Opioids and the progression of simian AIDS

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 19, 2026

Peptide-based Identification of Functional Motifs and their Binding Partners
14:28

Peptide-based Identification of Functional Motifs and their Binding Partners

Published on: June 30, 2013

Ronald Y Chuang1, Shunji Suzuki, Ted K Chuang

  • 1Department of Medical Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine and Section of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA. rychuang@ucdavis.edu <rychuang@ucdavis.edu>

Frontiers in Bioscience : a Journal and Virtual Library
|March 17, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Opioids like morphine significantly increase simian AIDS virus (SIV) replication and mutation rates in rhesus monkeys. This opioid-induced immune modulation offers insights into human AIDS progression and treatment strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Virology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Simian acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (SAIDS) is a critical model for studying human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
  • Opioid use is a potential co-factor in the progression of viral infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of opioid dependence on simian AIDS virus (SIV) replication and mutation.
  • To identify immune system changes and cellular receptors involved in opioid-mediated SIV modulation.

Main Methods:

  • Rhesus monkeys were inoculated with SIVmac239.
  • Morphine dependence was induced in a subset of monkeys.
  • Viral replication rates, mutation rates, and immune cell receptor expression were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Morphine-dependent monkeys exhibited several-fold higher SIV replication rates compared to controls.
  • SIV in morphine-treated monkeys developed mutations conferring resistance to conventional screening and AZT treatment.
  • Opioid and chemokine receptors were identified on immune cells, indicating a direct mechanism of modulation.

Conclusions:

  • Opioid use accelerates SIV replication and promotes the emergence of drug-resistant viral strains.
  • Understanding opioid-induced immune modulation is crucial for managing AIDS progression.
  • These findings have implications for human AIDS treatment and co-infection management.

More Related Videos

Oral Combinational Antiretroviral Treatment in HIV-1 Infected Humanized Mice06:07

Oral Combinational Antiretroviral Treatment in HIV-1 Infected Humanized Mice

Published on: October 6, 2022

Combining Laser Capture Microdissection and Microfluidic qPCR to Analyze Transcriptional Profiles of Single Cells: A Systems Biology Approach to Opioid Dependence09:54

Combining Laser Capture Microdissection and Microfluidic qPCR to Analyze Transcriptional Profiles of Single Cells: A Systems Biology Approach to Opioid Dependence

Published on: March 8, 2020

Related Concept Videos

Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids01:15

Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids

Synthetic and semisynthetic opioids are pivotal in pain management and tackling opioid addiction. Semisynthetic opioids, including morphinans (morphine derivatives), oxycodone, oxymorphone, hydrocodone, and hydromorphone, have improved pharmacokinetic profiles compared to morphine. Additionally, heroin and 6-MAM (6-Monoacetylmorphine) show better CNS penetration than morphine due to heightened lipid solubility. Hydromorphone, a potent opioid, undergoes hepatic metabolism to form the active...
Opioid Analgesics: Morphine and Other Natural Cogeners01:20

Opioid Analgesics: Morphine and Other Natural Cogeners

Opioids are a class of drugs that mimic endogenous opioid peptides and act on opioid receptors, and help in pain relief. These compounds are classified as natural, synthetic, or semi-synthetic. Natural opioids, like morphine, codeine, and thebaine, are derived from the opium poppy plant (Papaver somniferum or Papaver album) and are termed opiates. Synthetic opioids are artificial, while semi-synthetic opioids combine natural and synthetic compounds. Morphine, a prototypical opioid, possesses a...
Analgesia and Pain Management01:25

Analgesia and Pain Management

Pain is critical to various clinical pathologies, provoking an urgent need for effective management. Pain, whether acute or chronic, is a complex neurochemical process. Its alleviation depends on the type, with nonopioid analgesics effective for mild to moderate pain, such as musculoskeletal or inflammatory pain, while neuropathic pain responds best to anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, or serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. For severe acute or chronic pain, opioids may be...
Opioid Receptors: Overview01:22

Opioid Receptors: Overview

Opioid receptors, including the mu (μ, MOR), delta (δ, DOR), and kappa (κ, KOR) types, belong to the rhodopsin family of G protein-coupled receptors. These receptors are located throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems and in non-neuronal tissues such as macrophages and astrocytes. Opioid receptor ligands can be categorized into agonists or antagonists. Highly selective agonists include [d-Ala2, MePhe4, Gly(ol)5]-enkephalin or DAMGO for MOR, [D-Pen2, D-Pen5]-enkephalin or DPDPE for...
Retrovirus Life Cycles01:10

Retrovirus Life Cycles

Retroviruses have a single-stranded RNA genome that undergoes a special form of replication. Once the retrovirus has entered the host cell, an enzyme called reverse transcriptase synthesizes double-stranded DNA from the retroviral RNA genome. This DNA copy of the genome is then integrated into the host’s genome inside the nucleus via an enzyme called integrase. Consequently, the retroviral genome is transcribed into RNA whenever the host’s genome is transcribed, allowing the retrovirus to...
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Opioids as Antidiarrheal Agents01:17

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Opioids as Antidiarrheal Agents

Diarrhea, a condition marked by frequent loose or watery bowel movements, can be triggered by multiple factors such as viral or bacterial infections, food intolerances, anxiety, medications, and digestive disorders. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and cramping. Severe or prolonged diarrhea can lead to complications like electrolyte imbalances, malnutrition, and dehydration if left untreated.
Opioids, widely used antidiarrheal agents, mitigate diarrhea by slowing down...