HIV-1 Tat Protein and Its Role in Depression
Author Information
Author(s): Fu Xin, Lawson Marcus A, Kelley Keith W, Dantzer Robert
Primary Institution: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Hypothesis
Does HIV-1 Tat protein activate indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase (IDO) in the brain, leading to depressive-like behavior?
Conclusion
HIV-1 Tat induces IDO expression through a mechanism that depends on p38 MAPK activation, which may contribute to depressive disorders in HIV-infected patients.
Supporting Evidence
- HIV-1 Tat administration increased immobility in the forced swim test, indicating depressive-like behavior.
- Tat induced IDO expression in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures.
- The effect of Tat on IDO expression was mediated by p38 MAPK activation.
- Proinflammatory cytokines TNFα and IL-6 were also increased in response to Tat treatment.
Takeaway
The HIV-1 Tat protein can make mice feel sad without making them sick, and it does this by changing how certain brain chemicals work.
Methodology
Mice were treated with HIV-1 Tat and assessed for depressive-like behavior using the forced swim test, while organotypic hippocampal slice cultures were used to measure IDO expression and cytokine levels.
Participant Demographics
12-week-old male C57BL/6J mice
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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