Activation of NF-kB Pathway by Virus Infection Requires Rb Expression

The retinoblastoma protein Rb is a tumor suppressor involved in cell cycle control, differentiation, and inhibition of oncogenic transformation. Besides these roles, additional functions in the control of immune response have been suggested. In the present study we investigated the consequences of loss of Rb in viral infection. Here we show that virus replication is increased by the absence of Rb, and that Rb is required for the activation of the NF-kB pathway in response to virus infection. These results reveal a novel role for tumor suppressor Rb in viral infection surveillance and further extend the concept of a link between tumor suppressors and antiviral activity.     

Metabolic Profiling for Detection of Staphylococcus aureus Infection and Antibiotic Resistance

Due to slow diagnostics, physicians must optimize antibiotic therapies based on clinical evaluation of patients without specific information on causative bacteria. We have investigated metabolomic analysis of blood for the detection of acute bacterial infection and early differentiation between ineffective and effective antibiotic treatment. A vital and timely therapeutic difficulty was thereby addressed: the ability to rapidly detect treatment failures because of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) were used in vitro and for infecting mice, while natural MSSA infection was studied in humans. Samples of bacterial growth media, the blood of infected mice and of humans were analyzed with combined Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry. Multivariate data analysis was used to reveal the metabolic profiles of infection and the responses to different antibiotic treatments. In vitro experiments resulted in the detection of 256 putative metabolites and mice infection experiments resulted in the detection of 474 putative metabolites. Importantly, ineffective and effective antibiotic treatments were differentiated already two hours after treatment start in both experimental systems. That is, the ineffective treatment of MRSA using cloxacillin and untreated controls produced one metabolic profile while all effective treatment combinations using cloxacillin or vancomycin for MSSA or MRSA produced another profile. For further evaluation of the concept, blood samples of humans admitted to intensive care with severe sepsis were analyzed. One hundred thirty-three putative metabolites differentiated severe MSSA sepsis (n = 6) from severe Escherichia coli sepsis (n = 10) and identified treatment responses over time. Combined analysis of human, in vitro, and mice samples identified 25 metabolites indicative of effective treatment of S. aureus sepsis. Taken together, this study provides a proof of concept of the utility of analyzing metabolite patterns in blood for early differentiation between ineffective and effective antibiotic treatment in acute S. aureus infections.     

Exploitation of the Complement System by Oncogenic Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus for Cell Survival and Persistent Infection

During evolution, herpesviruses have developed numerous, and often very ingenious, strategies to counteract efficient host immunity. Specifically, Kaposi''s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) eludes host immunity by undergoing a dormant stage, called latency wherein it expresses a minimal number of viral proteins to evade host immune activation. Here, we show that during latency, KSHV hijacks the complement pathway to promote cell survival. We detected strong deposition of complement membrane attack complex C5b-9 and the complement component C3 activated product C3b on Kaposi''s sarcoma spindle tumor cells, and on human endothelial cells latently infected by KSHV, TIME-KSHV and TIVE-LTC, but not on their respective uninfected control cells, TIME and TIVE. We further showed that complement activation in latently KSHV-infected cells was mediated by the alternative complement pathway through down-regulation of cell surface complement regulatory proteins CD55 and CD59. Interestingly, complement activation caused minimal cell death but promoted the survival of latently KSHV-infected cells grown in medium depleted of growth factors. We found that complement activation increased STAT3 tyrosine phosphorylation (Y705) of KSHV-infected cells, which was required for the enhanced cell survival. Furthermore, overexpression of either CD55 or CD59 in latently KSHV-infected cells was sufficient to inhibit complement activation, prevent STAT3 Y705 phosphorylation and abolish the enhanced survival of cells cultured in growth factor-depleted condition. Together, these results demonstrate a novel mechanism by which an oncogenic virus subverts and exploits the host innate immune system to promote viral persistent infection.     

