Restricted replication of xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus in pigtailed macaques

Although xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus (XMRV) has been previously linked to prostate cancer and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, recent data indicate that results interpreted as evidence of human XMRV infection reflect laboratory contamination rather than authentic in vivo infection. Nevertheless, XMRV is a retrovirus of undefined pathogenic potential that is able to replicate in human cells. Here we describe a comprehensive analysis of two male pigtailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina) experimentally infected with XMRV. Following intravenous inoculation with >10(10) RNA copy equivalents of XMRV, viral replication was limited and transient, peaking at ≤2,200 viral RNA (vRNA) copies/ml plasma and becoming undetectable by 4 weeks postinfection, though viral DNA (vDNA) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells remained detectable through 119 days of follow-up. Similarly, vRNA was not detectable in lymph nodes by in situ hybridization despite detectable vDNA. Sequencing of cell-associated vDNA revealed extensive G-to-A hypermutation, suggestive of APOBEC-mediated viral restriction. Consistent with limited viral replication, we found transient upregulation of type I interferon responses that returned to baseline by 2 weeks postinfection, no detectable cellular immune responses, and limited or no spread to prostate tissue. Antibody responses, including neutralizing antibodies, however, were detectable by 2 weeks postinfection and maintained throughout the study. Both animals were healthy for the duration of follow-up. These findings indicate that XMRV replication and spread were limited in pigtailed macaques, predominantly by APOBEC-mediated hypermutation. Given that human APOBEC proteins restrict XMRV infection in vitro, human XMRV infection, if it occurred, would be expected to be characterized by similarly limited viral replication and spread.

Innate immunity against Granulibacter bethesdensis, an emerging gram-negative bacterial pathogen

Acetic acid bacteria were previously considered nonpathogenic in humans. However, over the past decade, five genera of Acetobacteraceae have been isolated from patients with inborn or iatrogenic immunodeficiencies. Here, we describe the first studies of the interactions of the human innate immune system with a member of this bacterial family, Granulibacter bethesdensis, an emerging pathogen in patients with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD). Efficient phagocytosis of G. bethesdensis by normal and CGD polymorphonuclear leukocytes (CGD PMN) required heat-labile serum components (e.g., C3), and binding of C3 and C9 to G. bethesdensis was detected by immunoblotting. However, this organism survived in human serum concentrations of ≥90%, indicating a high degree of serum resistance. Consistent with the clinical host tropism of G. bethesdensis, CGD PMN were unable to kill this organism, while normal PMN, in the presence of serum, reduced the number of CFU by about 50% after a 24-h coculture. This finding, together with the observations that G. bethesdensis was sensitive to H(2)O(2) but resistant to LL-37, a human cationic antimicrobial peptide, suggests an inherent resistance to O(2)-independent killing. Interestingly, 10 to 100 times greater numbers of G. bethesdensis were required to achieve the same level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production induced by Escherichia coli in normal PMN. In addition to the relative inability of the organism to elicit production of PMN ROS, G. bethesdensis inhibited both constitutive and FAS-induced PMN apoptosis. These properties of reduced PMN activation and resistance to nonoxidative killing mechanisms likely play an important role in G. bethesdensis pathogenesis.

DNA immunization with HBsAg-based particles expressing a B cell epitope of amyloid β-peptide attenuates disease progression and prolongs survival in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an incurable and progressive neurodegenerative senile disorder associated with the brain accumulation of Aβ plaques. Although vaccines that reduce Aβ plaques can control AD, the rationale for their use at the onset of the disease remains debatable. Old humans and mice usually respond poorly to vaccines due to presumably age-related immunological impairments. Here, we report that by modifying vaccines, the poor responsiveness of old mice can be reversed. Unlike the Aβ peptide vaccine, DNA immunizations with the amino-terminal Aβ(1-11) fragment exposed on the surface of HBsAg particles elicit high levels of anti-Aβ antibody both in young and old mice. Importantly, in AD model 3xTgAD mice, the vaccine reduced Aβ plaques, ameliorated cognitive impairments and, surprisingly, significantly increased life span. Hence, we propose that vaccines targeting Aβ(1-11) can efficiently combat AD-induced pathological alterations and provide survival benefit in patients with AD.

