Abstract
Gastrointestinal (GI) pathology is a recurrent problem during HIV infection and progression. HIV enteropathy may be associated with a specific cause; however some HIV‐positive individuals present idiopathic enteropathy that appears to involve inflammatory processes. The presence of increased plasma LPS due to GI inflammation in patients with HIV associated dementia suggests a brain‐gut connection. We found that HIV‐1 Nef expression by astrocytes in rat hippocampus produces spatial memory deficits, but did not address possible GI effects.AimDetermine if microscopic changes in the GI tract result from expression of Nef in the rat hippocampus.MethodsAstrocytes transfected to express Nef or GFP (control) were infused into the right hippocampi of Sprague Dawley rats (30‐day‐old). After 2 days of recovery, the rats were euthanized to harvest the ileum. Paraffin embedded tissues were stained for H&E.ResultsHistological analysis showed thinning of the intestinal wall and increased size and number of goblet cells in the Nef group. The lamina propria of the Nef‐treated rats was wider and shorter and Peyer's patches in the ileum showed massive reactive follicular lymphoid hyperplasia.ConclusionThese studies suggest that HIV‐1 Nef expression in the rat hippocampus induces inflammation as well as microscopic changes in the small intestine. G12RR003050, G12MD007579 & R25GM082406.
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