HCMV感染对恶性胶质瘤U87细胞增殖及ATF5表达的影响

人巨细胞病毒(HCMV)能够诱导肿瘤细胞的恶性转化,但其分子机制尚有待进一步探索。探讨HCMV是否通过调控转录激活因子5(ATF5)的表达变化促进胶质瘤细胞的增殖。采用HCMV AD169株(MOI=5)感染神经胶质瘤U87细胞株,MTT方法观察HCMV感染0、12、24、48 h后细胞的增殖活性。Real-time PCR及Western-blot检测HCMV感染U87细胞后ATF5基因及蛋白的表达水平变化。以慢病毒为载体的靶向ATF5小干扰RNA构建载体,敲低ATF5表达水平后感染HCMV,MTT检测病毒感染细胞的增殖活性变化。HCMV感染神经胶质瘤U87细胞后,与未感染组比较,增值活性明显升高(P0.05),ATF5表达水平上升,表明HCMV感染使胶质瘤细胞增殖活性提高,细胞抗凋亡能力增强。成功构建沉默ATF5细胞系siATF5 U87,HCMV感染siATF5 U87细胞后使细胞增殖活性减弱,抗凋亡能力下降。以上实验结果表明,HCMV感染上调胶质瘤U87细胞ATF5的表达水平,促进细胞的增殖。因此HCMV感染可能通过调控ATF5信号通路增加细胞恶性性状,为治疗胶质瘤提供一个新的思路。     

HCMV感染对胶质瘤细胞U87自噬的影响

研究人巨细胞病毒(HCMV)感染对神经胶质瘤U87细胞自噬的影响。通过观察微管相关蛋白1轻链3(LC3)、自噬相关基因Beclin1及其蛋白表达的变化,从而探讨HCMV与神经胶质瘤发生、发展的关系及意义。用HCMV AD169(MOI=5)感染神经胶质瘤U87细胞,同时将未感染HCMV的U87细胞作为对照组。分别在6、12、24、48 h用RT-PCR检测Beclin1的表达,Western-blot和免疫荧光检测Beclin1和LC3编码蛋白的表达,最后用CCK-8检测细胞的增殖活性。结果显示,HCMV感染的U87细胞LC3-II蛋白表达水平逐渐下降(P<0.05);同时,HCMV感染的U87细胞Beclin1基因及蛋白的表达水平也逐渐下降(P<0.01),且HCMV感染U87细胞增殖显著(P<0.01)。以上结果表明,HCMV感染抑制胶质瘤U87细胞自噬,并会引起Beclin1表达水平下调,进而导致胶质瘤细胞增殖。     

HCMV基因在人和小鼠胚胎成纤维细胞中表达的差异性研究

人巨细胞病毒（human cytomegalovirus, HCMV）种属特异性机制尚不清楚。研究通过检测HCMVADl69体外感染人胚胎成纤维细胞（Human embryo fibroblast, HEF）和小鼠胚胎成纤维细胞（mouse embryo fibroblast, MEF）后病毒基因的表达情况,探讨HCMV种属特异性的可能分子机制。首先用HCMV AD169（MOI=5）分别感染HEF和MEF,相差显微镜逐日观察细胞的形态学变化;RT—PCR检测HCMV即刻早期（IE1、IE2）、早期（uL84）和晚期基因（UL83）的表达情况;Western—blot和免疫荧光检测病毒基因编码蛋白表达的情况。形态学观察发现HEF感染HCMV后逐渐变大变圆并相互融合,第4天可见典型的HCMV特征性病变效应,而MEF则未出现上述的变化;RT-PCR和Western—blot表明HEF组表达即刻早期基因IE1和IE2、早期基因uL84和晚期基因UL83 mRNA以及各基因所编码的蛋白,且相对表达量显著高于模拟感染组（P〈0．01）;而MEF组仅IEl和IE2mRNA和蛋白相对表达量显著低于HEF组（P〈0．05）,而高于模拟感染组（P〈0．01）。免疫荧光检测发现HEF感染72h表达IE和UL83蛋白,而MEF则无明显表达。以上结果表明,HC—MV不能在MEF中复制并产生完整子代病毒颗粒,且病毒基因表达阻止在IE2基因表达之后和UL84基因表达之前,其种属特异性可能与即刻早期蛋白低水平的表达量有关。     

