Increased frequency of alpha-synuclein in the substantia nigra in human immunodeficiency virus infection

J Neurovirol. 2009 Apr;15(2):131-8. doi: 10.1080/13550280802578075.

Abstract

The frequency of neurodegenerative markers among long surviving human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals is unknown, therefore, the present study investigated the frequency of alpha-synuclein, beta-amyloid, and HIV-associated brain pathology in the brains of older HIV-infected individuals. We examined the substantia nigra of 73 clinically well-characterized HIV-infected individuals aged 50 to 76 years from the National NeuroAIDS Tissue Consortium. We also examined the frontal and temporal cortical regions of a subset of 36 individuals. Neuritic alpha-synuclein expression was found in 16% (12/73) of the substantia nigra of the HIV+cases and none of the older control cases (0/18). beta-Amyloid deposits were prevalent and found in nearly all of the HIV+cases (35/36). Despite these increases of degenerative pathology, HIV-associated brain pathology was present in only 10% of cases. Among older HIV+adults, HIV-associated brain pathology does not appear elevated; however, the frequency of both alpha-synuclein and beta-amyloid is higher than that found in older healthy persons. The increased prevalence of alpha-synuclein and beta-amyloid in the brains of older HIV-infected individuals may predict an increased risk of developing neurodegenerative disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / biosynthesis
  • Biomarkers
  • Female
  • HIV
  • HIV Infections / complications
  • HIV Infections / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / etiology
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / metabolism
  • Substantia Nigra / metabolism*
  • Substantia Nigra / pathology
  • Up-Regulation*
  • alpha-Synuclein / biosynthesis*

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Biomarkers
  • alpha-Synuclein