Program: Molecular and Cellular Biology and Genetics
Degree: B.S., Molecular and Cellular Biology, Johns Hopkins University
Email: marianne.strazza@drexel.edu
Advisor: Dr. Brian Wigdahl
Thesis Research Summary
HIV-1, AIDS and Injection Drug Use, Abuse of Opioids
About one-third of the cases of human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) infection leading to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in the United States have been attributed to injection drug use, frequently involving the abuse of opioids. In addition to increased risk of exposure to HIV-1, it has been shown that disease progression in these individuals is altered, with increased incidence and severity of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). Cells of the monocyte/macrophage developmental lineage are susceptible to HIV-1 infection dependent on the level of co-receptor CXCR4 and CCR5 expressed at the cell surface, and play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of the disease.
The bone marrow has been suggested to serve as a source of HIV-1 infected macrophages and play a critical role in neuroinvasion and progression of central nervous system (CNS) disease. In fact, the pathological events that eventually lead to the development of HIV-1-associated neuropathogenesis and HIV-1-associated dementia (HAD) may be initiated in the bone marrow leading to monocyte activation.
Heroin is one of the major classes of addictive drugs and is processed from morphine, a naturally occurring opioid. The effects of morphine and related opioids on the cells of the immune system have been well documented. However, the consequences of acute and chronic exposure on bone marrow progenitor cells remain to be elucidated. We are interested in exploring the impact of mu-opioids on HIV-1 susceptibility and replication in bone marrow progenitor cells.
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