Tight junction regulation by morphine and HIV-1 tat modulates blood-brain barrier permeability.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 patients who abuse opiates are at a greater risk of developing neurological complications of AIDS. Alterations in blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity are associated with cytoskeletal disorganization and disruption of tight junction (TJ) integrity. We hypothesize that opiates in combination with HIV-1 viral proteins can modulate TJ expression in primary brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMVEC), thereby compromising BBB integrity and exacerbating HIV-1 neuropathogenesis.