Role of HIV-1 envelope protein gp120 in neuronal injury-induced cognitive impairment

Objective To investigate the role of HIV-1 envelope protein gp120 in cognitive impairment induced by neuronal damage. Methods Western blot and immunofluorescence assay were used to detect microglia activation, inflammatory factor expression and neuronal damage after gp120 treatment. Neuronal damage and neurocognitive performance in gp120-transgenic mice were evaluated using immunohistochemical staining and behavioral analysis, respectively. Results In vivo and in vitro experiments showed that HIV-1 gp120 significantly induced the expression of caspase-1 and IL-1β, and indirectly caused neuronal synaptic shortening and neuronal damage (P<0.05). Compared with wild-type mice, gp120-transgenic mice showed significant cortical and hippocampal glial activation, neuronal loss, dendritic damage and neurocognitive disorders. Conclusions HIV-1 gp120 might cause neuronal damage through activating the release of inflammatory factor by microglia and involve in neurocognitive impairment. Key words: HIV-1; gp120; Cognitive impairment; gp120-transgenic mouse; Microglia