转IE2基因荷瘤小鼠中ATF5功能影响的研究

利用转IE2基因小鼠荷瘤的方法,对肿瘤组织中ATF5转录激活因子进行定性和定量的检测,从而探究巨细胞病毒(HCMV)即刻早期蛋白IE86对ATF5功能的影响。通过鼠胶质瘤细胞GL261对转基因鼠进行荷瘤,采用RT-PCR和Western blot的方法,对荷瘤鼠的肿瘤组织中转录因子ATF5的表达量进行检测。采用RT-PCR和Western blot的方法检测荷瘤鼠肿瘤组织中转录因子ATF5的表达,结果显示,转IE2基因小鼠体内ATF5表达量较正常小鼠ATF5表达量高。ATF5在转IE2基因荷瘤鼠中呈现高表达状态,ATF5是一个与凋亡密切相关的转录因子,在凋亡、分化及发育等生理过程中发挥着重要作用。     

BST-2参与HCMV感染诱导的恶性胶质瘤细胞增殖和迁移

为探讨BST-2蛋白是否参与人巨细胞病毒(HCMV)感染导致的恶性胶质瘤细胞增殖和迁移,以HCMV AD169株感染U251细胞,通过细胞划痕愈合实验检测HCMV感染对U251迁移的影响;通过Western-blot方法检测HCMV感染对BST-2蛋白表达的影响;通过CCK-8、细胞划痕愈合和transwell方法检测HCMV感染后下调BST-2对U251细胞增殖和迁移能力的影响。结果显示,HCMV感染可促进U251细胞迁移并高表达BST-2,沉默BST-2后可抑制由HCMV感染诱导的细胞增殖和迁移。结果证实HCMV感染可促进胶质瘤细胞U251增殖迁移,BST-2参与了HCMV感染导致的恶性胶质瘤细胞增殖和迁移。     

NDRG2对胶质瘤U87-MG细胞组蛋白乙酰化的影响及机制研究

目的:探讨NDRG2对胶质瘤U87-MG细胞组蛋白乙酰化的影响,从代谢组学角度明确其抑癌机制,为胶质瘤治疗提供新思路。方法:利用慢病毒介导的外源性NDRG2基因在胶质瘤U87-MG细胞株中过表达,并采用MTT检测其对胶质瘤U87-MG细胞增殖的影响,采用Western blot技术研究其对胶质瘤U87-MG细胞组蛋白乙酰化及AKT-ACLY通路磷酸化状态的影响,并使用酶联反应检测胞内乙酰辅酶A的水平。结果:NDRG2在胶质瘤U87-MG细胞中外源过表达可降低AKT及下游分子ACLY的磷酸化水平,减少胞内乙酰辅酶A的合成,抑制组蛋白乙酰化。结论:NDRG2可能通过抑制AKT通路,减少组蛋白乙酰化,进而抑制胶质瘤U87-MG细胞增殖。     

