Abstract: The present invention relates to Astrocyte Modulated Genes (AMGs). AMGs are genes whose expression are modulated in human astrocytes grown in primary cell culture following the exposure of these cells to either the human immunodeficiency virus HIV-1 or to the HIV-1 protein gp120. AMGs comprise both Astrocyte Enhanced Genes (AEGs) and Astrocyte Suppressed Genes (ASGs). Thus, the present invention further relates to Astrocyte Enhanced Genes (AEGs), the expression of which are up-regulated in human astrocytes grown in primary cell culture that are exposed to either the human immunodeficiency virus HIV-1 or to the HIV-1 protein gp120, and to Astrocyte Suppressed Genes (ASGs), the expression of which are downregulated in human astrocytes grown in primary cell culture that are exposed to either the human immunodeficiency virus HIV-1 or to the HIV-1 protein gp120. Because they may play a role in HIV-associated dementia (“HAD”), AMGs may be used as markers in methods for screening for drugs that treat or prevent HAD.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Astrocyte Enhanced Genes (AEGs), the expression of which is upregulated in human astrocytes grown in primary cell cultures that are exposed to either the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) or to the HIV-1 glycoprotein gp120.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the human Retinoic Acid Inducible Gene-1 (hereafter, “RIG-1”) promoter. The present invention provides for the promoter itself which is inducible by interferon, virus infection, retinoic acid and double-stranded RNA. A further embodiment includes expression constructs comprising the RIG-1 promoter operatively linked to a gene of interest, which may be a reporter gene or a therapeutic gene. It also provides for cells and non-human transgenic animals comprising such expression constructs. In addition, the present invention provides for methods of screening agents for anti-viral activity using RIG-1 promoter activation or inhibition as the basis of the screening system.

Abstract: The nucleic acid sequence of the human Excitatory Amino Acid Transporter-2 Gene (hEAAT2) promoter, a nucleic acid sequence that hybridizes to the hEAAT2 promoter nucleic acid sequence under stringent hybridization conditions, and a nucleic acid sequence that is functionally equivalent to the hEAAT2 promoter sequence are provided, as are vectors containing these nucleic acid sequences. In addition, methods for the use of these nucleic acids to achieve tissue- or cell-specific gene expression are provided, as are methods for the use of these hEAAT2 promoter nucleic acids to identify agents that can modulate glutamate transport or the activity of the glutamate promoter. Such agents may be useful in the prevention, palliation or treatment of neurodegenerative and/or cerebrovascular diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Astrocyte Modulated Genes (AMGs). AMGs are genes whose expression are modulated in human astrocytes grown in primary cell culture following the exposure of these cells to either the human immunodeficiency virus HIV-1 or to the HIV-1 protein gp120. AMGs comprise both Astrocyte Enhanced Genes (AEGs) and Astrocyte Suppressed Genes (ASGs). Thus, the present invention further relates to Astrocyte Enhanced Genes (AEGs), the expression of which are up-regulated in human astrocytes grown in primary cell culture that are exposed to either the human immunodeficiency virus HIV-1 or to the HIV-1 protein gp120, and to Astrocyte Suppressed Genes (ASGs), the expression of which are downregulated in human astrocytes grown in primary cell culture that are exposed to either the human immunodeficiency virus HIV-1 or to the HIV-1 protein gp120. Because they may play a role in HIV-associated dementia (“HAD”), AMGs may be used as markers in methods for screening for drugs that treat or prevent HAD.