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Ernest Chivero

  1. UNO
  2. College of Arts and Sciences
  3. Department of Psychology
  4. About Us
  5. Faculty Directory
  6. Ernest Chivero
Ernest Chivero, Ph.D.

Ernest Chivero, Ph.D.

  • Assistant Professor
  • 402.554.2709
email:
ernestchivero@unomaha.edu
office:
  • AH 419A
area of focus:
  • Psychology and Neuroscience

Additional Information

Biography

Ernest Chivero graduated with a B.SC. in Biology and an M.Sc. in Biotechnology both from the University of Zimbabwe. He earned his PhD from the University of Iowa followed by post-doctoral training at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) in experimental neuroscience and drug abuse. 

More on Google Scholar

Teaching Interests
  • Neuroscience
  • Neuroimmunology
  • Neuroinflammation
  • Infection in the CNS
  • Drug/substance abuse
  • Neurodegenerative disorders
Research Interests
Ernest’s lab investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying substance use disorder-mediated activation of microglia and neuroinflammation. In particular, he is interested in how pattern recognition sensors and oxidative stress response elements contribute to the development of substance use disorders (SUDs). These studies will identify pathway targets that could be developed as therapeutic interventions to reduce neuroinflammation and subsequent cognitive impairment in individuals with SUDs. He uses cellular neurobiology methods including cell culture, western blotting, immunofluorescence microscopy, siRNA, real-time PCR, harvesting of brain tissues, protein, and RNA isolation.
Selected Publications in peer-reviewed journals
  1. Chivero ET*, Sil S, Singh S, Thangaraj A, Gordon L, Evah-Nzoughe GB, Ferguson N, Callen S, Buch S. Protective role of Lactobacillus rhamnosus probiotic in reversing cocaine-induced oxidative stress, glial activation and locomotion in mice. Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology. 2021. PMID: 34628571.
  2. Guo, M. L., Chivero, ET., Callen, S. E., Buch, S. NLRP3 Inflammasome Is Involved in Cocaine-Mediated Potentiation on Behavioral Changes in CX3CR1-Deficient Mice. Journal of Personalized Medicine. 2021. PMID: 34683104.
  3. Sil S, Singh S, Chemparathy DT, Chivero ET, Gordon L, Buch S. Astrocytes & astrocyte derived extracellular vesicles in morphine induced amyloidopathy. Aging and Disease. 2021. PMID: 34527417.
  4. Chivero ET, Thangaraj A, Tripathi A, Periyasamy P, Guo ML, Buch S. NLRP3 inflammasome blockade reduces cocaine-induced microglial activation and neuroinflammation. Molecular Neurobiology. 2021. PMID: 33417223.
  5. Chivero ET*, Dagur RS, Peeples ES, Sil S, Liao K, Ma R, Chen L, Gurumurthy CB, Buch S, Hu G. Biogenesis, physiological functions and potential applications of extracellular vesicles in substance use disorders. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences. 2021. PMID: 33821293. 
  6. Thangaraj A, Chivero ET, Tripathi A, Guo ML, Pillai P, Periyasamy P, Shilpa Buch. HIV-1 TAT-mediated microglial senescence: Role of SIRT3-dependent mitochondrial oxidative stress. Redox Biology. PMC7779826.
