Astrocytic HIV-1 Nef expression decreases glutamate transporter expression in the nucleus accumbens and increases cocaine-seeking behavior in rats.

ABSTRACT: Cocaine use disorder is an intersecting issue in populations with HIV-1, further exacerbating the clinical course of the disease, contributing to neurotoxicity and neuroinflammation. Cocaine and HIV neurotoxins play roles in neuronal damage during neuroHIV progression by disrupting glutamate homeostasis in the brain. Even with cART, HIV-1 Nef, an early viral protein expressed in approximately 1% of infected astrocytes, remains a key neurotoxin. This study investigates the relationship that exists between Nef, glutamate homeostasis, and cocaine in the NAc, a critical brain region associated with drug motivation and reward. Using a rat model, we compared the effects of astrocytic Nef and cocaine by molecular analysis of glutamate transporters in the NAc. We further conducted behavioral asses

SUBMITTER: Pla-Tenorio J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11483060 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature