Ep. 71: “The Neuroscience of HIV” Featuring Dr. Dionna Williams
Jan 30, 2024
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Dr. Dionna Williams, an Acting Associate Professor at Emory University, sheds light on the fascinating link between HIV and its neuropsychiatric effects. She discusses how HIV infection impacts immune cells in the brain, potentially leading to mental health challenges. The conversation also covers the challenges of drug delivery to the brain and innovative therapies. Furthermore, Dr. Williams shares insights about routine lab relocations and the emotional impact on her team, highlighting the personal side of scientific progress.
Dr. Dionna Williams discusses how HIV infection causes persistent inflammation in the brain, leading to significant neuropsychiatric complications.
The podcast highlights the need for novel therapeutic approaches, like cannabinoids, to address inflammation in HIV-affected individuals.
Research indicates that genetic and psychosocial factors play crucial roles in determining cognitive susceptibility in patients living with HIV.
Deep dives
Understanding Long COVID Through Complement Dysregulation
Research indicates that individuals experiencing long COVID symptoms show significant alterations in complement levels within their immune systems. Specifically, while there is evidence of decreased complement complexes in these patients, the levels of their precursors have increased, suggesting a chronic inflammatory state. The study highlights the persistence of various complement pathways being disrupted, particularly pointing to the C7 pathway as a significant marker. This indicates that long COVID might not be an isolated condition, as similar chronic inflammatory responses have been observed in other viral infections, raising questions about their shared mechanisms.
The Role of T Cells in Guillain-Barré Syndrome
The research unveiled a causal link between auto-reactive T cells and Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), emphasizing the disease's inflammatory nature. The study examined patient samples across different stages of GBS and identified specific myelin-associated proteins, which the T cells were targeting. Notably, the presence of a TH1 phenotype among these T cells was associated with the autoimmune response seen in the acute inflammatory demyelinating form of GBS. This emphasizes the importance of understanding T cell activation in autoimmune diseases, paving the way for potential therapeutic targets.
CAR NK Cells in Treating B Cell Tumors
The development of CAR NK (Natural Killer) cells presents a promising avenue for treating B cell malignancies using cord blood-derived cells. The study demonstrated effective response rates of 68% and 32% at different time points, indicating the significant potential of this therapy. Furthermore, machine learning was employed to analyze response determinants, pointing out that stress markers in nucleated blood cells can predict treatment efficacy. This research underscores the need for understanding donor profiles and processing techniques to enhance patient outcomes.
Innovative Gene Editing via Enveloped Delivery Vehicles
A novel method for in vivo human T-cell engineering was investigated, utilizing enveloped delivery vehicles to facilitate gene editing effectively. This approach allows for the targeting of specific cells while minimizing the complexity of traditional gene editing techniques like electroporation. The study showed that these vehicles could successfully deliver CRISPR components to CD19 positive cells, suggesting a pioneering step in CAR T-cell therapy. Additionally, the ability to edit cells without the need for prior extraction could drastically reduce costs and enhance accessibility to therapy.
Neurological Consequences of HIV and Substance Use
The research explores the profound effects of HIV on the central nervous system, focusing on neuropsychiatric complications largely driven by persistent inflammation. Dr. Diana Williams emphasizes the diverse symptomatology present in those with HIV, particularly highlighting that immune activation can lead to cognitive deficits, even in those with well-managed viral loads. The investigation also looks at underlying factors affecting this susceptibility, such as genetic predispositions and psychosocial variables. Moreover, there is ongoing work evaluating the potential of cannabinoids in mitigating inflammation related to both HIV and substance use, suggesting new therapeutic possibilities.
Dr. Dionna Williams is an Acting Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacology & Chemical Biology at Emory University. Their research focuses on the effects of HIV infection on the brain. She talks about how HIV affects immune cells in the brain and how this can lead to neuropsychiatric symptoms. They also discuss therapeutic approaches, factors that affect how drugs can reach the brain, and moving their lab to Atlanta.
A Long Covid Blood Signature – Active Long Covid is accompanied by a blood protein signature marked by increased complement activation and thromboinflammation.
T Cells in Guillain–Barré Syndrome –Autoreactive T cells that target myelin antigens in the peripheral nerves are present in patients with the demyelinating form of Guillain–Barré syndrome.
A CAR-NK Cell Clinical Trial – Researchers identified features of donated cord blood associated with improved response to CAR-NK cell therapy for B cell malignancies.
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