HIV and substances of abuse influence exosomes and endothelial cell function

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 DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): HIV infection results in CNS complications, with nearly 75% of patients with advanced HIV disease showing subclinical to clinical neurological manifestations. Additional sequelae have patients on long-term successful cART therapy who suffer from residual and end organ diseases of HIV infection. Endothelial cell dysfunction is central to HIV neuropathogenesis. A compromised blood brain barrier results in increased leukocyte transmigration, HIV infection, and the establishment of a highly inflammatory environment, which further aggravates HIV-associated neurological disease. Microvesicles are secreted from nearly every cell type. Many types exist, which we shall refer to collectively as exosomes. These circulate in the bloodstream of HIV patients. They influence intercellular communication at both local and distant sites from their cellular source. Vascular, lymphatic, and barrier endothelial cells, perhaps more than any other cell type, are constantly exposed to circulating exosomes. HIV infection can affect the composition of exosomes and utilizes these vesicles to facilitate viral pathogenesis and spread. Exosomes from infected cells can contain viral proteins, host microRNAs and proteins that trigger responses in endothelial cells, all of which can promote HIV pathogenesis. We showed this for exosomes circulating in HIV associated cancer patients and animal models (Chugh et al. PLoS Pathog. 2013;9(7):e1003484). Drugs of abuse including cocaine and cannibinoids are associated with increased HIV risk and these substances can be detrimental to HIV progression and contribute to HIV-associated neurological complications. Several studies have demonstrated that these drugs independently trigger distinct changes in endothelial cell function. However, the influence of drugs of abuse on exosome production, composition and function, especially in the context of HIV infection, represents a significant gap in our knowledge. Therefore, there is a critical need to understand the role of exosomes in HIV pathogenesis and factors that may influence HIV exosome-induced intercellular communication such as drug use. This may also lead to identification of potential therapeutic targets to block specific exosomal cargo and/or downstream effects in endothelial cells that may promote disease progression. This R01 application seeks to address how exosomes from HIV-infected cells affect blood brain barrier permeability and endothelial cell dysfunction and how drugs of abuse may influence exosomal cargo and function.