Manipulation of host cell death pathways during microbial infections

The role of necroptosis, an alternative form of cell death, in cancer therapy

Programmed cell death plays an important role in animal development, tissue homeostasis and eliminating harmful or virally infected cells. Necroptosis, a novel form of programmed cell death, is caspase independent but RIPK and RIPK3 dependent. Moreover, it is suggested that necroptosis can be specifically inhibited by small molecular inhibitors such as necrostatin-1. Its signaling pathways have something in common with apoptosis, although the molecular mechanisms of necroptosis need to be further elucidated. Previous evidences suggest that necroptosis has significant effects in regulating various physiological processes and disease, such as ischemic brain injury, immune system disorders and cancer. In this review, the molecular mechanism of necroptosis is described and how it could be manipulated in the treatment of cancer is summarized.

Cell death by pyroptosis drives CD4 T-cell depletion in HIV-1 infection

The pathway causing CD4 T-cell death in HIV-infected hosts remains poorly understood although apoptosis has been proposed as a key mechanism. We now show that caspase-3-mediated apoptosis accounts for the death of only a small fraction of CD4 T cells corresponding to those that are both activated and productively infected. The remaining over 95% of quiescent lymphoid CD4 T cells die by caspase-1-mediated pyroptosis triggered by abortive viral infection. Pyroptosis corresponds to an intensely inflammatory form of programmed cell death in which cytoplasmic contents and pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, are released. This death pathway thus links the two signature events in HIV infection-CD4 T-cell depletion and chronic inflammation-and creates a pathogenic vicious cycle in which dying CD4 T cells release inflammatory signals that attract more cells to die. This cycle can be broken by caspase 1 inhibitors shown to be safe in humans, raising the possibility of a new class of 'anti-AIDS' therapeutics targeting the host rather than the virus.

Effector triggered manipulation of host immune response elicited by different pathotypes of Escherichia coli

Effectors are virulence factors that are secreted by bacteria during an infection in order to subvert cellular processes or induce the surveillance system of the host. Pathogenic microorganisms encode effectors, toxins and components of secretion systems that inject the effectors to the host. Escherichia coli is part of the innocuous commensal microbial flora of the gastrointestinal tract. However, pathogenic E. coli can cause diarrheal and extraintestinal diseases. Pathogenic E. coli uses secretion systems to inject an array of effector proteins directly into the host cells. Herein, we discuss the effectors secreted by different pathotypes of E. coli and provide an overview of strategies employed by effectors to target the host cellular and subcellular processes as well as their role in triggering host immune response.

Cell death triggered by Yersinia enterocolitica identifies processing of the proinflammatory signal adapter MyD88 as a general event in the execution of apoptosis

Many pathogenic microorganisms have evolved tactics to modulate host cell death or survival pathways for establishing infection. The enteropathogenic bacterium Yersinia enterocolitica deactivates TLR-induced signaling pathways, which triggers apoptosis in macrophages. In this article, we show that Yersinia-induced apoptosis of human macrophages involves caspase-dependent cleavage of the TLR adapter protein MyD88. MyD88 was also cleaved when apoptosis was mediated by overexpression of the Toll-IL-1R domain-containing adapter inducing IFN-β in epithelial cells. The caspase-processing site was mapped to aspartate-135 in the central region of MyD88. MyD88 is consequently split by caspases in two fragments, one harboring the death domain and the other the Toll-IL-1R domain. Caspase-3 was identified as the protease that conferred the cleavage of MyD88 in in vitro caspase assays. In line with a broad role of caspase-3 in the execution of apoptosis, the processing of MyD88 was not restricted to Yersinia infection and to proapoptotic Toll-IL-1R domain-containing adapter inducing IFN-β signaling, but was also triggered by staurosporine treatment. The cleavage of MyD88 therefore seems to be a common event in the advanced stages of apoptosis, when caspase-3 is active. We propose that the processing of MyD88 disrupts its scaffolding function and uncouples the activation of TLR and IL-1Rs from the initiation of proinflammatory signaling events. The disruption of MyD88 may consequently render dying cells less sensitive to proinflammatory stimuli in the execution phase of apoptosis. The cleavage of MyD88 could therefore be a means of conferring immunogenic tolerance to apoptotic cells to ensure silent, noninflammatory cell demise.

An anti-inflammatory NOD-like receptor is required for microglia development

Microglia are phagocytic cells that form the basis of the brain's immune system. They derive from primitive macrophages that migrate into the brain during embryogenesis, but the genetic control of microglial development remains elusive. Starting with a genetic screen in zebrafish, we show that the noncanonical NOD-like receptor (NLR) nlrc3-like is essential for microglial formation. Although most NLRs trigger inflammatory signaling, nlrc3-like acts cell autonomously in microglia precursor cells to suppress unwarranted inflammation in the absence of overt immune challenge. In nlrc3-like mutants, primitive macrophages initiate a systemic inflammatory response with increased proinflammatory cytokines and actively aggregate instead of migrating into the brain to form microglia. NLRC3-like requires both its pyrin and NACHT domains, and it can bind the inflammasome component apoptosis-associated speck-like protein. Our studies suggest that NLRC3-like may regulate the inflammasome and other inflammatory pathways. Together, these results demonstrate that NLRC3-like prevents inappropriate macrophage activation, thereby allowing normal microglial development.

Rift Valley fever virus infection induces activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome

Inflammasome activation is gaining recognition as an important mechanism for protection during viral infection. Here, we investigate whether Rift Valley fever virus, a negative-strand RNA virus, can induce inflammasome responses and IL-1β processing in immune cells. We have determined that RVFV induces NLRP3 inflammasome activation in murine dendritic cells, and that this process is dependent upon ASC and caspase-1. Furthermore, absence of the cellular RNA helicase adaptor protein MAVS/IPS-1 significantly reduces extracellular IL-1β during infection. Finally, direct imaging using confocal microscopy shows that the MAVS protein co-localizes with NLRP3 in the cytoplasm of RVFV infected cells.

The Shigella OspC3 effector inhibits caspase-4, antagonizes inflammatory cell death, and promotes epithelial infection

Caspase-mediated inflammatory cell death acts as an intrinsic defense mechanism against infection. Bacterial pathogens deploy countermeasures against inflammatory cell death, but the mechanisms by which they do this remain largely unclear. In a screen for Shigella flexneri effectors that regulate cell death during infection, we discovered that Shigella infection induced acute inflammatory, caspase-4-dependent epithelial cell death, which is counteracted by the bacterial OspC3 effector. OspC3 interacts with the caspase-4-p19 subunit and inhibits its activation by preventing caspase-4-p19 and caspase-4-p10 heterodimerization by depositing the conserved OspC3 X1-Y-X₂-D-X₃ motif at the putative catalytic pocket of caspase-4. Infection of guinea pigs with a Shigella ospC3-deficient mutant resulted in enhanced inflammatory cell death and associated symptoms, correlating with decreased bacterial burdens. Salmonella Typhimurium and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli infection also induced caspase-4-dependent epithelial death. These findings highlight the importance of caspase-4-dependent innate immune responses and demonstrate that Shigella delivers a caspase-4-specific inhibitor to delay epithelial cell death and promote infection.