Tet-On3G系统调控人巨细胞病毒蛋白pUL23稳定表达的人胚肺成纤维细胞(HELF)系的建立

人巨细胞病毒(Human cytomegalovirus,HCMV)为疱疹病毒家族一员,易导致免疫力低下或缺陷的人群严重疾病,目前对HCMV编码的皮层蛋白pUL23功能的相关报道很少。本研究应用Tet-On3G诱导表达系统,在人胚肺成纤维细胞(Human embryonic lung fibroblast,HELF)建立诱导表达HCMV病毒蛋白pUL23细胞模型。将病毒基因UL23和阳性对照基因EGFP分别定向插入应答慢病毒载体pLVX-TRE3G中,获得pLVX-TRE3GUL23-3×Flag、pLVX-TRE3G-EGFP重组慢病毒载体。运用二代慢病毒包装系统与Lenti-X293T包装细胞系,制备收获慢病毒后感染人胚肺成纤维细胞HELF。遗传霉素(Geneticin,G418)和嘌呤霉素(Puromycin,Puro)抗性筛选后多西环素(Doxycycline,Dox)诱导外源基因表达。感染后的细胞在96孔板有限稀释法成单克隆,分别采用RT-PCR与Western blot技术检测病毒UL23基因在mRNA水平与蛋白水平的表达量,筛选出当诱导时高效表达且未诱导时低表达的单克隆细胞;并评估Dox诱导剂量与诱导时间对外源蛋白pUL23表达的影响。限制性内切酶与测序显示重组质粒pLVX-TRE3G-UL23-3×Flag、pLVX-TRE3G-EGFP序列和方向正确。病毒蛋白pUL23在感染细胞中能够被诱导表达;当Dox浓度高于400ng/mL时pUL23蛋白表达量不再随Dox剂量增高而增高。在Dox诱导2h后,RT-PCR结果表明在921bp处有特定条带(UL23-3×Flag基因)与此同时,Western blot实验也检测到pUL23蛋白。这些结果表明,成功构建重组慢病毒载体,包装成慢病毒感染后,病毒基因UL23能够在人胚肺成纤维细胞中诱导表达。Dox的最佳工作浓度为400ng/mL,最佳诱导时间为12h至24h之间。这将为进一步研究病毒蛋白pU23的功能奠定基础。     

p85a基因对人神经母细胞瘤SY5Y细胞迁移的影响

通过干扰p85a基因的表达,探讨其在人神经母细胞瘤SY5Y细胞迁移中的作用及对m RNA和蛋白质水平的影响。首先,构建p85a基因的干扰质粒si RNA质粒(si-p85a)和过表达质粒(OE-p85a),转染人神经母细胞瘤SY5Y细胞,48 h后,用定量PCR方法检测p85a基因的m RNA水平变化;Western blot检测其蛋白质水平变化;用流式细胞术检测细胞周期变化;随后,将si-p85a、OE-p85a等质粒转染12孔板中的细胞,分别在24、48、72 h时做划痕实验,观察细胞迁移的变化。定量PCR显示,与MOCK组相比,不同组p85a基因表达有差异。干扰质粒(si-p85a)组表达降低,约为对照组的0.42倍;而过表达(OE-p85a)组表达明显升高,为对照组的22.84倍,均有显著性统计学差异(P0.05)。Western blot结果显示,转染si-p85a质粒后,p85a蛋白质水平下降;而转染OE-p85a质粒,p85a蛋白质水平升高。划痕实验中,转染OE-p85a可促进SY5Y细胞迁移,转染si-p85a后抑制细胞迁移,均有统计学差异(P0.05)。实验结果表明,在SY5Y细胞生长过程中,p85a基因起到重要作用,可以促进SY5Y细胞迁移运动。     

