Dr. Xiong's laboratory | Pharmacology | University of Nebraska Medical Center

Research Goals

The goals of our research are to elucidate molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of HIV-1-assciated neurocognitive disorders and to identify potential target(s) for development of therapeutic strategies.

Collaborators

Nawal Boukli, PhD, Universidad Central del Caribe, School of Medicine, Puerto, Rico
Howard E. Gendelman, MD, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
Shilpa Buch, PhD, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
Santhi Gorantla, PhD., University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE

Funding

R01DA050540 (PI: Xiong) 09/01/2019 - 08/31/2024
DHHS/NIH $299,849
Title: K channel, NLRP3 inflammasome and Meth exacerbation of HAND
This grant investigates how drug abuse, in particular methamphetamine (Meth), potentiates HIV-induced microglia NLRP3 inflammasome activation and resultant neuroinflammation in the era of combined antiretroviral therapy.
Role: PI

1R01DA054535-01 (PI: Gorantla) 07/01/2021-06/30/2026
DHHS/NIH/NIDA $390,000
Title: Impact of drugs of abuse on HIV brain reservoirs and HAND in humanized microglia mice
The goal of this project is to study the effect of cocaine abuse on CNS viral reservoir and HIV neuropathology.
Role: Co-I

5 P30 MH062261-18 (PI: Buch) 05/11/2017 - 03/31/2022
DHHS/NIH/NIMH $1,084,995
Title: Chronic HIV Infection and Aging in NeuroAIDS (CHAIN) Center
This is a Center grant to provide Administrative and Core Support for scientists investigating NeuroAIDS.
Role: Co-I

5 R01 NS034239-24 (PI: Gendelman) 03/15/2018 -02/28/2023
DHHS/NIH/NINDS $420,643
Title: Neuroprotective Immunity and HIV Dementia
This proposal will determine cell responses in macrophages following HIV-1 infection and engagement with T cells and T cell subsets. Macrophage functions including phagocytosis, antigen presentation, intracellular killing and effector cell responses and their modulation by T cells is a focus for this work. Signal transduction pathways and mechanisms for virus-induced neurotoxicity or neuroprotection will be developed.
Role: Co-I

PENDING

1 R01 NS115623-01 (PI: Xiong) 07/31/2019-06/30/2024
DHHS/NIH/NINDS $381,250
Title: Brain white matter abnormality and HAND pathogenesis
This grant proposal investigates how HIV and viral protein Tat induce OLs dysfunction and injury via voltage-gated K⁺ channels, leading to OL/WM damage and development of HIV-1-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND).
Role: PI

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Techniques used in laboratory

Primary cell cultures
Brain slices
Western and Northern blots
Immunocytochemistry
Immunohistochemistry
Two-electrode voltage clamp on Xenopus oocytes
Extracellular recording
Whole-cell patch recordings from cultured neural cells and brain slices (“blind “ patching recording)
Single channel recordings from frog oocytes and neuronal cultures
Animal behavior tests (radial armed water maze)
ELISA, PCR, RT-PCR

Personnel

Jianuo Liu, PhD Assistant Professor
Debashis Dutta, PhD Post-doctoral
Jaron Harmon, BS Intern PhD student

Dr. Xiong's home page
Dr. Xiong's biographical information
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Primary Faculty

Xinglong Wang, PhD