Cytoplasmic trafficking of minute virus of mice: low-pH requirement,routing to late endosomes,and proteasome interaction

The cytoplasmic trafficking of the prototype strain of minute virus of mice (MVMp) was investigated by analyzing and quantifying the effect of drugs that reduce or abolish specific cellular functions on the accumulation of viral macromolecules. With this strategy, it was found that a low endosomal pH is required for the infection, since bafilomycin A(1) and chloroquine, two pH-interfering drugs, were similarly active against MVMp. Disruption of the endosomal network by brefeldin A interfered with MVMp infection, indicating that viral particles are routed farther than the early endocytic compartment. Pulse experiments with endosome-interfering drugs showed that the bulk of MVMp particles remained in the endosomal compartment for several hours before its release to the cytosol. Drugs that block the activity of the proteasome by different mechanisms, such as MG132, lactacystin, and epoxomicin, all strongly blocked MVMp infection. Pulse experiments with the proteasome inhibitor MG132 indicated that MVMp interacts with cellular proteasomes after endosomal escape. The chymotrypsin-like but not the trypsin-like activity of the proteasome is required for the infection, since the chymotrypsin inhibitors N-tosyl-L-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone and aclarubicin were both effective in blocking MVMp infection. However, the trypsin inhibitor Nalpha-p-tosyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone had no effect. These results suggest that the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway plays an essential role in the MVMp life cycle, probably assisting at the stages of capsid disassembly and/or nuclear translocation.     

Semliki Forest virus penetration from endosomes: a morphological study

The low pH dependent membrane fusion reaction responsible for the delivery of the Semliki Forest virus genome into the host cell for replication was visualized by electron microscopy. In order to increase the frequency at which fusion images could be detected a reversible inhibitor, ammonium chloride, was used to synchronize endosomal acidification, and 20 degrees C incubation was employed to concentrate virus particles into the endosomal compartment.     

Electroporation and Microinjection Successfully Deliver Single-Stranded and Duplex DNA into Live Cells as Detected by FRET Measurements

Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) technology relies on the close proximity of two compatible fluorophores for energy transfer. Tagged (Cy3 and Cy5) complementary DNA strands forming a stable duplex and a doubly-tagged single strand were shown to demonstrate FRET outside of a cellular environment. FRET was also observed after transfecting these DNA strands into fixed and live cells using methods such as microinjection and electroporation, but not when using lipid based transfection reagents, unless in the presence of the endosomal acidification inhibitor bafilomycin. Avoiding the endocytosis pathway is essential for efficient delivery of intact DNA probes into cells.     

Trans-infection but Not Infection from within Endosomal Compartments after Cell-to-cell HIV-1 Transfer to CD4+ T Cells

Cellular contacts between HIV-1-infected donor cells and uninfected primary CD4(+) T lymphocytes lead to virus transfer into endosomes. Recent evidence suggests that HIV particles may fuse with endosomal membranes to initiate a productive infection. To explore the role of endocytosis in the entry and replication of HIV, we evaluated the infectivity of transferred HIV particles in a cell-to-cell culture model of virus transmission. Endocytosed virus led to productive infection of cells, except when cells were cultured in the presence of the anti-gp120 mAb IgGb12, an agent that blocks virus attachment to CD4, suggesting that endocytosed virus was recycled to the outer cell surface. Confocal microscopy confirmed the colocalization of internalized virus antigen and the endosomal marker dynamin. Additionally, virus transfer, fusion, or productive infection was not blocked by dynasore, dynamin-dependent endosome-scission inhibitor, at subtoxic concentrations, suggesting that the early capture of virus into intracellular compartments did not depend on endosomal maturation. Our results suggest that endocytosis is not a mechanism of infection of primary CD4 T cells, but may serve as a reservoir capable of inducing trans-infection of cells after the release of HIV particles to the extracellular environment.     

Localization of pepstatin's inhibitory action during Fc-mediated antibody internalization: possible implications for antibody-mediated viral transmission

Antibody internalization via Fc receptors is an important cellular mechanism, possibly facilitating the entry of antigenic peptides or viral particles into cells when specific antibodies are present at the periphery. Using an experimental model of trophoblast cells, we have shown that anti-p21(ras) monoclonal antibodies can use IFN-gamma-induced surface Fcgamma receptors to enter the cell. This entry of anti-p21(ras) antibodies ultimately inhibits IFN-gamma-mediated class II antigen induction. Since there may be obvious and inevitable harmful aspects of this mechanism, during which Fc-mediated viral particle or autoantigen transport may occur, we concentrated efforts on defining a potent inhibitor able to eliminate such uptake. The results presented here show that the protease inhibitor pepstatin A efficiently inhibits Fcgamma receptor induction by IFN-gamma and also blocks the endocytic pathway followed by an antibody when it enters the cell at the level of early endosomal compartments. We thus postulate that the use of pepstatin A, because of its inhibition of autoantigen presentation or viral transmission, including that of HIV, may find important applications in therapeutic protocols.     

Inhibition of infectious Rous sarcoma virus production by rifamycin derivative.

A new rifamycin derivative, rifazone-82 (R-82), an inhibitor of viral RNA-dependent DNA polymerase, is selectively toxic to transformed chicken cells in culture. R-82 has now been shown to possess antiviral activity as well. The relatively nontoxic properties of R-82 to nontransformed cells have permitted the execution of experiments examining the effect of a rifamycin derivative on virus reproduction. Addition of low concentrations of R-82 (15 mug/ml) to cultures soon after Rous sarcoma virus infection prevents the spread of infection thoroughout the culture. This inhibition is not dependent on concomitant cellular transformation as identical results were obtained with cells infected with a transformation-defective Rous sarcoma virus. Addition of R-82 to cultures in which all the cells are infected does not substantially affect the yield of physical particles as measured by RNA-dependent DNA polymerase activity and by (3H) uridine incorporation into viral RNA. However, the infectivity of the progeny virus, as measured by focus-forming ability, is decrreased 95 to 99% by R-82 treatment.     

The chemo enzymatic functionalization of chitosan zeolite particles provides antioxidant and antimicrobial properties

Silicate‐based microporous materials like zeolites are nano enabled particles and used for various applications including pharmaceutical formulations. This study reports on the chemo‐enzymatic functionalization of chitosan‐zeolite particles (CTS‐zeolites) with caffeic acid (CA) and glucose oxidase (GOX) to impart combined antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. CA was grafted on the chitosan moieties by using laccase generating stable particles (zeta potential –36.7 mV) of high antioxidant activity (44% DPPH inhibition). GOX was immobilized both on CTS‐zeolites and on CA modified CTS‐zeolites and creating a hydrogen peroxide generation system continuously and in‐situ producing this oxidative and antimicrobial agent. The system prevented bacterial growth of E. coli and S. aureus over 24 h whereby a steady‐state concentration of around 60 μM hydrogen peroxide in the culture medium was observed. CA and GOX functionalized CTS‐zeolite particles additionally showed combinatorial antioxidant and antimicrobial properties providing a powerful bioactive system for medical applications. These particles proved their suitability for incorporation in bioactive formulations which could be used, inter alia, for topical wound treatments.     

Adsorption of Adenine and Thymine on Zeolites: FT-IR and EPR Spectroscopy and X-Ray Diffractometry and SEM Studies

The interactions of adenine and thymine with and adsorption on zeolites were studied using different techniques. There were two main findings. First, as shown by X-ray diffractometry, thymine increased the decomposition of the zeolites (Y, ZSM-5) while adenine prevented it. Second, zeolite Y adsorbed almost the same amount of adenine and thymine, thus both nucleic acid bases could be protected from hydrolysis and UV radiation and could be available for molecular evolution. The X-ray diffractometry and SEM showed that artificial seawater almost dissolved zeolite A. The adsorption of adenine on ZSM-5 zeolite was higher than that of thymine (Student-Newman-Keuls test-SNK p<0.05). Adenine was also more greatly adsorbed on ZSM-5 zeolite, when compared to other zeolites (SNK p<0.05). However the adsorption of thymine on different zeolites was not statistically different (SNK p>0.05). The adsorption of adenine and thymine on zeolites did not depend on pore size or Si/Al ratio and it was not explained only by electrostatic forces; rather van der Waals interactions should also be considered.     

Real-time analysis of endosomal lipid transport by live cell scintillation proximity assay

A scintillation proximity assay has been developed to study the endosomal trafficking of radiolabeled cholesterol in living cells. Mouse macrophages were cultured in the presence of tritiated cholesterol and scintillant microspheres. Microspheres were taken up by phagocytosis and stored in phagolysosomes. Absorption of tritium beta particles by the scintillant produces light signals that can be measured in standard scintillation counters. Because of the short range of tritium beta particles and for geometric reasons, scintillant microspheres detect only that fraction of tritiated cholesterol localized inside phagolysosomes or within a distance of approximately 600 nm. By incubating cultures in a temperature-controlled microplate reader, the kinetics of phagocytosis and cholesterol transport could be analyzed in near-real time. Scintillation signals were significantly increased in response to inhibitors of lysosomal cholesterol export. This method should prove a useful new tool for the study of endosomal trafficking of lipids and other molecules.     

