IL6 and HIV-1 infection: Perturbation of astrocyte functions, such as dysregulation of extracellular glutamate clearance, also contributes to HIV-1-associated neurotoxicity.52,53 HIV-1 infection and exposure of non-neuronal cells to HIV-1 proteins have been associated with increased levels of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines such as IL-1β, IL-6, MIP-1β, RANTES and CCL2.44 Here, EtOH exerts a differential pattern of chemokine regulation in astrocytes, as evidenced by increased CCL2 in contrast to decreased CXCL8.