CD81 is required for rhoptry discharge during host cell invasion by Plasmodium yoelii sporozoites

Plasmodium sporozoites are transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes and first infect the liver of their mammalian host, where they develop as liver stages before the onset of erythrocytic infection and malaria symptoms. Sporozoite entry into hepatocytes is an attractive target for anti-malarial prophylactic strategies but remains poorly understood at the molecular level. Apicomplexan parasites invade host cells by forming a parasitophorous vacuole that is essential for parasite development, a process that involves secretion of apical organelles called rhoptries. We previously reported that the host membrane protein CD81 is required for infection by Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium yoelii sporozoites. CD81 acts at an early stage of infection, possibly at the entry step, but the mechanisms involved are still unknown. To investigate the role of CD81 during sporozoite entry, we generated transgenic P. yoelii parasites expressing fluorescent versions of three known rhoptry proteins, RON2, RON4 and RAP2/3. We observed that RON2 and RON4 are lost following rhoptry discharge during merozoite and sporozoite entry. In contrast, our data indicate that RAP2/3 is secreted into the parasitophorous vacuole during infection. We further show that sporozoite rhoptry discharge occurs only in the presence of CD81, providing the first direct evidence for a role of CD81 during sporozoite productive invasion.

Ficolin-2 inhibits hepatitis C virus infection, whereas apolipoprotein E3 mediates viral immune escape

Human ficolin-2 (L-ficolin/p35) is a lectin-complement pathway activator that is present in normal human plasma and is associated with infectious diseases; however, little is known regarding the roles and mechanisms of ficolin-2 during chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. In this study, we found that ficolin-2 inhibits the entry of HCV at an early stage of viral infection, regardless of the viral genotype. Ficolin-2 neutralized and inhibited the initial attachment and infection of HCV by binding to the HCV envelope surface glycoproteins E1 and E2, blocking HCV attachment to low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and scavenger receptor B1, and weakly interfering with CD81 receptor attachment. However, no interference with claudin-1 and occludin receptor attachment was observed. The C-terminal fibrinogen domain (201-313 aa) of ficolin-2 was identified as the critical binding region for the HCV-E1-E2 N-glycans, playing a critical role in the anti-HCV activity. More importantly, we found that apolipoprotein E (ApoE)3, which is enriched in the low-density fractions of HCV RNA-containing particles, promotes HCV infection and inhibits ficolin-2-mediated antiviral activity. ApoE3, but not ApoE2 and ApoE4, blocked the interaction between ficolin-2 and HCV-E2. Our data suggest that the HCV entry inhibitor ficolin-2 is a novel and promising antiviral innate immune molecule, whereas ApoE3 blocks the effect of ficolin-2 and mediates an immune escape mechanism during chronic HCV infection. HCV may be neutralized using compounds directed against the lipoprotein moiety of the viral particle, and ApoE3 may be a new target to combat HCV infection.

Viruses and tetraspanins: lessons from single molecule approaches

Tetraspanins are four-span membrane proteins that are widely distributed in multi-cellular organisms and involved in several infectious diseases. They have the unique property to form a network of protein-protein interaction within the plasma membrane, due to the lateral associations with one another and with other membrane proteins. Tracking tetraspanins at the single molecule level using fluorescence microscopy has revealed the membrane behavior of the tetraspanins CD9 and CD81 in epithelial cell lines, providing a first dynamic view of this network. Single molecule tracking highlighted that these 2 proteins can freely diffuse within the plasma membrane but can also be trapped, permanently or transiently, in tetraspanin-enriched areas. More recently, a similar strategy has been used to investigate tetraspanin membrane behavior in the context of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. In this review we summarize the main results emphasizing the relationship in terms of membrane partitioning between tetraspanins, some of their partners such as Claudin-1 and EWI-2, and viral proteins during infection. These results will be analyzed in the context of other membrane microdomains, stressing the difference between raft and tetraspanin-enriched microdomains, but also in comparison with virus diffusion at the cell surface. New advanced single molecule techniques that could help to further explore tetraspanin assemblies will be also discussed.

