Scientists at Texas Biomed aim to test therapeutic effects of CBD/THC against HIV-induced neurological disorder

San Antonio, Texas (December 11, 2020) – The National Institutes of Health (NIH) awarded Professor Mahesh Mohan, D.V.M., Ph.D., and collaborators more than $3.5 million over five years to investigate the effects of cannabinoids on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND). This research project aims to evaluate whether delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) alone or in combination can potentially alter DNA methylation, which is a biological process that can create a change in the expression of certain genes.  Using Indian rhesus macaques with Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), the monkey equivalent of HIV, researchers will be able to study if changes in gene DNA methylation levels impact inflammation in the brain, which is the underlying cause of HAND. Understanding these basic biological processes will allow scientists to create better therapeutic options. Researchers will also study whether JWH133, a synthetic cannabinoid (CB), affects DNA methylation and could serve as an alternate therapeutic intervention. 

“We’re focusing on neuro-inflammation that affects the brain even in patients on anti-retroviral therapy (ART). There are a few mechanisms that drive this inflammation, but we want to look at immune cells in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid at different stages of SIV infection,” said Dr. Mohan, principal investigator for the study. “Cannabinoids have previously shown great promise for the treatment of neurological disorders; therefore, we want to see if it can exert therapeutic effects in HIV patients suffering from HAND.”

Three decades ago, AIDS was a devastating disease with no cure. As a result, the manifestations were more acute. Due to the scientific advances made over time, including many that utilize nonhuman primate models of AIDS, we now have the ability to treat many AIDS patients, and increase their life-span. However, this is laying bare the more chronic effects of HIV infection, especially those of the neurocognitive variety. In particular, HAND is a major comorbidity that affects 50% of HIV infected patients who are on ART. The disorder affects brain function causing difficulties in attention, concentration, decision-making and memory. Dr. Mohan says evidence shows that neuroinflammation persists in HIV patients on ART and is an important driver of  HAND; however, little is known about the molecular mechanisms behind the inflammation. Separating the cells in blood, cerebrospinal fluid and brain give researchers a closer look at the cellular changes leading to neuroinflammation. In addition, these studies will utilize metabolomics, microbiome profiling, PET/CT imaging and newly developed techniques at Texas Biomed to evaluate the impact of cannabinoids on cognitive function and neuroinflammation.

“We believe we will have some very interesting findings. Our study will add more mechanistic understanding for researchers regarding the factors behind HAND, and potentially lead to the development of more cannabinoid-based therapies,” Dr. Mohan said. “Finding the best therapeutic approach whether it is a single drug, a combination cannabinoid regimen or a synthetic cannabinoid drug is important.”

This study is funded by grant R01DA052845 by the National Institutes of Health/National Institute on drug abuse. These investigations will use resources that are supported by the Southwest National Primate Research Center grant P51 OD011133, as well as Specific Pathogen Free Rhesus Macaque Colony Center grant U42 OD010442-20, from the Office of Research Infrastructure Programs, National Institutes of Health.

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Texas Biomed is one of the world’s leading independent biomedical research institutions dedicated to eradicating infection and advancing health worldwide through innovative biomedical research. Texas Biomed partners with researchers and institutions around the world to develop vaccines and therapeutics against viral pathogens causing AIDS, hepatitis, hemorrhagic fever, tuberculosis and parasitic diseases responsible for malaria and schistosomiasis disease. The Institute has programs in host-pathogen interaction, disease intervention and prevention and population health to understand the links between infectious diseases and other diseases such as aging, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity. For more information on Texas Biomed, go to www.TxBiomed.org.