Infection with human cytomegalovirus alters the MMP-9/TIMP-1 balance in human macrophages

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) has been suggested to contribute to the development of vascular diseases. Since matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated in atherosclerosis and plaque rupture, we investigated the effect of HCMV infection on MMP expression in human macrophages. We used quantitative real-time PCR, Western blotting, and gelatin zymography to study the expression and activity of MMP-2, -3, -7, -9, -12, -13, and -14 and of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1), -2, -3, and -4. HCMV infection reduced MMP-9 mRNA, protein, and activity levels but increased TIMP-1 mRNA and protein levels. Furthermore, a decrease in MMP-12, MMP-14, TIMP-2, and TIMP-3 mRNA levels could be detected. The MMP-9 and TIMP-1 mRNA alterations required viral replication. MMP-9 mRNA expression was affected by an immediate-early or early viral gene product, whereas TIMP-1 mRNA expression was affected by late viral gene products. We conclude that HCMV infection specifically alters the MMP-9/TIMP-1 balance in human macrophages, which in turn reduces MMP-9 activity in infected cells. Since MMP-9 prevents atherosclerotic plaque development in mice, these results suggest that HCMV may contribute to atherogenesis through specific effects on MMP-9 activity.     

Angiotensin II induces MMP-2 in a p47phox-dependent manner

Activated matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in patients with acute coronary syndromes may contribute to plaque destabilization. Since reactive oxygen species (ROS) induce MMP-2 and angiotensin II (ANG II) enhances NADPH-oxidase-dependent ROS formation, we assessed whether ANG II induces MMP-2 in a NADPH-oxidase-dependent manner. MMP-2 mRNA expression and activity were analyzed in wildtype and p47phox-deficient (p47phox-/-) murine smooth muscle cells (SMC). To address a clinical implication, sections of human atherosclerotic arteries were stained for MMP-2, p47phox, ANG II, AT1-receptor, and alpha-smooth muscle cell actin (alpha-SMC actin). MMP-2 protein expression and activity from these arteries were compared to those without atherosclerosis. ANG II enhances mRNA synthesis and activity of MMP-2 in a p47phox-dependent manner. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed a co-localization of MMP-2 with p47phox, ANG II, AT1-receptor, and alpha-SMC actin. MMP-2 protein expression and gelatinolytic activity are increased in atherosclerotic arteries. Thus, activation of the renin-angiotensin system may contribute to plaque destabilization via ROS-dependent induction of MMP-2.     

Human cytomegalovirus disrupts constitutive MHC class II expression

CD8(+) and CD4(+) T lymphocytes are important in controlling human CMV (HCMV) infection, but the virus has evolved protean mechanisms to inhibit MHC-based Ag presentation and escape T lymphocyte immunosurveillance. Herein, the interaction of HCMV with the MHC class II Ag presentation pathway was investigated in cells stably transfected with class II transactivator. Flow cytometry experiments demonstrate that HCMV infection decreases cell-surface MHC class II expression. HCMV down-regulates MHC class II surface expression without a significant effect on class II RNA or steady-state protein levels. SDS-stability and confocal microscopy experiments demonstrate normal levels of steady-state peptide-loaded class II molecules in infected cells and that class II molecules reach late endosomal and HLA-DM positive peptide-loading compartments. However, MHC class II positive vesicles are retained in an abnormal perinuclear distribution. Finally, experiments with a mutant HCMV strain demonstrate that this novel mechanism of decreased MHC class II expression is not mediated by one of the known HCMV immunomodulatory genes. These defects in MHC class II expression combined with previously identified CMV strategies for decreasing MHC class I expression enables infected cells to evade T lymphocyte immunosurveillance.     

Altered cellular mRNA levels in human cytomegalovirus-infected fibroblasts: viral block to the accumulation of antiviral mRNAs.

The effect of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection on cellular mRNA accumulation was analyzed by gene chip technology. During a 48-h time course after infection of human diploid fibroblasts, 1,425 cellular mRNAs were found to be up-regulated or down-regulated by threefold or greater in at least two consecutive time points. Several classes of genes were prominently affected, including interferon response genes, cell cycle regulators, apoptosis regulators, inflammatory pathway genes, and immune regulators. The number of mRNAs that were up-regulated or down-regulated were roughly equal over the complete time course. However, for the first 8 h after infection, the number of up-regulated mRNAs was significantly less than the number of down-regulated mRNAs. By analyzing the mRNA expression profile of cells infected in the presence of cycloheximide, it was found that a minimum of 25 mRNAs were modulated by HCMV in the absence of protein synthesis. These included mRNAs encoded by a small number of interferon-responsive genes, as well as beta interferon itself. Cellular mRNA levels in cytomegalovirus-infected cells were compared to the levels in cells infected with UV-inactivated virus. The inactivated virus caused the up-regulation of a much greater number of mRNAs, many of which encoded proteins with antiviral roles, such as interferon-responsive genes and proinflammatory cytokines. These data argue that one or more newly synthesized viral gene products block the induction of antiviral pathways that are triggered by HCMV binding and entry.     

Human cytomegalovirus-induced upregulation of intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 on villous syncytiotrophoblasts

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is secreted apically from villous trophoblasts, thus congenital infection is not likely to occur by basal release across the basement membrane. As an alternative route, we hypothesize that an HCMV-infected villous syncytiotrophoblast (ST) upregulates intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, causing blood monocytes to bind to the ST and induce apoptosis. Purified (>99.99%) populations of human villous trophoblasts were differentiated into an ST-like culture, infected with HCMV strain AD169, and assessed for ICAM-1 expression by immunofluorescence. Infection strongly upregulated ICAM-1 24 h after challenge. ICAM-1 was also stimulated by transfection with viral genes IE2-55, IE1-72, and IE2-86, but not by UV-inactivated virus. Infection with a green fluorescent protein recombinant virus allowed infection and ICAM-1 expression to be topographically located. We found that ICAM-1 was expressed on both infected and noninfected cells. Furthermore, antibody to tumor necrosis factor (TNF)alpha and, to a lesser extent, interleukin (IL)1 beta inhibited ICAM-1 upregulation on noninfected cells but not on infected cells. We conclude that HCMV IE proteins stimulate ICAM-1 expression on villous trophoblasts by paracrine release of TNF alpha and IL1 beta, as well as by a direct effect on infected cells.     

Expression of genes for metalloproteinases (MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9, and MMP-12) associated with psoriasis

Using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), we measured mRNA amounts of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs): MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9, and MMP-12 genes in psoriatic lesions and unaffected skin of the same patients. We observed significant (about 15-fold) increase in the expression level of matrix metalloproteinase MMP-1 and MMP-12 genes associated with psoriasis. The results of our studies of MMP gene expression in cultured primary human keratinocytes treated with interleukin (IL-17) have shown upregulation of MMP gene expression both in cultured keratinocytes and in psoriatic skin lesions. Therefore, upregulation of MMP genes in the skin affected by psoriasis could result from IL-17 effects on skin cells.     

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。     

黄连提取物对动脉硬化小鼠斑块胶原类型及MMP-9/TIMP-1 比值 的影响*

目的:探讨黄连提取物对高脂喂养ApoE-/-小鼠主动脉AS斑块内胶原类型及基质金属蛋白酶-9( MMP-9)与基质金属蛋白酶组织抑制剂( TIMP-1)比值的影响,探讨黄连提取物稳定斑块的可能作用机制.方法:33只6-8周龄的ApoE基因敲除小鼠予高脂喂养13周后,待其形成成熟的AS斑块后,随机分为3组:模型组、黄连提取物组、辛伐他汀组(阳性对照组),每组11只.继续高脂喂养,并按体重比折算给予小鼠临床推荐剂量的相应药物治疗13周,处死动物,每只小鼠取主动脉根部的4个切面,行天狼猩红染色,检测各组小鼠主动脉斑块内Ⅰ、Ⅲ型胶原含量,以及斑块内MMP-9和TIMP-1的表达,计算MMP-9/TIMP-1比值.结果:给药13周后,图像分析结果显示,黄连提取物组小鼠主动脉斑块内Ⅰ型胶原含量与模型组比较有所增加,但无显著差异(P＞0.05);辛伐他汀组和黄连提取物组小鼠主动脉斑块内Ⅲ型胶原含量与模型组比较显著降低(P＜0.01).Ⅲ型/Ⅰ型胶原比值,两给药组与模型组比较均显著降低(P＜0.01).与模型组比较,黄连提取物和辛伐他汀组小鼠主动脉斑块内MMP-9的阳性表达均明显减少(P＜0.01),黄连提取物组主动脉斑块内TIMP-1的阳性表达与模型组相比明显增加(P＜0.01),辛伐他汀组TIMP-1表达有所增加,但无统计学差异(P＞0.05),两给药组之间比较无显著差异(P＞0.05).各给药组中MMP-9/TIMP-1比值均有所降低,与模型组比较具有显著差异(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).结论:在临床推荐剂量下,黄连提取物可明显改善ApoE-/-小鼠主动脉AS斑块内胶原类型,调整斑块内MMP-9/TIMP-1比值,从而促进斑块稳定.     

Actively replicating West Nile virus is resistant to cytoplasmic delivery of siRNA

Background

Recent studies have shown that gamma interferon (IFN-γ) synergizes with the innate IFNs (IFN-α and IFN-β) to inhibit herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) replication in vitro. To determine whether this phenomenon is shared by other herpesviruses, we investigated the effects of IFNs on human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) replication.

Results

We have found that as with HSV-1, IFN-γ synergizes with the innate IFNs (IFN-α/β) to potently inhibit HCMV replication in vitro. While pre-treatment of human foreskin fibroblasts (HFFs) with IFN-α, IFN-β or IFN-γ alone inhibited HCMV plaque formation by ~30 to 40-fold, treatment with IFN-α and IFN-γ or IFN-β and IFN-γ inhibited HCMV plaque formation by 163- and 662-fold, respectively. The generation of isobole plots verified that the observed inhibition of HCMV plaque formation and replication in HFFs by IFN-α/β and IFN-γ was a synergistic interaction. Additionally, real-time PCR analyses of the HCMV immediate early (IE) genes (IE1 and IE2) revealed that IE mRNA expression was profoundly decreased in cells stimulated with IFN-α/β and IFN-γ (~5-11-fold) as compared to vehicle-treated cells. Furthermore, decreased IE mRNA expression was accompanied by a decrease in IE protein expression, as demonstrated by western blotting and immunofluorescence.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that IFN-α/β and IFN-γ synergistically inhibit HCMV replication through a mechanism that may involve the regulation of IE gene expression. We hypothesize that IFN-γ produced by activated cells of the adaptive immune response may potentially synergize with endogenous type I IFNs to inhibit HCMV dissemination in vivo.     

Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Models to Investigate Human Cytomegalovirus Infection in Neural Cells

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection is one of the leading prenatal causes of congenital mental retardation and deformities world-wide. Access to cultured human neuronal lineages, necessary to understand the species specific pathogenic effects of HCMV, has been limited by difficulties in sustaining primary human neuronal cultures. Human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells now provide an opportunity for such research. We derived iPS cells from human adult fibroblasts and induced neural lineages to investigate their susceptibility to infection with HCMV strain Ad169. Analysis of iPS cells, iPS-derived neural stem cells (NSCs), neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and neurons suggests that (i) iPS cells are not permissive to HCMV infection, i.e., they do not permit a full viral replication cycle; (ii) Neural stem cells have impaired differentiation when infected by HCMV; (iii) NPCs are fully permissive for HCMV infection; altered expression of genes related to neural metabolism or neuronal differentiation is also observed; (iv) most iPS-derived neurons are not permissive to HCMV infection; and (v) infected neurons have impaired calcium influx in response to glutamate.     

CITED2-mediated regulation of MMP-1 and MMP-13 in human chondrocytes under flow shear

CITED2 (CBP/p300-interacting transactivator with ED-rich tail 2) is a member of the Cited family of nuclear regulators, previously known as mrg1 (melanocyte-specific gene-related gene 1). CITED2 is inducible by varying stimuli including lipopolysaccharide, hypoxia, and cytokines such as interleukin 9 and interferon gamma. Using the immortalized human chondrocyte cell line, C-28/I2, we investigated whether CITED2 could be responsive to mechanical stimuli, and if so, whether CITED2 could mediate shear-driven regulation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) genes. The C-28/I2 cells were cultured under flow shear at 1-20 dyn/cm2, and the role of CIT-ED2 in regulation of MMPs was examined using the plasmids encoding sense and antisense CITED2 DNA sequences. The results showed that flow shear at 5 dyn/cm2 increased CITED2 mRNA and protein levels and down-regulated MMP-1 and MMP-13 mRNA and protein levels as well as enzyme activities. Consistent with the coordinated expression patterns of CITED2 and MMPs, overexpression of CITED2 repressed MMP-1 and MMP-13 mRNA levels and activities, whereas antisense CITED2 plasmids prevented the shear-induced down-regulation of MMP expression. Interleukin-1beta induced the formation of p300-Ets-1 complexes without affecting expression of CITED2. Transforming growth factor-beta as well as flow shear at 5 dyn/cm2 stimulated not only the expression of CITED2 but also the association of CIT-ED2 with p300 by dissociating Ets-1 from p300. These results indicate that CITED2 plays a major role in shear-induced down-regulation of MMP-1 and MMP-13 via a transforming growth factor-beta-dependent pathway.     

Cyclic strain-induced endothelial MMP-2: role in vascular smooth muscle cell migration

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a vital role in vasculature response to hemodynamic stimuli via the degradation of extracellular matrix substrates. In this study, we investigated the putative role of cyclic strain-induced endothelial MMP-2 (and MMP-9) expression and release in modulating bovine aortic smooth muscle cell (BASMC) migration in vitro. Equibiaxial cyclic strain of bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) leads to elevation in cellular MMP-2 (and MMP-9) expression, activity, and secretion into conditioned media, events which were time- and force-dependent. Subsequent incubation of BASMCs with conditioned media from chronically strained BAECs (5%, 24 h) significantly reduces BASMC migration (38+/-6%), an inhibitory effect which could be completely reversed by targeted siRNA 'knock-down' of MMP-2 (but not MMP-9) expression and activity in BAECs. Moreover, inhibition of strain-mediated MMP-2 expression in BAECs by protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) blockade with genistein (50 microM) was also found to completely reverse this inhibitory effect on BASMC migration. Finally, direct supplementation of recombinant MMP-2 into the BASMC migration assay was found to have no significant effect on migration. However, the effect on BASMC migration of MMP-2 siRNA transfection in BAECs could be reversed by supplementation of recombinant MMP-2 into BAEC media prior to (and for the duration of) strain. These findings reveal a potentially novel role for strain-induced endothelial MMP-2 in regulating vascular SMC migration.     

Gene expression profiles of various cytokines in mesenchymal stem cells derived from umbilical cord tissue and bone marrow following infection with human cytomegalovirus

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have both multi-lineage differentiation potential and immunosuppressive properties, making them ideal candidates for regenerative medicine. However, their immunosuppressive properties potentially increase the risk of cancer progression and opportunistic infections. In this study, MSCs isolated from human umbilical cord blood (UCMSCs) and adult bone marrow (BMMSCs) were infected with human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). Cytopathic changes were observed 10 days post infection. PCR products amplified from genomic DNA and cDNA were used to confirm the HCMV infection of the UCMSCs and BMMSCs. Real-time PCR was conducted to quantify the expression of immunomodulatory molecules, including cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, adhesion molecules and cancer-related genes. Our results indicate high upregulation of the majority of these molecules, including many growth factors, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-8, interleukin-6 and interferon gamma. Adhesion molecules (VCAM-1, TCAM-1 and selectin-E) were downregulated in the infected UCMSCs and BMMSCs. Antibody chip array evaluation of cell culture media indicated that the growth factor secretion by UCMSCs and BMMSCs was greatly influenced (p < 0.001) by HCMV. The stimulation of MSCs with HCMV led to the activation of downstream signaling pathways, including pSTAT3 and Wnt2. Our results show that HCMV can significantly alter the functions of both UCMSCs and BMMSCs, although not in the same way or to the same extent. In both cases, there was an increase in the expression of proangiogenic factors in the microenvironment following HMCV infection. The discrepancy between the two cell types may be explained by their different developmental origin, although further analysis is necessary. Future studies should decipher the underlying mechanism by which HCMV controls MSCs, which may lead to the development of new therapeutic treatments.     

脑梗死患者内脂素和基质金属蛋白酶-9与颈动脉粥样硬化斑块易损性的关系

目的：探讨血清内脂素（Visfatin）72．基质金属蛋白酶-9（MMP-9）水平与脑梗死患者颈动脉粥样硬化王囊￡块稳定性的关系和血清visfatin和MMP-9的相关性。方法：选择脑梗死患者70例,根据颈动脉粥样硬化斑块性质分为易损性斑块组（n=43）和非易损性斑块组（n=27）,选取健康体检者30例作为对照组。测定血清Visfatin和MMP-9水平,并对二者间关系进行相关分析。结果：脑梗死伴颈动脉硬化组血清Visfatin、MMP-9水平高于正常对照组（P〈0．01）;易损性斑块组血清Visfatin和MMP．9水平高于非易损性斑块组,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．017）。外周血中的Visfatin水平与MMP-9呈正相关关系（r=0．643,P=0．000）。结论：在脑梗死患者中,血清Visfatin和MMP-9参与了颈动脉粥样硬化的病理生理过程,Visfatin和MMP-9升高可能与颈动脉粥样硬化斑块不稳定性的形成相关,Visfatin可通过调控MMP一9的分泌和活性从而改变斑块的易损性。