bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Wild-Type Porcine Encephalomyocarditis Virus Containing a Short Poly(C) Tract Is Pathogenic to Mice, Pigs, and Cynomolgus Macaques
Authors: LaRue Rebecca , Myers Suzanne , Brewer Laurie , Shaw Daniel P. , Brown Corrie , Seal Bruce S. , Njenga M. Kariuki
Published: August 2003

Previous studies using wild-type
Encephalomyocarditis virus
(EMCV) and
Mengo virus
, which have long poly(C) tracts (61 to 146 C's) at the 5′ nontranslated region of the genome, and variants of these viruses genetically engineered to truncate or substitute the poly(C) tracts have produced conflicting data on the role of the poly(C) tract in the virulence of these viruses. Analysis of the nucleotide sequence of an EMCV strain isolated from an aborted swine fetus (EMCV 30/87) revealed that the virus had a poly(C) tract that was 7- to 10-fold shorter than the poly(C) tracts of other EMCV strains and 4-fold shorter than that of Mengo virus. Subsequently, we investigated the virulence and pathogenesis of this naturally occurring short-poly(C)-tract-containing virus in rodents, pigs, and nonhuman primates. Infection of C57BL/6 mice, pigs, and cynomolgus macaques resulted in similar EMCV 30/87 pathogenesis, with the heart and brain as the primary sites of infections in all three animals, but with different disease phenotypes. Sixteen percent of EMCV 30/87-infected pigs developed acute fatal cardiac failure, whereas the rest of the pigs were overtly asymptomatic for as long as 90 days postinfection (p.i.), despite extensive myocardial and central nervous system (CNS) pathological changes. In contrast, mice infected with ≥4 PFU of EMCV 30/87 developed acute encephalitis that resulted in the death of all animals (
n
= 25) between days 2 and 7 p.i. EMCV 30/87-infected macaques remained overtly asymptomatic for 45 days, despite extensive myocardial and CNS pathological changes and viral persistence in more than 50% of the animals. The short poly(C) tract in EMCV 30/87 (CUC
5
UC
8
) was comparable to that of strain 2887A/91 (C
10
UCUC
3
UC
10
), another recent porcine isolate.
Competition between the Sendai Virus N mRNA Start Site and the Genome 3′-End Promoter for Viral RNA Polymerase
Authors: Le Mercier Philippe , Garcin Dominique , Garcia Eduardo , Kolakofsky Daniel
Published: August 2003

The genomic and antigenomic 3′-end replication promoters of Sendai virus are bipartite in nature and symmetrical, composed of
le
or
tr
sequences; a gene start or gene end site, respectively; and a simple hexameric repeat. The relative strengths of these 3′-end promoters determines the ratios of genomes and antigenomes formed during infection and whether model mini-genomes can be rescued from DNA by nondefective helper viruses. Using these tests of promoter strength, we have confirmed that
tr
is stronger than
le
in this respect. We have also found that the presence of a gene start site within either 3′-end promoter strongly reduces 3′-end promoter strength. The negative effects of the gene start site on the 3′-end promoter suggest that these closely spaced RNA start sites compete with each other for a common pool of viral RNA polymerase. The manner in which this competition could occur for polymerase off the template (in
trans
) and polymerase on the template (in
cis
) adds insight into how the viral RNA polymerase switches between its dual functions as transcriptase and replicase.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection Sensitizes Cells to Apoptosis Mediated by Tumor Necrosis Factor-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand
Authors: Kotelkin Alexander , Prikhod'ko Elena A. , Cohen Jeffrey I. , Collins Peter L. , Bukreyev Alexander
Published: August 2003

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an important cause of respiratory tract disease worldwide, especially in the pediatric population. For viruses in general, apoptotic death of infected cells is a mechanism for reducing virus replication. Apoptosis can also be an important factor in augmenting antigen presentation and the host immune response. We examined apoptosis in response to RSV infection of primary small airway cells, primary tracheal-bronchial cells, and A549 and HEp-2 cell lines. The primary cells and the A549 cell line gave generally similar responses, indicating their appropriateness as models in contrast to HEp-2 cells. With the use of RNase protection assays with probes representing 33 common apoptosis factors, we found strong transcriptional activation of both pro- and antiapoptotic factors in response to RSV infection, which were further studied at the protein level and by functional assays. In particular, RSV infection strongly up-regulated the expression of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and its functional receptors death receptor 4 (DR4) and DR5. Furthermore, RSV-infected cells became highly sensitive to apoptosis induced by exogenous TRAIL. These findings suggest that RSV-infected cells in vivo are susceptible to killing through the TRAIL pathway by immune cells such as natural killer and CD4+cells that bear membrane-bound TRAIL. RSV infection also induced several proapoptotic factors of the Bcl-2 family and caspases 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, representing both the death receptor- and mitochondrion-dependent apoptotic pathways. RSV also mediated the strong induction of antiapoptotic factors of the Bcl-2 family, especially Mcl-1, which might account for the delayed induction of apoptosis in RSV-infected cells in the absence of exogenous induction of the TRAIL pathway.
Tsg101 Control of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Gag Trafficking and Release
Authors: Goff A. , Ehrlich L. S. , Cohen S. N. , Carter C. A.
Published: August 2003