  7. Chivero ET, Liao K, Niu F, Tripathi A, Tian C, Hu G, Buch S. Engineered extracellular vesicles loaded with miR-124 attenuate cocaine-mediated activation of microglia. Front Cell Dev Biol. 2020;8:573. 2020. PMID: 32850781.
  8. Sil S, Thangaraj A, Chivero ET, Niu F, Kannan M, Liao K, Silverstein PS, Periyasamy P, Buch S. HIV-1 and drug abuse comorbidity: Lessons learned from the animal models of NeuroHIV. Neuroscience Letters. 2021. PMID: 33794296.
  9. Tripathi A, Thangaraj A, Chivero ET, Periyasamy P, Burkovetskaya ME, Niu F, Guo ML, Buch S. N-Acetylcysteine reverses antiretroviral-mediated microglial activation by attenuating autophagy-lysosomal dysfunction. Front Neurol. 2020;11:840. eCollection 2020. PMID: 33013619.
  10. Buch S, Periyasamy P, Thangaraj A, Sil S, Chivero ET, Tripathi A. Opioid-Mediated HIV-1 immunopathogenesis. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol. 2020. PMID: 33029670.
  11. Sil S**, Niu F**, Chivero ET,** Singh S, Periyasamy P, Buch S. Role of inflammasomes in HIV-1 and drug abuse mediated neuroinflammaging. Cells. 2020;9(8):E1857. PMID: 32784383. 
  12. Kutchy NA, Peeples ES, Sil S, Liao K, Chivero ET, Hu G, Buch S. Extracellular Vesicles in viral infections of the nervous system. Viruses. 2020; 28;12(7):700. PMID: 32605316 .
  13. Thangaraj A, Sil S, Tripathi A, Chivero ET, Periyasamy P, Buch S. Targeting endoplasmic reticulum stress and autophagy as therapeutic approaches for neurological diseases. Int Rev Cell Mol Biol. 2020;350:285-325. PMID: 32138902.
  14. Chivero ET, Ahmad R, Thangaraj A, Periyasamy P, Kumar B, Kroeger E, Feng D, Guo ML, Roy S, Dhawan P, Singh AB, Buch S. Cocaine induces inflammatory gut milieu by compromising the mucosal barrier integrity and altering the gut microbiota colonization. Sci Rep. 2019 Aug 21;9(1):12187. PMID: 31434922.
  15. Tripathi A, Thangaraj A, Chivero ET, Periyasamy P, Callen S, Burkovetskaya ME, Guo ML, Buch S. Antiretroviral-mediated microglial activation involves dysregulated autophagy and lysosomal dysfunction. 2019;8(10):1168. PMID: 31569373.
  16. Thangaraj A, Periyasamy P, Guo ML, Chivero ET, Callen S, Buch S. Mitigation of cocaine-mediated mitochondrial damage, defective mitophagy and microglial activation by superoxide dismutase mimetics. 2020;16(2):289-312. PMID: 30990365.
  17. Sil S, Periyasamy P, Thangaraj A, Chivero ET, Buch S. PDGF/PDGFR axis in the neural systems. Mol Aspects Med. 2018;62:63-74. PMID: 29409855.
  18. Chivero ET*, Guo M*, Periyasamy P, Liao K, Callen SE and Buch S. HIV Tat primes and activates microglial NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated neuroinflammation. Neurosci. 2017;37(13):3599-3609. PMID:28270571.
  19. Buch S, Chivero ET, Hoare J, Jumare J, Nakasujja N, Mudenda V, Paul R, Kanmogne GD, Sacktor N, Wood C, Royal W, Joseph J. Proceedings from the NIMH symposium on "NeuroAIDS in Africa: neurological and neuropsychiatric complications of HIV". J Neurovirol. 2016;22(5):699-702. PMID: 27473196.