Immune activation by histones: plusses and minuses in inflammation

Histones are highly cationic proteins that are essential components of the cell nucleus, interacting with DNA to form the nucleosome and regulating transcription. Histones, however, can transit from the cell nucleus during cell death and, once in an extracellular location, can serve as danger signals and activate immune cells. An article in this issue of the European Journal of Immunology [Eur. J. Immunol. 2013. 43: 3336-3342] reports that histones can activate monocyte-derived DCs via the NRLP3 inflammasome to induce the production of IL-1β. As such, histones, which can also stimulate TLRs, may drive events in the immunopathogenesis of a wide range of acute and chronic diseases marked by sterile inflammation. While the mechanism of this stimulation is not known, the positive charge of histones may provide a structural element to promote interaction with cells and activation of downstream signaling systems.

The amazing innate immune response to influenza A virus infection

Influenza A viruses (IAVs) remain a major health threat and a prime example of the significance of innate immunity. Our understanding of innate immunity to IAV has grown dramatically, yielding new concepts that change the way we view innate immunity as a whole. Examples include the role of p53, autophagy, microRNA, innate lymphocytes, endothelial cells and gut commensal bacteria in pulmonary innate immunity. Although the innate response is largely beneficial, it also contributes to major complications of IAV, including lung injury, bacterial super-infection and exacerbation of reactive airways disease. Research is beginning to dissect out which components of the innate response are helpful or harmful. IAV uses its limited genetic complement to maximum effect. Several viral proteins are dedicated to combating innate responses, while other viral structural or replication proteins multitask as host immune modulators. Many host innate immune proteins also multitask, having roles in cell cycle, signaling or normal lung biology. We summarize the plethora of new findings and attempt to integrate them into the larger picture of how humans have adapted to the threat posed by this remarkable virus. We explore how our expanded knowledge suggests ways to modulate helpful and harmful inflammatory responses, and develop novel treatments.

Modulation of host immune defenses by Aeromonas and Yersinia species: convergence on toxins secreted by various secretion systems

Like other pathogenic bacteria, Yersinia and Aeromonas species have been continuously co-evolving with their respective hosts. Although the former is a bonafide human pathogen, the latter has gained notararity as an emerging disease-causing agent. In response to immune cell challenges, bacterial pathogens have developed diverse mechanism(s) enabling their survival, and, at times, dominance over various host immune defense systems. The bacterial type three secretion system (T3SS) is evolutionarily derived from flagellar subunits and serves as a vehicle by which microbes can directly inject/translocate anti-host factors/effector proteins into targeted host immune cells. A large number of Gram-negative bacterial pathogens possess a T3SS empowering them to disrupt host cell signaling, actin cytoskeleton re-arrangements, and even to induce host-cell apoptotic and pyroptotic pathways. All pathogenic yersiniae and most Aeromonas species possess a T3SS, but they also possess T2- and T6-secreted toxins/effector proteins. This review will focus on the mechanisms by which the T3SS effectors Yersinia outer membrane protein J (YopJ) and an Aeromonas hydrophila AexU protein, isolated from the diarrheal isolate SSU, mollify host immune system defenses. Additionally, the mechanisms that are associated with host cell apoptosis/pyroptosis by Aeromonas T2SS secreted Act, a cytotoxic enterotoxin, and Hemolysin co-regulated protein (Hcp), an A. hydrophila T6SS effector, will also be discussed.

Coxiella burnetii exploits host cAMP-dependent protein kinase signalling to promote macrophage survival

Intracellular bacterial pathogens often subvert apoptosis signalling to regulate survival of their host cell, allowing propagation of the bacterial population. Coxiella burnetii, the intracellular agent of human Q fever, inhibits host cell apoptosis through several mechanisms, including prevention of mitochondrial cytochrome c release, triggering of an anti-apoptotic transcriptional programme, and activation of pro-survival kinases. To control host cell survival, C. burnetii delivers effector proteins to the eukaryotic cytosol using a specialized Dot/Icm type IV secretion system (T4SS). Effectors are predicted to regulate activity of pro-survival host signalling proteins, such as Akt and cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), to control infection. Here, we show that host PKA activity is required for C. burnetii inhibition of macrophage apoptosis. PKA is activated during infection and inhibits activity of the pro-apoptotic protein Bad via phosphorylation. Bad is also phosphorylated at an Akt-specific residue, indicating C. burnetii uses two kinases to fully inactivate Bad. Additionally, Bad and the tethering protein 14-3-3β colocalize at the C. burnetii parasitophorous vacuole (PV) membrane during infection, an event predicted to alter Bad promotion of apoptosis. Inhibiting PKA activity prevents Bad recruitment to the PV, but the protein is retained at the membrane during induction of apoptosis. Finally, PKA regulatory subunit I (RI) traffics to the PV membrane in a T4SS-dependent manner, suggesting a C. burnetii effector(s) regulates PKA-dependent activities. This study is the first to demonstrate subversion of host PKA activity by an intracellular bacterial pathogen to prevent apoptosis and survive within macrophages.

Host defense mechanism-based rational design of live vaccine

Live attenuated vaccine (LAV), mimicking natural infection, provides an excellent protection against microbial infection. The development of LAV, however, still remains highly empirical and the rational design of clinically useful LAV is scarcely available. Apoptosis and caspase activation are general host antiviral responses in virus-infected cells. Utilizing these tightly regulated host defense mechanisms, we present a novel apoptosis-triggered attenuation of viral virulence as a rational design of live attenuated vaccine with desired levels of safety, efficacy, and productivity. Mutant influenza viruses carrying caspase recognition motifs in viral NP and the interferon-antagonist NS1 proteins were highly attenuated both in vitro and in vivo by caspase-mediated cleavage of those proteins in infected cells. Both viral replication and interferon-resistance were substantially reduced, resulting in a marked attenuation of virulence of the virus. Despite pronounced attenuation, the viruses demonstrated high growth phenotype in embryonated eggs at lower temperature, ensuring its productivity. A single dose vaccination with the mutant virus elicited high levels of systemic and mucosal antibody responses and provided complete protection against both homologous and heterologous lethal challenges in mouse model. While providing a practical means to generate seasonal or pandemic influenza live vaccines, the sensitization of viral proteins to pathogen-triggered apoptotic signals presents a potentially universal, mechanism-based rational design of live vaccines against many viral infections.

Toll-like receptor 3-mediated necrosis via TRIF, RIP3, and MLKL

Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling is triggered by pathogen-associated molecular patterns that mediate well established cytokine-driven pathways, activating NF-κB together with IRF3/IRF7. In addition, TLR3 drives caspase 8-regulated programmed cell death pathways reminiscent of TNF family death receptor signaling. We find that inhibition or elimination of caspase 8 during stimulation of TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, TLR5, or TLR9 results in receptor interacting protein (RIP) 3 kinase-dependent programmed necrosis that occurs through either TIR domain-containing adapter-inducing interferon-β (TRIF) or MyD88 signal transduction. TLR3 or TLR4 directly activates programmed necrosis through a RIP homotypic interaction motif-dependent association of TRIF with RIP3 kinase (also called RIPK3). In fibroblasts, this pathway proceeds independent of RIP1 or its kinase activity, but it remains dependent on mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL) downstream of RIP3 kinase. Here, we describe two small molecule RIP3 kinase inhibitors and employ them to demonstrate the common requirement for RIP3 kinase in programmed necrosis induced by RIP1-RIP3, DAI-RIP3, and TRIF-RIP3 complexes. Cell fate decisions following TLR signaling parallel death receptor signaling and rely on caspase 8 to suppress RIP3-dependent programmed necrosis whether initiated directly by a TRIF-RIP3-MLKL pathway or indirectly via TNF activation and the RIP1-RIP3-MLKL necroptosis pathway.

