Date Published:
03/2008

Publication Type:
Journal Article

Authors:

M. Fiala
E.J. Singer
D. Commins
T. Mirzaoiazova
A. Verin
A. Espinosa
K. Ugen
M. Bernas
M. Witte
M. Weinand
A.S. Lossinsky

Secondary:
Journal of Neurovirology

Volume:
2

Pagination:
24-31

URL:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

Keywords:
Blood-Brain Barrier;Cocaine;External;Extracellular signal-regulated kinase;HIV-1;HIV-1-associated dementia.;intercellular junctions

Abstract:
<p>Cocaine opens the blood-brain barrier by deregulating transcription of target genes. Here we show that cocaine at blood concentrations in drug abusers disrupts endothelial cell junctions in parallel with signaling by phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase, myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase and myosin light chain. Cocaine effects may be important in vivo since the neurons of drug abusing patients with HIV-1 associated dementia displayed gp120, p24 and Nef.</p>