How hepatitis C virus invades hepatocytes: The mystery of viral entry

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a global health problem, with an estimated 170 million people being chronically infected. HCV cell entry is a complex multi-step process, involving several cellular factors that trigger virus uptake into the hepatocytes. The high- density lipoprotein receptor scavenger receptor class B type I, tetraspanin CD81, tight junction protein claudin-1, and occludin are the main receptors that mediate the initial step of HCV infection. In addition, the virus uses cell receptor tyrosine kinases as entry regulators, such as epidermal growth factor receptor and ephrin receptor A2. This review summarizes the current understanding about how cell surface molecules are involved in HCV attachment, internalization, and membrane fusion, and how host cell kinases regulate virus entry. The advances of the potential antiviral agents targeting this process are introduced.

A role for CD81 and hepatitis C virus in hepatoma mobility

Tetraspanins are a family of small proteins that interact with themselves, host transmembrane and cytosolic proteins to form tetraspanin enriched microdomains (TEMs) that regulate important cellular functions. Several tetraspanin family members are linked to tumorigenesis. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an increasing global health burden, in part due to the increasing prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) associated HCC. The tetraspanin CD81 is an essential receptor for HCV, however, its role in hepatoma biology is uncertain. We demonstrate that antibody engagement of CD81 promotes hepatoma spread, which is limited by HCV infection, in an actin-dependent manner and identify an essential role for the C-terminal interaction with Ezrin-Radixin-Moesin (ERM) proteins in this process. We show enhanced hepatoma migration and invasion following expression of CD81 and a reduction in invasive potential upon CD81 silencing. In addition, we reveal poorly differentiated HCC express significantly higher levels of CD81 compared to adjacent non-tumor tissue. In summary, these data support a role for CD81 in regulating hepatoma mobility and propose CD81 as a tumour promoter.

Critical interaction between E1 and E2 glycoproteins determines binding and fusion properties of hepatitis C virus during cell entry

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) envelope glycoproteins E1 and E2 are important mediators for productive cell entry. However, knowledge about their structure, intra- or intermolecular dialogs, and conformational changes is scarce, limiting the design of therapeutic strategies targeting E1E2. Here we sought to investigate how certain domains of E1 and E2 have coevolved to optimize their interactions to promote efficient HCV entry. For this purpose we generated chimeric E1E2 heterodimers derived from two HCV 1a strains to identify and characterize crosstalk between their domains. We found an E1E2 combination that drastically impaired the infectivity of cell culture-derived HCV particles, whereas the reciprocal E1E2 combination led to increased infectivity. Using HCV pseudoparticle assays, we confirmed the opposing entry phenotypes of these heterodimers. By mutagenesis analysis, we identified a particular crosstalk between three amino acids of E1 and the domain III of E2. Its modulation leads to either a full restoration of the functionality of the suboptimal heterodimer or a destabilization of the functional heterodimer. Interestingly, we found that this crosstalk modulates E1E2 binding to HCV entry receptors SR-BI and CD81. In addition, we found for the first time that E1E2 complexes can interact with the first extracellular loop of Claudin-1, whereas soluble E2 did not. These results highlight the critical role of E1 in the modulation of HCV binding to receptors. Finally, we demonstrated that this crosstalk is involved in membrane fusion.

CONCLUSIONS

These results reveal a multifunctional and crucial interaction between E1 and E2 for HCV entry into cells. Our study highlights the role of E1 as a modulator of HCV binding to receptors and membrane fusion, underlining its potential as an antiviral target.

HIV-1 entry and trans-infection of astrocytes involves CD81 vesicles

Astrocytes are extensively infected with HIV-1 in vivo and play a significant role in the development of HIV-1-associated neurocognitive disorders. Despite their extensive infection, little is known about how astrocytes become infected, since they lack cell surface CD4 expression. In the present study, we investigated the fate of HIV-1 upon infection of astrocytes. Astrocytes were found to bind and harbor virus followed by biphasic decay, with HIV-1 detectable out to 72 hours. HIV-1 was observed to associate with CD81-lined vesicle structures. shRNA silencing of CD81 resulted in less cell-associated virus but no loss of co-localization between HIV-1 and CD81. Astrocytes supported trans-infection of HIV-1 to T-cells without de novo virus production, and the virus-containing compartment required 37°C to form, and was trypsin-resistant. The CD81 compartment observed herein, has been shown in other cell types to be a relatively protective compartment. Within astrocytes, this compartment may be actively involved in virus entry and/or spread. The ability of astrocytes to transfer virus, without de novo viral synthesis suggests they are capable of sequestering and protecting virus and thus, they could potentially facilitate viral dissemination in the CNS.

