Alteration of serotonin transporter messenger RNA level in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells from simian/human immunodeficiency virus infected Chinese rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta).
Serotonin transporter (SERT, 5-HTT) is a key element in the serotonergic system which is probably involved in the psychiatric disorders commonly observed in people living with HIV/AIDS. However, no information is available about the effects of HIV infection on SERT expression. In this study, a TaqMan real-time RT-PCR method was established, levels of SERT mRNA in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and various tissues from normal Chinese rhesus macaques, in PBMCs from 32 SHIV-sf162p4 infected rhesus macaques and from 8 rhesus macaques before and 7, 14, 21, 28 and 196 days after SHIV-sf162p4 infection, and in PBMCs before and after in vitro phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation were examined. It was found that SERT mRNA was widely distributed in lymphoid tissues; the level of SERT mRNA was significantly reduced in PBMCs from SHIV infected rhesus macaques and in PBMCs stimulated with PHA. The most evident decrease (to about one-tenth) in SERT mRNA level was observed at day 7 after SHIV infection. Difference in PBMC SERT mRNA level between 5-HTTLPR genotypes was not statistically significant. These data indicated that, in addition to previously observed abnormality in serotonin metabolism, SERT expression might be affected in HIV/AIDS, which might be associated with depression and other psychiatric disorders in HIV/AIDS. Besides, this study provided a basis for quantitative analysis of SERT gene expression under effects of host and environmental factors, such as 5-HTTLPR genotypes, SERT targeting drugs or other infectious agents.
Yu
Kai
K
State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, China-CDC, Beijing 100050, PR China.
Qiu
Chen-Li
CL
Yang
Gui-Bo
GB
Zong
Chun-Miao
CM
Xing
Hui
H
Shao
Yiming
Y
Wei
Qiang
Q
Qin
Chuan
C
D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D017931:DNA Primers; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000378:metabolism*; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008262:Macrophage Activation / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D016097:Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism*; D015302:Simian Immunodeficiency Virus
D017931:DNA Primers; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins