HIV/gp120 decreases adult neural progenitor cell proliferation via checkpoint kinase-mediated cell-cycle withdrawal and G1 arrest.

Impaired adult neurogenesis has been observed in several neurodegenerative diseases, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1)-associated dementia (HAD). Here we report that the HIV-envelope glycoprotein gp120, which is associated with HAD pathogenesis, inhibits proliferation of adult neural progenitor cells (aNPCs) in vitro and in vivo in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus of HIV/gp120-transgenic mice. We demonstrate that HIV/gp120 arrests cell-cycle progression of aNPCs at the G1 phase via a cascade consisting of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) --> MAPK-activated protein kinase 2 (a cell-cycle checkpoint kinase) --> Cdc25B/C.

Evidence implicating matrix metalloproteinases in the mechanism underlying accumulation of IL-1beta and neuronal apoptosis in the neocortex of HIV/gp120-exposed rats.

Neuroinflammation is often associated with neurodegenerative diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS), stroke, Alzheimer's disease, and HIV-1-associated dementia (HAD). The proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) is one of the main mediators of inflammation, and IL-1beta expression in the brain is rapidly upregulated in response to acute and chronic insults. IL-1beta is synthesized as biologically inactive precursor (pro-IL-1beta), which is classically processed by caspase-1 [also known as interleukin-converting enzyme (ICE)] into the active, mature cytokine.

Evidence to implicate early modulation of interleukin-1beta expression in the neuroprotection afforded by 17beta-estradiol in male rats undergone transient middle cerebral artery occlusion.

Neuroprotection exerted by 17beta-estradiol (17beta-E(2)) has been widely investigated in animal models of acute cerebral ischemia. Estrogens interact with intracellular receptors (ERalpha and ERbeta) to modulate the transcription of target genes, including those implicated in neuronal survival. Neuroprotection may also occur via interaction with ER-like membrane receptors mediating rapid, non-genomic, actions or via receptor-independent mechanisms.