CD81 and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection is a global public health problem affecting over 160 million individuals worldwide. Its symptoms include chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. HCV is an enveloped RNA virus mainly targeting liver cells and for which the initiation of infection occurs through a complex multistep process involving a series of specific cellular entry factors. This process is likely mediated through the formation of a tightly orchestrated complex of HCV entry factors at the plasma membrane. Among HCV entry factors, the tetraspanin CD81 is one of the best characterized and it is undoubtedly a key player in the HCV lifecycle. In this review, we detail the current knowledge on the involvement of CD81 in the HCV lifecycle, as well as in the immune response to HCV infection.

Epidermal growth factor receptor localized to exosome membranes as a possible biomarker for lung cancer diagnosis

Detection of drug-target proteins and biomarkers that are expressed in cancer tissue has significant potential for both diagnosis and treatment of cancer. However, current immuno-histochemical and cytogenetic analyses of biopsy specimens for pre-operational diagnosis are highly invasive and often difficult to apply to lung cancer patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possible utility of determining epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression on exosomal membranes using a targeted ELISA with an anti-CD81 antibody as a capture antibody for lung cancer diagnosis. While soluble EGFR (sEGFR) levels in plasma were not remarkably different between lung cancer patients and normal controls, significantly higher exosomal EGFR expression levels were observed in 5/9 cancer cases compared to normal controls. These results suggest that measurement of exosomal protein levels could be useful for in vitro diagnosis, and that exosomal EGFR is a possible biomarker for characterization of lung cancer.

Dual function of CD81 in influenza virus uncoating and budding

As an obligatory pathogen, influenza virus co-opts host cell machinery to harbor infection and to produce progeny viruses. In order to characterize the virus-host cell interactions, several genome-wide siRNA screens and proteomic analyses have been performed recently to identify host factors involved in influenza virus infection. CD81 has emerged as one of the top candidates in two siRNA screens and one proteomic study. The exact role played by CD81 in influenza infection, however, has not been elucidated thus far. In this work, we examined the effect of CD81 depletion on the major steps of the influenza infection. We found that CD81 primarily affected virus infection at two stages: viral uncoating during entry and virus budding. CD81 marked a specific endosomal population and about half of the fused influenza virus particles underwent fusion within the CD81-positive endosomes. Depletion of CD81 resulted in a substantial defect in viral fusion and infection. During virus assembly, CD81 was recruited to virus budding site on the plasma membrane, and in particular, to specific sub-viral locations. For spherical and slightly elongated influenza virus, CD81 was localized at both the growing tip and the budding neck of the progeny viruses. CD81 knockdown led to a budding defect and resulted in elongated budding virions with a higher propensity to remain attached to the plasma membrane. Progeny virus production was markedly reduced in CD81-knockdown cells even when the uncoating defect was compensated. In filamentous virus, CD81 was distributed at multiple sites along the viral filament. Taken together, these results demonstrate important roles of CD81 in both entry and budding stages of the influenza infection cycle.

As a “Trojan Horse” that only encodes 13 viral proteins, influenza hijacks host cell machinery for productive infection. In this work, we studied the role of the host protein CD81 in influenza infection. We found that CD81 was important for influenza infection at two distinct stages: virus uncoating and virus budding. Specifically, during virus entry, more than half of internalized virus particles were trafficked into a specific CD81-positive endosomal population for virus uncoating. Depleting CD81 led to a significant defect in viral uncoating and infection. During virus egress, CD81 was recruited to virus assembly site, and incorporated into individual virions at specific sub-viral locations. CD81 depletion resulted in virions that failed to detach from the plasma membrane and a marked decrease in progeny virus production.

CD73 expression on extracellular vesicles derived from CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ T cells contributes to their regulatory function

CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) Treg cells maintain immunological tolerance. In this study, the possibility that Treg cells control immune responses via the production of secreted membrane vesicles, such as exosomes, was investigated. Exosomes are released by many cell types, including T cells, and have regulatory functions. Indeed, TCR activation of both freshly isolated Treg cells and an antigen-specific Treg-cell line resulted in the production of exosomes as defined morphologically by EM and by the presence of tetraspanin molecules LAMP-1/CD63 and CD81. Expression of the ecto-5-nucleotide enzyme CD73 by Treg cells has been shown to contribute to their suppressive function by converting extracellular adenosine-5-monophosphate to adenosine, which, following interaction with adenosine receptors expressed on target cells, leads to immune modulation. CD73 was evident on Treg cell derived exosomes, accordingly when these exosomes were incubated in the presence of adenosine-5-monophosphate production of adenosine was observed. Most importantly, CD73 present on Treg cell derived exosomes was essential for their suppressive function hitherto exosomes derived from a CD73-negative CD4(+) T-cell line did not have such capabilities. Overall our findings demonstrate that CD73-expressing exosomes produced by Treg cells following activation contribute to their suppressive activity through the production of adenosine.

Differential expression of candidate virus receptors in human T lymphocytes prone or resistant to infection with patient-derived hepatitis C virus

Accumulated evidence implies that hepatitis C virus (HCV) infects not only the liver but also the immune system. A lymphocyte-specific CD5 molecule was recently identified as essential for infection of T cells with native, patient-derived HCV. To assess whether the proposed hepatocyte receptors may also contribute to HCV lymphotropism, expression of scavenger receptor-class B type 1 (SR-B1), claudin-1 (CLDN-1), claudin-6 (CLDN-6), occludin (OCLN), CD5 and CD81 was examined by real-time RT-PCR and the respective proteins quantified by immunoblotting in HCV-prone and resistant T cell lines, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), primary T cells and their subsets, and compared to hepatoma Huh7.5 and HepG2 cells. SR-B1 protein was found in T and hepatoma cell lines but not in PBMC or primary T lymphocytes, CLDN-1 in HCV-resistant PM1 T cell line and hepatoma cells only, while CLDN-6 equally in the cells investigated. OCLN protein occurred in HCV-susceptible Molt4 and Jurkat T cells and its traces in primary T cells, but not in PBMC. CD5 was displayed by HCV-prone T cell lines, primary T cells and PBMC, but not by non-susceptible T and hepatoma cell lines, while CD81 in all cell types except HepG2. Knocking-down OCLN in virus-prone T cell line inhibited HCV infection, while de novo infection downregulated OCLN and CD81, and upregulated CD5 without modifying SR-B1 expression. Overall, while no association between SR-B1, CLDN-1 or CLDN-6 and the susceptibility to HCV was found, CD5 and CD81 expression coincided with virus lymphotropism and that of OCLN with permissiveness of T cell lines but unlikely primary T cells. This study narrowed the range of factors potentially utilized by HCV to infect T lymphocytes amongst those uncovered using laboratory HCV and Huh7.5 cells. Together with the demonstrated role for CD5 in HCV lymphotropism, the findings indicate that virus utilizes different molecules to enter hepatocytes and lymphocytes.

The CD9/CD81 tetraspanin complex and tetraspanin CD151 regulate α3β1 integrin-dependent tumor cell behaviors by overlapping but distinct mechanisms

