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Interaction of drugs of abuse and microRNA with HIV: a brief review

Sudheesh Pilakka-Kanthikeel1, Madhavan P N Nair1

  • 1Department of Immunology, Institute of Neuroimmune Pharmacology, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University Miami, FL, USA.

Frontiers in Microbiology
|October 21, 2015
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNAs regulate gene expression and are involved in addiction and HIV. Chronic drug use, like morphine, affects these microRNAs, potentially increasing HIV susceptibility.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Virology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression involved in various cellular processes.
  • Altered miRNA expression profiles impact disease pathogenesis, including addiction and HIV infection.
  • Anti-HIV-1 microRNAs are present in cells targeted by HIV, and their dysregulation is linked to disease progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of microRNAs in addiction mechanisms.
  • To explore the interaction between drugs of abuse, microRNAs, and HIV infection.
  • To summarize evidence on microRNA dysregulation in response to chronic drug exposure.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating microRNA expression and function.
  • Analysis of research on the impact of drugs of abuse on cellular mechanisms.
  • Examination of the interplay between microRNAs, mu opioid receptors, and HIV-1 infectivity.

Main Results:

  • Drugs of abuse impair innate anti-HIV mechanisms in monocytes, increasing susceptibility to HIV infection.
  • Chronic morphine treatment leads to differential expression of specific microRNAs.
  • Activation of mu opioid receptors by morphine downregulates the expression of anti-HIV microRNAs.

Conclusions:

  • MicroRNAs play significant roles in the mechanisms underlying addiction.
  • Dysregulated microRNAs due to drug abuse may influence HIV susceptibility and progression.
  • Understanding these interactions is crucial for developing therapeutic strategies for co-occurring addiction and HIV.
Keywords:
HIVcocainedrugs of abuselatencymicroRNA

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