博尔纳病病毒及其分子生物学研究进展

博尔纳病病毒(Borna disease virus,BDV)是一种嗜神经病毒,它能引起动物的进行性脑脊髓灰质炎（博尔纳疾病[1,2]。）     

两种博尔纳病病毒株持续感染PC-12细胞模型的建立

目的构建两种博尔纳病病毒株持续感染的PC-12细胞模型,为研究博尔纳病病毒感染致病机制及比较两种病毒株致病特点的差别提供工具。方法将BDV Strain V株和Hu株分别感染PC-12细胞系,并进行传代培养,最后通过Real time FQ RT-PCR、Western blot、间接免疫荧光方法进行病毒核酸和蛋白的检测。结果在培养传代6代后,两种病毒株感染的PC-12细胞均可检测到BDV核酸及蛋白。结论 BDV Strain V株和Hu株均可在PC-12细胞中复制和表达,两种博尔纳病病毒株持续感染PC-12细胞模型构建成功。     

博尔纳病病毒感染的非免疫病理性致病机制的研究进展

博尔纳病病毒（Borna Disease Virus,BDV）是负单链病毒目、博尔纳病病毒科的原型病毒。BDV有包膜,在细胞核内进行复制和转录,其基因组全长约8．9kb,非分节段,含有6个主要的开放读码框架,分别编码分子量为40kDa、24kDa、10kDa、16kDa、56kDa和180kDa的蛋白质。BDV具有嗜神经性。能够引起很多种属温血动物的中枢神经系统尤其是边缘系统的持续性感染,并可能出现多种多样的神经精神症状。近年来,有关血清学BDV特异性抗体的检测、外周血单核细胞和脑组织中BDV核酸的检测以及病毒分离的研究数据等,均提示BDV与精神分裂症、情感性精神障碍、慢性疲劳综合征等人类的神经精神疾病有关。但是由于BDV的传播方式、致病机制尚不完全清楚以及人类脑组织标本取材的限制等,BDV是否为人类神经精神疾病的致病因子尚存在争议。     

博尔纳病病毒磷蛋白在PC-12细胞内的稳定表达及对其增殖的影响

【目的】建立博尔纳病病毒磷蛋白在神经源性PC-12细胞内的稳定表达体系,初步探讨博尔纳病病毒磷蛋白对PC-12细胞的生长是否有影响。【方法】培养PC-12细胞,用阳离子脂质体的方法将带有博尔纳病病毒磷蛋白基因的表达质粒转染到细胞内进行稳定表达,用荧光显微镜和RT-PCR的方法检测细胞内磷蛋白的表达,用MTT方法检测磷蛋白对细胞生长的影响。【结果】 转染细胞经培养10代后仍然表达目的蛋白,成功建立稳定表达体系。MTT检测显示博尔纳病病毒磷蛋白对PC-12细胞的生长具有明显的抑制作用,其生长明显滞后,但粘附能力增加。【结论】 通过本文建立的体系能在PC-12细胞内稳定表达博尔纳病病毒磷蛋白,该体系可用于进一步深入研究博尔纳病病毒磷蛋白的作用机制,进而为研究博尔纳病病毒持续感染中枢神经系统的机制提供基础。此外本文通过检测细胞的增殖活性发现博尔纳病病毒磷蛋白对PC-12细胞的生长具有明显的抑制作用,可能是博尔纳病病毒持续感染中枢神经系统的重要机制之一。     

博尔纳病病毒p24重组蛋白的表达与初步鉴定

博尔纳病病毒(Borna Disease Virus,BDV)是一种嗜神经病毒.研究表明,BDV不仅可以引起马、羊等家畜的自然感染,从啮齿类动物到人以外的灵长类动物均易受到BDV的实验性感染,而且BDV感染还可能与人类的某些精神神经疾病的发生相关.本研究对含有BDV-p24重组质粒PGEX-3X的大肠杆菌表达系统进行了优化表达BDV-p24蛋白,在IPTG 2 mmol/L、3 h表达量最大,同时用BDV-p24单克隆抗体证实了其特异性.从而为建立检测待检血清中BDV-p24特异性抗体的方法提供了实验基础.     