Poly IC triggers a cathepsin D- and IPS-1-dependent pathway to enhance cytokine production and mediate dendritic cell necroptosis

RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs) sense virus-derived RNA or polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly IC) to exert antiviral immune responses. Here, we examine the mechanisms underlying the adjuvant effects of poly IC. Poly IC was taken up by dendritic cells (DCs), and it induced lysosomal destabilization, which, in turn, activated an RLR-dependent signaling pathway. Upon poly IC stimulation, cathepsin D was released into the cytoplasm from the lysosome to interact with IPS-1, an adaptor molecule for RLRs. This interaction facilitated cathepsin D cleavage of caspase 8 and the activation of the transcription factor NF-κB, resulting in enhanced cytokine production. Further recruitment of the kinase RIP-1 to this complex initiated the necroptosis of a small number of DCs. HMGB1 released by dying cells enhanced IFN-β production in concert with poly IC. Collectively, these findings suggest that cathepsin D-triggered, IPS-1-dependent necroptosis is a mechanism that propagates the adjuvant efficacy of poly IC.

Induction of caspase 3 activation by multiple Legionella pneumophila Dot/Icm substrates

The intracellular pathogen Legionella pneumophila is able to strike a balance between the death and survival of the host cell during infection. Despite the presence of high level of active caspase 3, the executioner caspase of apoptotic cell death, infected permissive macrophages are markedly resistant to exogenous apoptotic stimuli. Several bacterial molecules capable of promoting the cell survival pathways have been identified, but proteins involved in the activation of caspase 3 remain unknown. To study the mechanism of L. pneumophila-mediated caspase 3 activation, we tested all known Dot/Icm substrates for their ability to activate caspase 3. Five effectors capable of causing caspase 3 activation upon transient expression were identified. Among these, by using its ability to activate caspase 3 by inducing the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria, we demonstrated that VipD is a phospholipase A2, which hydrolyses phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphocholine (PC) on the mitochondrial membrane in a manner that appears to require host cofactor(s). The lipase activity leads to the production of free fatty acids and 2-lysophospholipids, which destabilize the mitochondrial membrane and may contribute to the release of cytochrome c and the subsequent caspase 3 activation. Furthermore, we found that whereas it is not detectably defectively in caspase 3 activation in permissive cells, amutant lacking all of these five genes is less potent in inducing apoptosis in dendritic cells. Our results reveal that activation of host cell death pathways by L. pneumophila is a result of the effects of multiple bacterial proteins with diverse biochemical functions.

Adaptive immunity after cell death

We understand much about the agents, receptors, and signalling pathways that lead to immunity to pathogens. Less is known about how the process is initiated in apparently sterile conditions such as spontaneous immunity to certain tumours, tissue grafts, or autoimmune disorders. Proinflammatory molecules released by dying cells, termed damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), have been proposed to activate dendritic cells (DCs) to promote T cell responses to antigens present in cell corpses. Surprisingly, rather than affecting activation, some recently identified DAMP receptors control specialised DC functions such as antigen acquisition and presentation. This selectivity reveals a new point of control in the regulation of adaptive immunity and, potentially, tolerance that renders DAMPs nonredundant players in responses to both sterile and nonsterile insults.

Masters, marionettes and modulators: intersection of pathogen virulence factors and mammalian death receptor signaling

TNF and its receptor, TNFR1, are members of the TNF superfamily and play important roles during infection by orchestrating an inflammatory response. The key role that TNFR1 signaling plays in host defense singles it out as a frequent target of pathogen manipulation. This review describes how the TNFR1 signaling pathway is attacked by pathogen virulence factors and how the different TNFR1 signaling pathways, in particular the death signaling response, have evolved to counteract these pathogen manipulations. We examine recent data showing that other 'Death Receptors' in the TNF superfamily, namely TRAIL-R and Fas, also participate in the immune response to pathogens. Finally we explore how knowledge of the inhibition of these pathways is being translated for clinical applications.

How positive-strand RNA viruses benefit from autophagosome maturation

The autophagic degradation pathway is a powerful tool in the host cell arsenal against cytosolic pathogens. Contents trapped inside cytosolic vesicles, termed autophagosomes, are delivered to the lysosome for degradation. In spite of the degradative nature of the pathway, some pathogens are able to subvert autophagy for their benefit. In many cases, these pathogens have developed strategies to induce the autophagic signaling pathway while inhibiting the associated degradation activity. One surprising finding from recent literature is that some viruses do not impede degradation but instead promote the generation of degradative autolysosomes, which are the endpoint compartments of autophagy. Dengue virus, poliovirus, and hepatitis C virus, all positive-strand RNA viruses, utilize the maturation of autophagosomes into acidic and ultimately degradative compartments to promote their replication. While the benefits that each virus reaps from autophagosome maturation are unique, the parallels between the viruses indicate a complex relationship between cytosolic viruses and host cell degradation vesicles.

Inflammasome-mediated pyroptotic and apoptotic cell death, and defense against infection

Cell death is an effective strategy to limit intracellular infections. Canonical inflammasomes, including NLRP3, NLRC4, and AIM2, recruit and activate caspase-1 in response to a range of microbial stimuli and endogenous danger signals. Caspase-1 then promotes the secretion of IL-1β and IL-18 and a rapid form of lytic programmed cell death termed pyroptosis. A second inflammatory caspase, mouse caspase-11, mediates pyroptotic death through an unknown non-canonical inflammasome system in response to cytosolic bacteria. In addition, recent work shows that inflammasomes can also recruit procaspase-8, initiating apoptosis. The induction of multiple pathways of cell death has probably evolved to counteract microbial evasion of cell death pathways.

The NLRP3 inflammasome in Alzheimer's disease

Innate immunity and inflammatory response plays an important role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). As the major resident immune cells in the brain, microglial cells constantly survey the microenvironment and are activated by and recruited to senile plaques. Subsequently, they can phagocytose amyloid-β (Aβ) and secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines that influence the surrounding brain tissue. Recently, a wealth of information linking the microglia-specific activation of NLRP3 inflammasome to AD pathogenesis has emerged. We review here the activation mechanisms of NLRP3 inflammasome in microglia and several downstream effects in the brain, demonstrating that toxic Aβ peptide can light a fire in NLRP3 inflammasome and eventually induce AD pathology and tissue damage. More importantly, it has been demonstrated that inhibition of NLRP3 could largely protect from memory loss and decrease Aβ deposition in AD transgenic mouse model. So, we further discuss the recent advances and challenges in targeting NLRP3 inflammasome for AD therapy.

