationale for assessing mitochondrial integrity and functionality following cocaine
treatment, either alone or in combination with the HIV-1 viral protein Tat, by monitoring ATP …
Abstract
Addictive stimulant drugs, such as cocaine, are known to increase the risk of exposure to HIV-1 infection and hence predispose towards the development of AIDS. Previous findings suggested that the combined effect of chronic cocaine administration and HIV-1 infection enhances cell death. Neuronal survival is highly dependent on the health of mitochondria providing a rationale for assessing mitochondrial integrity and functionality following cocaine treatment, either alone or in combination with the HIV-1 viral protein Tat, by monitoring ATP release and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm). Our results indicate that exposing human and rat primary hippocampal neurons to cocaine and HIV-1 Tat synergistically decreased both mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP production. Additionally, since previous studies suggested HIV-1 infection alters autophagy in the CNS, we investigated how HIV-1 Tat and cocaine affect autophagy in neurons. The results indicated that Tat induces an increase in LC3-II levels and the formation of Parkin-ring-like structures surrounding damaged mitochondria, indicating the possible involvement of the Parkin/PINK1/DJ-1 (PPD) complex in neuronal degeneration. The importance of mitochondrial damage is also indicated by reductions in mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP content induced by HIV-1 Tat and cocaine.
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