Chioma M. Okeoma

November 24, 2025

Cannabinoids shift the basal ganglia microRNA m6A methylation profile towards an anti-inflammatory phenotype in SIV-infected rhesus macaques

Abstract Epitranscriptomic modifications [N6-methyladenosine (m6A)] regulate various diseases, including cancer and inflammation. Despite their functional relevance in neural development and…

April 25, 2025

Epigenetic modulation of the NLRP6 inflammasome sensor as a therapeutic modality to reduce necroptosis-driven gastrointestinal mucosal dysfunction in HIV/SIV infection

Abstract Background: Gastrointestinal (GI) disease/dysfunction persists in people living with HIV (PLWH) receiving suppressive combination anti-retroviral therapy (ART) leading to…

April 10, 2023

Cannabinoid enhancement of lncRNA MMP25-AS1/MMP25 interaction reduces neutrophil infiltration and intestinal epithelial injury in HIV/SIV infection

Abstract Intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction, a hallmark of HIV/SIV infection, persists despite viral suppression by combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). Emerging…

March 8, 2023

Cannabinoids modulate the microbiota–gut–brain axis in HIV/SIV infection by reducing neuroinflammation and dysbiosis while concurrently elevating endocannabinoid and indole-3-propionate levels

Abstract Background: Although the advent of combination anti-retroviral therapy (cART) has transformed HIV into a manageable chronic disease, an estimated…

February 24, 2023

Alterations in Abundance and Compartmentalization of miRNAs in Blood Plasma Extracellular Vesicles and Extracellular Condensates during HIV/SIV Infection and Its Modulation by Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) and Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC)

Abstract In this follow-up study, we investigated the abundance and compartmentalization of blood plasma extracellular miRNA (exmiRNA) into lipid-based carriers—blood…

September 12, 2022

Chronic delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) treatment counteracts SIV-induced modulation of proinflammatory microRNA cargo in basal ganglia-derived extracellular vesicles

Abstract Background: Early invasion of the central nervous system (CNS) by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (Gray et al. in Brain…

October 6, 2020

Long-Term Low-Dose Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannbinol (THC) Administration to Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV) Infected Rhesus Macaques Stimulates the Release of Bioactive Blood Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) that Induce Divergent Structural Adaptations and Signaling Cues

Abstract Blood extracellular vesicles (BEVs) carry bioactive cargo (proteins, genetic materials, lipids, licit, and illicit drugs) that regulate diverse functions…

September 3, 2019

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection and Use of Illicit Substances Promote Secretion of Semen Exosomes that Enhance Monocyte Adhesion and Induce Actin Reorganization and Chemotactic Migration

Abstract Semen exosomes (SE) from HIV-uninfected (HIV−) individuals potently inhibit HIV infection in vitro. However, morphological changes in target cells…