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Current HIV Research

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 1570-162X
ISSN (Online): 1873-4251

Estrous Cycle and HIV-1 Tat Protein Influence Cocaine-Conditioned Place Preference and Induced Locomotion of Female Mice

Author(s): Jason J. Paris, Jason Fenwick and Jay P. McLaughlin

Volume 12, Issue 6, 2014

Page: [388 - 396] Pages: 9

DOI: 10.2174/1570162X13666150121105221

Price: $65

Abstract

The HIV-1 trans-activator of transcription (Tat) protein, interacts with psychostimulants to potentiate cocaine-reward in rodents. Sex steroids may protect against Tat-induced deficits. Female GT-tg transgenic mice conditionally-expressed Tat protein targeted to brain via a doxycycline-dependent, GFAP-linked promoter. Mice were tested for cocaine-conditioned place preference (CPP) and cocaine-induced locomotion when in the proestrous (high-hormone) or diestrous (low-hormone) phases of their estrous cycle. Cocaine-CPP was potentiated by Tat induction via 50, 100, or 125 (but not 25) mg/kg doxycycline daily treatment for 7 days. Diestrous mice exposed to Tat protein demonstrated significantly greater cocaine-CPP than did proestrous mice. Tat induction interacted with estrous cycle to decrease acute cocaine-induced locomotion among Tat-induced diestrous mice, but not their uninduced or proestrous counterparts, and attenuated cocaine-sensitization. In a cocaine-challenge, previously cocaine-sensitized mice demonstrated greater cocaine-locomotion over cocaine-naive counterparts and Tat-induction attenuated locomotion. Altogether, data demonstrate Tat and circulating sex steroid influences over cocaine-reward and psychostimulation.

Keywords: Cocaine, conditioned place preference, estrous cycle, human immunodeficiency virus, NeuroAIDS, sensitization, steroid hormones, trans-activator of transcription.

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