Integrin α3β1 potently promotes cell motility on its ligands, laminin-332 and laminin-511, and this may help to explain why α3β1 has repeatedly been linked to breast carcinoma progression and metastasis. The pro-migratory functions of α3β1 depend strongly on lateral interactions with cell surface tetraspanin proteins. Tetraspanin CD151 interacts directly with the α3 integrin subunit and links α3β1 integrin to other tetraspanins, including CD9 and CD81. Loss of CD151 disrupts α3β1 association with other tetraspanins and impairs α3β1-dependent motility. However, the extent to which tetraspanins other than CD151 are required for specific α3β1 functions is unclear. To begin to clarify which aspects of α3β1 function require which tetraspanins, we created breast carcinoma cells depleted of both CD9 and CD81 by RNA interference. Silencing both of these closely related tetraspanins was required to uncover their contributions to α3β1 function. We then directly compared our CD9/CD81-silenced cells to CD151-silenced cells. Both CD9/CD81-silenced cells and CD151-silenced cells showed delayed α3β1-dependent cell spreading on laminin-332. Surprisingly, however, once fully spread, CD9/CD81-silenced cells, but not CD151-silenced cells, displayed impaired α3β1-dependent directed motility and altered front-rear cell morphology. Also unexpectedly, the CD9/CD81 complex, but not CD151, was required to promote α3β1 association with PKCα in breast carcinoma cells, and a PKC inhibitor mimicked aspects of the CD9/CD81-silenced cell motility defect. Our data reveal overlapping, but surprisingly distinct contributions of specific tetraspanins to α3β1 integrin function. Importantly, some of CD9/CD81's α3β1 regulatory functions may not require CD9/CD81 to be physically linked to α3β1 by CD151.

The actin and tetraspanin networks organize receptor nanoclusters to regulate B cell receptor-mediated signaling

A key role is emerging for the cytoskeleton in coordinating receptor signaling, although the underlying molecular requirements remain unclear. Here we show that cytoskeleton disruption triggered signaling requiring not only the B cell receptor (BCR), but also the coreceptor CD19 and tetraspanin CD81, thus providing a mechanism for signal amplification upon surface-bound antigen stimulation. By using superresolution microscopy, we demonstrated that endogenous IgM, IgD, and CD19 exhibited distinct nanoscale organization within the plasma membrane of primary B cells. Upon stimulation, we detect a local convergence of receptors, although their global organization was not dramatically altered. Thus, we postulate that cytoskeleton reorganization releases BCR nanoclusters, which can interact with CD19 held in place by the tetraspanin network. These results not only suggest that receptor compartmentalization regulates antigen-induced activation but also imply a potential role for CD19 in mediating ligand-independent "tonic" BCR signaling necessary for B cell survival.

Hepatitis C virus: virology and life cycle

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a positive sense, single-stranded RNA virus in the Flaviviridae family. It causes acute hepatitis with a high propensity for chronic infection. Chronic HCV infection can progress to severe liver disease including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. In the last decade, our basic understanding of HCV virology and life cycle has advanced greatly with the development of HCV cell culture and replication systems. Our ability to treat HCV infection has also been improved with the combined use of interferon, ribavirin and small molecule inhibitors of the virally encoded NS3/4A protease, although better therapeutic options are needed with greater antiviral efficacy and less toxicity. In this article, we review various aspects of HCV life cycle including viral attachment, entry, fusion, viral RNA translation, posttranslational processing, HCV replication, viral assembly and release. Each of these steps provides potential targets for novel antiviral therapeutics to cure HCV infection and prevent the adverse consequences of progressive liver disease.

Human monoclonal antibody HCV1 effectively prevents and treats HCV infection in chimpanzees

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a leading cause of liver transplantation and there is an urgent need to develop therapies to reduce rates of HCV infection of transplanted livers. Approved therapeutics for HCV are poorly tolerated and are of limited efficacy in this patient population. Human monoclonal antibody HCV1 recognizes a highly-conserved linear epitope of the HCV E2 envelope glycoprotein (amino acids 412–423) and neutralizes a broad range of HCV genotypes. In a chimpanzee model, a single dose of 250 mg/kg HCV1 delivered 30 minutes prior to infusion with genotype 1a H77 HCV provided complete protection from HCV infection, whereas a dose of 50 mg/kg HCV1 did not protect. In addition, an acutely-infected chimpanzee given 250 mg/kg HCV1 42 days following exposure to virus had a rapid reduction in viral load to below the limit of detection before rebounding 14 days later. The emergent virus displayed an E2 mutation (N415K/D) conferring resistance to HCV1 neutralization. Finally, three chronically HCV-infected chimpanzees were treated with a single dose of 40 mg/kg HCV1 and viral load was reduced to below the limit of detection for 21 days in one chimpanzee with rebounding virus displaying a resistance mutation (N417S). The other two chimpanzees had 0.5–1.0 log₁₀ reductions in viral load without evidence of viral resistance to HCV1. In vitro testing using HCV pseudovirus (HCVpp) demonstrated that the sera from the poorly-responding chimpanzees inhibited the ability of HCV1 to neutralize HCVpp. Measurement of antibody responses in the chronically-infected chimpanzees implicated endogenous antibody to E2 and interference with HCV1 neutralization although other factors may also be responsible. These data suggest that human monoclonal antibody HCV1 may be an effective therapeutic for the prevention of graft infection in HCV-infected patients undergoing liver transplantation.

The majority of individuals infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) become chronically infected and many go on to develop liver failure requiring liver transplantation. Unfortunately, the transplanted liver becomes infected with HCV in nearly 100% of transplant patients. Current treatments for HCV are poorly tolerated after liver transplantation and graft health is compromised by infection. We have developed a monoclonal antibody called HCV1 that blocks HCV from infecting liver cells in culture. Using chimpanzees as a model for HCV infection, we demonstrate that HCV1 has the ability to prevent HCV infection. We also show that HCV1 can treat chimpanzees chronically infected with HCV and reduce plasma viral load to below the level of detection for a period of 7 to 21 days. The virus that reemerges in the treated chimpanzees was resistant to HCV1 neutralization demonstrating target engagement. Given the ability of HCV1 to protect chimpanzees from HCV infection, we speculate that HCV1 may be beneficial in HCV- infected patients undergoing liver transplant.

Ultrasonic imaging of endothelial CD81 expression using CD81-targeted contrast agents in in vitro and in vivo studies

This study is designed to investigate the feasibility for molecular imaging of endothelial CD81 expression in vitro and in vivo using the CD81-targeted ultrasound contrast agents (UCA). In the in vitro study, murine bEnd.3 cells were stimulated with phenazine methosulfate (PMS), an oxidative stress inducer. Changes in CD81 expression after stimulation were confirmed by Western blotting, tracked by using the targeted UCA and further imaged under ultrasound imaging system with 5 MHz transmit frequency. In the in vivo study, expression of endothelial CD81 proteins in murine carotid artery vessels was studied using high-frequency ultrasound system with 40 MHz transmit frequency. Our results showed that endothelial CD81 expression was gradually up-regulated with the increase of PMS concentration. Correspondingly, the accumulation of targeted UCA was gradually improved and could be inhibited significantly upon addition of free anti-CD81 antibodies. The mean video intensity (grey-level) of stimulated cells and vessels from backscatter of the CD81-targeted UCA was 17.2 (interquartile range [IQR] 15.4-19.8) and 27.2 (IQR 22.4-29.8), significantly greater than that of non-stimulated cells with 9.0 (IQR 8.6-10.8) (p < 0.01) and non-stimulated vessels with 11.3 (IQR 10.4-13.2) (p < 0.01), respectively. In conclusion, CD81-targeted UCA allows noninvasive assessment of the expression levels of CD81 on the vascular endothelium and may provide potential insights into early atherosclerotic plaque detection and treatment monitoring.

Description of a new xenograft model of metastatic neuroblastoma using NOD/SCID/Il2rg null (NSG) mice

In order to develop a relevant xenogenic animal model of neuroblastoma (NB), we compared the tumorigenicity and metastatic potential of SK-N-SH and SK-N-DZ NB cell lines in nude mice and NOD/SCID Il2rg null (NSG) mice. Subcutaneous injection of cell lines induced tumor formation only in NSG mice and was accompanied by metastasis to the liver, adrenal glands, skull and bone marrow. NSG mice injected intravenously showed a profile of distant metastasis that was not observed in nude mice. In addition, tumor growth rates and organ infiltration patterns associated with injected NB cell lines correlated with the in vitro proliferation properties and genetic markers of poor prognosis in NB patients. We also showed that cisplatin chemotherapy was able to inhibit tumor growth. These results clearly demonstrate the higher tumorigenic and metastatic potential of NB cells in NSG mice. Therefore, this xenograft NB model should prove useful in testing the efficacy of new therapeutic approaches for NB.

Mathematical model of viral kinetics in vitro estimates the number of E2-CD81 complexes necessary for hepatitis C virus entry

Interaction between the hepatitis C virus (HCV) envelope protein E2 and the host receptor CD81 is essential for HCV entry into target cells. The number of E2-CD81 complexes necessary for HCV entry has remained difficult to estimate experimentally. Using the recently developed cell culture systems that allow persistent HCV infection in vitro, the dependence of HCV entry and kinetics on CD81 expression has been measured. We reasoned that analysis of the latter experiments using a mathematical model of viral kinetics may yield estimates of the number of E2-CD81 complexes necessary for HCV entry. Here, we constructed a mathematical model of HCV viral kinetics in vitro, in which we accounted explicitly for the dependence of HCV entry on CD81 expression. Model predictions of viral kinetics are in quantitative agreement with experimental observations. Specifically, our model predicts triphasic viral kinetics in vitro, where the first phase is characterized by cell proliferation, the second by the infection of susceptible cells and the third by the growth of cells refractory to infection. By fitting model predictions to the above data, we were able to estimate the threshold number of E2-CD81 complexes necessary for HCV entry into human hepatoma-derived cells. We found that depending on the E2-CD81 binding affinity, between 1 and 13 E2-CD81 complexes are necessary for HCV entry. With this estimate, our model captured data from independent experiments that employed different HCV clones and cells with distinct CD81 expression levels, indicating that the estimate is robust. Our study thus quantifies the molecular requirements of HCV entry and suggests guidelines for intervention strategies that target the E2-CD81 interaction. Further, our model presents a framework for quantitative analyses of cell culture studies now extensively employed to investigate HCV infection.

The interaction between the hepatitis C virus (HCV) envelope protein E2 and the host cell surface receptor CD81 is critical for HCV entry into hepatocytes and presents a promising drug and vaccine target. Yet, the number of E2-CD81 complexes that must be formed between a virus and a target cell to enable viral entry remains unknown. Direct observation of the E2-CD81 complexes preceding viral entry has not been possible. We constructed a mathematical model of HCV viral kinetics in vitro and using it to analyze data from recent cell culture studies obtained estimates of the threshold number of E2-CD81 complexes necessary for HCV entry. We found that depending on the E2-CD81 binding affinity, between 1 and 13 complexes are necessary for HCV entry into human hepatoma-derived cells. Our study thus presents new, quantitative insights into the molecular requirements of HCV entry, which may serve as a guideline for intervention strategies targeting the E2-CD81 interaction. Further, our study shows that HCV viral kinetics in vitro can be described using a mathematical model, thus facilitating quantitative analyses of the wealth of data now emanating from cell culture studies of HCV infection.

Tetraspanins regulate the protrusive activities of cell membrane

Tetraspanins have gained increased attention due to their functional versatility. But the universal cellular mechanism that governs such versatility remains unknown. Herein we present the evidence that tetraspanins CD81 and CD82 regulate the formation and/or development of cell membrane protrusions. We analyzed the ultrastructure of the cells in which a tetraspanin is either overexpressed or ablated using transmission electron microscopy. The numbers of microvilli on the cell surface were counted, and the radii of microvillar tips and the lengths of microvilli were measured. We found that tetraspanin CD81 promotes the microvillus formation and/or extension while tetraspanin CD82 inhibits these events. In addition, CD81 enhances the outward bending of the plasma membrane while CD82 inhibits it. We also found that CD81 and CD82 proteins are localized at microvilli using immunofluorescence. CD82 regulates microvillus morphogenesis likely by altering the plasma membrane curvature and/or the cortical actin cytoskeletal organization. We predict that membrane protrusions embody a common morphological phenotype and cellular mechanism for, at least some if not all, tetraspanins. The differential effects of tetraspanins on microvilli likely lead to the functional diversification of tetraspanins and appear to correlate with their functional propensity.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) envelope glycoproteins E1 and E2 contain reduced cysteine residues essential for virus entry

The HCV envelope glycoproteins E1 and E2 contain eight and 18 highly conserved cysteine residues, respectively. Here, we examined the oxidation state of E1E2 heterodimers incorporated into retroviral pseudotyped particles (HCVpp) and investigated the significance of free sulfhydryl groups in cell culture-derived HCV (HCVcc) and HCVpp entry. Alkylation of free sulfhydryl groups on HCVcc/pp with a membrane-impermeable sulfhydryl-alkylating reagent 4-(N-maleimido)benzyl-α-trimethylammonium iodide (M135) prior to virus attachment to cells abolished infectivity in a dose-dependent manner. Labeling of HCVpp envelope proteins with EZ-Link maleimide-PEG2-biotin (maleimide-biotin) detected free thiol groups in both E1 and E2. Unlike retroviruses that employ disulfide reduction to facilitate virus entry, the infectivity of alkylated HCVcc could not be rescued by addition of exogenous reducing agents. Furthermore, the infectivity of HCVcc bound to target cells was not affected by addition of M135 indicative of a change in glycoprotein oxidation state from reduced to oxidized following virus attachment to cells. By contrast, HCVpp entry was reduced by 61% when treated with M135 immediately following attachment to cells, suggesting that the two model systems might demonstrate variations in oxidation kinetics. Glycoprotein oxidation was not altered following binding of HCVpp incorporated E1E2 to soluble heparin or recombinant CD81. These results suggest that HCV entry is dependent on the presence of free thiol groups in E1 and E2 prior to cellular attachment and reveals a new essential component of the HCV entry process.

CD81 is essential for the re-entry of hematopoietic stem cells to quiescence following stress-induced proliferation via deactivation of the Akt pathway

A protein that is thought to orchestrate the distribution of other signaling molecules on the cell membrane, CD81, is critical to maintaining the functional integrity of hematopoietic stem cells during their regeneration.

The regulatory mechanisms governing the cell cycle progression of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are well characterized, but those responsible for the return of proliferating HSCs to a quiescent state remain largely unknown. Here, we present evidence that CD81, a tetraspanin molecule acutely responsive to proliferative stress, is essential for the maintenance of long-term repopulating HSCs. Cd81^−/− HSCs showed a marked engraftment defect when transplanted into secondary recipient mice and a significantly delayed return to quiescence when stimulated to proliferate with 5-fluorouracil (5FU). In addition, we found that CD81 proteins form a polarized patch when HSCs are returning to quiescence. Thus, we propose that the spatial distribution of CD81 during the HSC recovery phase drives proliferative HSC to quiescence, and is important to preserve the self-renewal properties. Here, we show that lack of CD81 leads to loss of HSC self-renewal, and the clustering of CD81 on HSC membrane results in deactivation of Akt, which subsequently leads to nuclear translocation of FoxO1a. Thus, CD81 functions as part of a previously undefined mechanism that prohibits excessive proliferation of HSCs exposed to environmental stress.

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) remain dormant in the bone marrow until needed to replenish the hematopoietic system, at which point they are stimulated to proliferate extensively, undergoing both regeneration (self-renewal) and differentiation. Self-renewal is key to maintaining an adequate HSC reserve, and return to dormancy after such stimulation is critical, yet still poorly understood. In this study, we report that CD81, a transmembrane organizing protein, is a novel regulator involved in HSC self-renewal. Transplanting HSCs into mice that are lethally irradiated to remove their native HSCs stimulates the transplanted HSCs to proliferate to replenish the hematopoietic system, allowing us to examine whether and how HSCs return to quiescence. HSCs lacking CD81 take longer to return to quiescence after such stimulation, resulting in reduced stem cell function. Conversely, forced CD81 membrane clustering, using an antibody, promotes early return of proliferating stem cells to quiescence and nuclear localization of FoxO1a, a key protein that mediates the cell cycle arrest. CD81 clustering also constrains Akt activity, which orchestrates multiple pathways such as cell proliferation and responses to reactive oxygen species. Treatment of Cd81-deficient HSCs with an Akt inhibitor, perifosine, which bypasses the requirement for CD81 in this process, rescues the delay defect of Cd81-deficient HSCs. Together, our data demonstrate that CD81 is critical to maintaining the functional integrity of HSCs during regeneration, and it is acting through Akt to influence its downstream pathways that govern cell cycle progression.