This is a 15K seed grant aimed at assisting young investigators in beginning new laboratories at the University of Nebraska. The major goals of this project to explore functional heterogeneity in mononuclear phagocyte effector functions in response to HIV-1 infection. The work utilizes primary monocyte-derived macrophages and microglia. Ongoing Projects 1. Importantly, we are studying the contribution of novel pathways mediated through death proteins in this process.
Astrocytes participate in maintenance of brain homeostasis and disease pathogenesis.
Reactive astrogliosis is associated with neural injury in a wide range of neurodegenerative diseases. We hypothesize that activation of astrocytes may transform these normally supportive cells into neurotoxic immune effectors. Elevated levels of FasL were observed in cerebrospinal fluid of HAD patients. We believe that answers to these questions will be important in understanding the mechanism of HAD and other neurodegenerative diseases and may provide novel approaches for therapeutic intervention. We propose that MMPs might play a role in the influencing monocyte entry into the brain.