The structural precursor polyprotein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1, Pr55

gag

, contains a proline-rich motif (PTAP) called the “late domain” in its C-terminal p6 region that directs release of mature virus-like particles (VLPs) from the plasma membranes of
gag
-transfected COS-1 cells. The motif binds Tsg101 (vacuolar protein-sorting protein 23, or Vps23), which functions in endocytic trafficking. Here, we show that accumulation of the wild-type (wt) Gag precursor in a fraction of COS-1 cytoplasm enriched in multivesicular bodies and small particulate components of the plasma membrane (P100) is p6 dependent. Cleavage intermediates and mature CA mainly partitioned with more rapidly sedimenting larger material enriched in components of lysosomes and early endosomes (P27), and this also was p6 dependent. Expression of truncated or full-length Tsg101 proteins interfered with VLP assembly and Gag accumulation in the P100 fraction. This correlated with reduced accumulation of Gag tagged with green fluorescent protein (Gag-GFP) at the plasma membrane and colocalization with the tagged Tsg101 in perinuclear early endosomes, as visualized by confocal microscopy. Fractionation analysis and confocal examination both indicated that the N-terminal region of Tsg101, which contains binding sites for PTAP and ubiquitin (Ub), was required for Gag trafficking to the plasma membrane. Expression of FLAG-tagged Tsg101 with a deletion in the Ub-binding pocket inhibited VLP release almost completely and to a significantly greater extent than expression of the wt tagged Tsg101 protein or Tsg101-FLAG containing a deletion in the PTAP-binding region. The results demonstrate that Gag associates with endosomal trafficking compartments and indicate that efficient release of virus particles from the plasma membrane requires both the PTAP- and Ub-binding functions of Tsg101 to recruit the cellular machinery required for budding.
Adenovirus Type 11 Uses CD46 as a Cellular Receptor
Authors: Segerman Anna , Atkinson John P. , Marttila Marko , Dennerquist Veronica , Wadell Göran , Arnberg Niklas
Published: August 2003

The 51 human adenovirus serotypes are divided into six species (A to F). Many adenoviruses use the coxsackie-adenovirus receptor (CAR) for attachment to host cells in vitro. Species B adenoviruses do not compete with CAR-binding serotypes for binding to host cells, and it has been suggested that species B adenoviruses use a receptor other than CAR. Species B adenoviruses mainly cause disease in the respiratory tract, the eyes, and in the urinary tract. Here we demonstrate that adenovirus type 11 (Ad11; of species B) binds to Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells transfected with CD46 (membrane cofactor protein)-cDNA at least 10 times more strongly than to CHO cells transfected with cDNAs encoding CAR or CD55 (decay accelerating factor). Nonpermissive CHO cells were rendered permissive to Ad11 infection upon transfection with CD46-cDNA. Soluble Ad11 fiber knob but not Ad7 or Ad5 knob inhibited binding of Ad11 virions to CD46-transfected cells, and anti-CD46 antibodies inhibited both binding of and infection by Ad11. From these results we conclude that CD46 is a cellular receptor for Ad11.
Association of the Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Us11 Gene Product with the Cellular Kinesin Light-Chain-Related Protein PAT1 Results in the Redistribution of Both Polypeptides
Authors: Benboudjema Louisa , Mulvey Matthew , Gao Yuehua , Pimplikar Sanjay W. , Mohr Ian
Published: August 2003

The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) Us11 gene encodes a multifunctional double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-binding protein that is expressed late in infection and packaged into the tegument layer of the virus particle. As a tegument component, Us11 associates with nascent capsids after its synthesis late in the infectious cycle and is delivered into newly infected cells at times prior to the expression of viral genes. Us11 is also an abundant late protein that regulates translation through its association with host components and contains overlapping nucleolar retention and nuclear export signals, allowing its accumulation in both nucleoli and the cytosol. Thus, at various times during the viral life cycle and in different intracellular compartments, Us11 has the potential to execute discrete tasks. The analysis of these functions, however, is complicated by the fact that Us11 is not essential for viral replication in cultured cells. To discover new host targets for the Us11 protein, we searched for cellular proteins that interact with Us11 and have identified PAT1 as a Us11-binding protein according to multiple, independent experimental criteria. PAT1 binds microtubules, participates in amyloid precursor protein trafficking, and has homology to the kinesin light chain (KLC) in its carboxyl terminus. The carboxyl-terminal dsRNA-binding domain of Us11, which also contains the nucleolar retention and nuclear export signals, binds PAT1, whereas 149 residues derived from the KLC homology region of PAT1 are important for binding to Us11. Both PAT1 and Us11 colocalize within a perinuclear area in transiently transfected and HSV-1-infected cells. The 149 amino acids derived from the KLC homology region are required for colocalization of the two polypeptides. Furthermore, although PAT1 normally accumulates in the nuclear compartment, Us11 expression results in the exclusion of PAT1 from the nucleus and its accumulation in the perinuclear space. Similarly, Us11 does not accumulate in the nucleoli of infected cells that overexpress PAT1. These results establish that Us11 and PAT1 can associate, resulting in an altered subcellular distribution of both polypeptides. The association between PAT1, a cellular trafficking protein with homology to KLC, and Us11, along with a recent report demonstrating an interaction between Us11 and the ubiquitous kinesin heavy chain (R. J. Diefenbach et al., J. Virol. 76:3282-3291, 2002), suggests that these associations may be important for the intracellular movement of viral components.
Replication of Hepatitis C Virus Subgenomes in Nonhepatic Epithelial and Mouse Hepatoma Cells
Authors: Zhu Qing , Guo Ju-Tao , Seeger Christoph
Published: August 2003