The interdomain linker region of HIV-1 capsid protein is a critical determinant of proper core assembly and stability

The HIV-1 capsid protein consists of two independently folded domains connected by a flexible peptide linker (residues 146-150), the function of which remains to be defined. To investigate the role of this region in virus replication, we made alanine or leucine substitutions in each linker residue and two flanking residues. Three classes of mutants were identified: (i) S146A and T148A behave like wild type (WT); (ii) Y145A, I150A, and L151A are noninfectious, assemble unstable cores with aberrant morphology, and synthesize almost no viral DNA; and (iii) P147L and S149A display a poorly infectious, attenuated phenotype. Infectivity of P147L and S149A is rescued specifically by pseudotyping with vesicular stomatitis virus envelope glycoprotein. Moreover, despite having unstable cores, these mutants assemble WT-like structures and synthesize viral DNA, although less efficiently than WT. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that the linker region is essential for proper assembly and stability of cores and efficient replication.

Towards an atlas of mammalian cell ultrastructure by cryo soft X-ray tomography

We provide a catalog of 3D cryo soft X-ray tomography (cryo-SXT) images obtained from ∼6 to 12μm thick mouse adenocarcinoma cells. Included are multiple representative images of nuclei, nucleoli, nuclear membrane, nuclear membrane channels, mitochondria, lysosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, filaments and plasma membrane, plus three structures not previously described by cryo-SXT, namely Golgi, microvilli and nuclear-membrane blebs. Sections from the 3D cryo-SXT tomograms for all the preceding structures closely resemble those seen by thin-section transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Some structures such as nuclear-membrane channels and nuclear-membrane blebs are more easily detected by cryo-SXT than TEM most likely due to their better contrast and cellular preservation in cryo-SXT combined with the ability to rapidly locate these structures within a full 3D image. We identify and discuss two current limitations in cryo-SXT: variability in image quality and difficulties in detecting weaker contrast structures such as chromatin and various nuclear bodies. Progress on these points is likely to come from the solution of several technical problems in image acquisition, plus the implementation of advanced cryo soft X-ray microscopy approaches such as phase contrast or optical sectioning.

Effects of UVA irradiation, aryl azides, and reactive oxygen species on the orthogonal inactivation of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1)

Previously we reported that hydrophobic aryl azides partition into hydrophobic regions of the viral membrane of enveloped viruses and inactivate the virus upon UVA irradiation for 2 min. Prolonged irradiation (15 min) resulted in viral protein aggregation as visualized via Western blot analysis, due to reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, with preservation of the surface antigenic epitopes. Herein, we demonstrate that these aggregates show detergent resistance and that this property may be useful towards the creation of a novel orthogonal virus inactivation strategy for use in preparing experimental vaccines. When ROS-modified HIV virus preparations were treated with 1% Triton X-100, there was an increase in the percent of viral proteins (gp41, p24) in the viral pellet after ultracentrifugation through sucrose. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of these detergent-resistant pellets shows some recognizable virus fragments, and immunoprecipitation studies of the gp41 aggregates suggest the aggregation is covalent in nature, involving short-range interactions.

The role of ITCH protein in human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 release

Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) has two late domain (LD) motifs, PPPY and PTAP, which are important for viral budding. Mutations in the PPPY motif are more deleterious for viral release than changes in the PTAP motif. Several reports have shown that the interaction of PPPY with the WW domains of a Nedd4 (neuronal precursor cell-expressed developmentally down-regulated-4) family ubiquitin ligase (UL) is a critical event in virus release. We tested nine members of the Nedd4 family ULs and found that ITCH is the main contributor to HTLV-1 budding. ITCH overexpression strongly inhibited release and infectivity of wild-type (wt) HTLV-1, but rescued the release of infectious virions with certain mutations in the PPPY motif. Electron microscopy showed either fewer or misshapen virus particles when wt HTLV-1 was produced in the presence of overexpressed ITCH, whereas mutants with changes in the PPPY motif yielded normal looking particles at wt level. The other ULs had significantly weaker or no effects on HTLV-1 release and infectivity except for SMURF-1, which caused enhanced release of wt and all PPPY(-) mutant particles. These particles were poorly infectious and showed abnormal morphology by electron microscopy. Budding and infectivity defects due to overexpression of ITCH and SMURF-1 were correlated with higher than normal ubiquitination of Gag. Only silencing of ITCH, but not of WWP1, WWP2, and Nedd4, resulted in a reduction of HTLV-1 budding from 293T cells. The binding efficiencies between the HTLV-1 LD and WW domains of different ULs as measured by mammalian two-hybrid interaction did not correlate with the strength of their effect on HTLV-1 budding.

