Host cellular signaling induced by influenza virus

A wide range of host cellular signal transduction pathways can be stimulated by influenza virus infection. Some of these signal transduction pathways induce the host cell’s innate immune response against influenza virus, while others are essential for efficient influenza virus replication. This review examines the cellular signaling induced by influenza virus infection in host cells, including host pattern recognition receptor (PRR)-related signaling, protein kinase C (PKC), Raf/MEK/ERK and phosphatidylinositol- 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling, and the corresponding effects on the host cell and/or virus, such as recognition of virus by the host cell, viral absorption and entry, viral ribonucleoprotein (vRNP) export, translation control of cellular and viral proteins, and virus-induced cell apoptosis. Research into influenza virus-induced cell signaling promotes a clearer understanding of influenza virus-host interactions and assists in the identification of novel antiviral targets and antiviral strategies.     

Role of the serine-threonine kinase PAK-1 in myxoma virus replication

Subversion or appropriation of cellular signal transduction pathways is a common strategy employed by viruses to promote an environment within infected cells that supports the viral replicative cycle. Using subsets of 3T3 murine fibroblasts previously shown to differ in their ability to support myxoma virus (MV) replication, we investigated the role of host serine-threonine kinases (STKs) as potential mediators of the permissive phenotype. Both permissive and nonpermissive 3T3 cells supported equivalent levels of virion binding, entry, and early virus gene expression, indicating that MV tropism in 3T3 cells was not determined by receptor-mediated entry. In contrast, late virus gene expression and viral DNA replication were selectively compromised in restrictive 3T3 cells. Addition of specific protein kinase inhibitors, many of which shared the ability to influence the activity of the STKs p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK-1) and Raf-1 attenuated MV replication in permissive 3T3 cells. Western blot detection of the phosphorylated forms of PAK-1 (Thr423) and Raf-1 (Ser338) confirmed activation of these kinases in permissive cells after MV infection or gamma interferon treatment, but the activated forms of both kinases were greatly reduced or absent in restrictive 3T3 cells. The biological significance of these activations was demonstrated by using the autoinhibitory domain of PAK-1 (amino acids 83 to 149), expression of which reduced the efficiency of MV infection in permissive 3T3 cells concurrent with a decrease in PAK-1 activation. In comparison, overexpression of a constitutively active PAK-1 (T423E) mutant increased MV replication in restrictive 3T3 cells. These observations suggest that induced signaling via cellular STKs may play important roles in determining the permissiveness of host cells to poxvirus infection.     

Overexpression of interferon-gamma-inducible GTPase inhibits coxsackievirus B3-induced apoptosis through the activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway and inhibition of viral replication

Our previous studies using differential mRNA display have shown that interferon-gamma-inducible GTPase (IGTP), was up-regulated in coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3)-infected mouse hearts. In order to explore the effect of IGTP expression on CVB3-induced pathogenesis, we have established a doxycycline-inducible Tet-On HeLa cell line overexpressing IGTP and have analyzed activation of several signaling molecules that are involved in cell survival and death pathways. We found that following IGTP overexpression, protein kinase B/Akt was strongly activated through phosphorylation, which leads to phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3). Furthermore, in the presence of CVB3 infection, the intensity of the phosphorylation of Akt was further enhanced and associated with a delayed activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3. These data indicate that IGTP expression appears to confer cell survival in CVB3-infected cells, which was confirmed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium salt cell viability assay. However, the ability of IGTP to induce phosphorylation of Akt and to promote cell survival was attenuated by the phosphotidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3-K) inhibitor LY294002. Transient transfection of the cells with a dominant negative Akt construct followed by doxycycline induction and CVB3 infection reversed Akt phosphorylation to basal levels and returned caspase-3 activity to levels similar to those when the PI3-K inhibitor LY294002 was added. Moreover, IGTP expression inhibited viral replication and delayed CVB3-induced cleavage of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4G, indicating that IGTP-mediated cell survival relies on not only the activation of PI3-K/Akt, inactivation of GSK-3 and suppression of caspase-9 and caspase-3 but also the inhibition of 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.     

