# Inflammation associated with HIV infection: role of receptor cross-talk

> **NIH NIH R01** · TEMPLE UNIV OF THE COMMONWEALTH · 2020 · $645,154

## Abstract

Abstract:
Opiate drug abuse is a critical contributor to the global AIDS epidemic, and over a third of HIV
infections in the U.S. can be linked to intravenous drug abuse. Recent estimates suggest that
almost 20% of intravenous drug abusers are infected with HIV. HIV-associated neuropathy
remains a clinically significant issue for patients infected with HIV, even in the current era of
anti-retroviral therapy. In addition, HIV-infected opiate abusers demonstrate a more severe
neuropathy than non-opiate abusers, and the basis for the greater neuropathy remains
uncertain. In this application, we propose that HIV infection in the brain results in an
inflammatory response, which promotes the production of inflammatory chemokines, leading to
the activation of the respective chemokine receptors, resulting in the cross-desensitization of
opioid receptors. The consequence of this set of events is an elevated sensitivity to pain stimuli.
We propose to test these processes using mouse models to evaluate the influence of HIV
gp120 in the induction of neuroinflammation, including the associated neuropathic pain. Our
proposed studies will also attempt to address the ability of morphine to attenuate the
development of this pain response. We also propose to confirm these studies through the
analysis of an authentic HIV infection using a humanized mouse model. We believe the results
from these studies will greatly enhance our understanding of the mechanisms which contribute
to the development of neuroinflammation in HIV-infected subjects, including those who are
opiate abusers.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10016292
- **Project number:** 5R01DA049745-02
- **Recipient organization:** TEMPLE UNIV OF THE COMMONWEALTH
- **Principal Investigator:** Yuri Persidsky
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $645,154
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-30 → 2024-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10016292

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10016292, Inflammation associated with HIV infection: role of receptor cross-talk (5R01DA049745-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10016292. Licensed CC0.

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