Caspase-1: the inflammasome and beyond

Caspase-1 plays a fundamental role in innate immunity and in several important inflammatory diseases as the protease activates the pro-inflammatory cytokines proIL-1β and proIL-18. Caspase-1 itself is activated in different inflammasome complexes, which assemble in response to a variety of exogenous and endogenous stressors. More recently, pyroptosis, a caspase-1-dependent type of programmed cell death, has been identified that is able to support secreted IL-1 and IL-18 in triggering an inflammatory response. Whereas these 'canonical' activities are well appreciated, this review also highlights less-known pathways and molecules activated by caspase-1. There is evidence that caspase-1 supports cell survival by activation of NF-κB, induction of membrane repair and regulation of unconventional secretion of certain proteins. The physiologic effects of processing of other downstream targets, such as proteins involved in glycolysis or activation of caspase-7, are less well understood. However, there is increasing evidence that caspase-1 contributes to innate and adaptive immunologic defense mechanisms, repair and pathologic conditions by the regulation of several different and partially opposing pathways.

Reovirus activates a caspase-independent cell death pathway

Virus-induced apoptosis is thought to be the primary mechanism of cell death following reovirus infection. Induction of cell death following reovirus infection is initiated by the incoming viral capsid proteins during cell entry and occurs via NF-κB-dependent activation of classical apoptotic pathways. Prototype reovirus strain T3D displays a higher cell-killing potential than strain T1L. To investigate how signaling pathways initiated by T3D and T1L differ, we methodically analyzed cell death pathways activated by these two viruses in L929 cells. We found that T3D activates NF-κB, initiator caspases, and effector caspases to a significantly greater extent than T1L. Surprisingly, blockade of NF-κB or caspases did not affect T3D-induced cell death. Cell death following T3D infection resulted in a reduction in cellular ATP levels and was sensitive to inhibition of the kinase activity of receptor interacting protein 1 (RIP1). Furthermore, membranes of T3D-infected cells were compromised. Based on the dispensability of caspases, a requirement for RIP1 kinase function, and the physiological status of infected cells, we conclude that reovirus can also induce an alternate, necrotic form of cell death described as necroptosis. We also found that induction of necroptosis requires synthesis of viral RNA or proteins, a step distinct from that necessary for the induction of apoptosis. Thus, our studies reveal that two different events in the reovirus replication cycle can injure host cells by distinct mechanisms.

Virus-induced cell death is a determinant of pathogenesis. Mammalian reovirus is a versatile experimental model for identifying viral and host intermediaries that contribute to cell death and for examining how these factors influence viral disease. In this study, we identified that in addition to apoptosis, a regulated form of cell death, reovirus is capable of inducing an alternate form of controlled cell death known as necroptosis. Death by this pathway perturbs the integrity of host membranes and likely triggers inflammation. We also found that apoptosis and necroptosis following viral infection are activated by distinct mechanisms. Our results suggest that host cells can detect different stages of viral infection and attempt to limit viral replication through different forms of cellular suicide. While these death responses may aid in curbing viral spread, they can also exacerbate tissue injury and disease following infection.

Resilient immortals, characterizing and utilizing Bax/Bak deficient Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells for high titer antibody production

Cell death due to apoptosis is frequently observed in large-scale manufacturing of therapeutic proteins, and can reduce product accumulation in bioreactors. Several different strategies that involve overexpression of antiapoptotic or downregulation of proapoptotic proteins have been designed in attempt to curb this problem in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell culture. However, each of these designs has their own shortcomings and limits, rendering them ineffective for large-scale protein production. Recently, we have reported generation of a Bax and Bak deficient dhfr(-/-) CHO cell line using zinc-finger nucleases. Here we demonstrate that puromycin, but not methotrexate, selection can be used to generate antibody-expressing Bax and Bak deficient clones that are not only resistant to apoptosis, but that can also achieve higher titers relative to parental CHO cells due to higher cell density. Additionally, we show that Bax and Bak deficient cells have more mitochondria with healthy membrane potential, an attribute that perhaps contributes to their more potent growth compared to parental cells. Bax and Bak deficient cells do not readily apoptose, as shown by the ability to withstand high concentrations of apoptosis inducing agents, such as sodium butyrate, without a reduction in viability, growth, or titer. These traits render Bax and Bak deficient cells a potentially attractive host for production of therapeutic proteins at industrial scale.

Phosphorylation drives an apoptotic protein to activate antiapoptotic genes: paradigm of influenza A matrix 1 protein function

During infection, viral proteins target cellular pathways that regulate cellular innate immune responses and cell death. We demonstrate that influenza A virus matrix 1 protein (M1), an established proapoptotic protein, activates nuclear factor-κB member RelB-mediated survival genes (cIAP1, cIAP2, and cFLIP), a function that is linked with its nuclear translocation during early infection. Death domain-associated protein 6 (Daxx) is a transcription co-repressor of the RelB-responsive gene promoters. During influenza virus infection M1 binds to and stabilizes Daxx protein by preventing its ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. Binding of M1 with Daxx through its Daxx binding motif prevents binding of RelB and Daxx, resulting in up-regulation of survival genes. This interaction also prevents promoter recruitment of DNA methyltransferases (Dnmt1 and Dnmt3a) and lowers CpG methylation of the survival gene promoters, leading to the activation of these genes. Thus, M1 prevents repressional function of Daxx during infection, thereby exerting a survival role. In addition to its nuclear localization signal, translocation of M1 to the nucleus depends on cellular kinase-mediated phosphorylation as the protein kinase C inhibitor calphostin C effectively down-regulates virus replication. The study reconciles the ambiguity of dual antagonistic function of viral protein and potentiates a possible target to limit virus infection.

Hantavirus-infection confers resistance to cytotoxic lymphocyte-mediated apoptosis

Hantaviruses cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and hantavirus cardio-pulmonary syndrome (HCPS; also called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS)), both human diseases with high case-fatality rates. Endothelial cells are the main targets for hantaviruses. An intriguing observation in patients with HFRS and HCPS is that on one hand the virus infection leads to strong activation of CD8 T cells and NK cells, on the other hand no obvious destruction of infected endothelial cells is observed. Here, we provide an explanation for this dichotomy by showing that hantavirus-infected endothelial cells are protected from cytotoxic lymphocyte-mediated induction of apoptosis. When dissecting potential mechanisms behind this phenomenon, we discovered that the hantavirus nucleocapsid protein inhibits the enzymatic activity of both granzyme B and caspase 3. This provides a tentative explanation for the hantavirus-mediated block of cytotoxic granule-mediated apoptosis-induction, and hence the protection of infected cells from cytotoxic lymphocytes. These findings may explain why infected endothelial cells in hantavirus-infected patients are not destroyed by the strong cytotoxic lymphocyte response.

Rodent-born hantaviruses cause two severe emerging diseases with high case-fatality rates in humans; hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in Eurasia and hantavirus cardio-pulmonary syndrome (HCPS; also called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS)) in the Americas. A hallmark of HFRS/HCPS is increased vascular permeability. While endothelial cells are the main targets for hantaviruses, infection per se is not lytic. Patients suffering from HFRS and HCPS show remarkable strong cytotoxic lymphocyte responses including high numbers of activated NK cells and antigen-specific CD8 T cells. Hence, it has been suggested that cytotoxic lymphocyte-mediated killing of hantavirus-infected endothelial cells might contribute to HFRS/HCPS-pathogenesis. Here, we show that hantaviruses protect infected endothelial cells from being killed by cytotoxic lymphocytes. Further, we also show that hantaviruses inhibit apoptosis in general. Hantaviruses are negative-stranded RNA viruses encoding four structural proteins. Interestingly, the nucleocapsid protein was shown to inhibit the enzymatic functions of both granzyme B and caspase 3, two enzymes crucial for cytotoxic lymphocyte-mediated killing of virus-infected cells. Our study provides new insights into the interactions between hantaviruses, infected cells, and cytotoxic lymphocytes, and argues against a role for cytotoxic lymphocyte-mediated killing of virus-infected endothelial cells in causing HFRS/HCPS.