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) pandemic affects the health of more than 170 million people and is the major indication for orthotopic liver transplantations. Although the human liver is the primary site for HCV replication, it is not known whether extrahepatic tissues are also infected by the virus and whether nonprimate cells are permissive for RNA replication. Because HCV exists as a quasispecies, it is conceivable that a viral population may include variants that can replicate in different cell types and in other species. We have tested this hypothesis and found that subgenomic HCV RNAs can replicate in mouse hepatoma and nonhepatic human epithelial cells. Replicons isolated from these cell lines carry new mutations that could be involved in the control of tropism of the virus. Our results demonstrated that translation and RNA-directed RNA replication of HCV do not depend on hepatocyte or primate-specific factors. Moreover, our results could open the path for the development of animal models for HCV infection.
Production of Human Papillomavirus Type 16 Virus-Like Particles in Transgenic Plants
Authors: Biemelt Sophia , Sonnewald Uwe , Galmbacher Petra , Willmitzer Lothar , Müller Martin
Published: August 2003

Cervical cancer is linked to infection with human papillomaviruses (HPV) and is the third most common cancer among women worldwide. There is a strong demand for the development of an HPV preventive vaccine. Transgenic plants expressing the HPV major capsid protein L1 could be a system to produce virus-like particles for prophylactic vaccination or could even be used as edible vaccines to induce an L1-specific prophylactic immune response. Here, we describe the generation of transgenic tobacco and potato plants carrying the HPV type 16 major structural gene L1 under the control of the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter. All attempts to express either the original, unmodified L1 gene or an L1 gene with a codon usage optimized for expression in plants failed. Surprisingly, small amounts of the protein were detected using an L1 gene optimized for expression in human cells. However, Northern blot analysis revealed that most of the L1 transcripts were degraded. Introduction of the translational enhancer Ω derived from the tobacco mosaic virus strongly increased transcript stability and resulted in accumulation of L1 protein to approximately 0.5 to 0.2% of total soluble protein in transgenic tobacco and potato plants, respectively. The plant-derived L1 protein displayed conformation-specific epitopes and assembled into virus-like particles. Furthermore, we did not find any indications of protein modification of the L1 protein produced in plants. Plant-derived L1 was as immunogenic as L1 expressed in baculovirus-infected insect cells. Feeding of tubers from transgenic potatoes to mice induced an anti-L1 antibody response in 3 out of 24 mice, although this response was only transient in two of the mice. Our data, however, indicate that an anti-L1 response was primed in about half of the 24 animals.
Mutations in the N Termini of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 and 2 gDs Alter Functional Interactions with the Entry/Fusion Receptors HVEM, Nectin-2, and 3-
O
-Sulfated Heparan Sulfate but Not with Nectin-1
Authors: Yoon Miri , Zago Anna , Shukla Deepak , Spear Patricia G.
Published: August 2003

Multiple cell surface molecules (herpesvirus entry mediator [HVEM], nectin-1, nectin-2, and 3-
O
-sulfated heparan sulfate) can serve as entry receptors for herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) or HSV-2 and also as receptors for virus-induced cell fusion. Viral glycoprotein D (gD) is the ligand for these receptors. A previous study showed that HVEM makes contact with HSV-1 gD at regions within amino acids 7 to 15 and 24 to 32 at the N terminus of gD. In the present study, amino acid substitutions and deletions were introduced into the N termini of HSV-1 and HSV-2 gDs to determine the effects on interactions with all of the known human and mouse entry/fusion receptors, including mouse HVEM, for which data on HSV entry or cell fusion were not previously reported. A cell fusion assay was used to assess functional activity of the gD mutants with each entry/fusion receptor. Soluble gD:Fc hybrids carrying each mutation were tested for the ability to bind to cells expressing the entry/fusion receptors. We found that deletions overlapping either or both of the HVEM contact regions, in either HSV-1 or HSV-2 gD, severely reduced cell fusion and binding activity with all of the human and mouse receptors except nectin-1. Amino acid substitutions described previously for HSV-1 (L25P, Q27P, and Q27R) were individually introduced into HSV-2 gD and, for both serotypes, were found to be without effect on cell fusion and the binding activity for nectin-1. Each of these three substitutions in HSV-1 gD enhanced fusion with cells expressing human nectin-2 (ordinarily low for wild-type HSV-1 gD), but the same substitutions in HSV-2 gD were without effect on the already high level of cell fusion observed with the wild-type protein. The Q27P or Q27R substitution in either HSV-1 and HSV-2 gD, but not the L25P substitution, significantly reduced cell fusion and binding activity for both human and mouse HVEM. Each of the three substitutions in HSV-1 gD, as well as the deletions mentioned above, reduced fusion with cells bearing 3-
O
-sulfated heparan sulfate. Thus, the N terminus of HSV-1 or HSV-2 gD is not necessary for functional interactions with nectin-1 but is necessary for all of the other receptors tested here. The sequence of the N terminus determines whether nectin-2 or 3-
O
-sulfated heparan sulfate, as well as HVEM, can serve as entry/fusion receptors.
Effects of Modification of the Transcription Initiation Site Context on
Citrus Tristeza Virus
Subgenomic RNA Synthesis
Authors: Ayllón María A. , Gowda Siddarame , Satyanarayana Tatineni , Karasev Alexander V. , Adkins Scott , Mawassi Munir , Guerri José , Moreno Pedro , Dawson William O.
Published: August 2003

Citrus tristeza virus
(CTV), a member of the
Closteroviridae
, has a positive-sense RNA genome of about 20 kb organized into 12 open reading frames (ORFs). The last 10 ORFs are expressed through 3′-coterminal subgenomic RNAs (sgRNAs) regulated in both amounts and timing. Additionally, relatively large amounts of complementary sgRNAs are produced. We have been unable to determine whether these sgRNAs are produced by internal promotion from the full-length template minus strand or by transcription from the minus-stranded sgRNAs. Understanding the regulation of 10 sgRNAs is a conceptual challenge. In analyzing commonalities of a replicase complex in producing so many sgRNAs, we examined initiating nucleotides of the sgRNAs. We mapped the 5′ termini of intermediate- (CP and p13) and low- (p18) produced sgRNAs that, like the two highly abundant sgRNAs (p20 and p23) previously mapped, all initiate with an adenylate. We then examined modifications of the initiation site, which has been shown to be useful in defining mechanisms of sgRNA synthesis. Surprisingly, mutation of the initiating nucleotide of the CTV sgRNAs did not prevent sgRNA accumulation. Based on our results, the CTV replication complex appears to initiate sgRNA synthesis with purines, preferably with adenylates, and is able to initiate synthesis using a nucleotide a few positions 5′ or 3′ of the native initiation nucleotide. Furthermore, the context of the initiation site appears to be a regulatory mechanism for levels of sgRNA production. These data do not support either of the established mechanisms for synthesis of sgRNAs, suggesting that CTV sgRNA production utilizes a different mechanism.
Characterization of the RNA-Binding Domains in the Replicase Proteins of Tomato Bushy Stunt Virus
Authors: Rajendran K. S. , Nagy Peter D.
Published: August 2003

Tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV), a tombusvirus with a nonsegmented, plus-stranded RNA genome, codes for two essential replicase proteins. The sequence of one of the replicase proteins, namely p33, overlaps with the N-terminal domain of p92, which contains the signature motifs of RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RdRps) in its nonoverlapping C-terminal portion. In this work, we demonstrate that both replicase proteins bind to RNA in vitro based on gel mobility shift and surface plasmon resonance measurements. We also show evidence that the binding of p33 to single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) is stronger than binding to double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), ssDNA, or dsDNA in vitro. Competition experiments with ssRNA revealed that p33 binds to a TBSV-derived sequence with higher affinity than to other nonviral ssRNA sequences. Additional studies revealed that p33 could bind to RNA in a cooperative manner. Using deletion derivatives of the
Escherichia coli
-expressed recombinant proteins in gel mobility shift and Northwestern assays, we demonstrate that p33 and the overlapping domain of p92, based on its sequence identity with p33, contain an arginine- and proline-rich RNA-binding motif (termed RPR, which has the sequence RPRRRP). This motif is highly conserved among tombusviruses and related carmoviruses, and it is similar to the arginine-rich motif present in the Tat
trans
-activator protein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1. We also find that the nonoverlapping C-terminal domain of p92 contains additional RNA-binding regions. Interestingly, the location of one of the RNA-binding domains in p92 is similar to the RNA-binding domain of the NS5B RdRp protein of hepatitis C virus.
Identification of a Mutation in Editing of Defective Newcastle Disease Virus Recombinants That Modulates P-Gene mRNA Editing and Restores Virus Replication and Pathogenicity in Chicken Embryos
Authors: Mebatsion Teshome , de Vaan Leonie T. C. , de Haas Niels , Römer-Oberdörfer Angela , Braber Marian
Published: August 2003

Editing of P-gene mRNA of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) enables the formation of two additional proteins (V and W) by inserting one or two nontemplated G residues at a conserved editing site (5′-AAAAAGGG). The V protein of NDV plays an important role in virus replication and is also a virulence factor presumably due to its ability to counteract the antiviral effects of interferon. A recombinant virus possessing a nucleotide substitution within the A-stretch (5′-AAgAAGGG) produced 20-fold-less V protein and, in consequence, was impaired in replication capacity and completely attenuated in pathogenicity for chicken embryos. However, in a total of seven serial passages, restoration of replication and pathogenic capacity in 9- to 11-day-old chicken embryos was noticed. Determining the sequence around the editing site of the virus at passage 7 revealed a C-to-U mutation at the second nucleotide immediately upstream of the 5′-A
5
stretch (5′-GuUAAgAAGGG). The V mRNA increased from an undetectable level at passage 5 to ca. 1 and 5% at passages 6 and 7, respectively. In addition, similar defects in another mutant possessing a different substitution mutation (5′-AAAcAGGG) were restored in an identical manner within a total of seven serial passages. Introduction of the above C-to-U mutation into the parent virus (5′-GuUAAAAAGGG) altered the frequency of P, V, and W mRNAs from 68, 28, and 4% to 15, 44, and 41%, respectively, demonstrating that the U at this position is a key determinant in modulating P-gene mRNA editing. The results indicate that this second-site mutation is required to compensate for the drop in edited mRNAs and consequently to restore the replication capacity, as well as the pathogenic potential, of editing-defective NDV recombinants.
Local Character of Readthrough Activation in Adenovirus Type 5 Early Region 1 Transcription Control
Authors: Shen Li , Spector David J.
Published: August 2003

Wild-type early activity of the adenovirus 5 E1b gene promoter requires readthrough transcription originating from the adjacent upstream E1a gene. This unusual mode of viral transcription activation was identified by genetic manipulation of the mouse β
maj
-globin gene transcription termination sequence (
GGT
) inserted into the E1a gene. To facilitate further study of the mechanism of readthrough activation, the activities of
GGT
and a composite termination sequence
CT
were tested in recombinant adenoviruses containing luciferase reporters driven by the E1b promoter. There was a strict correlation between readthrough and substantial downstream gene expression, indicating that interference with downstream transcription was not a unique property of
GGT
. Blockage of readthrough transcription of E1a had no apparent effect on early expression of the major late promoter, the next active promoter downstream of E1b. A test for epistatic interaction between termination sequence insertions and E1a enhancer mutations suggested that readthrough activation and E1a enhancer activation of the E1b promoter are mechanistically distinct. In addition, substitution of the human cytomegalovirus major immediate-early promoter for the E1b promoter suppressed the requirement for readthrough. These results suggest that readthrough activation is a “local” effect of a direct interaction between the invading transcription elongation complex and the E1b promoter. DNase I hypersensitivity footprinting provided evidence that this interaction altered an extensive E1b promoter DNA-protein complex that was assembled in the absence of readthrough transcription.
Recombinant Sindbis/Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus Is Highly Attenuated and Immunogenic
Authors: Paessler Slobodan , Fayzulin Rafik Z. , Anishchenko Michael , Greene Ivorlyne P. , Weaver Scott C. , Frolov Ilya
Published: August 2003

Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) is an important, naturally emerging zoonotic virus. VEEV was a significant human and equine pathogen for much of the past century, and recent outbreaks in Venezuela and Colombia (1995), with about 100,000 human cases, indicate that this virus still poses a serious public health threat. The live attenuated TC-83 vaccine strain of VEEV was developed in the 1960s using a traditional approach of serial passaging in tissue culture of the virulent Trinidad donkey (TrD) strain. This vaccine presents several problems, including adverse, sometimes severe reactions in many human vaccinees. The TC-83 strain also retains residual murine virulence and is lethal for suckling mice after intracerebral (i.c.) or subcutaneous (s.c.) inoculation. To overcome these negative effects, we developed a recombinant, chimeric Sindbis/VEE virus (SIN-83) that is more highly attenuated. The genome of this virus encoded the replicative enzymes and thecis-acting RNA elements derived from Sindbis virus (SINV), one of the least human-pathogenic alphaviruses. The structural proteins were derived from VEEV TC-83. The SIN-83 virus, which contained an additional adaptive mutation in the nsP2 gene, replicated efficiently in common cell lines and did not cause detectable disease in adult or suckling mice after either i.c. or s.c. inoculation. However, SIN-83-vaccinated mice were efficiently protected against challenge with pathogenic strains of VEEV. Our findings suggest that the use of the SINV genome as a vector for expression of structural proteins derived from more pathogenic, encephalitic alphaviruses is a promising strategy for alphavirus vaccine development.
Human Cytomegalovirus US2 Causes Similar Effects on Both Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I and II Proteins in Epithelial and Glial Cells
Authors: Hegde Nagendra R. , Johnson David C.
Published: August 2003

The human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) glycoprotein US2 specifically binds to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I heavy chain (HC) and class II proteins DRα and DMα, triggering their degradation by proteasomes. Effects of US2 on class II proteins were originally characterized in HCMV- or adenovirus vector-infected U373 astroglioma cells. Here, we have extended characterization of US2-mediated degradation of class II DRα to two other cell lines, including biologically relevant epithelial cells. Comparison of the effects of US2 in cells expressing both class I and II proteins demonstrated only a slight preference for class I HC. Moreover, US2 caused degradation of DRα and DMα when these proteins were expressed by transfection without DRβ, invariant chain (Ii), or DMβ. Therefore, US2 binds to α chains of DR and DM and triggers endoplasmic reticulum degradation without formation of class II DR αβ/Ii or DM αβ complexes. Similar levels of degradation of class II α were observed in cells expressing vastly different amounts of class II, suggesting that cellular factors, other than class II, were limiting. We concluded that US2 has broad effects in a variety of cells that express both class I and II proteins and is relevant to HCMV infection in vivo.
Heterologous Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Lentiviral Vectors Packaging a Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-Derived Genome Display a Specific Postentry Transduction Defect in Dendritic Cells
Authors: Goujon Caroline , Jarrosson-Wuilleme Loraine , Bernaud Jeanine , Rigal Dominique , Darlix Jean-Luc , Cimarelli Andrea
Published: August 2003

Heterologous lentiviral vectors (LVs) represent a way to address safety concerns in the field of gene therapy by decreasing the possibility of genetic recombination between vector and packaging constructs and the generation of replication-competent viruses. Using described LVs based on human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and simian immunodeficiency virus MAC251 (SIV
MAC251
), we asked whether heterologous virion particles in which
trans
-acting factors belonged to HIV-1 and
cis
elements belonged to SIV
MAC251
(HIV-
siv
) would behave as parental homologous vectors in all cell types. To our surprise, we found that although the heterologous HIV-
siv
vector was as infectious as its homologous counterpart in most human cells, it was defective in the transduction of dendritic cells (DCs) and, to a lesser extent, macrophages. In DCs, the main postentry defect was observed in the formation of two-long-terminal-repeat circles, despite the fact that full-length proviral DNA was being synthesized and was associated with the nucleus. Taken together, our data suggest that heterologous HIV-
siv
vectors display a cell-dependent infectivity defect, most probably at a post-nuclear entry migration step. As homologous HIV and SIV vectors do transduce DCs, we believe that these results underscore the importance of a conserved interaction between
cis
elements and
trans
-acting viral factors that is lost or suboptimal in heterologous vectors and essential only in the transduction of certain cell types. For gene therapy purposes, these findings indicate that the cellular tropism of LVs can be modulated not only through the use of distinct envelope proteins or tissue-specific promoters but also through the specific combinatorial use of packaging and transfer vector constructs.
Rotavirus Infection Stimulates the Cl−Reabsorption Process across the Intestinal Brush-Border Membrane of Young Rabbits
Authors: Lorrot Mathie , Martin Sandra , Vasseur Monique
Published: August 2003

Rotavirus is a major cause of infantile gastroenteritis worldwide. However, the mechanisms underlying fluid and electrolyte secretion associated with diarrhea remain largely unknown. We investigated the hypothesis that loss of Cl−into the luminal contents during rotavirus infection may be caused by a dysfunction in the chloride absorptive capacity across the intestinal brush-border membrane (BBM). The luminal Cl−concentrations in the entire small intestine of young rabbits infected with lapine rotavirus decreased at 1 and 2 days postinfection (dpi), indicating net Cl−absorption. At 7 dpi, luminal Cl−concentrations were slightly increased, indicating a moderate net Cl−secretion. By using a rapid filtration technique,36Cl uptake across BBM was quantified by modulating the alkali-metal ion, electrical, chloride, and/or proton gradients. Rotavirus infection caused an identical, 127% ± 24% increase in all Cl−uptake activities (Cl−/H+symport, Cl−conductance, and Cl−/anion exchange) observed across the intestinal BBM. The rotavirus activating effects on the symporter started at 1 dpi and persisted up to 7 dpi. Kinetic analyses revealed that rotavirus selectively affected the capacity parameter characterizing the symporter. We report the novel observation that rotavirus infection stimulated the Cl−reabsorption process across the intestinal BBM. We propose that the massive Cl−reabsorption in villi could partly overwhelm chloride secretion in crypt cells, which possibly increases during rotavirus diarrhea, the resulting imbalance leading to a moderate net chloride secretion.
Novel Recombinant Parapoxvirus Vectors Induce Protective Humoral and Cellular Immunity against Lethal Herpesvirus Challenge Infection in Mice
Authors: Fischer Timo , Planz Oliver , Stitz Lothar , Rziha Hanns-Joachim
Published: August 2003

Orf virus (ORFV;Parapoxvirus ovis) was used to develop a novel vector system for the generation of effective and safe live vaccines. Based on the attenuated ORFV strain D1701-V, recombinants were produced that express the glycoproteins gC (D1701-VrVgC) or gD (D1701-VrVgD) of the alphaherpesvirus of swine, pseudorabies virus (PRV). Expression of gC and gD was also demonstrated on the surface of recombinant virus-infected murine cells that do not produce infectious ORFV. Single or combined immunization with the ORFV recombinants protected different mouse strains of a host species nonpermissive for ORFV against a fulminant, lethal PRV challenge infection equal to immunization with PRV live vaccine. Most notably, even a single immunization with D1701-VrVgC was protective, whereas two applications of D1701-VrVgD were required for immune protection. The higher protective capacity of D1701-VrVgC correlated with the induction of a strong specific humoral immune response. This suggestion was supported by transfer experiments using sera from recombinant-immunized mice, which resulted in partial gC but not gD antibody-mediated protection of the naïve recipients. Remarkably, immunization of different immune-deficient mice demonstrated that the application of the PRV gC-expressing recombinant controlled the challenge infection in the absence of either CD4+or CD8+T cells, B cells, or an intact perforin pathway. In contrast, D1701-VrVgD-immunized mice lacking CD4+T cells exhibited reduced protection, whereas animals lacking CD8+T cells, B cells, or perforin resisted the challenge infection. The present study demonstrates the potential of these new vector vaccines to efficiently prime both protective humoral and cell-mediated immune mechanisms in a host species nonpermissive for the vector virus.
Transforming Growth Factor β1 Receptor II Is Downregulated by E1A in Adenovirus-Infected Cells
Authors: Tarakanova Vera L. , Wold William S. M.
Published: August 2003

Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) signaling is compromised in many tumors, thereby allowing the tumor to escape the growth-inhibitory and proapoptotic activities of the cytokine. Human adenoviruses interfere with a number of cellular pathways involved in cell cycle regulation and apoptosis, initially placing the cell in a “tumor-like” state by forcing quiescent cells into the cell cycle and also inhibiting apoptosis. We report that adenovirus-infected cells resemble tumor cells in that TGF-β1 signaling is inhibited. The levels of TGF-β1 receptor II (TβRII) in adenovirus-infected cells were decreased, and this decrease was mapped, by using virus mutants, to theE1Agene and to amino acids 2 to 36 and the C-terminal binding protein binding site in the E1A protein. The decrease in the TβRII protein was accompanied by a decrease in TβRII mRNA. The decrease in TβRII protein levels in adenovirus-infected cells was greater than the decrease in TβRII mRNA, suggesting that downregulation of the TβRII protein may occur through more than one mechanism. Surprisingly in this context, the half-lives of the TβRII protein in infected and uninfected cells were similar. TGF-β1 signaling was compromised in cells infected with wild-type adenovirus, as measured with 3TP-lux, a TGF-β-sensitive reporter plasmid expressing luciferase. Adenovirus mutants deficient in TβRII downregulation did not inhibit TGF-β1 signaling. TGF-β1 pretreatment reduced the relative abundance of adenovirus structural proteins in infected cells, an effect that was potentiated when cells were infected with mutants incapable of modulating the TGF-β signaling pathway. These results raise the possibility that inhibition of TGF-β signaling by E1A is a means by which adenovirus counters the antiviral defenses of the host.
Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Virion Host Shutoff Protein Regulates Alpha/Beta Interferon but Not Adaptive Immune Responses during Primary Infection In Vivo
Authors: Murphy Jenny A. , Duerst Rebecca J. , Smith Tracy J. , Morrison Lynda A.
Published: August 2003

The herpes simplex virus (HSV) virion host shutoff (vhs) protein, the product of the UL41 (vhs) gene, is an important determinant of HSV virulence. vhs has been implicated in HSV interference with host antiviral immune responses, down-regulating expression of major histocompatibility complex molecules to help HSV evade host adaptive immunity. The severe attenuation of vhs-deficient viruses in vivo could reflect their inability to escape immune detection. To test this hypothesis, BALB/c or congenic SCID mice were infected intravaginally (i.vag.) with the HSV type 2 (HSV-2)vhsnull mutant 333d41 or thevhsrescue virus 333d41R. vhs-deficient virus remained severely attenuated in SCID mice compared with rescue virus, indicating that vhs regulation of adaptive immune responses does not influence HSV pathogenesis during acute infection. Innate antiviral effectors remain intact in SCID mice; prominent among these is alpha/beta interferon (IFN-α/β). The attenuation of HSV-2vhsmutants could reflect their failure to suppress IFN-α/β-mediated antiviral activity. To test this hypothesis, 129 and congenic IFN-α/β receptor-deficient (IFN-α/βR−/−) mice were infected i.vag. with wild-type virus,vhsnull mutants 333-vhsB or 333d41, or thevhsrescue virus 333d41R. Whereas vhs-deficient viruses showed greatly reduced replication in the genital mucosa of 129 mice compared with wild-type orvhsrescue viruses, they were restored to nearly wild-type levels of replication in IFN-α/βR−/−mice over the first 2 days postinfection. Only wild-type andvhsrescue viruses caused severe genital disease and hind limb paralysis in 129 mice, but infection of IFN-α/βR−/−mice restored the virulence of vhs-deficient viruses. vhs-deficient viruses replicated as vigorously as wild-type and rescue viruses in the nervous systems of IFN-α/βR−/−mice. Restoration was specific for thevhsmutation, because thymidine kinase-deficient HSV-2 did not regain virulence or the capacity to replicate in the nervous systems of IFN-α/βR−/−mice. Furthermore, the defect in the IFN-α/β response was required for restoration of vhs-deficient virus replication and virulence, but the IFN-α/β-stimulated protein kinase R pathway was not involved. Finally, vhs of HSV-2 has a unique capacity to interfere with the IFN-α/β response in vivo, because an HSV-1vhsnull mutant did not recover replication and virulence after i.vag. inoculation into IFN-α/βR−/−mice. These results indicate that vhs plays an important role early in HSV-2 pathogenesis in vivo by interfering with the IFN-α/β-mediated antiviral response.
Activation of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase and NF-κB Pathways by a Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus K15 Membrane Protein
Authors: Brinkmann Melanie M. , Glenn Mark , Rainbow Lucille , Kieser Arnd , Henke-Gendo Cornelia , Schulz Thomas F.
Published: August 2003

The K15 gene of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (also known as human herpesvirus 8) consists of eight alternatively spliced exons and has been predicted to encode membrane proteins with a variable number of transmembrane regions and a common C-terminal cytoplasmic domain with putative binding sites for SH2 and SH3 domains, as well as for tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factors. These features are reminiscent of the latent membrane proteins LMP-1 and LMP2A of Epstein-Barr virus and, more distantly, of the STP, Tip, and Tio proteins of the related γ
2
-herpesviruses herpesvirus saimiri and herpesvirus ateles. These viral membrane proteins can activate a number of intracellular signaling pathways. We have therefore examined the abilities of different K15-encoded proteins to initiate intracellular signaling. We found that a 45-kDa K15 protein derived from all eight K15 exons and containing 12 predicted transmembrane domains in addition to the cytoplasmic domain activated the Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and NF-κB pathways, as well as (more weakly) the c-Jun N-terminal kinase/SAPK pathway. Activation of the MAPK and NF-κB pathways required phosphorylation of tyrosine residue 481 within a putative SH2-binding site (YEEVL). This motif was phosphorylated by the tyrosine kinases Src, Lck, Yes, Hck, and Fyn. The region containing the YEEVL motif interacted with tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF-2), and a dominant negative TRAF-2 mutant inhibited the K15-mediated activation of the Ras/MAPK pathway, suggesting the involvement of TRAF-2 in the initiation of these signaling routes. In contrast, several smaller K15 protein isoforms activated these pathways only weakly. All of the K15 isoforms tested were, however, localized in lipid rafts, suggesting that incorporation into lipid rafts is not sufficient to initiate signaling. Additional regions of K15, located presumably in exons 2 to 5, may therefore contribute to the activation of these pathways. These findings illustrate that the 45-kDa K15 protein engages pathways similar to LMP1, LMP2A, STP, Tip, and Tio but combines functional features that are separated between LMP1 and LMP2A or STP and Tip.
Interferon Regulatory Factor 7 Regulates Expression of Epstein-Barr Virus Latent Membrane Protein 1: a Regulatory Circuit
Authors: Ning Shunbin , Hahn Angela M. , Huye Leslie E. , Pagano Joseph S.
Published: August 2003

We have shown previously that interferon regulatory factor 7 (IRF7), a multifunctional protein intimately involved in latent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, is induced as well as activated by EBV latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1), the principal EBV oncoprotein. Since the LMP1 promoter (LMP1p) contains an interferon-stimulated response element (ISRE), we hypothesized that IRF7 might be able to regulate LMP1 expression and thus participate in a regulatory circuit between these two genes. In this study, IRF7 was shown first to activate LMP1p in transient transfection assays. Compared with EBV nuclear antigen 2 (EBNA2), the most potent viral transactivator of LMP1p, IRF7 has a lesser effect (approximately 10% that of EBNA2) on induction of LMP1p. Study with IRF7 deletion mutants showed that IRF7 functional domains have similar effects on both the beta interferon (IFN-β) and LMP1 promoters in BJAB and 293 cells, and study with IRF7 phosphomimetic mutants showed that IRF7 phosphorylation may be involved in the activation of these two promoters. Further, the ISRE in LMP1p responds to IRF7 induction and IRF7 binds to this element. In the EBV-positive cell line P3HR1, which lacks the complete EBNA2 and EBV-encoded leader protein genes and hence expresses low-level LMP1, IRF7 alone can notably increase the endogenous LMP1 mRNA and protein levels. These results indicate that LMP1 is regulated by this host cell gene in addition to the viral factor, EBNA2, and may help to explain how LMP1 is expressed in type II latency in the absence of EBNA2. Moreover, IRF7 can regulate a viral gene in addition to a host cellular gene such as the IFN-β gene. Together with the previous data that LMP1 can induce IRF7 expression and facilitate IRF7 phosphorylation and nuclear translocation, these results suggest a positive regulatory circuit between IRF7 and LMP1.
Link between Genome Packaging and Rate of Budding for Rous Sarcoma Virus
Authors: Callahan Eric M. , Wills John W.
Published: August 2003

The subcellular location at which genomic RNA is packaged by Gag proteins during retrovirus assembly remains unknown. Since the membrane-binding (M) domain is most critical for targeting Gag to the plasma membrane, changes to this determinant might alter the path taken through the cell and reduce the efficiency of genome packaging. In this report, a Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) mutant having two acidic-to-basic substitutions in the M domain is described. This mutant, designated Super M, produced particles much faster than the wild type, but the mutant virions were noninfectious and contained only 1/10 the amount of genomic RNA found in wild-type particles. To identify the cause(s) of these defects, we considered data that suggest that RSV Gag traffics through the nucleus to package the viral genome. Although inhibition of the CRM-1 pathway of nuclear export caused the accumulation of wild-type Gag in the nucleus, nuclear accumulation did not occur with Super M. The importance of the nucleocapsid (NC) domain in membrane targeting was also determined, and, importantly, deletion of the NC sequence prevented plasma membrane localization by wild-type Gag but not by Super M Gag. Based on these results, we reasoned that the enhanced membrane-targeting properties of Super M inhibit genome packaging. Consistent with this interpretation, substitutions that reestablished the wild-type number of basic and acidic residues in the Super M Gag M domain reduced the budding efficiency and restored genome packaging and infectivity. Therefore, these data suggest that Gag targeting and genome packaging are normally linked to ensure that RSV particles contain viral RNA.
Edmonston Measles Virus Prevents Increased Cell Surface Expression of Peptide-Loaded Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II Proteins in Human Peripheral Monocytes
Authors: Yilla Mamadi , Hickman Carole , McGrew Marcia , Meade Elizabeth , Bellini William J.
Published: August 2003

Gamma interferon (IFN-γ) induces expression of the gene products of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), whereas IFN-α/β can interfere with or suppress class II protein expression. In separate studies, measles virus (MV) was reported to induce IFN-α/β and to up-regulate MHC class II proteins. In an attempt to resolve this paradox, we examined the surface expression of MHC class I and class II proteins in MV-infected peripheral monocytes in the presence and absence of IFN-α/β. Infection of purified monocytes with Edmonston B MV resulted in an apparent increase in cell surface expression of HLA-A, -B, and -C class I proteins, but it had no effect on the expression of HLA-DR class II proteins. MV-infected purified monocytes expressed IFN-α/β, but no measurable IFN-γ expression was detected in supernatant fluids. Class II protein expression could be enhanced by coculture of purified monocytes with uninfected peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) supernatant. MV infection of PBMCs also did not affect expression of class II proteins, but the expression of HLA-A, -B, and -C class I proteins was increased two- to threefold in most donor cells. A direct role for IFN-α/β suppression of MHC class II protein expression was not evident in monocytes since MV suppressed class II protein expression in the absence of IFN-α/β. Taken together, these data suggest that MV interferes with the expression of peptide-loaded class II complexes, an effect that may potentially alter CD4+-T-cell proliferation and the cell-mediated immune responses that they help to regulate.