Project description:It has been hypothesized that lentiviral infection might exacerbate age-related neurodegenerative processes. This study used microarrays to detail gene expression in the midfrontal cortex from aged macaques chronically infected with SIVmac251 with and without antiretroviral therapy along with non-infected counterparts.
Project description:HIV/SIV associated oral mucosal disease/dysfunction (HAOMD) (gingivitis/periodontitis/salivary adenitis) represents a major comorbidity affecting HIV patients on anti-retroviral therapy. Using a systems biology approach, we investigated molecular changes (mRNA/microRNA) underlying HAOMD and its modulation by phytocannabinoids [delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC)] in uninfected (n=5) and SIV-infected rhesus macaques untreated (VEH-untreated/SIV; n=7) or treated with vehicle (VEH/SIV; n=3) or Δ9-THC (THC/SIV; n=3). Relative to controls fewer mRNAs were upregulated in THC/SIV compared to VEH-untreated/SIV macaques. Gene enrichment analysis showed differential enrichment of biological functions involved in anti-viral defense, Type-I interferon, Toll-like receptor, RIG-1 and IL1R signaling in VEH-untreated/SIV macaques. We focused on the anti-ER-stress anterior gradient-2 (AGR2), epithelial barrier protecting and anti-dysbiotic WAP Four-Disulfide Core Domain 2 (WFDC2), and glucocorticoid-induced anti-inflammatory TSC22D3 (TSC22-domain family member 3) that were significantly downregulated in OPM of VEH-untreated/SIV macaques. All three proteins localized to minor salivary gland acini and secretory ducts and showed enhanced and reduced expression in OPM of THC/SIV and VEH/SIV macaques, respectively. Additionally, inflammation associated miR-21, miR-142-3p and miR-29b showed significantly higher expression in OPM of VEH-untreated/SIV macaques. TSC22D3 was validated as a target of miR-29b. These preliminary translational findings suggest that phytocannabinoids may safely and effectively reduce oral inflammatory responses in HIV/SIV and other diseases.
Project description:Cannabinoid administration before and after simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-inoculation ameliorated disease progression and decreased inflammation in male rhesus macaques. Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) did not increase viral load in brain tissue or produce additive neuropsychological impairment in SIV-infected macaques. To determine if the neuroimmunomodulation of Δ9-THC involved differential microRNA (miR) expression, miR expression in the striatum of uninfected macaques receiving vehicle (VEH) or Δ9-THC (THC) and SIV-infected macaques administered either vehicle (VEH/SIV) or Δ9-THC (THC/SIV) was profiled using next generation deep sequencing.
Project description:The study describes miRNA expression in Gingival tissue of chronically SIV-infected rhesus macaques. HIV/SIV-associated periodontal disease (gingivitis/periodontitis) (PD) represents a major comorbidity affecting HIV patients on anti-retroviral therapy. Employing a systems biology approach, we report molecular changes underlying PD and its modulation by phytocannabinoids [delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (9-THC)] in uninfected and SIV-infected rhesus macaques (RMs) untreated (VEH-untreated/SIV) or treated with vehicle (VEH/SIV) or 9-THC (THC/SIV). VEH- untreated/SIV but not THC/SIV RMs showed significant enrichment of genes linked to anti-viral defense, interferon-beta, NFkB, RIG-1, and JAK-STAT signaling. We focused on the anti-microbial DUOX1 and immune activation marker IDO1 that were reciprocally regulated in gingiva of VEH-untreated/SIV RMs. Both proteins localized to the gingival epithelium and CD163+ macrophages, and showed differential expression in the gingiva of THC/SIV and VEH/SIV RMs. Additionally, inflammation-associated miR-21, miR-142-3p, miR-223, and miR-125a-5p showed significantly higher expression in the gingiva of VEH/SIV RMs. In human primary gingival epithelial cells, miR-125a-5p post-transcriptionally downregulated DUOX1 These findings strongly support a role for differential miRNA expression associated with HIV/SIV induced gingival mucosal dysfunction.