Importance of PdpC, IglC, IglI, and IglG for modulation of a host cell death pathway induced by Francisella tularensis

Modulation of host cell death pathways appears to be a prerequisite for the successful lifestyles of many intracellular pathogens. The facultative intracellular bacterium Francisella tularensis is highly pathogenic, and effective proliferation in the macrophage cytosol leading to host cell death is a requirement for its virulence. To better understand the prerequisites of this cell death, macrophages were infected with the F. tularensis live vaccine strain (LVS), and the effects were compared to those resulting from infections with deletion mutants lacking expression of either of the pdpC, iglC, iglG, or iglI genes, which encode components of the Francisella pathogenicity island (FPI), a type VI secretion system. Within 12 h, a majority of the J774 cells infected with the LVS strain showed production of mitochondrial superoxide and, after 24 h, marked signs of mitochondrial damage, caspase-9 and caspase-3 activation, phosphatidylserine expression, nucleosome formation, and membrane leakage. In contrast, neither of these events occurred after infection with the ΔiglI or ΔiglC mutants, although the former strain replicated. The ΔiglG mutant replicated effectively but induced only marginal cytopathogenic effects after 24 h and intermediate effects after 48 h. In contrast, the ΔpdpC mutant showed no replication but induced marked mitochondrial superoxide production and mitochondrial damage, caspase-3 activation, nucleosome formation, and phosphatidylserine expression, although the effects were delayed compared to those obtained with LVS. The unique phenotypes of the mutants provide insights regarding the roles of individual FPI components for the modulation of the cytopathogenic effects resulting from the F. tularensis infection.

The apoptogenic toxin AIP56 is a metalloprotease A-B toxin that cleaves NF-κb P65

AIP56 (apoptosis-inducing protein of 56 kDa) is a major virulence factor of Photobacterium damselae piscicida (Phdp), a Gram-negative pathogen that causes septicemic infections, which are among the most threatening diseases in mariculture. The toxin triggers apoptosis of host macrophages and neutrophils through a process that, in vivo, culminates with secondary necrosis of the apoptotic cells contributing to the necrotic lesions observed in the diseased animals. Here, we show that AIP56 is a NF-κB p65-cleaving zinc-metalloprotease whose catalytic activity is required for the apoptogenic effect. Most of the bacterial effectors known to target NF-κB are type III secreted effectors. In contrast, we demonstrate that AIP56 is an A-B toxin capable of acting at distance, without requiring contact of the bacteria with the target cell. We also show that the N-terminal domain cleaves NF-κB at the Cys³⁹-Glu⁴⁰ peptide bond and that the C-terminal domain is involved in binding and internalization into the cytosol.

The apoptosis inducing protein of 56 kDa (AIP56) is a key virulence factor secreted by Photobacterium damselae piscicida (Phdp), a Gram-negative bacterium that causes septicaemic infections in economically important marine fish species. It is known that AIP56 induces massive destruction of the phagocytic cells of the infected host, allowing the extracellular multiplication of the bacteria and contributing to the genesis of the pathology. Here we show that AIP56 acts by cleaving NF-κB p65. The NF-κB family of transcription factors is evolutionarily conserved and plays a central role in the host responses to microbial pathogen invasion, regulating the expression of inflammatory and anti-apoptotic genes. Pathogenic bacteria have evolved complex strategies to interfere with NF-κB signalling, usually by injecting protein effectors directly into the cell's cytosol through bacterial secretion machineries that require contact with host cells. In contrast, AIP56 acts at distance and has an intrinsic ability to reach the cytosol due to the presence of a C-terminal domain that functions as “delivery module.”

Necrosis is the dominant cell death pathway in uropathogenic Escherichia coli elicited epididymo-orchitis and is responsible for damage of rat testis

Male infertility is a frequent medical condition, compromising approximately one in twenty men, with infections of the reproductive tract constituting a major etiological factor. Bacterial epididymo-orchitis results in acute inflammation most often caused by ascending canalicular infections from the urethra via the continuous male excurrent ductal system. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) represent a relevant pathogen in urogenital tract infections. To explore how bacteria can cause damage and cell loss and thus impair fertility, an in vivo epididymo-orchitis model was employed in rats by injecting UPEC strain CFT073 into the vas deference in close proximity to the epididymis. Seven days post infection bacteria were found predominantly in the testicular interstitial space. UPEC infection resulted in severe impairment of spermatogenesis by germ cell loss, damage of testicular somatic cells, a decrease in sperm numbers and a significant increase in TUNEL (+) cells. Activation of caspase-8 (extrinsic apoptotic pathway), caspase-3/−6 (intrinsic apoptotic pathway), caspase-1 (pyroptosis pathway) and the presence of 180 bp DNA fragments, all of which serve as indicators of the classical apoptotic pathway, were not observed in infected testis. Notably, electron microscopical examination revealed degenerative features of Sertoli cells (SC) in UPEC infected testis. Furthermore, the passive release of high mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1), as an indication of necrosis, was observed in vivo in infected testis. Thus, necrosis appears to be the dominant cell death pathway in UPEC infected testis. Substantial necrotic changes seen in Sertoli cells will contribute to impaired spermatogenesis by loss of function in supporting the dependent germ cells.

Subversion of autophagy in adherent invasive Escherichia coli-infected neutrophils induces inflammation and cell death

Invading bacteria are recognized, captured and killed by a specialized form of autophagy, called xenophagy. Recently, defects in xenophagy in Crohn’s disease (CD) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of human chronic inflammatory diseases of uncertain etiology of the gastrointestinal tract. We show here that pathogenic adherent-invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) isolated from CD patients are able to adhere and invade neutrophils, which represent the first line of defense against bacteria. Of particular interest, AIEC infection of neutrophil-like PLB-985 cells blocked autophagy at the autolysosomal step, which allowed intracellular survival of bacteria and exacerbated interleukin-8 (IL-8) production. Interestingly, this block in autophagy correlated with the induction of autophagic cell death. Likewise, stimulation of autophagy by nutrient starvation or rapamycin treatment reduced intracellular AIEC survival and IL-8 production. Finally, treatment with an inhibitor of autophagy decreased cell death of AIEC-infected neutrophil-like PLB-985 cells. In conclusion, excessive autophagy in AIEC infection triggered cell death of neutrophils.

Multiplicity-dependent activation of a serine protease-dependent cytomegalovirus-associated programmed cell death pathway

At a low MOI (≤0.01), cytomegalovirus-associated programmed cell death terminates productive infection via a pathway triggered by the mitochondrial serine protease HtrA2/Omi. This infected cell death is associated with late phase replication events naturally suppressed by the viral mitochondrial inhibitor of apoptosis (vMIA). Here, higher MOI (ranging from 0.1-3.0) triggers cell death earlier during infection independent of viral DNA synthesis. Thus, MOI-dependent activating signals early, at high MOI, or late, at low MOI, during replication promote serine protease-dependent death that is suppressed by vMIA. Treatment with an antioxidant targeting reactive oxygen species (ROS) or the serine protease inhibitor N-alpha-p-tosyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone (TLCK) delays cell death, and the combination has an additive impact. These studies identify serine proteases and ROS as important factors triggering programmed cell death induced by vMIA-deficient virus, and show that this death pathway occurs earlier and reduces viral yields as the MOI is increased.