  20. Chivero ET, Bhattarai N, McLinden JH, Xiang J, Stapleton JT. Human Pegivirus (HPgV; formerly known as GBV-C) inhibits IL-12 dependent natural killer cell function. Virology. 2015 Nov;485. PMID: 26245365.
  21. Chivero ET, Stapleton JT. Tropism of Human Pegivirus (formerly known as GB virus C/Hepatitis G virus) and host immunomodulation: insights into a highly successful viral infection. J Gen Virol. 2015 Feb 9: PMID: 25667328.
  22. Stapleton JT, Xiang J, McLinden JH, Bhattarai N, Chivero ET, Klinzman D, Kaufman TM, Chang Q. A novel T cell evasion mechanism in persistent RNA virus infection. Trans Am Clin Climatol Assoc. 2014;125:14-24. PMID: 25125715.
  23. Chivero ET, Bhattarai N, Rydze RT, Winters MA, Holodniy M, Stapleton JT. Human Pegivirus RNA is found in multiple blood mononuclear cells in vivo and serum-derived viral RNA containing particles are infectious in vitro. J Gen Virol. 2014 Jun; 95(Pt 6):1307-19. PMC4027039. PMID: 24668525.
  24. Bhattarai N, McLinden JH, Xiang J, Landay AL, Chivero ET, Stapleton JT. GB virus C particles inhibit T cell activation via envelope E2 protein-mediated inhibition of TCR signaling. J Immunol. 2013 Jun 15;190 (12):6351-9. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1300589. Epub 2013 May 17. PMID: 23686495.
  25. Bhattarai N, Rydze RT, Chivero ET, Stapleton JT. GB virus C viremia is associated with higher levels of double-negative T cells and lower T-cell activation in HIV-infected individuals receiving antiretroviral therapy. J Infect Dis. 2012 Nov; 206 (9):1469-72. PMID: 22927453.
  26. Brown GD, Meintjes G, Kolls JK, Gray C, Horsnell W; Working Group from the EMBO-AIDS Related Mycoses Workshop, Achan B, Alber G, Aloisi M, Armstrong-James D, Beale M, Bicanic T, Black J, Bohjanen P, Botes A, Boulware DR, Brown G, Bunjun R, Carr W, Casadevall A, Chang C, Chivero E, Corcoran C, Cross A, Dawood H, Day J, De Bernardis F, De Jager V, De Repentigny L, Denning D, Eschke M, Finkelman M, Govender N, Gow N, Graham L, Gryschek R, Hammond-Aryee K, Harrison T, Heard N, Hill M, Hoving JC, Janoff E, Jarvis J, Kayuni S, King K, Kolls J, Kullberg BJ, Lalloo DG, Letang E, Levitz S, Limper A, Longley N, Machiridza TR, Mahabeer Y, Martinsons N, Meiring S, Meya D, Miller R, Molloy S, Morris L, Mukaremera L, Musubire AK, Muzoora C, Nair A, Nakiwala Kimbowa J, Netea M, Nielsen K, O'hern J, Okurut S, Parker A, Patterson T, Pennap G, Perfect J, Prinsloo C, Rhein J, Rolfes MA, Samuel C, Schutz C, Scriven J, Sebolai OM, Sojane K, Sriruttan C, Stead D, Steyn A, Thawer NK, Thienemann F, Von Hohenberg M, Vreulink JM, Wessels J, Wood K, Yang YL. AIDS-related mycoses: the way forward. Trends Microbiol. 2014 Mar; 22(3):107-9. PMID: 24581941.
  27. Chivero ET, Mutukumira AN, Zvauya R. Partial purification and characterization of a xylanase enzyme produced by a micro-organism isolated from selected indigenous fruits of Zimbabwe. Food Chemistry. 72 (2), 2001. pp 179-185. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0308-8146(00)00216-8.

