beta-Endorphin enhances the replication of neurotropic human immunodeficiency virus in fetal perivascular microglia.
The effect of an endogenous opiate, beta-endorphin, on the replication of HIV was investigated in brain perivascular microglia. Beta-endorphin enhanced the synthesis of p-24 antigen and transactivation of HIV promoter. Dialysed culture supernatants of endorphin-treated microglia re-activated latent HIV infection. These culture supernatants showed elevated levels of interleukin-1 beta, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha. Sub-optimal concentration of beta-endorphin potentiated GP-120-induced synthesis of these cytokines. Nalaxone reversed beta-endorphin-induced, but not GP-120-induced, cytokine production and enhanced HIV replication. These results suggest that endogenous opiates may contribute to the progression of AIDS dementia complex.
Sundar
K S
KS
Department of Psychiatry, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
Kamaraju
L S
LS
Dingfelder
J
J
McMahon
J
J
Gollapudi
S
S
Wilson
W H
WH
Kong
L Y
LY
Hong
J S
JS
Weiss
J M
JM
Lee
J E
JE
D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006678:HIV / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D016325:HIV Long Terminal Repeat; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D017628:Microglia / Q000382:microbiology*; D009270:Naloxone / Q000494:pharmacology; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D015533:Transcriptional Activation; D017735:Virus Latency; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects*; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000494:pharmacology*
D016207:Cytokines; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009270:Naloxone; D001615:beta-Endorphin