ArfGAP1 promotes COPI vesicle formation by facilitating coatomer polymerization

The role of ArfGAP1 in COPI vesicle biogenesis has been controversial. In work using isolated Golgi membranes, ArfGAP1 was found to promote COPI vesicle formation. In contrast, in studies using large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) as model membranes, ArfGAP1 functioned as an uncoating factor inhibiting COPI vesicle formation. We set out to discriminate between these models. First, we reexamined the effect of ArfGAP1 on LUVs. We found that ArfGAP1 increased the efficiency of coatomer-induced deformation of LUVs. Second, ArfGAP1 and peptides from cargo facilitated self-assembly of coatomer into spherical structures in the absence of membranes, reminiscent of clathrin self-assembly. Third, in vivo, ArfGAP1 overexpression induced the accumulation of vesicles and allowed normal trafficking of a COPI cargo. Taken together, these data support the model in which ArfGAP1 promotes COPI vesicle formation and membrane traffic and identify a function for ArfGAP1 in the assembly of coatomer into COPI.

Is centralization in emergency rural medicine always right? Lessons learned from two cases of decompression sickness

The cases of two patients with decompression sickness (DS) are described to add to the discussion about whether centralization, especially when accompanied by air-medical transport, is always justifiable in island emergency medicine. One patient received hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment on another island after island-to-island transfer by boat; the other received HBO treatment on a ship that was anchored, by chance, close to the island where he became ill. Both cases had a good outcome. Island-to-island transport and within-island treatment, rather than island-to-urban-center transport, was effective, indicating that treatment centralization may not be the most effective protocol all cases. A DS treatment strategy is proposed for use in this geographic area; however, DS occurring on remote islands highlights the wider issue of the centralization of health services.

Targeting the HIV entry, assembly and release pathways for anti-HIV gene therapy

Targeting the HIV entry and assembly pathways holds promise for development of novel anti-HIV gene therapy vectors. We characterized discrete dominant negative (DN) Gag and Envelope mutants for their anti-HIV-1 activity. We show here that capsid mutants (Q155N and Y164A) are more potent inhibitors of WT HIV than the matrix mutant 1GA. Both the Envelope mutants tested, V513E and R515A, were equally effective and a combination of Gag and Envelope DN genes significantly enhanced potency. Interestingly, the DN mutants acted at multiple steps in the virus life cycle rather than solely disrupting virus release or infection. Inhibition mediated by R515A could be partially attributed to the Envelope cytoplasmic tail, as deletion of R515A tail partially abrogated its DN effect. Finally, the Y164A/R515A double mutant expressed in a lentiviral vector was effective at inhibiting HIV replication in CD34+ hematopoietic stem cell-derived macrophages, demonstrating the therapeutic potential of our approach.

Croix B. GPR124, an orphan G protein-coupled receptor, is required for CNS-specific vascularization and establishment of the blood-brain barrier

Every organ in the body requires blood vessels for efficient delivery of oxygen and nutrients, but independent vascular beds are highly specialized to meet the individual needs of specific organs. The vasculature of the brain is tightly sealed, with blood-brain barrier (BBB) properties developing coincident with neural vascularization. G protein-coupled receptor 124 (GPR124) (tumor endothelial marker 5, TEM5), an orphan member of the adhesion family of G protein-coupled receptors, was previously identified on the basis of its overexpression in tumor vasculature. Here, we show that global deletion or endothelial-specific deletion of GPR124 in mice results in embryonic lethality associated with abnormal angiogenesis of the forebrain and spinal cord. Expression of GPR124 was found to be required for invasion and migration of blood vessels into neuroepithelium, establishment of BBB properties, and expansion of the cerebral cortex. Thus, GPR124 is an important regulator of neurovasculature development and a potential drug target for cerebrovascular diseases.

