Date Published:
07/2010

Publication Type:
Journal Article

Authors:

J. Pitcher
S. Shimizu
S. Burbassi
O. Meucci

Secondary:
Journal of Neuroimmunology

Volume:
224

Pagination:
66-71

Issue:
1

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

DOI:
10.1016/j.jneuroim.2010.05.006

Keywords:
CXCL12;CXCR4;External;Ferritin heavy chain;neuroAIDS;NR2B;Opiates

Abstract:
<p>The chemokine CXCL12 and its receptor, CXCR4, regulate neuronal migration, differentiation, and survival. Alterations of CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling are implicated in different neuropathologies, including the neurological complications of HIV infection. Opiates are important co-factors for progression to neuroAIDS and can disrupt the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis in vitro and in vivo. This paper will review recently identified mechanisms of opiate-induced CXCR4 impairment in neurons and introduce results from pilot studies in human brain tissue, which highlight the role of the protein ferritin heavy chain in HIV neuropathology in patients with history of drug abuse.</p>