Abstract

Opiates and HIV Alter Exosomal EV microRNA Cargo

Andrea Raymond, Associate Professor, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University

Opiate abuse increases the risk of HIV transmission and exacerbates Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) neuropathology by increasing inflammation and modulating immune cell function. However, the exact mechanism(S) for these observations is unclear Exosomal EVs(xEV) contain miRNAs that are differentially expressed due to HIV infection or opiate abuse. Here we developed a preliminary exosomal-miRNA biomarker profile of HIV-infected PBMCs in the context of opiate use.  Functional studies show that xEVs derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs) exposed to opiates reduced viability and function of neurons. Using Nanostring microRNA arrays we show that morphine and HIV induced differential miRNA expression in PBMC-derived exosomes, potentially identifying a biomarker of opiate use disorder(OUD) and  mechanisms of action or novel therapeutic targets involved in OUD, neuropathology, TNF-a signaling pathway, NF-kB signaling pathway, autophagy, and apoptosis in context of HIV infection.