Basova LV, Riley T, Delorme-Walker V, de Siqueira-Lima D, Milner R, Ellis RJ, Fox H, Marcondes MCG. Distinct roles of dopamine receptors in HIV latency reversal in a myeloid cell model. Front Immunol. 2026;17:1817754. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2026.1817754. eCollection 2026. PubMed PMID: 42292415; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC13253437.
Investigators
Maria Cecilia Marcondes, Ph.D.
Research Focus
Following a Major in Analytical Chemistry and a BSc in Behavioral Sciences, Dr. Cecilia Marcondes received an MS in Philosophy and a Ph.D. in Immunology from the Institute of Biomedical Sciences in the Universidade de Sao Paulo (USP), Brazil in 1996. She completed postdoctoral fellowships in the Department of Molecular Pathogenesis at the Skirball Institute, New York University Medical Center, and then in the Department of Neuropharmacology at The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA.
In 2011, she became Assistant Professor of Molecular and Integrative Neurosciences Department (MIND) at The Scripps Research Institute. She is currently an active member of the meetings committee of the Society of Neuroimmune Pharmacology (SNIP).
Her recent studies have focused on central nervous system (CNS) dysfunctions associated with HIV infection and the roles played by co-morbidities such as drug abuse and aging, on aggravating neuroimmune pathogenesis. Her work on the role of neurotransmitters in modifying the immune response against the virus and promoting chronic inflammation uses a diversity of cell and animal models, and a multidisciplinary approach. She believes in the power of collaboration to advance science and promote rigor in the experimental design and execution process.
Education
Ph.D. in Immunology, University of Sao Paulo, 1996
MS in Immunepathology of Tropical Diseases, University of Sao Paulo, 1991
BS in Behavior of Social Insects, Immunology and Microbiology, University of Santa Amaro, 1986
Professional Experience
2017 – Present, Associate Professor, Multiple Sclerosis Medical Research Center
2017 – 2026, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Neuroscience Department, The Scripps Research Institute
2015 – 2020 Member, Translational Methamphetamine AIDS Research Center
2015 – Present, Lecturer, Interdisciplinary Research Fellowship in neuroAIDS, University of California San Diego
2005 – 2011, Staff Scientist, The Scripps Research Institute
1992 – 1997, Faculty, Immunology, Universidade Cidade de Sao Paulo
1987 – 1992, Science Instructor, Estaçao Ciencia (Science Museum)
1986 – 1997, Research and Development, Salck Industria e Comercio de Produtos Biologicos Ltda
Honors and Awards
Interdisciplinary Research Fellowship in neuroAIDS, UCSD, 2015 – 2019
Junior Scientist Award, 26th Non-Human Primate Models of AIDS, 2008
International Society of Neuroimmunology Award, 2006
Brazilian Society of Immunology Award, 2005
Professional Activities
Editor for “HIV and Drugs of Abuse” Special Issue in Viruses, 2021 – Present
Editorial Board for Immunological Tolerance and Regulation specialty section of Frontiers in Immunology, 2021 – Present
Editorial Board for Viruses, 2021 – Present
Member, HIV co-morbidities and Clinical Studies Study Section (HCCS – NIH), 2021 – Present
Chair – Institutional Review Board, San Diego BioMed, 2018 – 2024
Committee Member, Society of Neuroimmune Pharmacology, 2011 – Present
Member, Society for Neurosciences, 2011 – Present
Member, American Association of Immunologists, 2004 – Present
Select Publications
Basova LV, Lim WL, Delorme-Walker V, Riley T, Au K, Lima DS, Lusic M, Ellis RJ, Fox HS, Marcondes MCG. A Single-Cell Perspective on the Effects of Dopamine in the Regulation of HIV Latency Phenotypes in a Myeloid Cell Model. Viruses. 2025 Jun 25;17(7). doi: 10.3390/v17070895. PubMed PMID: 40733513; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC12299422.
