Deprenyl reduces inflammation during acute SIV infection

Cell Press, 2022

Abstract

In the era of antiretroviral therapy, inflammation is a central factor in numerous
HIV-associated comorbidities, such as cardiovascular disease, cognitive impair-
ment, and neuropsychiatric disorders. This highlights the value of developing
therapeutics that both reduce HIV-associated inflammation and treat associated
comorbidities. Previous research on monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) sug-
gests this class of drugs has anti-inflammatory properties in addition to neuropsy-
chiatric effects. Therefore, we examined the impact of deprenyl, an MAOI, on SI-
V-associated inflammation during acute SIV infection using the rhesus macaque
model of HIV infection. Our results show deprenyl decreased both peripheral
and CNS inflammation but had no effect on viral load in either the periphery or
CNS. These data show that the MAOI deprenyl may have broad anti-inflammatory
effects when given during the acute stage of SIV infection, suggesting more
research into the anti-inflammatory effects of this drug could result in a beneficial
adjuvant for antiretroviral therapy.

ImmPACT NovaRED Substrate, Peroxidase (HRP) manufactured by our partner Vector Laboratories is featured in this study.