The effects of cytomegalovirus on human immunodeficiency virus replication in brain-derived cells correlate with permissiveness of the cells for each virus.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is commonly found in the brains of patients with AIDS and in some cases can be detected in the same cells as can human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). In this study, we analyzed the patterns of replication of HIV-1 and HCMV in singly infected cells and the effects of dual infection in human brain-derived cell lines of three different origins: neuroblastoma cell lines SK-N-MC and SY5Y; astrocytoma/glioblastoma cell lines U373-MG and Hs 683; and undifferentiated glioblastoma cell lines A172 and T98G. To bypass the restriction at the adsorption/penetration step in these CD4-negative cells, we used HIV-1 (amphotropic retrovirus) pseudotypes. These HIV-1 pseudotypes infected the majority of the cells in the cultures and expressed high levels of HIV-1 gene products in all except the SY5Y cells. The cell lines differed in the ability to support HCMV infection, but coinfection with HIV-1 had no effect on HCMV replication. The A172 cells were completely nonpermissive for HCMV gene expression, while HCMV replication in the singly infected T98G and SK-N-MC cell lines was restricted at the level of some early gene products. This resulted in complete and partial inhibition, respectively, of viral DNA synthesis. Dual infection of the A172, T98G, and SK-N-MC cells had no effect on HIV-1 replication. The other three cell lines, U373-MG, Hs 683, and SY5Y, were fully permissive for HCMV replication. In the U373-MG and Hs 683 cells, HCMV markedly inhibited the synthesis of HIV-1 gene products. In contrast, a transient stimulation of HIV-1 production followed by a repression was observed in the dually infected SY5Y cells. We conclude from these results that under conditions in which both HIV-1 and HCMV can undergo fully permissive infection, HCMV can repress HIV-1 gene expression. In cells in which HCMV replication is limited but HIV-1 replicates well, there is no effect on HIV-1 gene expression. However, activation of HIV-1, at least transiently, may occur in cells in which HIV-1 gene expression is limited. These studies suggest that a threshold level of some HIV-1 gene product(s) may obscure activation or promote repression of HIV replication by HCMV.     

Long-term infection and shedding of human cytomegalovirus in T98G glioblastoma cells

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is the leading viral cause of birth defects, affecting primarily the central nervous system (CNS). To further understand this CNS pathology, cells from glioblastoma cell lines T98G and A172, the astrocytic glioblastoma cell line CCF-STTG1 (CCF), and the neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y (SY5Y) were infected with HCMV. CCF and SY5Y cells were fully permissive for infection, while A172 cells were nonpermissive. In T98G cells, the majority of cells showed viral deposition into the nucleus by 6 h postinfection (hpi); however, viral immediate-early gene expression was observed in only approximately 30% of cells in the first 72 h. In viral antigen (Ag)-positive cells, although the development of complete viral replication centers was delayed, fully developed centers formed by 96 hpi. Interestingly, even at very late times postinfection, a mixture of multiple small, bipolar, and large foci was always present. The initial trafficking of input pp65 into the nucleus was also delayed. Titer and infectious-center assays showed a small number of T98G cells shedding virus at very low levels. Surprisingly, both Ag-positive and Ag-negative cells continued to divide; because of this continuous division, we adopted a protocol for passaging the T98G cells every third day to prevent overcrowding. Under this protocol, detectable infectious-virus shedding continued until passage 5 and viral gene expression continued through eight passages. This evidence points to T98G cells as a promising model for long-term infections.     

The Human Cytomegalovirus UL76 Gene Regulates the Level of Expression of the UL77 Gene

Background

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) can be reactivated under immunosuppressive conditions causing several fatal pneumonitis, hepatitis, retinitis, and gastrointestinal diseases. HCMV also causes deafness and mental retardation in neonates when primary infection has occurred during pregnancy. In the genome of HCMV at least 194 known open reading frames (ORFs) have been predicted, and approximately one-quarter, or 41 ORFs, are required for viral replication in cell culture. In contrast, the majority of the predicted ORFs are nonessential for viral replication in cell culture. However, it is also possible that these ORFs are required for the efficient viral replication in the host. The UL77 gene of HCMV is essential for viral replication and has a role in viral DNA packaging. The function of the upstream UL76 gene in the HCMV-infected cells is not understood. UL76 and UL77 are cistons on the same viral mRNA and a conventional 5′ mRNA for UL77 has not been detected. The vast majority of eukaryotic mRNAs are monocistronic, i.e., they encode only a single protein.

Methodology/Principal Findings

To determine whether the UL76 ORF affects UL77 gene expression, we mutated UL76 by ORF frame-shifts, stop codons or deletion of the viral gene. The effect on UL77 protein expression was determined by either transfection of expression plasmids or infection with recombinant viruses. Mutation of UL76 ORF significantly increased the level of UL77 protein expression. However, deletion of UL76 upstream of the UL77 ORF had only marginal effects on viral growth.

