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

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

Volume: 12 Issue: 6

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

Affiliation:

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

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.

Cite this article as:

Paris J. Jason, Fenwick Jason and McLaughlin P. Jay, Estrous Cycle and HIV-1 Tat Protein Influence Cocaine-Conditioned Place Preference and Induced Locomotion of Female Mice, Current HIV Research 2014; 12 (6) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1570162X13666150121105221