Methamphetamine and HIV-1 Tat down regulate β-catenin signaling: implications for methampetamine abuse and HIV-1 co-morbidity

J Neuroimmune Pharmacol. 2011 Dec;6(4):597-607. doi: 10.1007/s11481-011-9295-2. Epub 2011 Jul 9.

Abstract

Methamphetamine (Meth) abuse exacerbates HIV-1-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). The underlying mechanism for this effect is not entirely clear but likely involves cooperation between Meth and HIV-1 virotoxins, such as the transactivator of transcription, Tat. HIV-1 Tat mediates damage in the CNS by inducing inflammatory processes including astrogliosis. Wnt/β-catenin signaling regulates survival processes for both neurons and astrocytes. Here, we evaluated the impact of Meth on the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in astrocytes transfected with Tat. Meth and Tat downregulated Wnt/β-catenin signaling by >50%, as measured by TOPflash reporter activity in both an astrocytoma cell line and primary human fetal astrocytes. Meth and Tat also downregulated LEF-1 transcript by >30%. LEF-1 is a key partner of β-catenin to regulate cognate gene expression. Interestingly, estrogen, which induces β-catenin signaling in a cell-type specific manner, at physiological concentrations of 1.5 and 3 nM normalized individual Meth and Tat effects on β-catenin signaling but not their combined effects. These findings suggest that Meth and Tat likely exert different mechanisms to mediate down regulation of β-catenin signaling. The consequences of which may contribute to the pathophysiologic effects of HIV-1 and Meth co-morbidity in the CNS.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • AIDS Dementia Complex / metabolism
  • AIDS Dementia Complex / virology
  • Astrocytes / drug effects
  • Astrocytes / metabolism
  • Astrocytes / virology
  • Cell Line
  • Central Nervous System Stimulants / pharmacology
  • Comorbidity
  • Down-Regulation
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology*
  • HIV Infections / virology
  • HIV-1*
  • Humans
  • Illicit Drugs / pharmacology*
  • Methamphetamine / pharmacology*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Substance-Related Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / virology
  • beta Catenin / metabolism*
  • tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / metabolism*

Substances

  • CTNNB1 protein, human
  • Central Nervous System Stimulants
  • Illicit Drugs
  • beta Catenin
  • tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
  • Methamphetamine