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.