Project description:The study describes miRNA expression in Oropharyngeal tissue of chronically SIV-infected rhesus macaques. To identify the underlying molecular mechanisms we simultaneously profiled miRNA and mRNA expression in oropharyngeal tissues of chronically simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected rhesus macaques (RMs). Relative to controls, we identified 48 (38-upregulated and 10 downregulated) differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs relative to uninfected controls (n=5). Interestingly, in terms of magnitude, miR-19a, miR-301, miR-142-3p, miR-32 and miR-142-5p were among a select list of miRNAs that showed the highest upregulation in OPM. An important finding is the significant upregulation in OPM of miR-21, a microRNA known to regulate periodontitis, T-cell activation and oral carcinoma. Interestingly, RNA-seq for gene expression profiling also confirmed miR-21 upregulation in OPM of VEH-untreated/SIV rhesus macaques. Using TargetScan 7.2, we identified TSC22D3 (TSC22-domain family member 3), an anti-inflammatory protein induced by glucocorticoids and IL10 that was significantly downregulated in OPM of VEH-untreated/SIV macaques to be a predicted target of miR-29b. TSC22D3 localized to minor salivary gland acini and secretory ducts and showed reduced expression in OPM of VEH-untreated chronically SIV macaques. Using luciferase reporter and overexpression assays, we confirmed TSC22D3 to be a direct target of miR-29b. Interestingly, expression of miR-150 was significantly downregulated, a miRNA we previously demonstrated to be downregulated during T cell activation in the intestine. These findings strongly support a role for differential miRNA expression associated with HIV/SIV induced oropharyngeal mucosal dysfunction.
Project description:To find the differences in innate immune response between nonpathogenic and pathogenic SIV infection, we examined transcriptome in PBMCs from macaques infected with pathogenic or nonpathogenic SIV.
Project description:The study describes miRNA expression changes in basal ganglia (BG) of chronically SIV-infected rhesus macaques. HIV/SIV-associated neurological disorder (HAND) represents a major comorbidity affecting HIV patients on anti-retroviral therapy. Employing a systems biology approach, we report molecular changes underlying HAND and its modulation by phytocannabinoids [delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (9-THC)] in uninfected and SIV-infected rhesus macaques (RMs) treated with vehicle (VEH/SIV) or 9-THC (THC/SIV). VEH/SIV but not THC/SIV RMs showed significant enrichment of genes linked to anti-viral defense, interferon-beta, NFkB, RIG-1, and JAK-STAT signaling. We focused on the anti-endoplasmic reticulum (WFS1) and anti-oxidative stress (CRYM) proteins that were significantly downregulated in BG of VEH/SIV RMs. Both proteins localized to the BG neurons, and showed differential expression in the BG of THC/SIV and VEH/SIV RMs. Additionally, inflammation-associated miR-155 and miR-142-3p showed significantly higher expression in the BG of VEH/SIV RMs. In human primary HCN2 neuronal cells, miR-142-3p post-transcriptionally downregulated WFS1. These findings strongly support a role for differential miRNA expression associated with HIV/SIV induced neurological dysfunction.
Project description:Interleukin-21 treatment during ART was able to decrease residual immune activation and viral burden in SIV-infected rhesus macaques
Project description:We used microarrays to detail the global gene expression changes in the ileum of SIV-infected and uninfected macaques following administration of L. plantarum.
Project description:To find the differences in innate immune response between nonpathogenic and pathogenic SIV infection, we examined transcriptome in PBMCs from macques infected with pathogenic or nonpathogenic SIV. Juvenile macaques were intavenousy infected with SIVmac239 or M-bM-^HM-^F5G. Blood samples were collected at 1 week and 3 weeks pi. Total RNA from the PBMCs were used for the microarray analysis.