Varicella-zoster virus requires a functional PI3K/Akt/GSK-3alpha/beta signaling cascade for efficient replication

Successful replication of Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) relies upon strategies to counteract host defense mechanisms. This can be achieved by modulating host cell signaling pathways, which regulate apoptosis and cell survival. The Akt cascade is crucial for the regulation of cell survival since it controls factors such as Bad, FOXO1, mTor and GSK-3alpha/beta. These factors are involved in the regulation of cell death, cell cycle and translation. Here, we report i) that the VZV infection of MeWo cells caused a 9 to 18-fold increased phosphorylation of Akt. This phosphorylation was independent from PI3K inasmuch as the PI3K phosphorylation pattern differed strongly from the one of Akt. Bad, FOXO1 and mTor showed also variations in their phosphorylation patterns: phosphorylation of Bad (ser-136) decreased during the infection while phosphorylation of ser-2448 of mTor and of ser-256 of FOXO1 increased. The phosphorylation of GSK-3alpha/beta remained relatively stable during the infection. ii) Inhibition of PI3K, Akt or GSK-3alpha/beta prior to infection resulted in a severe decline of viral replication. The inhibition of Akt resulted also in an increased apoptotic response. iii) Transfection studies using plasmids coding for functional or inactive VZV protein kinases, pORFs 47 and 66, demonstrated an increase in Akt phosphorylation. Infection of MeWo cells with VZVDelta47 and VZVDelta66 resulted in a decline of Akt and GSK-3alpha/beta phosphorylation. These results suggest i) an essential role of PI3K/Akt/GSK-3alpha/beta signaling for a successful replication of VZV and ii) a key function of VZV kinases pORFs 47 and 66 to activate this pathway.     

Protein kinase B/Akt regulates coxsackievirus B3 replication through a mechanism which is not caspase dependent

The role of signaling pathways including the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) during viral infection has gained much recent attention. Our laboratory reported on an important regulatory role for extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2), subfamily members of the MAPKs, during coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) infection. However, the role of the PI3K pathway in CVB3 infection has not been well characterized. CVB3 is the most common known viral infectant of heart muscle that directly injures and kills infected cardiac myocytes during the myocarditic process. In the present study, we investigated the role of protein kinase B (PKB) (also known as Akt), a general downstream mediator of survival signals through the PI3K cascade, in regulating CVB3 replication and virus-induced apoptosis in a well-established HeLa cell model. We have demonstrated that CVB3 infection leads to phosphorylation of PKB/Akt on both Ser-473 and Thr-308 residues through a PI3K-dependent mechanism. Transfection of HeLa cells with a dominant negative mutant of Akt1 or pretreatment of wild-type HeLa cells with the specific PI3K inhibitor LY294002 significantly suppresses viral RNA expression, as reflected in diminished viral capsid protein expression and viral release. Dominant negative Akt1 and LY294002 also increase apoptosis in infected cells, which can be reversed by addition of the general caspase inhibitor benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethylketone (zVAD.fmk). Interestingly, blocking of apoptosis by zVAD.fmk does not reverse the viral RNA translation blockade, indicating that the inhibitory effect of dominant negative Akt1 on viral protein expression is not caspase dependent. In addition, we showed that the attachment of virus to its receptor-coreceptor complex is not sufficient for PKB/Akt activation and that postentry viral replication is required for Akt phosphorylation. Taken together, these data illustrate a new and imperative role for Akt in CVB3 infection in HeLa cells and show that the PI3K/Akt signaling is beneficial to CVB3 replication.     

Influenza virus and redox mediated cell signaling: a complex network of virus/host interaction

Several viruses, including influenza, induce an imbalance of intracellular redox state toward pro-oxidant conditions. Through different mechanisms these alterations contribute both to influenza virus replication and to the pathogenesis of virus-induced disease. At the same time, influenza virus activates several intracellular signaling pathways involved in important physiological functions of the cell. Interestingly, many of these pathways are finely regulated by small changes in intracellular redox state, and the virus-induced redox imbalance might also control viral replication through this mechanism. Here we review the main intracellular redox-sensitive pathways activated upon influenza infection and involved in regulating viral replication.     

Coxsackievirus B3 replication is reduced by inhibition of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway

Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) is the most common human pathogen for viral myocarditis. We have previously shown that the signaling protein p21(ras) GTPase-activating protein (RasGAP) is cleaved and that mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) ERK1/2 are activated in the late phase of CVB3 infection. However, the role of intracellular signaling pathways in CVB3-mediated myocarditis and the relative advantages of such pathways to host or virus remain largely unclear. In this study we extended our prior studies by examining the interaction between CVB3 replication and intracellular signaling pathways in HeLa cells. We observed that CVB3 infection induced a biphasic activation of ERK1/2, early transient activation versus late sustained activation, which were regulated by different mechanisms. Infection by UV-irradiated, inactivated virus capable of receptor binding and endocytosis triggered early ERK1/2 activation, but was insufficient to trigger late ERK1/2 activation. By using a general caspase inhibitor (zVAD.fmk) we further demonstrated that late ERK1/2 activation was not a result of CVB3-mediated caspase cleavage. Treatment of cells with U0126, a selective inhibitor of MAPK kinase (MEK), significantly inhibited CVB3 progeny release and decreased virus protein production. Furthermore, inhibition of ERK1/2 activation circumvented CVB3-induced apoptosis and viral protease-mediated RasGAP cleavage. Taken together, these data suggest that ERK1/2 activation is important for CVB3 replication and contributes to virus-mediated changes in host cells. Our findings demonstrate coxsackievirus takeover of a particular host signaling mechanism and uncover a prospective approach to stymie virus spread and preserve myocardial integrity.     

PLC-γ1 Signaling Plays a Subtype-Specific Role in Postbinding Cell Entry of Influenza A Virus

Host signaling pathways and cellular proteins play important roles in the influenza viral life cycle and can serve as antiviral targets. In this study, we report the engagement of host phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase γ1 (PLC-γ1) in mediating cell entry of influenza virus H1N1 but not H3N2 subtype. Both PLC-γ1-specific inhibitor and short hairpin RNA (shRNA) strongly suppress the replication of H1N1 but not H3N2 viruses in cell culture, suggesting that PLC-γ1 plays an important subtype-specific role in the influenza viral life cycle. Further analyses demonstrate that PLC-γ1 activation is required for viral postbinding cell entry. In addition, H1N1, but not H3N2, infection leads to the phosphorylation of PLC-γ1 at Ser 1248 immediately after infection and independent of viral replication. We have further shown that H1N1-induced PLC-γ1 activation is downstream of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling. Interestingly, both H1N1 and H3N2 infections activate EGFR, but only H1N1 infection leads to PLC-γ1 activation. Taking our findings together, we have identified for the first time the subtype-specific interplay of host PLC-γ1 signaling and H1N1 virus that is critical for viral uptake early in the infection. Our study provides novel insights into how virus interacts with the cellular signaling network by demonstrating that viral determinants can regulate how the host signaling pathways function in virally infected cells.     

Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 ICP27 Induces p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling and Apoptosis in HeLa Cells

The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) protein ICP27 has been implicated in a variety of functions important for viral replication including host shutoff, viral gene expression, activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases p38 and Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK), and apoptosis inhibition. In the present study we sought to examine the functions of ICP27 in the absence of viral infection by creating stable HeLa cell lines that inducibly express ICP27. Here, we characterize two such cell lines and show that ICP27 expression is associated with a cellular growth defect. The observed defect is caused at least in part by the induction of apoptosis as indicated by caspase-3 activation, annexin V staining, and characteristic changes in cellular morphology. In an effort to identify the function of ICP27 responsible for inducing apoptosis, we show that ICP27 expression is sufficient to activate p38 signaling to a level that is similar to that observed during wild-type HSV-1 infection. However, ICP27 expression alone is unable to lead to a strong activation of JNK signaling. Using chemical inhibitors, we show that the ICP27-mediated activation of p38 signaling is responsible for the observed induction of apoptosis in the induced cell lines. Our findings suggest that during viral infection, ICP27 activates p38 and JNK signaling pathways via two distinct mechanisms. ICP27 directly activates p38 signaling, leading to stimulation of the host cell apoptotic pathways. In contrast, robust activation of JNK signaling by ICP27 requires one or more delayed early or late viral gene products and may be associated with the inhibition of apoptosis.     

Antibody-Dependent Enhancement Infection Facilitates Dengue Virus-Regulated Signaling of IL-10 Production in Monocytes

Background

Interleukin (IL)-10 levels are increased in dengue virus (DENV)-infected patients with severe disorders. A hypothetical intrinsic pathway has been proposed for the IL-10 response during antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of DENV infection; however, the mechanisms of IL-10 regulation remain unclear.

Principle Finding

We found that DENV infection and/or attachment was sufficient to induce increased expression of IL-10 and its downstream regulator suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 in human monocytic THP-1 cells and human peripheral blood monocytes. IL-10 production was controlled by activation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element-binding (CREB), primarily through protein kinase A (PKA)- and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/PKB-regulated pathways, with PKA activation acting upstream of PI3K/PKB. DENV infection also caused glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3β inactivation in a PKA/PI3K/PKB-regulated manner, and inhibition of GSK-3β significantly increased DENV-induced IL-10 production following CREB activation. Pharmacological inhibition of spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) activity significantly decreased DENV-induced IL-10 production, whereas silencing Syk-associated C-type lectin domain family 5 member A caused a partial inhibition. ADE of DENV infection greatly increased IL-10 expression by enhancing Syk-regulated PI3K/PKB/GSK-3β/CREB signaling. We also found that viral load, but not serotype, affected the IL-10 response. Finally, modulation of IL-10 expression could affect DENV replication.

Significance

These results demonstrate that, in monocytes, IL-10 production is regulated by ADE through both an extrinsic and an intrinsic pathway, all involving a Syk-regulated PI3K/PKB/GSK-3β/CREB pathway, and both of which impact viral replication.     

New insight into the oncogenic mechanism of the retroviral oncoprotein Tax

Human T cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1), an etiological factor that causes adult T cell leukemia and lymphoma (ATL), infects over 20 million people worldwide. About 1 million of HTLV-1-infected patients develop ATL, a highly aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma without an effective therapy. The pX region of the HTLV-1 viral genome encodes an oncogenic protein, Tax, which plays a central role in transforming CD4+ T lymphocytes by deregulating oncogenic signaling pathways and promoting cell cycle progression. Expression of Tax following viral entry is critical for promoting survival and proliferation of human T cells and is required for initiation of oncogenesis. Tax exhibits diverse functions in host cells, and this oncoprotein primarily targets IκB kinase complex in the cytoplasm, resulting in persistent activation of NF-κB and upregulation of its responsive gene expressions that are crucial for T cell survival and cell cycle progression. We here review recent advances for the pathological roles of Tax in modulating IκB kinase activity. We also discuss our recent observation that Tax connects the IκB kinase complex to autophagy pathways. Understanding Tax-mediated pathogenesis will provide insights into development of new therapeutics in controlling HTLV-1- associated diseases.     

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase confers resistance to encephalomyocarditis and herpes simplex virus-induced cell death through the activation of distinct downstream effectors

The Janus kinase/STAT pathway has emerged as the paradigm of IFN-induced protection from viral infections. However, the possible participation of other signaling proteins in this protection is not clearly understood. In this report, we demonstrate that activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) by either serum factors or IFNs blocks cell death induced by encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) and HSV. This increased resistance to virus-induced cell death does not involve the activation of the STAT pathway and occurs in the presence of normal viral replication. Interestingly, the cell uses two different PI3K regulated pathways to block EMCV- and HSV-induced cell death. The increased sensitivity of p85alpha(-/-) embryonic fibroblasts to EMCV-induced cell death is specifically corrected by overexpression of an activated allele of Akt/protein kinase B, but not activated mitogen-activated protein kinase extracellular kinase. Conversely, the augmented sensitivity of p85alpha(-/-) cells to HSV-induced cell death was compensated for by expression of an activated form of mitogen-activated protein kinase extracellular kinase, but not by activated Akt/protein kinase B. We conclude from these data that PI3K-activated pathways function in parallel with the Janus kinase/STAT pathway to protect cells from the lethal effects of viruses.