Program: Molecular and Cellular Biology and Genetics
Degrees: B.S., Life Sciences, University of Mumbai, Mumbai, India
M.S., Molecular and Genetic Medicine, University of Sheffield, UK
Postgraduate Degree in Clinical Research Trials and Management, Institute of Clinical Research (India)
Email: nirzari.parikh@drexel.edu
Advisor: Dr. Brian Wigdahl
Thesis Research Summary
Drug Abuse and Contracting HIV-1
Drug abuse is considered a major risk factor for contracting human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), as drug abuse leads to risky sexual behavior. In addition, substances like cocaine and marijuana have been known to alter immune function. Furthermore, drugs of abuse have been shown to increase susceptibility to HIV-1 infection and lead to rapid disease progression by affecting viral replication.
Several studies have suggested that opioids act as a cofactor in enhancing susceptibility to human immunodeficiency type 1 (HIV-1) infection in immune cell populations as well as modulating innate, humoral, and cell-mediated immunity.
CD34+ bone marrow progenitor cells are refractile to HIV-1 infection, probably due to their low level expression of HIV-1 co-receptors CXCR4 and CCR5. We have identified functional mu opioid receptor isoform-1 (MOR-1) in the human CD34+/CD38+ TF-1 bone marrow progenitor cell line. Therefore, this cell system is being utilized as a model to elucidate the effects of chronic opioid exposure on HIV-1-infected cell differentiation, proliferation, and survival.
Current experiments are also aimed at determining the impact of chronic opioid exposure on trafficking of bone marrow progenitor cells from the bone marrow to the peripheral blood compartment which will help better define the impact drugs of abuse have on HIV-1 pathogenesis and may aid in the design of more effective therapeutic strategies for HIV/AIDS.
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