Current understanding of the Trypanosoma cruzi-cardiomyocyte interaction

Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease, exhibits multiple strategies to ensure its establishment and persistence in the host. Although this parasite has the ability to infect different organs, heart impairment is the most frequent clinical manifestation of the disease. Advances in knowledge of T. cruzi-cardiomyocyte interactions have contributed to a better understanding of the biological events involved in the pathogenesis of Chagas disease. This brief review focuses on the current understanding of molecules involved in T. cruzi-cardiomyocyte recognition, the mechanism of invasion, and on the effect of intracellular development of T. cruzi on the structural organization and molecular response of the target cell.

Virulence factors of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex

The Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) consists of closely related species that cause tuberculosis in both humans and animals. This illness, still today, remains to be one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. The mycobacteria enter the host by air, and, once in the lungs, are phagocytated by macrophages. This may lead to the rapid elimination of the bacillus or to the triggering of an active tuberculosis infection. A large number of different virulence factors have evolved in MTBC members as a response to the host immune reaction. The aim of this review is to describe the bacterial genes/proteins that are essential for the virulence of MTBC species, and that have been demonstrated in an in vivo model of infection. Knowledge of MTBC virulence factors is essential for the development of new vaccines and drugs to help manage the disease toward an increasingly more tuberculosis-free world.

From mice to women and back again: causalities and clues for Chlamydia-induced tubal ectopic pregnancy

OBJECTIVE

To provide an overview of knockout mouse models that have pathological tubal phenotypes after Chlamydia muridarum infection, discuss factors and pathological processes that contribute to inflammation, summarize data on tubal transport and progression of tubal implantation from studies in humans and animal models, and highlight research questions in the field.

DESIGN

A search of the relevant literature using PubMed and other online tools.

SETTING

University-based preclinical and clinical research laboratories.

PATIENT(S)

Women with tubal ectopic pregnancy after Chlamydia trachomatis infection.

INTERVENTION(S)

None.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Critical review of the literature.

RESULT(S)

Chlamydia trachomatis infection poses a major threat to human reproduction. Biological and epidemiological evidence suggests that progression of Chlamydia infection causes intense and persistent inflammation, injury, and scarring in the fallopian tube, leading to a substantially increased risk of ectopic pregnancy and infertility. The main targets of Chlamydia infection are epithelial cells lining the mucosal surface, which play a central role in host immune responses and pathophysiology. Tubal phenotypes at the cellular level in mutant mice appear to reflect alterations in the balance between inflammatory mediator and factor deficiency. While studies in mice infected with Chlamydia muridarum have provided insight into potential inflammatory mediators linked to fallopian tube pathology, it is unclear how inflammation induced by Chlamydia infection prevents or retards normal tubal transport and causes embryo implantation in the fallopian tube.

CONCLUSION(S)

Given the similarities in the tubal physiology of humans and rodents, knockout mouse models can be used to study certain aspects of tubal functions, such as gamete transport and early embryo implantation. Elucidation of the exact molecular mechanisms of immune and inflammatory responses caused by Chlamydia infection in human fallopian tubal cells in vitro and understanding how Chlamydia infection affects tubal transport and implantation in animal studies in vivo may explain how Chlamydia trachomatis infection drives inflammation and develops the tubal pathology in women with tubal ectopic pregnancy.

A cytotoxic type III secretion effector of Vibrio parahaemolyticus targets vacuolar H+-ATPase subunit c and ruptures host cell lysosomes

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is one of the human pathogenic vibrios. During the infection of mammalian cells, this pathogen exhibits cytotoxicity that is dependent on its type III secretion system (T3SS1). VepA, an effector protein secreted via the T3SS1, plays a major role in the T3SS1-dependent cytotoxicity of V. parahaemolyticus. However, the mechanism by which VepA is involved in T3SS1-dependent cytotoxicity is unknown. Here, we found that protein transfection of VepA into HeLa cells resulted in cell death, indicating that VepA alone is cytotoxic. The ectopic expression of VepA in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae interferes with yeast growth, indicating that VepA is also toxic in yeast. A yeast genome-wide screen identified the yeast gene VMA3 as essential for the growth inhibition of yeast by VepA. Although VMA3 encodes subunit c of the vacuolar H⁺-ATPase (V-ATPase), the toxicity of VepA was independent of the function of V-ATPases. In HeLa cells, knockdown of V-ATPase subunit c decreased VepA-mediated cytotoxicity. We also demonstrated that VepA interacted with V-ATPase subunit c, whereas a carboxyl-terminally truncated mutant of VepA (VepAΔC), which does not show toxicity, did not. During infection, lysosomal contents leaked into the cytosol, revealing that lysosomal membrane permeabilization occurred prior to cell lysis. In a cell-free system, VepA was sufficient to induce the release of cathepsin D from isolated lysosomes. Therefore, our data suggest that the bacterial effector VepA targets subunit c of V-ATPase and induces the rupture of host cell lysosomes and subsequent cell death.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a bacterial pathogen that causes food-borne gastroenteritis and also wound infection and septicemia. It exhibits cytotoxicity that is dependent on its type III secretion system (T3SS1) during the infection of mammalian cells. Although an effector VepA plays a major role in the cytotoxicity, the mechanism was unknown. Here we show that VepA targets subunit c of the vacuolar H⁺-ATPase (V-ATPase) and induces the rupture of host cell lysosomes. We found that VepA alone is cytotoxic in HeLa cells and also toxic in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Using a yeast genome-wide screening, we identified yeast V-ATPase subunit c as essential for the toxicity of VepA to yeast. We also demonstrated that knockdown of V-ATPase subunit c decreased VepA-mediated cytotoxicity toward HeLa cells and that VepA interacted with subunit c of V-ATPase. During infection, lysosomal contents leaked into the cytosol prior to cell lysis, and VepA was necessary and sufficient for this leakage. Our data suggest that a bacterial effector VepA ruptures lysosomes, the “suicide bags” of host cells, by targeting the evolutionarily conserved V-ATPase, and elicits subsequent cell death.

DAI/ZBP1/DLM-1 complexes with RIP3 to mediate virus-induced programmed necrosis that is targeted by murine cytomegalovirus vIRA

Programmed necrosis, like apoptosis, eliminates pathogen-infected cells as a component of host defense. Receptor-interacting protein kinase (RIP) 3 (also called RIPK3) mediates RIP homotypic interaction motif (RHIM)-dependent programmed necrosis induced by murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection or death receptor activation and suppressed by the MCMV-encoded viral inhibitor of RIP activation (vIRA). We find that interferon-independent expression of DNA-dependent activator of interferon regulatory factors (DAI, also known as ZBP1 or DLM-1) sensitizes cells to virus-induced necrosis and that DAI knockdown or knockout cells are resistant to this death pathway. Importantly, as with RIP3(-/-) mice, vIRA mutant MCMV pathogenesis is restored in DAI(-/-) mice, consistent with a DAI-RIP3 complex being the natural target of vIRA. Thus, DAI interacts with RIP3 to mediate virus-induced necrosis analogous to the RIP1-RIP3 complex controlling death receptor-induced necroptosis. These studies unveil a role for DAI as the RIP3 partner mediating virus-induced necrosis.