Global Metabolomic Profiling of Acute Myocarditis Caused by Trypanosoma cruzi Infection

Chagas disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi infection, being cardiomyopathy the more frequent manifestation. New chemotherapeutic drugs are needed but there are no good biomarkers for monitoring treatment efficacy. There is growing evidence linking immune response and metabolism in inflammatory processes and specifically in Chagas disease. Thus, some metabolites are able to enhance and/or inhibit the immune response. Metabolite levels found in the host during an ongoing infection could provide valuable information on the pathogenesis and/or identify deregulated metabolic pathway that can be potential candidates for treatment and being potential specific biomarkers of the disease. To gain more insight into those aspects in Chagas disease, we performed an unprecedented metabolomic analysis in heart and plasma of mice infected with T. cruzi. Many metabolic pathways were profoundly affected by T. cruzi infection, such as glucose uptake, sorbitol pathway, fatty acid and phospholipid synthesis that were increased in heart tissue but decreased in plasma. Tricarboxylic acid cycle was decreased in heart tissue and plasma whereas reactive oxygen species production and uric acid formation were also deeply increased in infected hearts suggesting a stressful condition in the heart. While specific metabolites allantoin, kynurenine and p-cresol sulfate, resulting from nucleotide, tryptophan and phenylalanine/tyrosine metabolism, respectively, were increased in heart tissue and also in plasma. These results provide new valuable information on the pathogenesis of acute Chagas disease, unravel several new metabolic pathways susceptible of clinical management and identify metabolites useful as potential specific biomarkers for monitoring treatment and clinical severity in patients.     

Enhancement of Friend Leukemia Virus Infection in Mice by Guaroa Virus: Quantitation and Action of Various Oncogenic and Nononcogenic Viruses

Previous studies have indicated that Guaroa virus (GV), an arbovirus, enhanced the replication of Friend leukemia virus (FLV) in mice. To study further the interaction of GV and FLV, different levels of FLV activity were inoculated into mice. At a level of activity capable of producing limited splenic response, coinfection with GV resulted in a marked increase in spleen-foci activity, mean spleen weight, and amount of infectious virus recoverable from plasma and spleen of dually infected mice. Various oncogenic and nononcogenic viruses were also tested for their ability to enhance FLV infection.     

Adeno-Associated Virus Vector Mediated Expression of an Oncogenic Retroviral Envelope Protein Induces Lung Adenocarcinomas in Immunocompetent Mice

Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. A poor overall survival rate of 16% necessitates the need for novel treatment strategies. Mouse models of lung cancer are important tools for analyzing the significance of somatic mutations in the initiation and progression of lung cancer. Of additional importance, however, are animal models of virally induced cancers. JSRV is a simple betaretrovirus that causes contagious lung cancer in sheep known as ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma and closely resembles human lung adenocarcinoma. Previously we showed that expression of the JSRV envelope (Env) from an AAV vector induced lung tumors in immunodeficient mice, but not in immunocompetent mice. Because of the importance of studying lung cancer in the context of an intact immune system we sought to improve our mouse model. In this report, we employed the use of a strong JSRV enhancer-promoter combination to express Env at high levels and demonstrate for the first time, lung tumor induction in immunocompetent mice. This occurred despite a robust Env-specific antibody-mediated immune response. The PI3K/Akt and MAPK pathways were activated in both immunocompetent and immunodeficient mice, however, differential activation of PTEN, GSKα, p70S6K, p38MAPK, ATF2 and STAT5 was observed. A JSRV Env lung tumor-derived cell line was shown to have a similar signal transduction activation profile as Env-induced lung tumors in C57BL/6 mice. Given the similarities between our model and pulmonary adenocarcinomas in humans, and the ease with which tumors can be induced in any transgenic mouse, this system can be used to uncover novel mechanisms involved lung tumorigenesis.     

酿酒酵母对数生长后期代谢重构的全基因组表达谱芯片分析

为了探讨酵母进入对数生长后期以后酒精生产速度降低的原因,我们利用酵母表达谱芯片技术对酿酒酵母细胞从对数生长中期进入对数生长后期时的全基因组表达谱进行了分析,发现酵母在对数生长中期的表达谱非常稳定,而一旦进入对数生长后期.则出现明显的代谢重构现象.许多氨基酸合成和代谢相关的基因、离子转移以及与能量的生成和储存等功能相关的基因出现了不同程度的上调;而许多涉及酵母转座和DNA重组的基因则表达下调;一些中心代谢途径也发生了代谢重构.包括:琥珀酸和α-酮戊二酸生成途径基因的一致上调,都与氨基酸合成和代谢相关基因表达的结果相吻合.结果表明:由于氨基酸合成的需求量增加,进入对数生长后期酵母的代谢转向TCA循环和乙醛酸循环,导致酒精的生产速率降低.     

酿酒酵母对数生长后期代谢重构的全基因组表达谱芯片分析

为了探讨酵母进入对数生长后期以后酒精生产速度降低的原因, 我们利用酵母表达谱芯片技术对酿酒酵母细胞从对数生长中期进入对数生长后期时的全基因组表达谱进行了分析, 发现酵母在对数生长中期的表达谱非常稳定, 而一旦进入对数生长后期, 则出现明显的代谢重构现象。许多氨基酸合成和代谢相关的基因、离子转移以及与能量的生成和储存等功能相关的基因出现了不同程度的上调; 而许多涉及酵母转座和DNA重组的基因则表达下调; 一些中心代谢途径也发生了代谢重构, 包括: 琥珀酸和a-酮戊二酸生成途径基因的一致上调, 都与氨基酸合成和代谢相关基因表达的结果相吻合。结果表明: 由于氨基酸合成的需求量增加, 进入对数生长后期酵母的代谢转向TCA循环和乙醛酸循环, 导致酒精的生产速率降低。     

Detection of Artichoke Latent Virus by an Indirect Dot-ELISA

An indirect Dot-ELISA was compared with DAS-ELISA for detecting Artichoke Latent Virus (ALV) both in purified preparations and in crude sap from “Spinoso sardo” artichoke leaves. Antigen diluted samples (1 μl) were first spotted on nitrocellulose (NC) and polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) membranes. After blocking, the membranes were incubated in rabbit anti-ALV IgG, then in goat anti-rabbit IgG—alkaline phosphatase conjugate, and finally exposed to substrate and examined for a coloured precipitate. The minimum detection levels for ALV by Dot-ELISA were 125 pg of purified virus and 1/2,000 dilution of virus-infected sap on NC, and 83.3 pg of purified virus and 1/4,000 dilution of virus-infected sap on PVDF, as compared with 50 ng of purified virus and 1/1,000 dilution of virus-infected sap detectable by DAS-ELISA. This indirect Dot-ELISA proved to be more sensitive and more economical than DAS-ELISA, and can be completed in as little as 5—6 hours.     

Heterogeneity and Breadth of Host Antibody Response to KSHV Infection Demonstrated by Systematic Analysis of the KSHV Proteome

The Kaposi sarcoma associated herpesvirus (KSHV) genome encodes more than 85 open reading frames (ORFs). Serological evaluation of KSHV infection now generally relies on reactivity to just one latent and/or one lytic protein (commonly ORF73 and K8.1). Most of the other polypeptides encoded by the virus have unknown antigenic profiles. We have systematically expressed and purified products from 72 KSHV ORFs in recombinant systems and analyzed seroreactivity in US patients with KSHV-associated malignancies, and US blood donors (low KSHV seroprevalence population). We identified several KSHV proteins (ORF38, ORF61, ORF59 and K5) that elicited significant responses in individuals with KSHV-associated diseases. In these patients, patterns of reactivity were heterogeneous; however, HIV infection appeared to be associated with breadth and intensity of serological responses. Improved antigenic characterization of additional ORFs may increase the sensitivity of serologic assays, lead to more rapid progresses in understanding immune responses to KSHV, and allow for better comprehension of the natural history of KSHV infection. To this end, we have developed a bead-based multiplex assay detecting antibodies to six KSHV antigens.     

The Plaque-Antiserum Method: an Assay of Virus Infectivity and an Experimental Model of Virus Infection

Areas of cytopathic effect can be circumscribed in cell monolayers by adding antiserum to the liquid nutrient medium after adsorption of virus. This procedure represents a simple and reliable tool for the titration of virus infectivity and provides an experimental model for studying some aspects of virus infection.     

Expression and Function of mARC: Roles in Lipogenesis and Metabolic Activation of Ximelagatran

Recently two novel enzymes were identified in the outer mitochondrial membrane, mARC1 and mARC2. These molybdenum containing enzymes can reduce a variety of N-hydroxylated compounds, such as N-hydroxy-guanidines and sulfohydroxamic acids, as well as convert nitrite into nitric oxide (NO). However, their endogenous functions remain unknown. Here we demonstrate a specific developmental pattern of expression of these enzymes. mARC1, but not mARC2, was found to be expressed in fetal human liver, whereas both, in particular mARC2, are abundant in adult liver and also expressed in omental and subcutaneous fat. Caloric diet restriction of obese patients caused a decreased expression of mARC2 in liver, similar to that seen in the livers of starved rats. Knock down of mARC2 expression by siRNA in murine adipocytes had statistically significant effect on the level of diglycerides and on the fatty acid composition of some triglycerides, concomitantly a clear trend toward the reduced formation of most of triglyceride and phospholipid species was observed. The involvement of mARC2 in the metabolism of the hepatotoxic drug ximelagatran was evaluated in hepatocytes and adipocytes. Ximelagatran was shown to cause oxidative stress and knock down of mARC2 in adipocytes prevented ximelagatran induced inhibition of mitochondrial respiration. In conclusion, our data indicate that mARC1 and mARC2 have different developmental expression profiles, and that mARC2 is involved in lipogenesis, is regulated by nutritional status and responsible for activation of ximelagatran into a mitotoxic metabolite(s).     

Suppression of Established Friend Virus Leukemia by Statolon: I. Demonstration of a Latent Infection in Clinically Normal Mice

A single inoculation of statolon into mice with established Friend virus (FV) leukemia can suppress the viral infection and produce a clinical remission lasting many months. Eventually, however, most of the mice develop characteristic FV leukemia. Persistence of FV activity in the spleens of mice during clinical remission can be demonstrated by cell transfer and histopathologic studies. Transfer to normal mice of a large number of spleen cells (10⁷) from mice in remission produces FV leukemia, and transfer of a small number of cells (10²) produces immunity to FV challenge. Histopathologic examination reveals clusters of abnormal FV leukemia-like cells directly beneath the capsules of the spleens of mice in clinical remission.     

Persistent Hz-1 Virus Infection in Insect Cells: Evidence for Insertion of Viral DNA into Host Chromosomes and Viral Infection in a Latent Status

Persistent/latent viral infections of insect cells are a prominent though poorly understood phenomenon. In this study, the long-term association between the Hz-1 virus and insect host cells, conventionally referred to as persistent viral infection, is described. With the aid of a newly developed fluorescent cell-labeling system, we found that productive viral replication occurs by spontaneous viral reactivation in fewer than 0.2% of persistently infected cell lines over a 5-day period. Once viral reactivation takes place, the host cell dies. The persistently infected cells contain various amounts of viral DNA, and, in an extreme case, up to 16% of the total DNA isolated from infected cells could be of viral origin. Both pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and in situ hybridization experiments showed that some of these viral DNA molecules are inserted into the host chromosomes but that the rest of viral DNA copies are free from host chromosomes. Thus, Hz-1 virus is the first nonretroviral insect virus known to insert its genome into the host chromosome during the infection process. These data also suggest that the previously described persistent infection of Hz-1 virus in insect cells should be more accurately referred to as latent viral infection.