Changes in Immune-Related Biomarkers and Endocannabinoids as a Function of Frequency of Cannabis Use in People Living With and Without HIV.

Cannabis use is common among people living with HIV (PLWH). Some observational studies of PLWH have linked cannabis use to lower immune markers; however, this is yet to be confirmed. In addition, whether HIV affects the endogenous cannabinoid system has not been studied.

Long-term tolerance to skin commensals is established neonatally through a specialized dendritic cell subgroup.

Early-life establishment of tolerance to commensal bacteria at barrier surfaces carries enduring implications for immune health but remains poorly understood. Here, we showed that tolerance in skin was controlled by microbial interaction with a specialized subset of antigen-presenting cells. More particularly, CD301b type 2 conventional dendritic cells (DCs) in neonatal skin were specifically capable of uptake and presentation of commensal antigens for the generation of regulatory T (Treg) cells.

Brief Report: Impact of Methamphetamine Use and Rectal STIs on Systemic and Rectal Mucosal Inflammation.

Background: Methamphetamine (MA) use is associated with sexual risk behavior as well as systemic and mucosal inflammation, suggesting parallel biological and behavioral mechanisms of HIV transmission among men who have sex with men (MSM) who use MA. Data evaluating the combined biological effects of MA use with concomitant rectal gonococcal and/or chlamydial (GC/CT) infection on inflammation are limited.

Setting: Secondary analysis of stored rectal and plasma specimens from 100 MSM participating in an NIDA-funded longitudinal cohort in Los Angeles, CA.