Mitovesicle Proteomic Signatures of Social Defeat Stress in NeuroHIV

Mitochondria-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) that have recently emerged as important mediators and biomarkers of neurodegenerative diseases. Changes in their abundance and molecular cargo may serve as sensitive indicators of mitochondrial stress, dysfunction, and cellular health. This study validates the efficiency and reproducibility of our rat brain mitovesicle isolation protocol. Furthermore, it aims to elucidate how mitochondrial signaling, reflected by mitovesicle characteristics and cargo, is altered following social defeat stress and whether these effects are further exacerbated by HIV infection. These findings may provide novel insights into the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in HIV-associated neurocognitive impairment and stress-related neuropathology.