How HIV proteins and opioids disrupt brain cell communication in people with HIV
HIV Tat and Opiate-mediated aberrations in glial-neuronal crosstalk: Implications for the role of extracellular RNA in HAND
This project looks at whether HIV proteins and opioid exposure change tiny RNA messages between brain cells and contribute to thinking and memory problems in people with HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nebraska Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Omaha, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11319815 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
As someone living with HIV, this work studies how the HIV protein Tat and opioid exposure change signals sent between brain support cells (astrocytes) and neurons. The team will use human-derived brain cells grown in the lab and expose them to Tat and morphine to see which small RNAs are packaged into extracellular vesicles and taken up by neurons. They will track specific microRNAs and measure whether those signals reprogram neurons toward a damaged, synapse-injured state. Most experiments are lab-based using human cells to model processes that may underlie HIV-associated cognitive problems.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People living with HIV—particularly those with cognitive symptoms or a history of opioid use—are the most relevant group for whom these findings might apply.
Not a fit: People without HIV or without opioid exposure are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this specific line of research in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could point to new targets to prevent or treat HIV-related thinking and memory problems, especially in people who use opioids.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies show HIV proteins and opioids can harm brain cells, and early lab data suggest extracellular microRNAs may carry damaging signals, but applying this mechanism to HAND is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
Omaha, United States
- University of Nebraska Medical Center — Omaha, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Buch, Shilpa J — University of Nebraska Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Buch, Shilpa J
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.