Large scale genotype comparison of human papillomavirus E2-host interaction networks provides new insights for e2 molecular functions

Human Papillomaviruses (HPV) cause widespread infections in humans, resulting in latent infections or diseases ranging from benign hyperplasia to cancers. HPV-induced pathologies result from complex interplays between viral proteins and the host proteome. Given the major public health concern due to HPV-associated cancers, most studies have focused on the early proteins expressed by HPV genotypes with high oncogenic potential (designated high-risk HPV or HR-HPV). To advance the global understanding of HPV pathogenesis, we mapped the virus/host interaction networks of the E2 regulatory protein from 12 genotypes representative of the range of HPV pathogenicity. Large-scale identification of E2-interaction partners was performed by yeast two-hybrid screenings of a HaCaT cDNA library. Based on a high-confidence scoring scheme, a subset of these partners was then validated for pair-wise interaction in mammalian cells with the whole range of the 12 E2 proteins, allowing a comparative interaction analysis. Hierarchical clustering of E2-host interaction profiles mostly recapitulated HPV phylogeny and provides clues to the involvement of E2 in HPV infection. A set of cellular proteins could thus be identified discriminating, among the mucosal HPV, E2 proteins of HR-HPV 16 or 18 from the non-oncogenic genital HPV. The study of the interaction networks revealed a preferential hijacking of highly connected cellular proteins and the targeting of several functional families. These include transcription regulation, regulation of apoptosis, RNA processing, ubiquitination and intracellular trafficking. The present work provides an overview of E2 biological functions across multiple HPV genotypes.

Over 100 types of human papillomaviruses are responsible for widespread infections in humans. They cause a wide range of pathologies, ranging from inapparent infections to benign lesions, hyperplasia or cancers. Such heterogeneity results from variable interplay among viral and host cell proteins. Aiming to identify specific features that distinguish different pathological genotypes, we mapped the virus-host interaction networks of the regulatory E2 proteins from a set of 12 genotypes representative of HPV diversity. The E2-host interaction profiles recapitulate HPV phylogeny, thus providing a valuable framework for understanding the role of E2 in HPV infection of different pathological traits. The E2 proteins tend to bind to highly connected cellular proteins, indicating a profound effect on the host cell. These interactions predominantly impact on a subset of cellular processes, like transcriptional regulation, apoptosis, RNA metabolism, ubiquitination or intracellular transport. This work improves the global understanding of HPV-associated pathologies, and provides a framework to select interactions that can be used as targets for the development of new therapeutics.

Recent progress in studies of arterivirus- and coronavirus-host interactions

Animal coronaviruses, such as infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), and arteriviruses, such as porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), are able to manifest highly contagious infections in their specific native hosts, thereby arising in critical economic damage to animal industries. This review discusses recent progress in studies of virus-host interactions during animal and human coronavirus and arterivirus infections, with emphasis on IBV-host cell interactions. These interactions may be directly involved in viral replication or lead to the alteration of certain signaling pathways, such as cell stress response and innate immunity, to facilitate viral replication and pathogenesis.

Multifaceted roles of purinergic receptors in viral infection

Extracellular nucleotides and purinergic receptors participate in numerous cellular processes during viral infection. Despite their positive role in the immune response, purinergic signals can also favor the infection of cells by viruses and the pathogeny of viral diseases. Here, we highlight the multiple ambiguous roles of purinergic receptors in viral infections.

The role of inflammasome modulation in virulence

Pathogens frequently exist in an immunological balancing act with their host. Pathogens must not only replicate within a host but also transmit effectively between hosts to perpetuate their species. On the other hand, the host seeks to maintain homeostasis by clearing pathogens. The inflammasome is a multi-protein complex that can induce cell death and processes IL-1β and additional proinflammatory substrates. In this review we discuss the pathogen specific modulation of inflammasome activation and the role this plays in virulence and disease pathology.

Active evasion of CTL mediated killing and low quality responding CD8+ T cells contribute to persistence of brucellosis

Brucellosis is a common zoonotic disease that remains endemic in many parts of the world. Dissecting the host immune response during this disease provides insight as to why brucellosis is often difficult to resolve. We used a Brucella epitope specific in vivo killing assay to investigate the ability of CD8+ T cells to kill targets treated with purified pathogenic protein. Importantly, we found the pathogenic protein TcpB to be a novel effector of adaptive immune evasion by inhibiting CD8+ T cell killing of Brucella epitope specific target cells in mice. Further, BALB/c mice show active Brucella melitensis infection beyond one year, many with previously unreported focal infection of the urogenital area. A fraction of CD8+ T cells show a CD8+ Tmem phenotype of LFA-1hi, CD127hi, KLRG-1lo during the course of chronic brucellosis, while the CD8+ T cell pool as a whole had a very weak polyfunctional cytokine response with diminished co-expression of IFN-γ with TNFα and/or IL-2, a hallmark of exhaustion. When investigating the expression of these 3 cytokines individually, we observed significant IFN-γ expression at 90 and 180 days post-infection. TNFα expression did not significantly exceed or fall below background levels at any time. IL-2 expression did not significantly exceeded background, but, interestingly, did fall significantly below that of uninfected mice at 180 days post-infection. Brucella melitensis evades and blunts adaptive immunity during acute infection and our findings provide potential mechanisms for the deficit observed in responding CD8+ T cells during chronic brucellosis.

Caspase-2 is an initiator caspase responsible for pore-forming toxin-mediated apoptosis

Bacterial pathogens modulate host cell apoptosis to establish a successful infection. Pore-forming toxins (PFTs) secreted by pathogenic bacteria are major virulence factors and have been shown to induce various forms of cell death in infected cells. Here we demonstrate that the highly conserved caspase-2 is required for PFT-mediated apoptosis. Despite being the second mammalian caspase to be identified, the role of caspase-2 during apoptosis remains enigmatic. We show that caspase-2 functions as an initiator caspase during Staphylococcus aureus α-toxin- and Aeromonas aerolysin-mediated apoptosis in epithelial cells. Downregulation of caspase-2 leads to a strong inhibition of PFT-mediated apoptosis. Activation of caspase-2 is PIDDosome-independent, and endogenous caspase-2 is recruited to a high-molecular-weight complex in α-toxin-treated cells. Interestingly, prevention of PFT-induced potassium efflux inhibits the formation of caspase-2 complex, leading to its inactivation, thus resisting apoptosis. These results revealed a thus far unknown, obligatory role for caspase-2 as an initiator caspase during PFT-mediated apoptosis.

Internal affairs: investigating the Brucella intracellular lifestyle

Bacteria of the genus Brucella are Gram-negative pathogens of several animal species that cause a zoonotic disease in humans known as brucellosis or Malta fever. Within their hosts, brucellae reside within different cell types where they establish a replicative niche and remain protected from the immune response. The aim of this article is to discuss recent advances in the field in the specific context of the Brucella intracellular 'lifestyle'. We initially discuss the different host cell targets and their relevance during infection. As it represents the key to intracellular replication, the focus is then set on the maturation of the Brucella phagosome, with particular emphasis on the Brucella factors that are directly implicated in intracellular trafficking and modulation of host cell signalling pathways. Recent data on the role of the type IV secretion system are discussed, novel effector molecules identified and how some of them impact on trafficking events. Current knowledge on Brucella gene regulation and control of host cell death are summarized, as they directly affect intracellular persistence. Understanding how Brucella molecules interplay with their host cell targets to modulate cellular functions and establish the intracellular niche will help unravel how this pathogen causes disease.