*co-corresponding author
**contributed equally

Additional publications in Pubmed.

Additional Information

Biography

Ernest Chivero graduated with a B.SC. in Biology and an M.Sc. in Biotechnology both from the University of Zimbabwe. He earned his PhD from the University of Iowa followed by post-doctoral training at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) in experimental neuroscience and drug abuse. 

More on Google Scholar

Teaching Interests
  • Neuroscience
  • Neuroimmunology
  • Neuroinflammation
  • Infection in the CNS
  • Drug/substance abuse
  • Neurodegenerative disorders
Research Interests
Ernest’s lab investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying substance use disorder-mediated activation of microglia and neuroinflammation. In particular, he is interested in how pattern recognition sensors and oxidative stress response elements contribute to the development of substance use disorders (SUDs). These studies will identify pathway targets that could be developed as therapeutic interventions to reduce neuroinflammation and subsequent cognitive impairment in individuals with SUDs. He uses cellular neurobiology methods including cell culture, western blotting, immunofluorescence microscopy, siRNA, real-time PCR, harvesting of brain tissues, protein, and RNA isolation.
Selected Publications in peer-reviewed journals
  1. Chivero ET*, Sil S, Singh S, Thangaraj A, Gordon L, Evah-Nzoughe GB, Ferguson N, Callen S, Buch S. Protective role of Lactobacillus rhamnosus probiotic in reversing cocaine-induced oxidative stress, glial activation and locomotion in mice. Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology. 2021. PMID: 34628571.
  2. Guo, M. L., Chivero, ET., Callen, S. E., Buch, S. NLRP3 Inflammasome Is Involved in Cocaine-Mediated Potentiation on Behavioral Changes in CX3CR1-Deficient Mice. Journal of Personalized Medicine. 2021. PMID: 34683104.
  3. Sil S, Singh S, Chemparathy DT, Chivero ET, Gordon L, Buch S. Astrocytes & astrocyte derived extracellular vesicles in morphine induced amyloidopathy. Aging and Disease. 2021. PMID: 34527417.
  4. Chivero ET, Thangaraj A, Tripathi A, Periyasamy P, Guo ML, Buch S. NLRP3 inflammasome blockade reduces cocaine-induced microglial activation and neuroinflammation. Molecular Neurobiology. 2021. PMID: 33417223.
  5. Chivero ET*, Dagur RS, Peeples ES, Sil S, Liao K, Ma R, Chen L, Gurumurthy CB, Buch S, Hu G. Biogenesis, physiological functions and potential applications of extracellular vesicles in substance use disorders. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences. 2021. PMID: 33821293. 
  6. Thangaraj A, Chivero ET, Tripathi A, Guo ML, Pillai P, Periyasamy P, Shilpa Buch. HIV-1 TAT-mediated microglial senescence: Role of SIRT3-dependent mitochondrial oxidative stress. Redox Biology. PMC7779826.
  7. Chivero ET, Liao K, Niu F, Tripathi A, Tian C, Hu G, Buch S. Engineered extracellular vesicles loaded with miR-124 attenuate cocaine-mediated activation of microglia. Front Cell Dev Biol. 2020;8:573. 2020. PMID: 32850781.
  8. Sil S, Thangaraj A, Chivero ET, Niu F, Kannan M, Liao K, Silverstein PS, Periyasamy P, Buch S. HIV-1 and drug abuse comorbidity: Lessons learned from the animal models of NeuroHIV. Neuroscience Letters. 2021. PMID: 33794296.
  9. Tripathi A, Thangaraj A, Chivero ET, Periyasamy P, Burkovetskaya ME, Niu F, Guo ML, Buch S. N-Acetylcysteine reverses antiretroviral-mediated microglial activation by attenuating autophagy-lysosomal dysfunction. Front Neurol. 2020;11:840. eCollection 2020. PMID: 33013619.
  10. Buch S, Periyasamy P, Thangaraj A, Sil S, Chivero ET, Tripathi A. Opioid-Mediated HIV-1 immunopathogenesis. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol. 2020. PMID: 33029670.
  11. Sil S**, Niu F**, Chivero ET,** Singh S, Periyasamy P, Buch S. Role of inflammasomes in HIV-1 and drug abuse mediated neuroinflammaging. Cells. 2020;9(8):E1857. PMID: 32784383. 
  12. Kutchy NA, Peeples ES, Sil S, Liao K, Chivero ET, Hu G, Buch S. Extracellular Vesicles in viral infections of the nervous system. Viruses. 2020; 28;12(7):700. PMID: 32605316 .
  13. Thangaraj A, Sil S, Tripathi A, Chivero ET, Periyasamy P, Buch S. Targeting endoplasmic reticulum stress and autophagy as therapeutic approaches for neurological diseases. Int Rev Cell Mol Biol. 2020;350:285-325. PMID: 32138902.
  14. Chivero ET, Ahmad R, Thangaraj A, Periyasamy P, Kumar B, Kroeger E, Feng D, Guo ML, Roy S, Dhawan P, Singh AB, Buch S. Cocaine induces inflammatory gut milieu by compromising the mucosal barrier integrity and altering the gut microbiota colonization. Sci Rep. 2019 Aug 21;9(1):12187. PMID: 31434922.