Role of receptor-mediated endocytosis, endosomal acidification and cathepsin D in cholera toxin cytotoxicity

Using the in situ liver model system, we have recently shown that, after cholera toxin binding to hepatic cells, cholera toxin accumulates in a low-density endosomal compartment, and then undergoes endosomal proteolysis by the aspartic acid protease cathepsin-D [Merlen C, Fayol-Messaoudi D, Fabrega S, El Hage T, Servin A, Authier F (2005) FEBS J272, 4385-4397]. Here, we have used a subcellular fractionation approach to address the in vivo compartmentalization and cytotoxic action of cholera toxin in rat liver parenchyma. Following administration of a saturating dose of cholera toxin to rats, rapid endocytosis of both cholera toxin subunits was observed, coincident with massive internalization of both the 45 kDa and 47 kDa Gsalpha proteins. These events coincided with the endosomal recruitment of ADP-ribosylation factor proteins, especially ADP-ribosylation factor-6, with a time course identical to that of toxin and the A subunit of the stimulatory G protein (Gsalpha) translocation. After an initial lag phase of 30 min, these constituents were linked to NAD-dependent ADP-ribosylation of endogenous Gsalpha, with maximum accumulation observed at 30-60 min postinjection. Assessment of the subsequent postendosomal fate of internalized Gsalpha revealed sustained endolysosomal transfer of the two Gsalpha isoforms. Concomitantly, cholera toxin increased in vivo endosome acidification rates driven by the ATP-dependent H(+)-ATPase pump and in vitro vacuolar acidification in hepatoma HepG2 cells. The vacuolar H(+)-ATPase inhibitor bafilomycin and the cathepsin D inhibitor pepstatin A partially inhibited, both in vivo and in vitro, the cAMP response to cholera toxin. This cathepsin D-dependent action of cholera toxin under the control of endosomal acidity was confirmed using cellular systems in which modification of the expression levels of cathepsin D, either by transfection of the cathepsin D gene or small interfering RNA, was followed by parallel changes in the cytotoxic response to cholera toxin. Thus, in hepatic cells, a unique endocytic pathway was revealed following cholera toxin administration, with regulation specificity most probably occurring at the locus of the endosome and implicating endosomal proteases, such as cathepsin D, as well as organelle acidification.     

The essential role of clathrin-mediated endocytosis in the infectious entry of human enterovirus 71

Little is currently known about the infectious entry process of human enterovirus 71 (HEV71) into host cells, which may represent potential anti-viral targeting sites. In this study a targeted small-interfering RNA (siRNA) screening platform assay was established and validated to identify and profile key cellular genes involved in processes of endocytosis, cytoskeletal dynamics, and endosomal trafficking essential for HEV71 infection. Screen evaluation was conducted via the expression of well characterized dominant-negative mutants, bioimaging studies (double-labeled immunofluorescence assays, transmission electron microscopy analysis), secondary siRNA-based dosage dependence studies, and drug inhibition assays. The infectious entry of HEV71 into rhabdomyosarcoma cells was shown to be significantly inhibited by siRNAs targeting genes associated with clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) that include AP2A1, ARRB1, CLTC, CLTCL1, SYNJ1, ARPC5, PAK1, ROCK1, and WASF1. The functional role of CME was verified by the observation of strong co-localization between HEV71 particles and clathrin as well as dose-dependent inhibition of HEV71 infection upon siRNA knockdown of CME-associated genes. HEV71 entry by CME was further confirmed via inhibition by dominant-negative EPS15 mutants and treatment of CME drug inhibitors, with more than 80% inhibition observed at 20 μm chlorpromazine. Furthermore, HEV71 infection was shown to be sensitive to the disruption of human genes in regulating early to late endosomal trafficking as well as endosomal acidic pH. The identification of clathrin-mediated endocytosis as the entry pathway for HEV71 infection of susceptible host cells contributes to a better understanding of HEV71 pathogenesis and enables future development of anti-viral strategies against HEV71 infection.     

Phagocytosis of necrotic cells by macrophages is phosphatidylserine dependent and does not induce inflammatory cytokine production

Apoptotic cells are cleared by phagocytosis during development, homeostasis, and pathology. However, it is still unclear how necrotic cells are removed. We compared the phagocytic uptake by macrophages of variants of L929sA murine fibrosarcoma cells induced to die by tumor necrosis factor-induced necrosis or by Fas-mediated apoptosis. We show that apoptotic and necrotic cells are recognized and phagocytosed by macrophages, whereas living cells are not. In both cases, phagocytosis occurred through a phosphatidylserine-dependent mechanism, suggesting that externalization of phosphatidylserine is a general trigger for clearance by macrophages. However, uptake of apoptotic cells was more efficient both quantitatively and kinetically than phagocytosis of necrotic cells. Electron microscopy showed clear morphological differences in the mechanisms used by macrophages to engulf necrotic and apoptotic cells. Apoptotic cells were taken up as condensed membrane-bound particles of various sizes rather than as whole cells, whereas necrotic cells were internalized only as small cellular particles after loss of membrane integrity. Uptake of neither apoptotic nor necrotic L929 cells by macrophages modulated the expression of proinflammatory cytokines by the phagocytes.     

