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Updated: May 18, 2026
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Chronic, Acute, and Reactivated HIV Infection in Humanized Immunodeficient Mouse Models
Published on: December 3, 2019
Morphine exposure during HIV encephalitis in SCID mice.
William R Tyor1, Hee Young Hwang, Cari Fritz-French
1Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Decatur, GA 30033, USA. wtyor@emory.edu
Neurochemical Research
|September 12, 2012
Summary
Opiate abuse may complicate HIV encephalitis (HIVE). This study found morphine did not worsen HIVE in mice, suggesting complex interactions between opiates and HIVE pathology.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- HIV encephalitis (HIVE) is a neurological complication of HIV infection.
- Opiate abuse is common in individuals with HIV and is suspected to worsen HIVE.
- Previous studies suggest opiates exacerbate HIVE, but direct evidence in a relevant model is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hypothesis that morphine exacerbates HIV encephalitis (HIVE) in a SCID mouse model.
- To examine the effects of morphine on neuropathological markers in HIVE.
Main Methods:
- Severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice were intracerebrally inoculated with HIV-infected or uninfected human macrophages.
- Mice received subcutaneous pellets containing saline, morphine, or morphine plus naltrexone for 10 days.
- Histopathological analysis included immunostaining for astrocytes (GFAP), mononuclear phagocytes (CD45), and neuronal dendrites (MAP2).
- Quantification of HIV-infected human macrophages (p24+) was performed.
Main Results:
- Typical HIVE neuropathology was observed in infected mice.
- Morphine exposure did not significantly alter astrogliosis, microgliosis, or MAP2 expression in HIVE mice.
- The number of HIV-infected human macrophages (p24+) was not affected by morphine treatment.
Conclusions:
- Morphine did not exacerbate neuropathological signs of HIVE in this SCID mouse model.
- These findings highlight the complexity of modeling opiate effects on HIVE.
- The results suggest that the impact of opiate abuse on HIVE in humans may be more intricate than previously assumed.