  15. Tripathi A, Thangaraj A, Chivero ET, Periyasamy P, Callen S, Burkovetskaya ME, Guo ML, Buch S. Antiretroviral-mediated microglial activation involves dysregulated autophagy and lysosomal dysfunction. 2019;8(10):1168. PMID: 31569373.
  16. Thangaraj A, Periyasamy P, Guo ML, Chivero ET, Callen S, Buch S. Mitigation of cocaine-mediated mitochondrial damage, defective mitophagy and microglial activation by superoxide dismutase mimetics. 2020;16(2):289-312. PMID: 30990365.
  17. Sil S, Periyasamy P, Thangaraj A, Chivero ET, Buch S. PDGF/PDGFR axis in the neural systems. Mol Aspects Med. 2018;62:63-74. PMID: 29409855.
  18. Chivero ET*, Guo M*, Periyasamy P, Liao K, Callen SE and Buch S. HIV Tat primes and activates microglial NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated neuroinflammation. Neurosci. 2017;37(13):3599-3609. PMID:28270571.
  19. Buch S, Chivero ET, Hoare J, Jumare J, Nakasujja N, Mudenda V, Paul R, Kanmogne GD, Sacktor N, Wood C, Royal W, Joseph J. Proceedings from the NIMH symposium on "NeuroAIDS in Africa: neurological and neuropsychiatric complications of HIV". J Neurovirol. 2016;22(5):699-702. PMID: 27473196.
  20. Chivero ET, Bhattarai N, McLinden JH, Xiang J, Stapleton JT. Human Pegivirus (HPgV; formerly known as GBV-C) inhibits IL-12 dependent natural killer cell function. Virology. 2015 Nov;485. PMID: 26245365.
  21. Chivero ET, Stapleton JT. Tropism of Human Pegivirus (formerly known as GB virus C/Hepatitis G virus) and host immunomodulation: insights into a highly successful viral infection. J Gen Virol. 2015 Feb 9: PMID: 25667328.
  22. Stapleton JT, Xiang J, McLinden JH, Bhattarai N, Chivero ET, Klinzman D, Kaufman TM, Chang Q. A novel T cell evasion mechanism in persistent RNA virus infection. Trans Am Clin Climatol Assoc. 2014;125:14-24. PMID: 25125715.
  23. Chivero ET, Bhattarai N, Rydze RT, Winters MA, Holodniy M, Stapleton JT. Human Pegivirus RNA is found in multiple blood mononuclear cells in vivo and serum-derived viral RNA containing particles are infectious in vitro. J Gen Virol. 2014 Jun; 95(Pt 6):1307-19. PMC4027039. PMID: 24668525.
  24. Bhattarai N, McLinden JH, Xiang J, Landay AL, Chivero ET, Stapleton JT. GB virus C particles inhibit T cell activation via envelope E2 protein-mediated inhibition of TCR signaling. J Immunol. 2013 Jun 15;190 (12):6351-9. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1300589. Epub 2013 May 17. PMID: 23686495.
  25. Bhattarai N, Rydze RT, Chivero ET, Stapleton JT. GB virus C viremia is associated with higher levels of double-negative T cells and lower T-cell activation in HIV-infected individuals receiving antiretroviral therapy. J Infect Dis. 2012 Nov; 206 (9):1469-72. PMID: 22927453.
  26. Brown GD, Meintjes G, Kolls JK, Gray C, Horsnell W; Working Group from the EMBO-AIDS Related Mycoses Workshop, Achan B, Alber G, Aloisi M, Armstrong-James D, Beale M, Bicanic T, Black J, Bohjanen P, Botes A, Boulware DR, Brown G, Bunjun R, Carr W, Casadevall A, Chang C, Chivero E, Corcoran C, Cross A, Dawood H, Day J, De Bernardis F, De Jager V, De Repentigny L, Denning D, Eschke M, Finkelman M, Govender N, Gow N, Graham L, Gryschek R, Hammond-Aryee K, Harrison T, Heard N, Hill M, Hoving JC, Janoff E, Jarvis J, Kayuni S, King K, Kolls J, Kullberg BJ, Lalloo DG, Letang E, Levitz S, Limper A, Longley N, Machiridza TR, Mahabeer Y, Martinsons N, Meiring S, Meya D, Miller R, Molloy S, Morris L, Mukaremera L, Musubire AK, Muzoora C, Nair A, Nakiwala Kimbowa J, Netea M, Nielsen K, O'hern J, Okurut S, Parker A, Patterson T, Pennap G, Perfect J, Prinsloo C, Rhein J, Rolfes MA, Samuel C, Schutz C, Scriven J, Sebolai OM, Sojane K, Sriruttan C, Stead D, Steyn A, Thawer NK, Thienemann F, Von Hohenberg M, Vreulink JM, Wessels J, Wood K, Yang YL. AIDS-related mycoses: the way forward. Trends Microbiol. 2014 Mar; 22(3):107-9. PMID: 24581941.
  27. Chivero ET, Mutukumira AN, Zvauya R. Partial purification and characterization of a xylanase enzyme produced by a micro-organism isolated from selected indigenous fruits of Zimbabwe. Food Chemistry. 72 (2), 2001. pp 179-185. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0308-8146(00)00216-8.

*co-corresponding author
**contributed equally

Additional publications in Pubmed.

Additional Information

Biography Teaching Interests Research Interests Selected Publications in peer-reviewed journals

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