High-throughput phagocytosis assay utilizing a pH-sensitive fluorescent dye

We describe a development of a novel high-throughput phagocytosis assay based on a pH-sensitive cyanine dye, CypHer5E, which is maximally fluorescent in an acidic environment. This dye is ideally suited for the study of phagocytosis because of the acidic conditions generated in the intracellular phagocytic vesicles after particle uptake. Use of CypHer5E-labeled particles results in greatly reduced background from noninternalized particles and makes the assay more robust. Additionally, CypHer5E-labeled particles are resistant to fluorescence quenching observed in the aggressive and acidic environment of the phagosome with traditional dyes. The CypHer5E-based assay has been shown to work reliably in a variety of cell types, including primary human monocytes, primary human dendritic cells, primary human endothelial cells, human monocytic THP-1 cell line, and human/mouse hybrid macrophage cell line WBC264-9C. Inhibition of CypHer5E bead uptake by cytochalasin D was studied, and the 50% inhibition concentration (IC50) was determined. The assay was performed in 96- and 384-well formats, and it is appropriate for high-throughput cellular screening of processes and compounds affecting phagocytosis. The CypHer5E phagocytosis assay is superior to existing protocols because it allows easy distinction of true phagocytosis from particle adherence and can be used in microscopy-based measurement of phagocytosis.     

Formation of one-dimensional Pt structures in VET-type zeolites: a combined force field and first principles study

The viability of forming stable one-dimensional Pt structures inside the pores of VET-type zeolites is evaluated in this study by using molecular simulations. The resulting nanostructures were optimised and analysed as formed both inside and outside the zeolite. The results show that, theoretically, it is possible to obtain thermally stable ultrathin nanowires in VET zeolites with a low Si/Al ratio using high temperatures during formation. The results also show that the structures obtained with the pcff force field for the ultrathin nanowires are qualitatively similar to those obtained after geometric optimisation with DFT.     

Kinetics of poliovirus uncoating in HeLa cells in a nonacidic environment.

Lysis of HeLa cells infected with poliovirus revealed intact virus; 135S particles, devoid of VP4 but containing the viral RNA; and 80S empty capsids. During infection the kinetics of poliovirus uncoating showed a continuous decrease of intact virus, while the number of 135S particles and empty shells increased. After 1.5 h of infection conformational transition to altered particles resulted in complete disappearance of intact virions. To investigate the mechanism of poliovirus uncoating, which has been suggested to depend on low pH in endosomal compartments of cells, we used lysosomotropic amines to raise the pH in these vesicles. In the presence of ammonium chloride, however, the kinetics of uncoating were similar to those for untreated cells, whereas in cells treated with methylamine, monensin, or chloroquine, uncoating was merely delayed by about 30 min. This effect could be attributed to a delay of virus entry into cells after treatment with methylamine and monensin, whereas chloroquine stabilized the viral capsid itself. Thus, elevation of endosomal pH did not affect virus uncoating. We therefore propose a mechanism of poliovirus uncoating which is independent of low pH.     

Requirement for vacuolar proton-ATPase activity during entry of influenza virus into cells.

The role that endosomal acidification plays during influenza virus entry into MDCK cells has been analyzed by using the macrolide antibiotics bafilomycin A1 and concanamycin A as selective inhibitors of vacuolar proton-ATPase (v-[H+]ATPase), the enzyme responsible for the acidification of endosomes. Bafilomycin A1 and concanamycin A, present at the low concentrations of 5 x 10(-7) and 5 x 10(-9) M, respectively, prevented the entry of influenza virus into cells when added during the first minutes of infection. Attachment of virion particles to the cell surface was not the target for the action of bafilomycin A1. N,N'-Dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, a nonspecific inhibitor of proton-ATPases, also blocked virus entry, whereas elaiophylin, an inhibitor of the plasma-proton ATPase, had no effect. The inhibitory actions of bafilomycin A1 and concanamycin A were tested in culture medium at different pHs. Both antibiotics powerfully prevented influenza virus infection when the virus was added under low-pH conditions. This inhibition was reduced if the virus was bound to cells at 4 degrees C prior to the addition of warm low-pH medium. Moreover, incubation of cells at acidic pH potently blocked influenza virus infection, even in the absence of antibiotics. These results indicate that a pH gradient, rather than low pH, is necessary for efficient entry of influenza virus into cells.     

Possible mechanism of polycation liposome (PCL)-mediated gene transfer

A novel gene transfer system utilizing polycation liposomes (PCLs), obtained by modifying liposomes with cetyl polyethylenimine (PEI), was previously developed (Gene Ther. 7 (2002) 1148). PCLs show notable transfection efficiency with low cytotoxicity. However, the mechanism of PCL-mediated gene transfer is still unclear. In this study, we examined the intracellular trafficking of PCL-DNA complexes by using HT1080 cells, fluorescent probe-labeled materials, and confocal laser scan microscopy. We found that the PCL-DNA complexes were taken up into cells by the endosomal pathway, since both cellular uptake of the complex and gene expression were blocked by wortmannin, an inhibitor of this pathway. We also observed that the plasmid DNA and cetyl PEI complex became detached from the PCL lipids and was preferentially transferred into the nucleus in the form of the complex, whereas the PCL lipids remained in the cytoplasmic area, possibly in the endosomes. In fact, nigericin, which dissipates the pH gradient across the endosomal membrane, inhibited the detachment of lipids from the PCL-DNA complex and subsequent gene expression. Taken together, our data indicate the following mechanism for gene transfer by PCLs: PCLs effectively transfer DNA to endosomes and release cetyl PEI-DNA complexes into the cytosol. Furthermore, cetyl PEI also contributes to gene entry into the nucleus.     

Selective down-regulation of alveolar macrophage oxidative response to opsonin-independent phagocytosis

We have compared the oxidative response of alveolar macrophages (AM) during opsonin-dependent and independent phagocytosis by using multiparameter flow cytometry. The respiratory burst of AM during phagocytosis was quantitated by the intracellular oxidation of the nonfluorescent precursors dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFH) or hydroethidine (HE, a reduced precursor of ethidium) to their fluorescent (oxidized) counterparts. After loading freshly isolated normal hamster AM with DCFH or HE, red or green fluorescent beads, respectively, were added to the shaking cell suspensions. Ingestion of opsonized particles by AM caused a marked increase in oxidation of both DCFH and HE proportional to the number of beads ingested. In contrast, uptake of one to three unopsonized particles per cell led to inhibition of oxidative activity compared to control cells incubated without particles. AM ingesting four or more unopsonized particles showed some increase in oxidative metabolism, but far less than that with identical numbers of particles in opsonin-dependent ingestion. Similar results were obtained using fluorescent labeled staphylococcal bacteria. Using three-color flow cytometry to study cells ingesting both types of particles, cells first ingesting unopsonized beads were also found to have an inhibited oxidative response to subsequently ingested opsonized particles. The mitochondrial poison antimycin inhibited most of the intracellular oxidative response to either type of phagocytosis. The remaining antimycin-insensitive, membrane derived respiratory burst of AM was also substantially diminished after phagocytosis of unopsonized particles vs similar numbers of opsonized particles. The greatly increased mitochondrial respiration in AM during phagocytosis of opsonized particles may be related to bactericidal mechanisms. Killing of ingested Staphylococcus by AM was markedly impaired in the presence of antimycin. The results suggest that AM may ingest the numerous, unopsonized inert particles that are inhaled without generation of potentially toxic oxygen metabolites, while retaining the capacity to undergo a respiratory burst after ingesting opsonized particles and bacteria. The mechanism(s) for this distinct response may include generation of an inhibitor of intracellular oxidative metabolism.     

Uncoating of human rhinovirus serotype 2 from late endosomes.

The internalization pathway and mechanism of uncoating of human rhinovirus serotype 2 (HRV2), a minor-group human rhinovirus, were investigated. Kinetic analysis revealed a late endosomal compartment as the site of capsid modification from D to C antigenicity. The conformational change as well as the infection was prevented by the specific V-ATPase inhibitor bafilomycin A1. A requirement for ATP was also demonstrated with purified endosomes in vitro. Capsid modifications occurred at a pH of 5.5 regardless of whether the virus was entrapped in isolated endosomes or free in solution. These findings suggest that the receptor is not directly involved in the structural modification of HRV2. Viral particles found in purified endosomes of infected cells were mostly devoid of RNA. This supports the hypothesis that uncoating of HRV2 occurs in intact endosomes rather than by a mechanism involving endosomal disruption with subsequent release of the RNA into the cytoplasm.