Characterization of the effects of aryl-azido compounds and UVA irradiation on the viral proteins and infectivity of human immunodeficiency virus type 1

Hydrophobic UV-activatable compounds have been shown to partition into the hydrophobic region of biological membranes to selectively label transmembrane proteins, and to inactivate enveloped viruses. Here, we analyze various UV-activatable azido- and iodo-based hydrophobic compounds for their ability to inactivate a model-enveloped virus, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1 MN). Treatment of HIV-1 with 1,5-diazidonapthalene (DAN), 1-iodo, 5-azidonaphthalene (INA), 1-azidonaphthalene (AzNAP) or 4,4'-diazidobiphenyl (DABIPH) followed by UVA irradiation for 2 min resulted in complete viral inactivation, whereas treatment using analogous non-azido-containing controls had no effect. Incorporation of an azido moiety within these hydrophobic compounds to promote photoinduced covalent reactions with proteins was found to be the primary mechanism of viral inactivation for this class of compounds. Prolonged UVA irradiation of the virus in the presence of these azido compounds resulted in further modifications of viral proteins, due to the generation of reactive oxygen species, leading to aggregation as visualized via Western blot analysis, providing additional viral modifications that may inhibit viral infectivity. Furthermore, inactivation using these compounds resulted in the preservation of surface antigenic structures (recognized by neutralizing antibodies b12, 2g12 and 4e10), which is favorable for the creation of vaccines from these inactivated virus preparations.

Sphingosine kinases and their metabolites modulate endolysosomal trafficking in photoreceptors

Alterations in sphingosine kinase activity change the degradation rates of Rhodopsin and the transient receptor potential (TRP) channel by lysosomes and can result in retinal degeneration.

Internalized membrane proteins are either transported to late endosomes and lysosomes for degradation or recycled to the plasma membrane. Although proteins involved in trafficking and sorting have been well studied, far less is known about the lipid molecules that regulate the intracellular trafficking of membrane proteins. We studied the function of sphingosine kinases and their metabolites in endosomal trafficking using Drosophila melanogaster photoreceptors as a model system. Gain- and loss-of-function analyses show that sphingosine kinases affect trafficking of the G protein–coupled receptor Rhodopsin and the light-sensitive transient receptor potential (TRP) channel by modulating the levels of dihydrosphingosine 1 phosphate (DHS1P) and sphingosine 1 phosphate (S1P). An increase in DHS1P levels relative to S1P leads to the enhanced lysosomal degradation of Rhodopsin and TRP and retinal degeneration in wild-type photoreceptors. Our results suggest that sphingosine kinases and their metabolites modulate photoreceptor homeostasis by influencing endolysosomal trafficking of Rhodopsin and TRP.

New analysis of the hypertension mechanism in bevacizumab-treated patients using 3-tesla dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging

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Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling inhibitors, such as bevacizumab (BV), leads to endothelial dysfunction and microvascular rarefaction in noncancer tissue. Angiotensin II has been reported to induce VEGF production by inhibiting VEGF, but the reasons for activation of angiotensin II are unclear. We conducted a study to examine the relationship between renin-angiotensin axis and renal blood perfusion using dynamic contrast magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) in colorectal cancer patients.

Methods: Sixteen patients with colorectal cancer were enrolled. They received BV+FOLFIRI regimen as second line. DCE-MRI was performed before the treatment and after 12th courses. Renin, angiotensin I, angiotensin II and aldosterone were examined before treatment and at 3, 5, 8, 12th courses. DCE-MRI parameters, Area under the time-intensity curve over the first 90 seconds after injection of contrast material (AUC90) and volume transfer constant of contrast material (Ktrans, Kep) were calculated in the normal kidney and examine the correlation with renin-angiotensin axis.

Results: All DCE-MRI parameters decreased significantly after 12th courses compared with before treatment (Variables median: Ktrans -1.51, Kep -2.30, AUC90 -26.0, P < 0.001, all). A decrease in Kep correlated with higher renin, angiotensin I and angiotensin II (renin: P =0.001, angiotensin I: P =0.003, angiotensin II: P =0.002, respectively). A decrease in AUC90 correlated with higher aldosterone (P =0.005). Blood pressure did not correlate with each DCE-MRI parameters.

Conclusions: VEGF inhibition decreases vessel permeability and raises interstitial pressure in normal kidney. Our data suggest that renin-angiotensin axis is also one mechanism of hypertension caused by BV.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

The development and characterization of a human mesothelioma in vitro 3D model to investigate immunotoxin therapy

Background

Tumor microenvironments present significant barriers to penetration by antibodies and immunoconjugates. Tumor microenvironments, however, are difficult to study in vitro. Cells cultured as monolayers exhibit less resistance to therapy than those grown in vivo and an alternative research model more representative of the in vivo tumor is more desirable. SS1P is an immunotoxin composed of the Fv portion of a mesothelin-specific antibody fused to a bacterial toxin that is presently undergoing clinical trials in mesothelioma.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Here, we examined how the tumor microenvironment affects the penetration and killing activity of SS1P in a new three-dimensional (3D) spheroid model cultured in vitro using the human mesothelioma cell line (NCI-H226) and two primary cell lines isolated from the ascites of malignant mesothelioma patients. Mesothelioma cells grown as monolayers or as spheroids expressed comparable levels of mesothelin; however, spheroids were at least 100 times less affected by SS1P. To understand this disparity in cytotoxicity, we made fluorescence-labeled SS1P molecules and used confocal microscopy to examine the time course of SS1P penetration within spheroids. The penetration was limited after 4 hours. Interestingly, we found a significant increase in the number of tight junctions in the core area of spheroids by electron microscopy. Expression of E-Cadherin, a protein involved in the assembly and sealing of tight junctions and highly expressed in malignant mesothelioma, was found significantly increased in spheroids as compared to monolayers. Moreover, we found that siRNA silencing and antibody inhibition targeting E-Cadherin could enhance SS1P immunotoxin therapy in vitro.

Conclusion/Significance

This work is one of the first to investigate immunotoxins in 3D tumor spheroids in vitro. This initial description of an in vitro tumor model may offer a simple and more representative model of in vivo tumors and will allow for further investigations of the microenvironmental effects on drug penetration and tumor cell killing. We believe that the methods developed here may apply to the studies of other tumor-targeting antibodies and immunoconjugates in vitro.

In vitro evaluation of cashew nut shell liquid as a methane-inhibiting and propionate-enhancing agent for ruminants

Cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) containing antibacterial phenolic compounds was evaluated for its potency as a feed additive for ruminants. In experiment 1, ruminal responses to CNSL supplementation were assessed using a batch culture system. Rumen fluid from cattle was diluted with artificial saliva and incubated for 18h in a batch culture with a mixed diet containing a 30:70 hay:concentrate diet to which raw or heated CNSL was added at a final concentration of 500 μg/mL. In experiment 2, a Rusitec, using rumen fluid from the same cattle, was operated over a period of 7 d during which only raw CNSL was tested at concentrations of 0, 50, 100, or 200 μg/mL, and variations in fermentation and bacterial population were assessed. In experiment 3, a pure culture study was conducted using selected bacteria to determine their susceptibility to CNSL. In experiment 1, methane production was inhibited by raw CNSL (56.9% inhibition) but not by heated CNSL. Total volatile fatty acid concentration was not affected, whereas increased concentrations of propionate and decreased concentrations of acetate and butyrate were observed using either raw or heated CNSL. These changes were more obvious when raw CNSL was tested. In experiment 2, raw CNSL inhibited methanogenesis and increased propionate production in a dose-dependent manner, showing maximum methane inhibition (70.1%) and propionate enhancement (44.4%) at 200 μg/mL supplementation. Raw CNSL increased total volatile fatty acid concentration and dry matter digestibility. Raw CNSL also appeared to induce a dramatic shift in the population of rumen microbiota, based on decreased protozoa numbers and changes in quantitative PCR assay values for representative bacterial species. In experiment 3, using pure cultures, raw CNSL prevented the growth of hydrogen-, formate-, and butyrate-producing rumen bacteria, but not the growth of bacteria involved in propionate production. Based on these data, raw CNSL, rich in the antibacterial phenolic compound anacardic acid, is a potential candidate feed additive with selective activity against rumen microbes, leading to fermentation that results in decreased methane and enhanced propionate production.

Biological tissue and cell culture specimen preparation for TEM nanoparticle characterization

This chapter outlines the procedures for ex vivo TEM preparation of nanoparticle-containing tissue or cell culture samples using an epoxy resin embedding method. The purpose of this procedure is to preserve the structure of tissue in a hardened epoxy block with minimal disruption of cellular structures, to aid in the meaningful analysis of in vivo or cell culture experiments. The process begins with hydrated tissue and ends with tissue that is virtually water-free and preserved in a static state within a plastic resin matrix. The resin mixture permeates the dehydrated tissue, making the sample firm enough to cut. Procedures are also given for fixing nanoparticle-containing cell culture samples.

CDase is a pan-ceramidase in Drosophila

It is demonstrated that the Cdase gene encodes for all measurable ceramidase function in Drosophila. BWA, an alkaline ceramidase homologue, does not exhibit ceramidase activity. Bwa genetically interacts with other ceramide-metabolizing enzymes by influencing the flux through the sphingolipid pathway.

 Ceramidases catalyze the conversion of ceramide to sphingosine. They are acylaminohydrolases that catalyze the deacylation of the amide-linked saturated fatty acid from ceramide to generate sphingosine. They also catalyze the reverse reaction of ceramide biosynthesis using sphingosine and fatty acid. In mammals, different proteins catalyze these reactions while individually exhibiting optimal activity over a narrow pH range and have been accordingly called acid, neutral, and alkaline ceramidases. Several genes encode for variants of alkaline ceramidase in mammals. Brainwashing (Bwa) is the only putative alkaline ceramidase homologue present in Drosophila. In this study we have demonstrated that BWA does not exhibit ceramidase activity and that bwa null mutants display no loss of ceramidase activity. Instead, the neutral ceramidase gene CDase encodes the protein that is responsible for all measurable ceramidase activity in Drosophila. Our studies show strong genetic interaction of Bwa with CDase and the Drosophila ceramide kinase gene (DCERK). We show that, although BWA is unlikely to be a ceramidase, it is a regulator of sphingolipid flux in Drosophila. Bwa exhibits strong genetic interaction with other genes coding for ceramide-metabolizing enzymes. This interaction might partly explain its original identification as a ceramidase.

Progressive mitochondrial compromise in brains and livers of primates exposed in utero to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs)

Mitochondrial compromise has been documented in infants born to women infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) who received nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) therapy during pregnancy. To model these human exposures, we examined mitochondrial integrity at birth and 1 year in brain cortex and liver from offspring of retroviral-free Erythrocebus patas dams-administered human-equivalent NRTI doses for the last half (10 weeks) of gestation. Additional infants, followed for 1 year, were given the same drugs as their mothers for the first 6 weeks of life. Exposures included: no drug, Zidovudine (AZT), Lamivudine (3TC), AZT/3TC, AZT/Didanosine (ddI), and Stavudine (d4T)/3TC. In brain and liver, oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) enzyme activities (complexes I, II, and IV) showed minimal differences between unexposed and NRTI-exposed offspring at both times. Brain and liver mitochondria from most NRTI-exposed patas, both at birth and 1 year of age, contained significant (p < 0.05) morphological damage observed by electron microscopy (EM), based on scoring of coded photomicrographs. Brain and liver mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) levels in NRTI-exposed patas were depleted significantly in the 3TC and d4T/3TC groups at birth and were depleted significantly (p < 0.05) at 1 year in all NRTI-exposed groups. In 1-year-old infants exposed in utero to NRTIs, mtDNA depletion was 28.8-51.8% in brain and 37.4-56.5% in liver. These investigations suggest that some NRTI-exposed human infants may sustain similar mitochondrial compromise in brain and liver and should be followed long term for cognitive integrity and liver function.

3D visualization of HIV transfer at the virological synapse between dendritic cells and T cells

The efficiency of HIV infection is greatly enhanced when the virus is delivered at conjugates between CD4+ T cells and virus-bearing antigen-presenting cells such as macrophages or dendritic cells via specialized structures known as virological synapses. Using ion abrasion SEM, electron tomography, and superresolution light microscopy, we have analyzed the spatial architecture of cell-cell contacts and distribution of HIV virions at virological synapses formed between mature dendritic cells and T cells. We demonstrate the striking envelopment of T cells by sheet-like membrane extensions derived from mature dendritic cells, resulting in a shielded region for formation of virological synapses. Within the synapse, filopodial extensions emanating from CD4+ T cells make contact with HIV virions sequestered deep within a 3D network of surface-accessible compartments in the dendritic cell. Viruses are detected at the membrane surfaces of both dendritic cells and T cells, but virions are not released passively at the synapse; instead, virus transfer requires the engagement of T-cell CD4 receptors. The relative seclusion of T cells from the extracellular milieu, the burial of the site of HIV transfer, and the receptor-dependent initiation of virion transfer by T cells highlight unique aspects of cell-cell HIV transmission.

Metformin suppresses hepatic gluconeogenesis and lowers fasting blood glucose levels through reactive nitrogen species in mice

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Metformin, the major target of which is liver, is commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes. Although metformin activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in hepatocytes, the mechanism of activation is still not well known. To investigate AMPK activation by metformin in liver, we examined the role of reactive nitrogen species (RNS) in suppression of hepatic gluconeogenesis.

METHODS

To determine RNS, we performed fluorescence examination and immunocytochemical staining in mouse hepatocytes. Since metformin is a mild mitochondrial complex I inhibitor, we compared its effects on suppression of gluconeogenesis, AMPK activation and generation of the RNS peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)) with those of rotenone, a representative complex I inhibitor. To determine whether endogenous nitric oxide production is required for ONOO(-) generation and metformin action, we used mice lacking endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS).

RESULTS

Metformin and rotenone significantly decreased gluconeogenesis and increased phosphorylation of AMPK in wild-type mouse hepatocytes. However, unlike rotenone, metformin did not increase the AMP/ATP ratio. It did, however, increase ONOO(-) generation, whereas rotenone did not. Exposure of eNOS-deficient hepatocytes to metformin did not suppress gluconeogenesis, activate AMPK or increase ONOO(-) generation. Furthermore, metformin lowered fasting blood glucose levels in wild-type diabetic mice, but not in eNOS-deficient diabetic mice.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

Activation of AMPK by metformin is dependent on ONOO(-). For metformin action in liver, intra-hepatocellular eNOS is required.

Intergeneric Protoplast Fusion between Ruminococcus albus and an Anaerobic Recombinant, FE7

Intergeneric protoplast fusion between Ruminococcus albus, a cellulolytic, gram-positive, anaerobic bacterium (Pc Sm Km), and an anaerobic recombinant, FE7 (Pc Sm Km), having lignin-related compound-degrading activities, was performed under strictly anaerobic conditions to introduce cellulase genes into strain FE7. The fusion frequency varied with different selected markers from 3.0 x 10 to 3.3 x 10. Two fusants, obtained from a synthetic medium with selective pressures of penicillin and streptomycin and with cellooli-gomer as the sole carbon source, were gram-negative rods. One of them, named FE7R2, showed 45 to 47% of the beta-glucosidase and cellobiosidase activities of its parent R. albus and still maintained a level of degradation activity against dehydrodivanillin, a lignin-related compound, of up to 87% of that of the parent strain FE7. To verify that the cellulolytic activities expressed in the fusant FE7R2 originated from R. albus cellulase genes, the beta-glucosidase gene of R. albus was cloned into Escherichia coli HB101 with plasmid pBR322. Cells bearing a recombinant plasmid, pRAII, produced high enzyme activities against both p-nitrophenyl-beta-d-glucoside and p-nitrophenyl-beta-d-cellobioside and could degrade cellobiose to glucose. Southern blot results showed that the cloned DNA fragment could hybridize with chromosomal DNAs of both R. albus and FE7R2, but did not with the chromosomal DNA of FE7, indicating that the beta-glucosidase gene fragment was introduced into the chromosome of FE7R2 from R. albus via the protoplast fusion. The fusant FE7R2 could utilize simultaneously both cellobiose and dehydrodivanillin. These results gave evidence that the fusion product FE7R2 is a recombinant strain between its parents R. albus and FE7. This recombinant has stably kept the above properties for about 2 years.

The capsid-spacer peptide 1 Gag processing intermediate is a dominant-negative inhibitor of HIV-1 maturation

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) maturation inhibitor bevirimat disrupts virus replication by inhibiting the cleavage of the capsid-spacer peptide 1 (CA-SP1) Gag processing intermediate to mature CA. The observation that bevirimat delays but does not completely block CA-SP1 processing suggests that the presence of uncleaved CA-SP1 may disrupt the maturation process in trans. In this study, we validate this hypothesis by using a genetic approach to demonstrate that a non-cleavable CA-SP1 mutant exerts a dominant-negative effect on maturation of wild-type HIV-1. In contrast, a mutant in which cleavage can occur internally within SP1 is significantly less potent as a dominant-negative inhibitor. We also show that bevirimat blocks processing at both the major CA-SP1 cleavage site and the internal site. These data underscore the importance of full CA-SP1 processing for HIV-1 maturation and highlight the therapeutic potential of inhibitors that target this Gag cleavage event.