Methamphetamine functions as a novel CD4⁺ T-cell activator via the sigma-1 receptor to enhance HIV-1 infection.

ABSTRACT: Methamphetamine (Meth) exacerbates HIV-1 pathobiology by increasing virus transmission and replication and accelerating clinical progression to AIDS. Meth has been shown to alter the expression of HIV-1 co-receptors and impair intrinsic resistance mechanisms of immune cells. However, the exact molecular mechanisms involved in augmenting HIV-1 replication in T-cells are still not yet clear. Here, we demonstrate that pretreatment with Meth of CD4⁺ T-cells enhanced HIV-1 replication. We observed upregulation of CD4⁺ T-cell activation markers and enhanced expression of miR-34c-5p and miR-155 in these cells. Further, we noted activation of the sigma-1 receptor and enhanced intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration and cAMP release in CD4⁺ T-cells upon Meth tre

SUBMITTER: Prasad A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6353873 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature