Crystal Risk: Meth Increases Immune System Receptor for HIV Infection

By Tim Horn, Senior Writer & Editor, AIDSmeds.com

A new study has demonstrated that methamphetamine stimulates production of a receptor on immune system cells, potentially increasing the risk of HIV infection. The research, conducted at the University of Buffalo, is the first to demonstrate that meth can cause biological changes that render users of this illicit drug more susceptible to infection if they are exposed to the virus.

Methamphetamine, often referred to as "crystal" or "tina," is a highly addictive stimulant. It has found a wide audience among suburban teens, students, professionals, and homemakers who work long hours. Of particular concern has been the reported widespread use of the drug among men who have sex with men.

Various studies have documented that, when meth is used in association with sexual activity, condoms are more likely to be abandoned and the number of sex partners are more likely to increase. These behavioral factors have been repeatedly shown to increase the risk of exposure to HIV.

The new study, to be published in the September issue of the Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology, suggests that not only is meth use associated with risky behavioral factors, it may also render certain immune system cells more likely to pick up HIV, present the virus to T-cells, and jumpstart the infection process.

"This finding shows that using meth is doubly dangerous," said Madhavan Nair, PhD, Professor of Medicine at the University of Buffalo and a lead investigator of the study.

The new research involves dendritic cells, which serve as the first line of defense against disease-causing pathogens that come into contact with mucosal tissues in the body, such as those inside the anus. These cells produce receptors, including binding receptors used by HIV (DC-SIGN) and dopamine receptors.

Dr. Nair's group has demonstrated that meth's stimulation of dendritic cells via the dopamine receptors consequently increases the production of DC-SIGN. In turn, dendritic cells can become overloaded with HIV and overwhelm T-cells, essentially aiding the HIV infection process along. In fact, Dr. Nair and his colleagues have demonstrated that meth can affect a variety of dendritic cell functions that are necessary to augment a healthy immune response to a variety of disease-causing pathogens.

"Now that we have identified the target receptor, we can develop ways to block that receptor and decrease the viral spread," said Dr. Nair. "If we could prevent the upregulation of the meth-specific dopamine receptor by blocking it, we may be able to prevent the interaction of meth with its specific receptors, thereby inhibiting the virus attachment receptor. [This] could be beneficial therapeutically to reduce HIV infection in these high-risk populations."

Source:

University of Buffalo

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