Programmed neuronal cell death induced by HIV‐1 tat and methamphetamine

AbstractApoptosis and autophagy are the two major types of programmed cell death (PCD) in neurons. Homeostatic autophagy often precedes apoptosis, and when apoptosis is blocked, the failure to keep homeostasis will lead to necrosis instead. It has been reported that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected methamphetamine (Meth) abusers represent greater neuropathological abnormalities than Meth abusers or HIV‐positive non‐Meth users. Recent publications suggest that Tat and Meth when administered together result in greater neuronal damage than when administered separately. However, the cellular events of the combined Tat‐Meth effect have not yet been fully characterized. Therefore, we investigated the effects of Tat and/or Meth on apoptosis and autophagy to elucidate whether PCD was involved in Tat and/or Meth‐induced neuronal damage. Annexin‐V‐FITC/PI staining assay was used to detect cellular apoptosis using a neuroblastoma cell line SH‐SY5Y. Cellular ultrastructural changes were observed under transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Flow‐cytometric data showed apoptosis following Meth treatment, and more extensive apoptosis with Tat + Meth treatment. The most important finding was that the autophagosome and/or multilamellar bodies (MLBs) were most pronounced with Tat + Meth treatment, were less so with Meth treatment, and infrequent with Tat treatment. This suggests the involvement of autophagy and apoptosis in Tat with Meth‐elicited cell damage. However, the relation between apoptosis and autophagy remains unknown in this experiment. Further research is needed to analyze the relation among related molecules. A thorough understanding of this multifaceted relationship will be critical for the assessment of therapeutic modalities for patients with HIV with drug abuse. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.