A Functional Role of Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 1 (FGFR1) in the Suppression of Influenza A Virus Replication

Influenza A virus causes annual epidemics and occasional pandemics in humans. Here, we investigated four members of the fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) family; FGFR1 to 4, and examined their expression patterns in human lung epithelial cells A549 with influenza A virus infection. We identified a functional role of FGFR1 in influenza A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 (PR8) and A/Anhui/01/2005 (H5N1) virus replication. Our results showed that FGFR1 silencing by siRNA interference promoted influenza A/PR8 and H5N1 virus replication in A549 cells, while lentivirus-mediated exogenous FGFR1 expression significantly suppressed influenza A virus replication; however, FGFR4 did not have the same effects. Moreover, FGFR1 phosphorylation levels were downregulated in A549 cells by influenza A virus infection, while the repression of FGFR1 kinase using PD173074, a potent and selective FGFR1 inhibitor, could enhance virus replication. Furthermore, we found that FGFR1 inhibits influenza virus internalization, but not binding, during viral entry. These results suggested that FGFR1 specifically antagonizes influenza A virus replication, probably by blocking viral entry.     

CK2beta gene silencing increases cell susceptibility to influenza A virus infection resulting in accelerated virus entry and higher viral protein content

Background

Influenza A virus (IVA) exploits diverse cellular gene products to support its replication in the host. The significance of the regulatory (β) subunit of casein kinase 2 (CK2β) in various cellular mechanisms is well established, but less is known about its potential role in IVA replication. We studied the role of CK2β in IVA-infected A549 human epithelial lung cells.

Results

Activation of CK2β was observed in A549 cells during virus binding and internalization but appeared to be constrained as replication began. We used small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) targeting CK2β mRNA to silence CK2β protein expression in A549 cells without affecting expression of the CK2α subunit. CK2β gene silencing led to increased virus titers, consistent with the inhibition of CK2β during IVA replication. Notably, virus titers increased significantly when CK2β siRNA-transfected cells were inoculated at a lower multiplicity of infection. Virus titers also increased in cells treated with a specific CK2 inhibitor but decreased in cells treated with a CK2β stimulator. CK2β absence did not impair nuclear export of viral ribonucleoprotein complexes (6 h and 8 h after inoculation) or viral polymerase activity (analyzed in a minigenome system). The enhancement of virus titers by CK2β siRNA reflects increased cell susceptibility to influenza virus infection resulting in accelerated virus entry and higher viral protein content.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the role of cellular CK2β protein in the viral biology. Our results are the first to demonstrate a functional link between siRNA-mediated inhibition of the CK2β protein and regulation of influenza A virus replication in infected cells. Overall, the data suggest that expression and activation of CK2β inhibits influenza virus replication by regulating the virus entry process and viral protein synthesis.     

Differential suppressive effect of promyelocytic leukemia protein on the replication of different subtypes/strains of influenza A virus

Promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML) plays an important role in the defense against a number of viruses, including influenza A virus. However, the sensitivity of influenza A virus subtypes/strains to PML is unknown. We investigated the role of PML in the replication of different influenza A virus subtypes/strains using pan-PML knock-down A549 cells and PML-VI-overexpressed MDCK cells. We found that (i) depletion of pan-PML by siRNA rendered A549 cells more susceptible to influenza A virus strains PR8(H1N1) and ST364(H3N2), but not to strains ST1233(H1N1), Qa199(H9N2) and Ph2246(H9N2); (ii) overexpression of PML-VI in MDCK cells conferred potent resistance to PR8(H1N1) infection, while lacked inhibitory activity to ST1233(H1N1), ST364(H3N2), Qa199(H9N2) and Ph2246(H9N2). Our results suggest that the antiviral effect of PML on influenza A viruses is viral subtype/strain specific.     

A genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 gene knockout screen identifies immunoglobulin superfamily DCC subclass member 4 as a key host factor that promotes influenza virus endocytosis

Influenza virus infection is dependent on host cellular factors, and identification of these factors and their underlying mechanisms can provide important information for the development of strategies to inhibit viral infection. Here, we used a highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza virus to perform a genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 gene knockout screen in human lung epithelial cells (A549 cells), and found that knockout of transmembrane protein immunoglobulin superfamily DCC subclass member 4 (IGDCC4) significantly reduced the replication of the virus in A549 cells. Further studies showed that IGDCC4 interacted with the viral hemagglutinin protein and facilitated virus internalization into host cells. Animal infection studies showed that replication of H5N1 virus in the nasal turbinates, lungs, and kidneys of IGDCC4-knockout mice was significantly lower than that in the corresponding organs of wild-type mice. Half of the IGDCC4-knockout mice survived a lethal H5N1 virus challenge, whereas all of the wild-type mice died within 11 days of infection. Our study identifies a novel host factor that promotes influenza virus infection by facilitating internalization and provides insights that will support the development of antiviral therapies.     

Role of the influenza virus M1 protein in nuclear export of viral ribonucleoproteins

The protein kinase inhibitor H7 blocks influenza virus replication, inhibits production of the matrix protein (M1), and leads to a retention of the viral ribonucleoproteins (vRNPs) in the nucleus at late times of infection (K. Martin and A. Helenius, Cell 67:117-130, 1991). We show here that production of assembled vRNPs occurs normally in H7-treated cells, and we have used H7 as a biochemical tool to trap vRNPs in the nucleus. When H7 was removed from the cells, vRNP export was specifically induced in a CHO cell line stably expressing recombinant M1. Similarly, fusion of cells expressing recombinant M1 from a Semliki Forest virus vector allowed nuclear export of vRNPs. However, export was not rescued when H7 was present in the cells, implying an additional role for phosphorylation in this process. The viral NS2 protein was undetectable in these systems. We conclude that influenza virus M1 is required to induce vRNP nuclear export but that cellular phosphorylation is an additional factor.     

Influenza virus evades innate and adaptive immunity via the NS1 protein

Both antibodies and T cells contribute to immunity against influenza virus infection. However, the generation of strong Th1 immunity is crucial for viral clearance. Interestingly, we found that human dendritic cells (DCs) infected with influenza A virus have lower allospecific Th1-cell stimulatory abilities than DCs activated by other stimuli, such as lipopolysaccharide and Newcastle disease virus infection. This weak stimulatory activity correlates with a suboptimal maturation of the DCs following infection with influenza A virus. We next investigated whether the influenza A virus NS1 protein could be responsible for the low levels of DC maturation after influenza virus infection. The NS1 protein is an important virulence factor associated with the suppression of innate immunity via the inhibition of type I interferon (IFN) production in infected cells. Using recombinant influenza and Newcastle disease viruses, with or without the NS1 gene from influenza virus, we found that the induction of a genetic program underlying DC maturation, migration, and T-cell stimulatory activity is specifically suppressed by the expression of the NS1 protein. Among the genes affected by NS1 are those coding for macrophage inflammatory protein 1beta, interleukin-12 p35 (IL-12 p35), IL-23 p19, RANTES, IL-8, IFN-alpha/beta, and CCR7. These results indicate that the influenza A virus NS1 protein is a bifunctional viral immunosuppressor which inhibits innate immunity by preventing type I IFN release and inhibits adaptive immunity by attenuating human DC maturation and the capacity of DCs to induce T-cell responses. Our observations also support the potential use of NS1 mutant influenza viruses as live attenuated influenza virus vaccines.     

反义寡核苷酸prop5在A549细胞内具有抗流感病毒活性

目的：研究硫代反义寡核苷酸prop5在细胞水平的抗流感活性及其作用机制。方法：cy3标记prop5用于考查人肺腺癌细胞A549对硫代反义寡核酸的摄取;利用实时荧光定量PCR检测流感病毒RNA拷贝数,Western印迹检测prop5对PDCD5蛋白表达和caspase-3蛋白剪切的抑制;利用间接免疫荧光和Western印迹检测prop5对病毒核糖核蛋白复合体（RNP）出核的影响;利用TUNEL检测prop5对流感病毒引起细胞凋亡的抑制作用。结果：流感病毒感染促进A549细胞摄取prop5;prop5下调感染病毒的A549细胞中PDCD5蛋白的表达,并能抑制流感病毒的复制;prop5抑制流感病毒引起的A549细胞的凋亡;prop5抑制病毒RNP出核。结论：prop5在细胞水平具有抗流感病毒活性,其作用机制可能同抑制RNP出核有关;本研究为进一步探讨宿主-病毒相互作用和抗流感药物开发奠定了基础。     

Cellular microRNA let-7c inhibits M1 protein expression of the H1N1 influenza A virus in infected human lung epithelial cells

The influenza virus (IV) triggers a series of signalling events inside host cells and induces complex cellular responses. Studies have suggested that host factors play an essential role in IV replication. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) represent a class of small non-coding RNAs that target mRNAs, triggering either translation repression or RNA degradation. Emerging research suggests that host-derived cellular miRNAs are involved in mediating the host-IV interaction. Using miRNA microarrays, we identified several miRNAs aberrantly expressed in IV-infected human lung epithelial cells (A549). Specifically, miR-let-7c was highly up-regulated in IV-infected A549 cells. PITA and miRanda database screening indicated that the let-7c seed sequence is a perfect complementary sequence match to the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of viral gene M1 (+) cRNA, but not to PB2 and PA. As detected by a luciferase reporter system, let-7c directly targeted the 3'-UTR of M1 (+) cRNA, but not PB2 and PA. To experimentally identify the function of cellular let-7c, precursor let-7c was transfected into A549 cells. Let-7c down-regulated IV M1 expression at both the (+) cRNA and protein levels. Furthermore, transfection with a let-7c inhibitor enhanced the expression of M1. Therefore, let-7c may reduce IV replication by degrading M1 (+) cRNA. This is the first report indicating that cellular miRNA regulates IV replication through the degradation of viral gene (+) cRNA by matching the 3'-UTR of the viral cRNA. These findings suggest that let-7c plays a role in protecting host cells from the virus in addition to its known cellular functions.     

Interleukin-22 is produced by invariant natural killer T lymphocytes during influenza A virus infection: potential role in protection against lung epithelial damages

Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are non-conventional lipid-reactive αβ T lymphocytes that play a key role in host responses during viral infections, in particular through the swift production of cytokines. Their beneficial role during experimental influenza A virus (IAV) infection has recently been proposed, although the mechanisms involved remain elusive. Here we show that during in vivo IAV infection, mouse pulmonary iNKT cells produce IFN-γ and IL-22, a Th17-related cytokine critical in mucosal immunity. Although permissive to viral replication, IL-22 production by iNKT cells is not due to IAV infection per se of these cells but is indirectly mediated by IAV-infected dendritic cells (DCs). We show that activation of the viral RNA sensors TLR7 and RIG-I in DCs is important for triggering IL-22 secretion by iNKT cells, whereas the NOD-like receptors NOD2 and NLRP3 are dispensable. Invariant NKT cells respond to IL-1β and IL-23 provided by infected DCs independently of the CD1d molecule to release IL-22. In vitro, IL-22 protects IAV-infected airway epithelial cells against mortality but has no role on viral replication. Finally, during early IAV infection, IL-22 plays a positive role in the control of lung epithelial damages. Overall, IAV infection of DCs activates iNKT cells, providing a rapid source of IL-22 that might be beneficial to preserve the lung epithelium integrity.     

Influenza A virus induces interleukin-27 through cyclooxygenase-2 and protein kinase A signaling

We previously reported that IL-27, which belongs to the IL-12 family of cytokines, is elevated in the serum of patients infected with influenza A virus (IAV). Here, we show that the expression of IL-27 was significantly up-regulated in A549 human lung epithelial cells and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells infected with IAV. Additionally, IAV triggered IL-27 expression through protein kinase A and cAMP-response element-binding protein signaling, which was mediated by cyclooxygenase-2-derived prostaglandin E(2). IL-27 inhibited IAV replication by STAT1/2/3 phosphorylation and activated antiviral factor protein kinase R phosphorylation. Clinical analysis showed that IL-27 levels were significantly elevated in a cohort of patients infected with IAV compared with healthy individuals and that circulating IL-27 levels were tightly and positively correlated with prostaglandin E(2) levels. These results indicate that IL-27 expression is one host immune factor produced in response to IAV infection and that elevated IL-27 levels inhibit viral replication.     

Influenza A viral replication is blocked by inhibition of the inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1) stress pathway

Known therapies for influenza A virus infection are complicated by the frequent emergence of resistance. A therapeutic strategy that may escape viral resistance is targeting host cellular mechanisms involved in viral replication and pathogenesis. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response, also known as the unfolded protein response (UPR), is a primitive, evolutionary conserved molecular signaling cascade that has been implicated in multiple biological phenomena including innate immunity and the pathogenesis of certain viral infections. We investigated the effect of influenza A viral infection on ER stress pathways in lung epithelial cells. Influenza A virus induced ER stress in a pathway-specific manner. We showed that the virus activates the IRE1 pathway with little or no concomitant activation of the PERK and the ATF6 pathways. When we examined the effects of modulating the ER stress response on the virus, we found that the molecular chaperone tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) significantly inhibits influenza A viral replication. In addition, a specific inhibitor of the IRE1 pathway also blocked viral replication. Our findings constitute the first evidence that ER stress plays a role in the pathogenesis of influenza A viral infection. Decreasing viral replication by modulating the host ER stress response is a novel strategy that has important therapeutic implications.     

The Human Interferon-Induced MxA Protein Inhibits Early Stages of Influenza A Virus Infection by Retaining the Incoming Viral Genome in the Cytoplasm

The induction of an interferon-induced antiviral state is a powerful cellular response against viral infection that limits viral spread. Here, we show that a preexisting antiviral state inhibits the replication of influenza A viruses in human A549 cells by preventing transport of the viral genome to the nucleus and that the interferon-induced MxA protein is necessary but not sufficient for this process. This represents a previously unreported antiviral function of MxA against influenza A virus infection.     

Selective and ATP-competitive kinesin KIF18A inhibitor suppresses the replication of influenza A virus

The influenza virus is one of the major public health threats. However, the development of efficient vaccines and therapeutic drugs to combat this virus is greatly limited by its frequent genetic mutations. Because of this, targeting the host factors required for influenza virus replication may be a more effective strategy for inhibiting a broader spectrum of variants. Here, we demonstrated that inhibition of a motor protein kinesin family member 18A (KIF18A) suppresses the replication of the influenza A virus (IAV). The expression of KIF18A in host cells was increased following IAV infection. Intriguingly, treatment with the selective and ATP-competitive mitotic kinesin KIF18A inhibitor BTB-1 substantially decreased the expression of viral RNAs and proteins, and the production of infectious viral particles, while overexpression of KIF18A enhanced the replication of IAV. Importantly, BTB-1 treatment attenuated the activation of AKT, p38 MAPK, SAPK and Ran-binding protein 3 (RanBP3), which led to the prevention of the nuclear export of viral ribonucleoprotein complexes. Notably, administration of BTB-1 greatly improved the viability of IAV-infected mice. Collectively, our results unveiled a beneficial role of KIF18A in IAV replication, and thus, KIF18A could be a potential therapeutic target for the control of IAV infection.     

Methamphetamine Reduces Human Influenza A Virus Replication

Methamphetamine (meth) is a highly addictive psychostimulant that is among the most widely abused illicit drugs, with an estimated over 35 million users in the world. Several lines of evidence suggest that chronic meth abuse is a major factor for increased risk of infections with human immunodeficiency virus and possibly other pathogens, due to its immunosuppressive property. Influenza A virus infections frequently cause epidemics and pandemics of respiratory diseases among human populations. However, little is known about whether meth has the ability to enhance influenza A virus replication, thus increasing severity of influenza illness in meth abusers. Herein, we investigated the effects of meth on influenza A virus replication in human lung epithelial A549 cells. The cells were exposed to meth and infected with human influenza A/WSN/33 (H1N1) virus. The viral progenies were titrated by plaque assays, and the expression of viral proteins and cellular proteins involved in interferon responses was examined by Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. We report the first evidence that meth significantly reduces, rather than increases, virus propagation and the susceptibility to influenza infection in the human lung epithelial cell line, consistent with a decrease in viral protein synthesis. These effects were apparently not caused by meth’s effects on enhancing virus-induced interferon responses in the host cells, reducing viral biological activities, or reducing cell viability. Our results suggest that meth might not be a great risk factor for influenza A virus infection among meth abusers. Although the underlying mechanism responsible for the action of meth on attenuating virus replication requires further investigation, these findings prompt the study to examine whether other structurally similar compounds could be used as anti-influenza agents.     

人hIL-24Δ103重组腺病毒感染诱导A549细胞凋亡

白细胞介素24（interleukin 24,IL-24）是近年来新发现的1个IL-10家族细胞因子,具有明显的抗肿瘤活性．为了研究开发高活性、低分子量的IL-24,并探讨其用于肿瘤靶向治疗的可能性,本研究在前期基础上,进一步构建并制备了缺失N端103个氨基酸残基的IL-24（hIL-24Δ103）重组腺病毒,并观察了其对A549细胞生长增殖和凋亡的影响．首先,采用PCR技术扩增IL-24第104位至第206位氨基酸区域的编码序列,制备hIL-24Δ103重组腺病毒．用Ad-hIL-24Δ103重组腺病毒感染肺癌A549细胞. MTT分析结果表明,Ad-hIL-24Δ103感染显著抑制了A549细胞的生长．Hoechst 33258染色和流式细胞仪分析结果表明,Ad-hIL 24Δ103感染导致细胞凋亡．Western 印迹分析结果表明,Ad-hIL-24Δ103感染导致了PKR和eIF-2α蛋白的表达上调与磷酸化激活,提示PKR和eIF-2α参与了hIL-24Δ103导致的细胞生长抑制和细胞凋亡过程的调节．关键词 人白介素24;腺病毒;细胞增殖;细胞凋亡     

Actin and Arp2/3 localize at the centrosome of interphase cells

Staufen1 (Stau1), a host cellular protein, along with non-structural protein 1 (NS1), an influenza viral protein, associate with each other during influenza viral infection and down-regulation of Stau1 by RNA interference reduces the yield of influenza A virus, suggesting a role for Stau1 in viral replication. In order to develop a new tool to control influenza A virus, we determined the specific regions of Staufen1 protein involved in the interaction with NS1. The linker between RBD3 and 4 was isolated as the binding regions. Expression of RBD3L, the linker including RBD3, inhibited the interaction between Stau1 and NS1, reducing the colocalization of the two proteins in the cytosol and nucleus regions. In addition, yield of influenza A virus in RBD3L-expressing cells was significantly reduced 36 h after infection. These results suggest that disruption of the Stau1-NS1 interaction can be used to control replication of influenza A virus, thereby providing a target for the development of antiviral drugs.     

Interleukin-7, but Not Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin,Plays a Key Role in the T Cell Response to Influenza A Virus

The immune response to viral infection is ideally rapid and specific, resulting in viral clearance and establishment of immune memory. Some viruses such as HIV can evade such responses leading to chronic infection, while others like Influenza A can elicit a severe inflammatory response with immune-related complications including death. Cytokines play a major role in shaping the appropriate outcomes to infection. While Interleukin-7 (IL-7) has a critical role in T and B cell development, treatment with IL-7 has recently been shown to aid the adaptive T cell response in clearance of chronic viral infection. In contrast, the IL-7-related cytokine thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) has a limited role in lymphocyte development but is important in the immune response to parasitic worms and allergens. The role for these cytokines in the immune response to an acute viral infection is unclear. IL-7 and TSLP share IL-7Rα as part of their heterodimeric receptors with the gamma common chain (γc) and TSLPR, respectively. We investigated the role of IL-7 and TSLP in the primary immune response to influenza A infection using hypomorphic IL-7Rα (IL-7Rα^449F) and TSLPR^−/− mice. We found that IL-7, but not TSLP, plays an important role in control of influenza A virus. We also showed that IL-7 signaling was necessary for the generation of a robust influenza A-specific CD4 and CD8 T cell response and that this requirement is intrinsic to CD8 T cells. These findings demonstrate a significant role for IL-7 during acute viral infection.     

Role of the p21-activated kinases (PAKs) in influenza A virus replication

Influenza A virus infection stimulates a wide range of virus-supportive or antiviral mechanisms in host cells. p21-Activated kinase 1 (PAK1) is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates a number of fundamental cellular processes and has been implicated in the modulation of virus replication. Here, we investigated the role of PAK1 activation during influenza A virus infection and found that virus propagation corresponded to stimulated PAK1 phosphorylation. Moreover, transfection of the active form of PAK1 (PAK1-T423E) in A549 cells induced higher viral titers (∼10-fold differences) compared to that in the control vector or inactive PAK1 (PAK1-K299R)-transfected cells. PAK1-specific siRNA knockdown also resulted in 10–100-fold reductions in virus yields compared to that in the control siRNA-treatment (p < 0.05). We further showed that treatment with PAK18, a PAK1 peptide inhibitor, resulted in marked suppression of both ERK 1/2 phosphorylation and infectious virus production, which was comparable to that by U0126, a specific MEK/ERK inhibitor. These results provide evidence for the importance of PAK1 activation during influenza virus infection and its association with ERK in regulating virus replication. The present study also implicates PAK1 as a potential therapeutic target for managing influenza virus infections.     

Epigenetic changes mediated by microRNA miR29 activate cyclooxygenase 2 and lambda-1 interferon production during viral infection

Lambda-1 interferon (IFN-λ1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were reported to play an important role in host antiviral defense. However, the mechanism by which IFN-λ1 and COX2 are activated and modulated during viral infection remains unclear. In this study, we found that expression of both circulating IFN-λ1 and COX2-derived prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) was coordinately elevated in a cohort of influenza patients compared to healthy individuals. Expression of IFN-λ1 was blocked by a selective COX2 inhibitor during influenza A virus infection in A549 human lung epithelial cells but enhanced by overexpression of COX2, indicating that the production of IFN-λ1 is COX2 dependent. COX2 was able to increase IFN-λ1 expression by promoting NF-κB binding to the enhancer in the IFN-λ1 promoter. We found that epigenetic changes activate COX2 expression and PGE2 accumulation during viral infection. The expression of DNA methyltransferase 3a (DNMT3a) and DNMT3b, but not that of DNMT1, was downregulated following influenza A virus infection in both A549 cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). We showed that microRNA miR29 suppresses DNMT activity and thus induces expression of COX2 and PGE2. Furthermore, miR29 expression was elevated 50-fold in virally infected A549 cells and 10-fold in PBMCs from influenza patients, compared to expression after mock infection of A549 cells or in healthy individuals, respectively. Activation of the protein kinase A signaling pathway and phosphorylation of CREB1 also contributed to COX2 expression. Collectively, our work defines a novel proinflammatory cascade in the control of influenza A virus infection.