Conclusions/Significance

While UL76 is not essential for viral replication, the UL76 ORF is involved in regulation of the level of UL77 protein expression in a manner dependent on the translation re-initiation. UL76 may fine-tune the UL77 expression for the efficient viral replication in the HCMV- infected cells.     

Human cytomegalovirus UL76 induces chromosome aberrations

Background  

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is known to induce chromosome aberrations in infected cells, which can lead to congenital abnormalities in infected fetuses. HCMV UL76 belongs to a conserved protein family from herpesviruses. Some reported roles among UL76 family members include involvement in virulence determination, lytic replication, reactivation of latent virus, modulation of gene expression, induction of apoptosis, and perturbation of cell cycle progression, as well as potential nuclease activity. Previously, we have shown that stable expression of UL76 inhibits HCMV replication in glioblastoma cells.     

Human herpesvirus 6A U27 plays an essential role for the virus propagation

Human herpesvirus 6A (HHV-6A) is a member of the genus Roseolovirus and the subfamily Betaherpesvirinae. It is similar to and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). HHV-6A encodes a 41 kDa nuclear phosphoprotein, U27, which acts as a processivity factor in the replication of the viral DNA. HHV-6A U27 has 43% amino acid sequence homology with HCMV UL44, which is important for DNA replication. A previous study on HHV-6A U27 revealed that it greatly increases the in vitro DNA synthesis activity of HHV-6A DNA polymerase. However, the role of U27 during the HHV-6A virus replication process remains unclear. In this study, we constructed a U27-deficient HHV-6A mutant (HHV-6ABACU27mut) with a frameshift insertion at the U27 gene using an HHV-6A bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) system. Viral reconstitution from the mutant BAC DNA was not detected, in contrast to the wild type and the revertant from the U27 mutant. This suggests that U27 plays a critical role in the life cycle of HHV-6A.     

Dominance of virus over host factors in cross-species activation of human cytomegalovirus early gene expression

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) exhibits a highly restricted host range. In this study, we sought to examine the relative significance of host and viral factors in activating early gene expression of the HCMV UL54 (DNA polymerase) promoter in murine cells. Appropriate activation of the UL54 promoter at early times is essential for viral DNA replication. To study how the HCMV UL54 promoter is activated in murine cells, a transgenesis system based on yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs) was established for HCMV. A 178-kb YAC, containing a subgenomic fragment of HCMV encompassing the majority of the unique long (UL) region, was constructed by homologous recombination in yeast. This HCMV YAC backbone is defective for viral growth and lacks the major immediate-early (IE) gene region, thus permitting the analysis of essential cis-acting sequences when complemented in trans. To quantitatively measure the level of gene expression, we generated HCMV YACs containing a luciferase reporter gene inserted downstream of either the UL54 promoter or, as a control for late gene expression, the UL86 promoter, which directs expression of the major capsid protein. To determine the early gene activation pathway, point mutations were introduced into the inverted repeat 1 (IR1) element of the UL54 promoter of the HCMV YAC. In the transgenesis experiments, HCMV YACs and derivatives generated in yeast were introduced into NIH 3T3 murine cells by polyethylene glycol-mediated fusion. We found that infection of YAC, but not plasmid, transgenic lines with HCMV was sufficient to fully recapitulate the UL54 expression program at early times of infection, indicating the importance of remote regulatory elements in influencing regulation of the UL54 promoter. Moreover, YACs containing a mutant IR1 in the UL54 promoter led to reduced ( approximately 30-fold) reporter gene expression levels, indicating that HCMV major IE gene activation of the UL54 promoter is fully permissive in murine cells. In comparison with HCMV, infection of YAC transgenic NIH 3T3 lines with murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) resulted in lower (more than one order of magnitude) efficiency in activating UL54 early gene expression. MCMV is therefore not able to fully activate HCMV early gene expression, indicating the significance of virus over host determinants in the cross-species activation of key early gene promoters. Finally, these studies show that YAC transgenesis can be a useful tool in functional analysis of viral proteins and control of gene expression for large viral genomes.