Basova LV, Riley T, Franklin D, Delorme-Walker V, Lim WL, Grant I, Letendre SL, Iudicello JE, Cherner M, Ellis RJ, Marcondes MCG. Identifying methamphetamine use predictors in HIV infection: Immune-dopaminergic signatures in peripheral leukocytes and the role of COMT genotype. Brain Behav Immun Health. 2024 Dec;42:100873. doi: 10.1016/j.bbih.2024.100873. eCollection 2024 Dec. PubMed PMID: 39430881; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC11490913.
Grelotti DJ, Montoya J, Delorme-Walker V, Iudicello J, Ellis R, Grant I, Letendre S, Marcondes MCG, Cherner M. On the issue of treating HIV in people with syndemic mental-health and substance-use disorders. Nat Ment Health. 2024 Aug;2(8):879-880. doi: 10.1038/s44220-024-00283-5. Epub 2024 Jul 22. PubMed PMID: 39211438; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC11360833.
Basova LV, Kesby JP, Kaul M, Semenova S, Marcondes MCG. Systems Biology Analysis of the Antagonizing Effects of HIV-1 Tat Expression in the Brain over Transcriptional Changes Caused by Methamphetamine Sensitization. Viruses. 2020 Apr 9;12(4).
PDFTjitro R, Campbell LA, Basova L, Johnson J, Najera JA, Lindsey A and Marcondes MC. Modeling the Function of TATA Box Binding Protein in Transcriptional Changes Induced by HIV-1 Tat in Innate Immune Cells and the Effect of Methamphetamine Exposure. Front Immunol. 2019;9:3110.
PDFKesby JP, Chang A, Najera JA, Marcondes MCG, Semenova S. Brain Reward Function after Chronic and Binge Methamphetamine Regimens in Mice Expressing the HIV-1 TAT Protein. Curr HIV Res. 2019;17(2):126-133.
PDFBasova L, Najera JA, Bortell N, Wang D, Moya R, Lindsey A, Semenova S, Ellis RJ, Marcondes MCG. Dopamine and its receptors play a role in the modulation of CCR5 expression in innate immune cells following exposure to Methamphetamine: Implications to HIV infection. PLoS One. 2018;13(6):e0199861. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0199861. eCollection 2018. PubMed PMID: 29944719; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC6019408.
PDFBortell N, Basova L, Najera JA, Morsey B, Fox HS, Marcondes MCG. Sirtuin 1-Chromatin-Binding Dynamics Points to a Common Mechanism Regulating Inflammatory Targets in SIV Infection and in the Aging Brain. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol. 2018;13(2):163-178.
PDFKesby JP, Najera JA, Romoli B, Fang Y, Basova L, Birmingham A, Marcondes MCG, Dulcis D, Semenova S. HIV-1 TAT protein enhances sensitization to methamphetamineby affecting dopaminergic function. Brain Behav Immun. 2017. 65:210-221.
PDFBortell N, Basova L, Semenova S, Fox HS, Ravasi T, Marcondes MCG. Astrocyte-specific overexpressed gene signatures in response to methamphetamine exposure in vitro. Journal of Neuroinflammation. 2017;14:49.
PDFNajera JA, Bustamante EA, Bortell N, Morsey B, Fox HS, Ravasi T, Marcondes MC. Methamphetamine abuse affects gene expression in brain-derived microglia of SIV-infected macaques to enhance inflammation and promote virus targets. BMC Immunol. 2016 Apr 23;17(1):7. doi: 10.1186/s12865-016-0145-0. PubMed PMID: 27107567; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4841970.
PDFBortell N, Morsey B, Basova L, Fox HS, Marcondes MCG. Phenotypic changes in the brain of SIV-infected macaques exposed to methamphetamine parallel macrophage activation patterns induced by the common gamma-chain cytokine system. Frontiers in Microbiology. 2015;6:900.
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