神经元的突触可塑性与学习和记忆

大量研究表明,神经元的突触可塑性包括功能可塑性和结构可塑性,与学习和记忆密切相关.最近,在经过训练的动物海马区,记录到了学习诱导的长时程增强(long term potentiation,LTP),如果用激酶抑制剂阻断晚期LTP,就会使大鼠丧失训练形成的记忆.这些结果指出,LTP可能是形成记忆的分子基础.因此,进一步研究哺乳动物脑内突触可塑性的分子机制,对揭示学习和记忆的神经基础有重要意义.此外,在精神迟滞性疾病和神经退行性疾病患者脑内记录到异常的LTP,并发现神经元的树突棘数量减少,形态上产生畸变或萎缩,同时发现,产生突变的基因大多编码调节突触可塑性的信号通路蛋白,故突触可塑性研究也将促进精神和神经疾病的预防和治疗.综述了突触可塑性研究的最新进展,并展望了其发展前景.     

博尔纳病病毒持续感染细胞系中病毒RNA的原位PCR检测

目的建立检测博尔纳病病毒(BDV)RNA的原位PCR方法。方法首先设计BDV特异性引物以及检测BDV-RNA的原位PCR扩增系统．然后对BDV持续感染细胞(BDV／OL)和正常细胞(OL细胞)爬片进行原位PCR扩增,进而分别用DNA酶或RNA酶消化处理BDV／OL细胞爬片后,再进行原位PCR扩增。结果经原位PCR扩增后．约60％～70％的BDV持续感染细胞核中出现了阳性反应信号,但正常细胞无信号出现,并且病毒感染细胞中的阳性信号在RNA酶消化作用下消失,但不受DNA酶作用的影响。结论该研究建立的PCR检测方法具有BDV和RNA特异性,可以应用于检测相关动物或神经精神疾病患者的脑组织中BDV-RNA,为进一步证明BDV的致病性奠定基础。     

多巴胺调节海马神经元可塑性的研究进展

多巴胺是脑内重要的信息传递物质,不仅可以作为递质释放到前额叶、伏隔核等脑区,直接进行信息传递,也可以作为调质调节其它突触递质的传递,并影响神经元可塑性。海马参与构成边缘系统,受多巴胺能神经支配,执行着有关学习记忆以及空间定位的功能。海马神经元的可塑性是学习记忆的细胞分子基础。研究表明,多巴胺对海马神经元的突触可塑性和兴奋性可塑性都具有重要的调节作用。本文扼要综述多巴胺对海马神经元突触可塑性和兴奋性可塑性的调节机制的研究进展,以期为DA系统参与海马区学习记忆功能的研究提供新思路,更深入地了解学习记忆的神经机制。     

突触可塑性与脑疾病的神经发育基础

大脑神经回路高度有序的神经元活动是高级脑功能的基础,神经元之间的突触联结是神经回路的关键功能节点。神经突触根据神经元活动调整其传递效能的能力,亦即突触可塑性,被认为是神经回路发育和学习与记忆功能的基础。其异常则可能导致如抑郁症和阿尔茨海默病等精神、神经疾病。将介绍这两种疾病与突触可塑性的关系,聚焦于相关分子和细胞机制以及新的研究、治疗手段等进展。     

博尔纳病病毒磷蛋白细胞模型的构建与鉴定

目的建立博尔纳病病毒(Borna disease virus,BDV)磷蛋白的细胞模型,并对所建模型进行鉴定。方法重新扩增和鉴定已有的BDV磷蛋白(GFP-P24)质粒,使用转染试剂将该质粒转入PC12细胞,并用荧光定量PCR和ELISA的方法对所构建的细胞模型进行鉴定。结果重新扩增的质粒PCR鉴定阳性,其浓度符合转染的需要,测序后未发现核苷酸的突变;转染PC12细胞的效率高,荧光定量PCR和ELISA检测均为阳性。结论成功构建了BDV磷蛋白的细胞模型,为研究BDV感染过程中磷蛋白所起的作用奠定了基础。     

Mutation of the Protein Kinase C Site in Borna Disease Virus Phosphoprotein Abrogates Viral Interference with Neuronal Signaling and Restores Normal Synaptic Activity

