Investigating the Role of T cells in Age-related Neurodegeneration in HIV Infection

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Project Summary As the leading cause of age-related disabilities, neurocognitive diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other dementias are poised to significantly impact global health care as the population of people aged 60 and older nearly doubles in the next three decades. One group at a significantly greater risk of age-related neurodegenerative diseases are HIV-infected (HIV+) patients. An estimated 50% of HIV+ patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) develop mild to severe impairments in brain function with age. Designated as HIV- associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND), this syndrome is expected to increase dramatically in the next decade as more than 70% of Americans with HIV turn 50 and older, and ART becomes more widely available in the developing world. The imminent global impact of HAND underscores the urgent need to understand the mechanistic basis of neurodegeneration in HIV+ patients on ART and devise effective interventions. This proposal is focused on understanding the immune mechanisms underlying age-related neurodegeneration following HIV infection using a robust rhesus model which recapitulates salient aspects of HIV pathophysiology in humans. In Aim 1 of this research project, we will establish the role of monocytes in neurodegeneration; specifically, pro-inflammatory monocytes. In Aim 2, we will determine the role of Th1, and Th17 CD4 T cell subsets in neurodegeneration. Considering that HIV and HIV-associated neuroinflammation interfere with amyloid and tau metabolism, in Aim 3 we will investigate whether pathological AD markers are induced during HIV-associated neuroinflammation. The collective complementary expertise of the investigators and collaborators in tackling the scientific questions posed in the application will facilitate an in-depth understanding of the immune and synaptic mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration. These preclinical studies will establish the mechanistic and experimental foundations to identify predictive biomarkers of HAND and subsequently enable opportunities in a relevant and tractable model for testing novel, targeted interventions as adjunctive therapy to ART. Only by quantifying measures of SIV-induced HAND sequelae in macaques can parameters of intervention be evaluated for efficacy prior to human studies.