HIV-1 infection and AIDS: consequences for the central nervous system

Cell Death Differ. 2005 Aug:12 Suppl 1:878-92. doi: 10.1038/sj.cdd.4401623.

Abstract

Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) can induce severe and debilitating neurological problems that include behavioral abnormalities, motor dysfunction and frank dementia. After infiltrating peripheral immune competent cells, in particular macrophages, HIV-1 provokes a neuropathological response involving all cell types in the brain. HIV-1 also incites activation of chemokine receptors, inflammatory mediators, extracellular matrix-degrading enzymes and glutamate receptor-mediated excitotoxicity, all of which can trigger numerous downstream signaling pathways and disrupt neuronal and glial function. This review will discuss recently uncovered pathologic neuroimmune and degenerative mechanisms contributing to neuronal damage induced by HIV-1 and potential approaches for development of future therapeutic intervention.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • AIDS Dementia Complex / metabolism
  • AIDS Dementia Complex / pathology*
  • AIDS Dementia Complex / prevention & control
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / immunology
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / pathology*
  • Animals
  • Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active
  • Apoptosis
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / physiology
  • Brain / immunology
  • Brain / pathology*
  • Brain / virology
  • Chemokines / pharmacology
  • Chemokines / physiology
  • Forecasting
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / pharmacology
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / physiology
  • HIV-1 / pathogenicity*
  • Humans
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / physiology
  • Microglia / drug effects
  • Microglia / metabolism
  • Nerve Degeneration / immunology
  • Nerve Degeneration / pathology
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Neurons / pathology
  • Receptors, Chemokine / immunology
  • Receptors, Chemokine / physiology
  • Signal Transduction
  • Stem Cells / drug effects
  • Stem Cells / metabolism
  • TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / physiology

Substances

  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
  • Chemokines
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Receptors, Chemokine
  • TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand
  • TNFSF10 protein, human
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha