HCV核心蛋白抑制干扰素α诱导的抗病毒基因表达及其机制研究

研究HCV核心蛋白对干扰素α诱导的抗病毒分子PKR和2′-5′OAS表达的影响及其机制。HCV核心蛋白表达质粒转染HepG2细胞,RT-PCR分析PKR和2′-5′OAS的mRNA水平变化,荧光素酶活性分析核心蛋白对ISRE介导的基因表达的影响;Western-blot分析SOCS3、STAT1及STAT1磷酸化水平的变化。在干扰素α刺激情况下,表达HCV核心蛋白的细胞中,PKR和2′-5′OAS的mRNA水平下降,ISRE介导的荧光素酶活性降低,STAT1磷酸化水平下降。此外,核心蛋白表达的细胞中SOCS3的mRNA和蛋白水平明显升高。结果表明,HCV核心蛋白可能通过激活SOCS3、抑制STAT1的磷酸化,从而下调干扰素α诱导的PKR和2′-5′OAS表达。     

双链RNA激活的蛋白激酶(PKR)的克隆表达及其对丙型肝炎病毒蛋白合成的抑制

α干扰素为治疗丙型肝炎病毒(HCV)感染的主要药物,但部分患者呈干扰素耐受而不能获得持久的病毒阴转,其可能的原因之一是病毒通过其编码的蛋白(NS5A及E2)抑制干扰素诱导的抗病毒效应分子——双链RNA激活的蛋白激酶(PKR)的活性.而关于PKR是否在IFN-α抗HCV的机理中起抑制作用目前仍有争议.为研究PKR对HCV蛋白合成环节是否有抑制作用,通过构建野生型 PKR真核表达载体（pPKRwt）及主要起负性调节作用的缺失突变PKR真核表达载体（pPKRΔ6）,并将pPKRwt /pPKRΔ6 与HCV复制子RNA同时转染Huh7细胞进行共表达, 用Western印迹检测 HCV IRES 下游的NPTⅡ蛋白表达水平,与转染空载体的对照细胞及单用IFN-α处理的细胞相比较.结果显示：表达PKRwt的细胞中NPTⅡ蛋白水平低于转染空载体的对照细胞,但高于经IFN-α单独处理的细胞;表达PKRΔ6的细胞中NPTⅡ蛋白水平与对照细胞无明显差别,但PKRΔ能部分抵消IFN-α的抑制作用,说明在IFN-α抑制HCV IRES指导的蛋白合成中,PKR有一定的抑制作用,但可能还有其它的PKR非依赖机制参与.     

TSA通过抑制STAT1磷酸化与核转位下调人肝癌细胞HepG2内 IDO的表达

目的:研究曲古抑菌素A (Trichostatin A, TSA)下调γ干扰素(interferon-gamma, IFN-γ)诱导的人肝癌细胞HepG2内吲哚胺2, 3-双加氧酶(indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase, IDO)表达的分子机制。方法: Western blot 检测TSA在IFN-γ诱导的HepG2细胞中IDO的表达、信号转导及转录激活子1(STAT1)的磷酸化和干扰素调节因子1(IRF-1)的诱导表达情况。用免疫细胞化学法检测TSA处理HepG2细胞后对IDO表达的影响。流式细胞术分析TSA处理后IFN-γ受体2表达量的变化,进一步在激光共聚焦显微镜下观察TSA对STAT1核转位的影响,利用双荧光素酶报告基因系统检测TSA对IFN-γ激活位点(γ-activated sites, GAS)、干扰素刺激应答元件(interferon stimulated response elements, ISRE)和核因子-κB (NF-κB)的激活的影响。结果:TSA以剂量依赖方式下调HepG2细胞内IFN-γ诱导的IDO表达、能明显抑制STAT1第701位酪氨酸的磷酸化和STAT1的核转位,但是上调IFN-γ受体2受体的表达。双荧光素酶报告基因分析和Western blot结果表明:TSA能显著抑制GAS和IRF-1 的激活却不能抑制NF-κB和ISRE的激活。 结论:TSA能下调IFN-γ诱导的HepG2细胞中IDO的表达,其机制可能是与其抑制STAT1的磷酸化和核转位,以及抑制STAT1与GAS的结合有关,而不是通过下调IFN-γ受体的表达来实现的。     

肝胚瘤细胞株HepG_2中HBx蛋白对SOCS3表达的影响及其机制

目的探讨乙型肝炎病毒X蛋白(Hepatitis B virus X protein,HBx)对肝胚瘤细胞株HepG2表达信号抑制因子3(SOCS3)的影响及其机制。方法将表达HBx蛋白的重组质粒FL1-145HBx转染HepG2细胞,以不同浓度的SRC抑制剂PP2处理转染细胞,运用Western blot和RT-PCR技术分析HBx、SOCS3 mRNA和蛋白的表达情况,并以免疫细胞化学分析转染细胞中p-SRC的表达水平。结果重组质粒FL1-145HBx转染HepG2细胞后,转染细胞HBx能够表达HBx蛋白,并且细胞中SOCS3 mRNA和蛋白表达水平随着HBx蛋白的表达而显著增加(P0.05),同时p-SRC蛋白的表达增强;而SRC抑制剂PP2处理转染细胞后,随着p-SRC蛋白表达的减少SOCS3蛋白表达逐渐下降。结论在肝胚瘤细胞株HepG2中,HBx蛋白很可能通过促进SRC蛋白的磷酸化而诱导SOCS3蛋白的表达。     

肝特异性表达HCV5′NCR调控荧光素酶质粒的构建及表达

小鼠白蛋白是肝组织特异性表达的蛋白 ,这种特异性是由白蛋白启动子所介导的 .以2 2 35A- 1质粒为模板 ,通过 PCR扩增获得小鼠白蛋白启动子 /增强子基因片段 ,用小鼠白蛋白启动子 /增强子基因片段取代 p HCV- neo4质粒 (含 HCV5′NCR调控荧光素酶基因 )的 CMV启动子 ,构建了一种白蛋白启动子启动转录的 HCV5′NCR调控荧光素酶表达质粒 (p A1 b- HCV) .该质粒能在小鼠肝癌细胞中表达且较小鼠其它癌细胞中表达水平明显增高 ,表明成功地构建了肝特异性表达的 HCV5′NCR调控荧光素酶表达质粒 .该研究为建立肝特异性表达的 HCV5′NCR转基因小鼠模型奠定了基础 ,对评价 HCV特异性反义药物及肝靶向性运载系统的作用具有重要的实际意义     

肝特异性表达HCV5′NCR调控荧光素酶质粒的构建及表达

小鼠白蛋白是肝组织特异性表达的蛋白 ,这种特异性是由白蛋白启动子所介导的 .以2 2 35A- 1质粒为模板 ,通过 PCR扩增获得小鼠白蛋白启动子 /增强子基因片段 ,用小鼠白蛋白启动子 /增强子基因片段取代 p HCV- neo4质粒 (含 HCV5′NCR调控荧光素酶基因 )的 CMV启动子 ,构建了一种白蛋白启动子启动转录的 HCV5′NCR调控荧光素酶表达质粒 (p A1 b- HCV) .该质粒能在小鼠肝癌细胞中表达且较小鼠其它癌细胞中表达水平明显增高 ,表明成功地构建了肝特异性表达的 HCV5′NCR调控荧光素酶表达质粒 .该研究为建立肝特异性表达的 HCV5′NCR转基因小鼠模型奠定了基础 ,对评价 HCV特异性反义药物及肝靶向性运载系统的作用具有重要的实际意义     

TAR RNA结合蛋白在HIV-1感染中的作用

TARRNA结合蛋白是细胞中双链RNA结合蛋白家族成员之一.它可以结合HIV-1TARRNA,并与Tat协同作用激活LTR表达,进而促进病毒的转录与翻译.TRBP也是将干扰素抗病毒通路与RNA干扰免疫通路相连的一种细胞蛋白.在干扰素诱生的PKR反应中,TRBP通过直接抑制PKR的自磷酸化、与PKR竞争通用的RNA底物或与PACT形成异源二聚体等机制抑制细胞内的PKR反应,从而降低了PKR介导的对病毒表达的抑制作用.TRBP与Dicer和Ago2等组成的RNA诱导沉默复合体,在RNA干扰中发挥着关键作用并调控随后的序列特异性降解.在HIV-1感染中,TRBP更倾向于促进病毒的表达与复制,因此TRBP也成为控制HIV-1感染的新靶点.     

结构域Ⅰ缺失的丙型肝炎病毒5′NCR调控荧光素酶基因的表达

目的:分析丙型肝炎病毒(HCV)5′端非编码区(NCR)的结构域Ⅰ序列在其翻译启动活性中的作用。方法:以质粒pCMVN CRluc为模板,PCR扩增分别得到缺失5′端20nt和43nt的HCV 5′NCR片段,并分别替换pCMVNCRluc中的完整HCV 5′NCR,构建结构域Ⅰ缺失的HCV 5′NCR调控萤火虫荧光素酶(luc)基因表达的真核表达质粒(pCN1-d1、pCNl-d2)。以脂质体方法转染人肝癌细胞株HepG2,用双荧光素酶报告基因检测系统检测荧光素酶相对于内参考的海肾荧光素酶表达活性,同时采用RT-PCR方法检测转染后细胞中萤火虫荧光素酶基因的相对表达水平。结果:酶切和测序结果表明,各重组质粒构建成功。各重组质粒转染细胞后luc mRNA的相对表达水平与pCMVNRluc相比差异无显著性(P＞0．05);pCNl-dl、pCNl-d2表达的荧光素酶活性与pCMVNCRluc差异无显著性(P＞0．05)。结论:HCV 5′NCR的5′端20nt和43nt序列缺失不影响它的翻译启动活性。     

Ⅰ型IFN的结构、信号传导和功能

IFN是一种具有广谱抗病毒、抗肿瘤、抑制细胞增殖及免疫调节作用的活性蛋白,至少可分为α、β、δ、ε、κ、ω、τ和limitin八种,分子质量约为18.5 kDa,包括4个保守的半胱氨酸,形成2对分子内二硫键。IFN-α/βR是IFN-α和IFN-β共同结合受体,包括IFNAR1和IFNAR2,IFNAR1仅有1个亚单位,IFNAR2由3个亚单位组成。IFN与位于细胞膜上的特异性受体结合,主要经JAK-STAT途径介导信号传导,不仅能通过PKR、2-′5′OAS、Mx和ADAR1等途径发挥抗病毒作用,还能通过对淋巴细胞和巨噬细胞的调节以及诱导MHC分子表达等途径发挥直接或间接的免疫调节作用。     

几种细胞因子对小鼠核糖体蛋白L6表达的调控

小鼠的核糖体蛋白RpL6启动子除了具有看家基因启动子的特点外,还含有多种转录因子的识别位点.如GATA序列1,γ干扰素核心序列,α干扰素应答序列2等,提示RpL6的表达可为细胞外因子所诱导.为了证实这一点,分别用促红细胞生成素、γ干扰素和α干扰素处理K562和Jurkat细胞,并用RNA印迹和荧光素酶报告试验检测了RpL6的mRNA水平和启动子活性.RNA印迹结果显示,在上述细胞因子作用下,RpL6的mRNA水平均有所提高.利用荧光素酶报告系统,用含有不同细胞因子识别位点启动子序列的报告质粒转染Jurkat和K562细胞,比较了启动子在细胞因子诱导前后的转录激活活性.结果显示,细胞因子诱导后启动子活性明显升高,且与应答序列的存在与否有直接关系.这些结果表明,细胞因子对RpL6转录的提高,是通过作用于启动子上相应的识别位点提高启动子活性而实现的.     

SOCS-1 inhibits expression of the antiviral proteins 2',5'-OAS and MxA induced by the novel interferon-lambdas IL-28A and IL-29

Recently, we have shown that SOCS-1/3 overexpression in hepatic cells abrogates signaling of type I interferons (IFN) which may contribute to the frequently observed IFN resistance of hepatitis C virus (HCV). IFN-lambdas (IL-28A/B and IL-29), a novel group of IFNs, also efficiently inhibit HCV replication in vitro with potentially less hematopoietic side effects than IFN-alpha because of limited receptor expression in hematopoietic cells. To further evaluate the potential of IFN-lambdas in chronic viral hepatitis, we examined the influence of SOCS protein expression on IFN-lambda signaling. First, we show that hepatic cell lines express the IFN-lambda receptor complex consisting of IFN-lambdaR1 (IL-28R1) and IL-10R2. Whereas in mock-transfected HepG2 cells, IL-28A and IL-29 induced STAT1 and STAT3 phosphorylation, overexpression of SOCS-1 completely abrogated IL-28A and IL-29-induced STAT1/3 phosphorylation. Similarly, IL-28A and IL-29 induced mRNA expression of the antiviral proteins 2',5'-OAS and MxA was abolished by overexpression of SOCS-1. In conclusion, we assume that despite antiviral properties of IFN-lambdas, their efficacy as antiviral agents may have similar limitations as IFN-alpha due to inhibition by SOCS proteins.     

SOCS-1 and SOCS-3 inhibit IFN-alpha-induced expression of the antiviral proteins 2,5-OAS and MxA

Although the use of IFN-alpha in combination with ribavirin has improved the treatment efficacy of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, 20-50% of patients still fail to eradicate the virus depending on the HCV genotype. Recently, overexpression of HCV core protein has been shown to inhibit IFN signaling and induce SOCS-3 expression. Aim of this study was to examine the putative role of SOCS proteins in IFN resistance. By Western blot analysis, a 4-fold induction of STAT-1/3 phosphorylation by IFN-alpha was observed in mock-transfected HepG2 clones. In contrast, IFN-induced STAT-1/3 phosphorylation was considerably downregulated by SOCS-1/3 overexpression. In mock-transfected cells, IFN-alpha induced 2',5'-OAS and myxovirus resistance A (MxA) promoter activity 40- to 80-fold and 10- to 35-fold, respectively, and this effect was abrogated in SOCS-1/3 overexpressing cells. As detected by Northern blot technique, IFN-alpha potently induced 2',5'-OAS and MxA mRNA expression in the control clones. Overexpression of SOCS-1 completely abolished both 2',5'-OAS and MxA mRNA expression, whereas SOCS-3 mainly inhibited 2',5'-OAS mRNA expression. Our results demonstrate that SOCS-1 and SOCS-3 proteins inhibit IFN-alpha-induced activation of the Jak-STAT pathway and expression of the antiviral proteins 2',5'-OAS and MxA. These data suggest a potential role of SOCS proteins in IFN resistance during antiviral treatment.     

Enhanced antiviral and antiproliferative properties of a STAT1 mutant unable to interact with the protein kinase PKR

We have previously reported a physical association between STAT1 and the protein kinase double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase (PKR). PKR inhibited STAT1 function in a manner independent of PKR kinase activity. In this report, we have further characterized the properties of both molecules by mapping the sites of their interaction. A STAT1 mutant unable to interact with PKR displays enhanced interferon gamma (IFN-gamma)-induced transactivation capacity compared with STAT1. This effect appears to be mediated by the higher capacity of STAT1 mutant to heterodimerize with STAT3. Furthermore, expression of STAT1 mutant in STAT1(-/-) cells enhances both the antiviral and antiproliferative effects of IFNs as opposed to STAT1. We also provide evidence that STAT1 functions as an inhibitor of PKR in vitro and in vivo. That is, phosphorylation of eIF-2alpha is enhanced in STAT1(-/-) than STAT1(+/+) cells in vivo, and this correlates with higher activation capacity of PKR in STAT1(-/-) cells. Genetic experiments in yeast demonstrate the inhibition of PKR activation and eIF-2alpha phosphorylation by STAT1 but not by STAT1 mutant. These data substantiate our previous findings on the inhibitory effects of PKR on STAT1 and implicate STAT1 in translational control through the modulation of PKR activation and eIF-2alpha phosphorylation.