HIV-1 Tat Impairment of Mitochondrial Respiration via Complexes I and II Can Be Ameliorated by Allopregnanolone in Opioid-Exposed or Opioid-Naïve Cells and Mice

HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders are prevalent despite antiretroviral intervention. Some HIV virotoxins, such as the trans-activator of transcription (Tat), are not targeted by antiretrovirals, and their neurotoxic actions may be exacerbated by opioids. Both Tat and morphine disrupt mitochond...

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Main Authors: Fakhri Mahdi, Zia Shariat-Madar, Jason J. Paris
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Antioxidants
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/14/4/420
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author Fakhri Mahdi
Zia Shariat-Madar
Jason J. Paris
author_facet Fakhri Mahdi
Zia Shariat-Madar
Jason J. Paris
author_sort Fakhri Mahdi
collection DOAJ
description HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders are prevalent despite antiretroviral intervention. Some HIV virotoxins, such as the trans-activator of transcription (Tat), are not targeted by antiretrovirals, and their neurotoxic actions may be exacerbated by opioids. Both Tat and morphine disrupt mitochondrial function, which may promote neurotoxicity, but the mechanisms are poorly understood. Herein, we assess the capacity of HIV Tat and morphine to alter the fundamental ability of mitochondria to generate and transfer energy along the electron transport chain (ETC). We find that exposure to Tat inhibits mitochondrial respiration driven by ETC complexes I or II in a concentration-dependent manner. Findings were consistent across models of permeabilized neuroblastoma cells, murine-derived mitoplasts, and mitochondria derived from mice exposed to Tat in vivo. In cell culture models, Tat promoted Ca<sup>2+</sup> influx and the generation of cytosolic reactive oxygen species (ROS). Acute exposure to morphine exerted no effect on mitochondrial respiration, but morphine modestly offset Tat-mediated effects on complex I and some effects for the generation of ROS. Morphine did not exert any protective effects when acutely administered in vivo. The mitoprotective steroid, allopregnanolone (AlloP), increased mitochondrial respiration in neuroblastoma cells (complex I) or mitoplasts (complex II) and attenuated Tat-mediated impairment of complexes I and II in neuroblastoma cells or mice exposed to Tat in vivo. AlloP further attenuated Tat-mediated intracellular Ca<sup>2+</sup> influx and cytosolic ROS production. Taken together, these results suggest that HIV Tat compromises mitochondrial function through the impairment of respiratory complexes I and II and that physiological AlloP may exert protective effects.
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spelling doaj-art-d9b17406fa7141d098c4697d6beb810a2025-08-20T02:24:42ZengMDPI AGAntioxidants2076-39212025-03-0114442010.3390/antiox14040420HIV-1 Tat Impairment of Mitochondrial Respiration via Complexes I and II Can Be Ameliorated by Allopregnanolone in Opioid-Exposed or Opioid-Naïve Cells and MiceFakhri Mahdi0Zia Shariat-Madar1Jason J. Paris2Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677-1848, USADepartment of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677-1848, USADepartment of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677-1848, USAHIV-associated neurocognitive disorders are prevalent despite antiretroviral intervention. Some HIV virotoxins, such as the trans-activator of transcription (Tat), are not targeted by antiretrovirals, and their neurotoxic actions may be exacerbated by opioids. Both Tat and morphine disrupt mitochondrial function, which may promote neurotoxicity, but the mechanisms are poorly understood. Herein, we assess the capacity of HIV Tat and morphine to alter the fundamental ability of mitochondria to generate and transfer energy along the electron transport chain (ETC). We find that exposure to Tat inhibits mitochondrial respiration driven by ETC complexes I or II in a concentration-dependent manner. Findings were consistent across models of permeabilized neuroblastoma cells, murine-derived mitoplasts, and mitochondria derived from mice exposed to Tat in vivo. In cell culture models, Tat promoted Ca<sup>2+</sup> influx and the generation of cytosolic reactive oxygen species (ROS). Acute exposure to morphine exerted no effect on mitochondrial respiration, but morphine modestly offset Tat-mediated effects on complex I and some effects for the generation of ROS. Morphine did not exert any protective effects when acutely administered in vivo. The mitoprotective steroid, allopregnanolone (AlloP), increased mitochondrial respiration in neuroblastoma cells (complex I) or mitoplasts (complex II) and attenuated Tat-mediated impairment of complexes I and II in neuroblastoma cells or mice exposed to Tat in vivo. AlloP further attenuated Tat-mediated intracellular Ca<sup>2+</sup> influx and cytosolic ROS production. Taken together, these results suggest that HIV Tat compromises mitochondrial function through the impairment of respiratory complexes I and II and that physiological AlloP may exert protective effects.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/14/4/4205α-pregnan-3α-ol-20-oneelectron transport chainHIVmitochondria functionmitoplastdrug interaction
spellingShingle Fakhri Mahdi
Zia Shariat-Madar
Jason J. Paris
HIV-1 Tat Impairment of Mitochondrial Respiration via Complexes I and II Can Be Ameliorated by Allopregnanolone in Opioid-Exposed or Opioid-Naïve Cells and Mice
Antioxidants
5α-pregnan-3α-ol-20-one
electron transport chain
HIV
mitochondria function
mitoplast
drug interaction
title HIV-1 Tat Impairment of Mitochondrial Respiration via Complexes I and II Can Be Ameliorated by Allopregnanolone in Opioid-Exposed or Opioid-Naïve Cells and Mice
title_full HIV-1 Tat Impairment of Mitochondrial Respiration via Complexes I and II Can Be Ameliorated by Allopregnanolone in Opioid-Exposed or Opioid-Naïve Cells and Mice
title_fullStr HIV-1 Tat Impairment of Mitochondrial Respiration via Complexes I and II Can Be Ameliorated by Allopregnanolone in Opioid-Exposed or Opioid-Naïve Cells and Mice
title_full_unstemmed HIV-1 Tat Impairment of Mitochondrial Respiration via Complexes I and II Can Be Ameliorated by Allopregnanolone in Opioid-Exposed or Opioid-Naïve Cells and Mice
title_short HIV-1 Tat Impairment of Mitochondrial Respiration via Complexes I and II Can Be Ameliorated by Allopregnanolone in Opioid-Exposed or Opioid-Naïve Cells and Mice
title_sort hiv 1 tat impairment of mitochondrial respiration via complexes i and ii can be ameliorated by allopregnanolone in opioid exposed or opioid naive cells and mice
topic 5α-pregnan-3α-ol-20-one
electron transport chain
HIV
mitochondria function
mitoplast
drug interaction
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/14/4/420
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