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Modulation of alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in HIV-infected microglia and brain organoids

Award Number: K00NS113455
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/01/2020
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/30/2026

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Modulation of alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in HIV-infected microglia and brain organoids - Project Summary Approximately, 50% of HIV-positive people develop HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND), despite being under combined antiretroviral therapy (cART). HAND is an inflammatory neurodegenerative disease characterized by increased macrophage infiltration and persistent HIV replication in the brain of affected individuals. There are no effective therapies available against HAND. Our laboratory has found increased expression of cathepsin B, a pro-inflammatory lysosomal enzyme, in postmortem brain tissues of individuals with HAND. In addition, after HIV-1 infection of monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM), secreted cathepsin B changes interactions with other proteins such as serum amyloid P component (SAPC) and promotes neurotoxicity. Thus, targeting cathepsin B represents a potential strategy against HAND. In search for new therapies, it was demonstrated that activation of cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2R) inhibits HIV-1 replication in macrophages, reduces blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability, decreases neurotoxicity to HIV-1 viral proteins, and diminishes pro-inflammatory cytokines release. Nonetheless, studies have shown increased expression of CB2R in in vitro HIV-infected macrophages, and in post-mortem brain tissues of HAND patients. Therefore, this receptor represents a promising target for treatment against HAND. However, the role of CB2R activation in cathepsin B secretion and neurotoxicity has not been studied previously. The overall objective of this proposal is to understand the mechanisms of CB2R activation in cathepsin B secretion and neurotoxicity from HIV-infected macrophages. Our central hypothesis is that CB2R activation will prevent cathepsin B secretion and neurotoxicity from HIV-infected macrophages by attenuating intracellular inflammation pathways in MDM and preventing cathepsin B interactions with SAPC. Our hypothesis was formulated based on results that show a significant decrease in cathepsin B secretion and neurotoxicity from HIV-infected MDM treated with a CB2R agonist. We will test our central hypothesis and, thereby, accomplish the objective of this proposal by pursuing the following specific aims: 1) Determine the effect of CB2R activation in cathepsin B secretion and neurotoxicity from HIV- infected macrophages. 2) Explore the intracellular pathways and characterize cathepsin B interactome in supernatants from HIV-infected macrophages after CB2R activation. 3) Understand the mechanisms of chronic inflammation in HAND. The rationale for this proposed research is that understanding the role of CB2R activation in cathepsin B secretion and interactions will permit the development of strategies against HIV-induced cathepsin B neurotoxicity. This contribution is significant because it will provide new knowledge about the mechanisms of CB2R modulation in cathepsin B-induced neurotoxicity from HIV-infected macrophages, and will contribute to the development of new strategies against HAND.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2026	2025	UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO MEDICAL SCIENCES CAMPUS	B622 MAIN BUILDING FLR 6	SAN JUAN	PR	00935	SAN JUAN	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	5	9/2/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $119,229 )
2025	2025	UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO MEDICAL SCIENCES CAMPUS	B622 MAIN BUILDING FLR 6	SAN JUAN	PR	00935	SAN JUAN	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	5	8/1/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$119,229
														Subtotal = $119,229

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $113,804 )
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO MEDICAL SCIENCES CAMPUS	B622 MAIN BUILDING FLR 6	SAN JUAN	PR	00935	SAN JUAN	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	4	5/17/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$113,804
														Subtotal = $113,804

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $87,307 )
2023	2023	UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO MEDICAL SCIENCES CAMPUS	B622 MAIN BUILDING FLR 6	SAN JUAN	PR	00935	SAN JUAN	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	3	5/11/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$87,307
2023	2023	UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO MEDICAL SCIENCES CAMPUS	B622 MAIN BUILDING FLR 6	SAN JUAN	PR	00935	SAN JUAN	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	001	3	9/13/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $87,307

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $87,307 )
2022	2022	UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO MEDICAL SCIENCES CAMPUS	MAIN BLDG FLR 6 B-622	SAN JUAN	PR	00935	SAN JUAN	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	2	4/29/2022	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$87,307
														Subtotal = $87,307

Grand Total All Awards = $407,647

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Modulation of alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in HIV-infected microglia and brain organoids

Award Number: K00NS113455

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/01/2020

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/30/2026

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