Immunomodulatory Role of Complement Proteins in the Neuropathology Associated with Opiate Abuse and HIV-1 Co-Morbidity.

This study highlights the a) potential roles of complement proteins in the pathogenesis of HIV-1-related neurodegenerative disorders; b) the combined effect of an opiate, like heroin, and HIV viral protein like HIV tat on complement proteins in normal human microglial cells and HIV transfected microglial cells. In the context of HAND, targeting selective steps in the complement cascade could help ameliorating the HIV burden in the CNS, thus investigations of complement-related therapeutic approaches for the treatment of HAND are warranted. PMID: 29058550 [PubMed - in process]
Source: Immunological Investigations - Category: Allergy & Immunology Tags: Immunol Invest Source Type: research