Given that Tat interacts with TLR7, that activation of TLR7 with R837 increases secretion of IL‐6, IL‐8, and CCL2, and that TLR7 blockage attenuates Tat‐induced secretion of IL‐6, IL‐8, and CCL2, all of which are implicated in the pathogenesis of HAND (AngelaCovino et al. 2016; Yuan et al. 2013), our findings suggest that Tat induces astrocyte‐mediated inflammatory response via its interaction with TLR7. This evidence concerns the gene CXCL8 and HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder.