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BIDDEFORD, Maine

Jennifer Malon, Holly Beaulac, Tyler Vunk, Eliza Grlickova-Duzevik, James Vaughn, and Ling Cao publish paper in the Journal of Neuroimmunology

Jennifer Malon, M.P.H. 鈥14; Holly Beaulac, B.S. '11, M.S.; Tyler Vunk, B.A.; Eliza Grlickova-Duzevik, M.D.; James Vaughn, Ph.D., professor of Microbiology; and Ling Cao, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of Microbiology, recently published a paper titled, 鈥淢icroglial Content-Dependent Inhibitory Effects of Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) on Murine Retroviral Infection of Glial Cells鈥 in the Journal of Neuroimmunology.  

The article discusses their experimental research into the underlying mechanisms behind the development of HIV-associated peripheral neuropathy. Since HIV is a chronic disease associated with a wide range of painful complications, learning more about the mechanisms that cause these issues will aid the development of efficient therapies.

The researchers used a combination of viruses to produce HIV-like symptoms in astrocytes and microglia. These cells were grown in culture, infected with the viruses, and co-treated with CGRP 鈥 a possible mechanism contributing to the development of peripheral neuropathies.

The results of their study showed that CGRP treatments reduced viral loads when greater percentages of microglia were present in culture. In the central nervous system, microglia are the main source of HIV viral replication; therefore, CGRP may protect against viral infection.

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The University of 51小黄车 is Maine鈥檚 largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of . In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state鈥檚 top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine鈥檚 only medical college, Maine鈥檚 only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.