Understanding the pathogenesis of infection by neurotropic viruses represents a major challenge and may improve our knowledge of many human neurological diseases for which viruses are thought to play a role. Borna disease virus (BDV) represents an attractive model system to analyze the molecular mechanisms whereby a virus can persist in the central nervous system (CNS) and lead to altered brain function, in the absence of overt cytolysis or inflammation. Recently, we showed that BDV selectively impairs neuronal plasticity through interfering with protein kinase C (PKC)–dependent signaling in neurons. Here, we tested the hypothesis that BDV phosphoprotein (P) may serve as a PKC decoy substrate when expressed in neurons, resulting in an interference with PKC-dependent signaling and impaired neuronal activity. By using a recombinant BDV with mutated PKC phosphorylation site on P, we demonstrate the central role of this protein in BDV pathogenesis. We first showed that the kinetics of dissemination of this recombinant virus was strongly delayed, suggesting that phosphorylation of P by PKC is required for optimal viral spread in neurons. Moreover, neurons infected with this mutant virus exhibited a normal pattern of phosphorylation of the PKC endogenous substrates MARCKS and SNAP-25. Finally, activity-dependent modulation of synaptic activity was restored, as assessed by measuring calcium dynamics in response to depolarization and the electrical properties of neuronal networks grown on microelectrode arrays. Therefore, preventing P phosphorylation by PKC abolishes viral interference with neuronal activity in response to stimulation. Our findings illustrate a novel example of viral interference with a differentiated neuronal function, mainly through competition with the PKC signaling pathway. In addition, we provide the first evidence that a viral protein can specifically interfere with stimulus-induced synaptic plasticity in neurons.     

Borna disease virus infects human neural progenitor cells and impairs neurogenesis

Understanding the complex mechanisms by which infectious agents can disrupt behavior represents a major challenge. The Borna disease virus (BDV), a potential human pathogen, provides a unique model to study such mechanisms. Because BDV induces neurodegeneration in brain areas that are still undergoing maturation at the time of infection, we tested the hypothesis that BDV interferes with neurogenesis. We showed that human neural stem/progenitor cells are highly permissive to BDV, although infection does not alter their survival or undifferentiated phenotype. In contrast, upon the induction of differentiation, BDV is capable of severely impairing neurogenesis by interfering with the survival of newly generated neurons. Such impairment was specific to neurogenesis, since astrogliogenesis was unaltered. In conclusion, we demonstrate a new mechanism by which BDV might impair neural function and brain plasticity in infected individuals. These results may contribute to a better understanding of behavioral disorders associated with BDV infection.     

Borna disease virus infection impairs synaptic plasticity

The mechanisms whereby Borna disease virus (BDV) can impair neuronal function and lead to neurobehavioral disease are not well understood. To analyze the electrophysiological properties of neurons infected with BDV, we used cultures of neurons grown on multielectrode arrays, allowing a real-time monitoring of the electrical activity across the network shaped by synaptic transmission. Although infection did not affect spontaneous neuronal activity, it selectively blocked activity-dependent enhancement of neuronal network activity, one form of synaptic plasticity thought to be important for learning and memory. These findings highlight the original mechanism of the neuronal dysfunction caused by noncytolytic infection with BDV.     

Borna disease virus persistent infection activates mitogen-activated protein kinase and blocks neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells

Persistence of Borna disease virus (BDV) in the central nervous system causes damage to specific neuronal populations. BDV is noncytopathic, and the mechanisms underlying neuronal pathology are not well understood. One hypothesis is that infection affects the response of neurons to factors that are crucial for their proliferation, differentiation, or survival. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed the response of PC12 cells persistently infected with BDV to the neurotrophin nerve growth factor (NGF). PC12 is a neural crest-derived cell line that exhibits features of neuronal differentiation in response to NGF. We report that persistence of BDV led to a progressive change of phenotype of PC12 cells and blocked neurite outgrowth in response to NGF. Infection down-regulated the expression of synaptophysin and growth-associated protein-43, two molecules involved in neuronal plasticity, as well as the expression of the chromaffin-specific gene tyrosine hydroxylase. We showed that the block in response to NGF was due in part to the down-regulation of NGF receptors. Moreover, although BDV caused constitutive activation of the ERK1/2 pathway, activated ERKs were not translocated to the nucleus efficiently. These observations may account for the absence of neuronal differentiation of persistently infected PC12 cells treated with NGF.     

Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis: The role of disturbed sleep in attenuated brain plasticity and neurodegenerative processes

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive impairments. The classical symptoms of the disease include gradual deterioration of memory and language. Epidemiological studies indicate that around 25–40% of AD patients have sleep-wake cycle disturbances. Importantly, a series of studies suggested that the relationship between AD and sleep disturbance may be complex and bidirectional. Indeed, accumulation of the extracellular neuronal protein amyloid-beta (Aβ) leads to altered sleep-wake behavior in both mice and humans. At the same time, disturbances of the normal sleep-wake cycle may facilitate AD pathogenesis. This paper will review the mechanisms underlying this potential interrelated connection including locus coeruleus damage, reductions in orexin neurotransmission, alterations in melatonin levels, and elevated cytokine levels. In addition, we will also highlight how both the development of AD and sleep disturbances lead to changes in intracellular signaling pathways involved in regulating neuronal plasticity and connectivity, particularly extremes in cofilin phosphorylation. Finally, current pharmacological and nonpharmacological therapeutic approaches will be discussed.     

Borna disease virus: a unique pathogen and its interaction with intracellular signalling pathways

Borna disease virus (BDV) is a neurotropic RNA virus that establishes non-cytolytic persistent infection in the central nervous system of warm-blooded animals. Depending on the host species and the route of infection, BDV persistence can modulate neuronal plasticity and animal behaviour and/or may provoke a T cell-mediated immunopathological reaction with high mortality. Therefore, BDV functions as a model pathogen to study persistent virus infection in the central nervous system. Here, we review recent evidence showing that BDV interferes with a spectrum of intracellular signalling pathways, which may be involved in viral spread, maintenance of persistence and modulation of neurotransmitter pathways.     

Borna disease virus blocks potentiation of presynaptic activity through inhibition of protein kinase C signaling

Infection by Borna disease virus (BDV) enables the study of the molecular mechanisms whereby a virus can persist in the central nervous system and lead to altered brain function in the absence of overt cytolysis and inflammation. This neurotropic virus infects a wide variety of vertebrates and causes behavioral diseases. The basis of BDV-induced behavioral impairment remains largely unknown. Here, we investigated whether BDV infection of neurons affected synaptic activity, by studying the rate of synaptic vesicle (SV) recycling, a good indicator of synaptic activity. Vesicular cycling was visualized in cultured hippocampal neurons synapses, using an assay based on the uptake of an antibody directed against the luminal domain of synaptotagmin I. BDV infection did not affect elementary presynaptic functioning, such as spontaneous or depolarization-induced vesicular cycling. In contrast, infection of neurons with BDV specifically blocked the enhancement of SV recycling that is observed in response to stimuli-induced synaptic potentiation, suggesting defects in long-term potentiation. Studies of signaling pathways involved in synaptic potentiation revealed that this blockade was due to a reduction of the phosphorylation by protein kinase C (PKC) of proteins that regulate SV recycling, such as myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate (MARCKS) and Munc18-1/nSec1. Moreover, BDV interference with PKC-dependent phosphorylation was identified downstream of PKC activation. We also provide evidence suggesting that the BDV phosphoprotein interferes with PKC-dependent phosphorylation. Altogether, our results reveal a new mechanism by which a virus can cause synaptic dysfunction and contribute to neurobehavioral disorders.     

Borna Disease Virus Phosphoprotein Impairs the Developmental Program Controlling Neurogenesis and Reduces Human GABAergic Neurogenesis

It is well established that persistent viral infection may impair cellular function of specialized cells without overt damage. This concept, when applied to neurotropic viruses, may help to understand certain neurologic and neuropsychiatric diseases. Borna disease virus (BDV) is an excellent example of a persistent virus that targets the brain, impairs neural functions without cell lysis, and ultimately results in neurobehavioral disturbances. Recently, we have shown that BDV infects human neural progenitor cells (hNPCs) and impairs neurogenesis, revealing a new mechanism by which BDV may interfere with brain function. Here, we sought to identify the viral proteins and molecular pathways that are involved. Using lentiviral vectors for expression of the bdv-p and bdv-x viral genes, we demonstrate that the phosphoprotein P, but not the X protein, diminishes human neurogenesis and, more particularly, GABAergic neurogenesis. We further reveal a decrease in pro-neuronal factors known to be involved in neuronal differentiation (ApoE, Noggin, TH and Scg10/Stathmin2), demonstrating that cellular dysfunction is associated with impairment of specific components of the molecular program that controls neurogenesis. Our findings thus provide the first evidence that a viral protein impairs GABAergic human neurogenesis, a process that is dysregulated in several neuropsychiatric disorders. They improve our understanding of the mechanisms by which a persistent virus may interfere with brain development and function in the adult.