Intracellular events and cell fate in filovirus infection

Marburg and Ebola viruses cause a severe hemorrhagic disease in humans with high fatality rates. Early target cells of filoviruses are monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells. The infection spreads to the liver, spleen and later other organs by blood and lymph flow. A hallmark of filovirus infection is the depletion of non-infected lymphocytes; however, the molecular mechanisms leading to the observed bystander lymphocyte apoptosis are poorly understood. Also, there is limited knowledge about the fate of infected cells in filovirus disease. In this review we will explore what is known about the intracellular events leading to virus amplification and cell damage in filovirus infection. Furthermore, we will discuss how cellular dysfunction and cell death may correlate with disease pathogenesis.

Francisella tularensis inhibits the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways to delay constitutive apoptosis and prolong human neutrophil lifespan

Francisella tularensis is a facultative intracellular bacterium that infects many cell types, including neutrophils. We demonstrated previously that F. tularensis inhibits NADPH oxidase assembly and activity and then escapes the phagosome to the cytosol, but effects on other aspects of neutrophil function are unknown. Neutrophils are short-lived cells that undergo constitutive apoptosis, and phagocytosis typically accelerates this process. We now demonstrate that F. tularensis significantly inhibited neutrophil apoptosis as indicated by morphologic analysis as well as annexin V and TUNEL staining. Thus, ∼80% of infected neutrophils remained viable at 48 h compared with ∼50% of control cells, and ∼40% of neutrophils that ingested opsonized zymosan. In keeping with this finding, processing and activation of procaspases-8, -9, and -3 were markedly diminished and delayed. F. tularensis also significantly impaired apoptosis triggered by Fas crosslinking. Of note, these effects were dose dependent and could be conferred by either intracellular or extracellular live bacteria, but not by formalin-killed organisms or isolated LPS and capsule, and were not affected by disruption of wbtA2 or FTT1236/FTL0708-genes required for LPS O-antigen and capsule biosynthesis. In summary, we demonstrate that F. tularensis profoundly impairs constitutive neutrophil apoptosis via effects on the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways, and thereby define a new aspect of innate immune evasion by this organism. As defects in neutrophil turnover prevent resolution of inflammation, our findings also suggest a mechanism that may in part account for the neutrophil accumulation, granuloma formation, and severe tissue damage that characterizes lethal pneumonic tularemia.

An alternative Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus replication program triggered by host cell apoptosis

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is linked to several neoplastic diseases: Kaposi's sarcoma, primary effusion lymphoma (PEL), and multicentric Castleman's disease (MCD). KSHV replicates actively, via a controlled gene expression program, but can also remain latent. It had been thought that the transition from latent to lytic replication was controlled exclusively by the replication and transcription activator protein RTA (open reading frame 50 [ORF50] gene product). A dominant-negative (DN) ORF50 mutant, ORF50ΔSTAD, blocks gene expression and replication. We produced a PEL cell line derivative containing both latent KSHV genomes and an inducible ORF50ΔSTAD. We unexpectedly found that induction of apoptosis triggered high-level viral replication, even when DN ORF50ΔSTAD was present, suggesting that apoptosis triggers KSHV replication through a distinct RTA-independent pathway. We verified that apoptosis triggers KSHV replication independent of RTA using ORF50 small interfering RNA (siRNA) and also showed that caspase activity is required to trigger KSHV replication. We showed that when apoptosis triggers KSHV replication, the kinetics of late gene expression is accelerated by 12 to 24 h and that virus produced following apoptosis has reduced infectivity. KSHV therefore appears to replicate via two distinct pathways, a conventional pathway requiring RTA, with slower replication kinetics, producing virus with higher infectivity, and an alternative apoptosis-triggered pathway that does not require RTA, has faster replication kinetics, and produces virus with lower infectivity. The existence of a distinct apoptosis-triggered, accelerated replication pathway may have evolutionary advantages for the virus and clinical significance for the treatment of KSHV-associated neoplasms. It also provides further evidence that KSHV can sense and react to its environment.

Sensing adenovirus infection: activation of interferon regulatory factor 3 in RAW 264.7 cells

We have used the RAW 264.7 murine macrophage-like cell line as a platform to characterize the recognition and early signaling response to recombinant adenoviral vectors (rAdV). Infection of RAW 264.7 cells triggers an early response (2 to 6 h postinfection) that includes phosphorylation of the interferon (IFN) response factor 3 (IRF3) transcription factor, upregulation of IRF3 primary response genes (interferon-stimulated gene 56 [ISG56], beta IFN [IFN-β]), and subsequent type I IFN secondary signaling (STAT1/2 phosphorylation). Using short hairpin RNA (shRNA) lentiviral vectors, we show an essential role for Tank binding kinase 1 (TBK1) in this pathway. Data also support a role for STING (MITA) as an adaptor functioning in response to rAdV infection. Using UV/psoralen (Ps)-inactivated virus to block viral transcription, Ps-inactivated virus stimulated primary (IRF3) and secondary (STAT1/2) activation events to the same degree as untreated virus. IRF3 phosphorylation was not blocked in RAW 264.7 cells pretreated with the RNA polymerase III inhibitor ML60218. However, they were compromised in the type I IFN-dependent secondary response (phosphorylation of STAT1/STAT2). At 24 h postinfection, ML60218-treated cells were compromised in the overall antiviral response. Therefore, initial sensing of rAdV or viral DNA (vDNA) does not depend on viral template transcription, but ML60218 treatment influences cellular cascades required for an antiviral response to rAdV. Using overexpression or knockdown assays, we examined how four DNA sensors influence the antiviral response. Knockdown of DNA Activator of Interferon (DAI) and p204, the murine ortholog to IFI16, had minimal influence on IRF3 phosphorylation. However, knockdown of absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) and the helicase DDX41 resulted in diminished levels of (pser388)IRF3 following rAdV infection. Based on these data, multiple DNA sensors contribute to an antiviral DNA recognition response, leading to TBK1-dependent IRF3 phosphorylation in RAW 264.7 cells.

Myxomatosis in Australia and Europe: a model for emerging infectious diseases

Myxoma virus is a poxvirus naturally found in two American leporid (rabbit) species (Sylvilagus brasiliensis and Sylvilagus bachmani) in which it causes an innocuous localised cutaneous fibroma. However, in European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) the same virus causes the lethal disseminated disease myxomatosis. The introduction of myxoma virus into the European rabbit population in Australia in 1950 initiated the best known example of what happens when a novel pathogen jumps into a completely naïve new mammalian host species. The short generation time of the rabbit and their vast numbers in Australia meant evolution could be studied in real time. The carefully documented emergence of attenuated strains of virus that were more effectively transmitted by the mosquito vector and the subsequent selection of rabbits with genetic resistance to myxomatosis is the paradigm for pathogen virulence and host-pathogen coevolution. This natural experiment was repeated with the release of a separate strain of myxoma virus in France in 1952. The subsequent spread of the virus throughout Europe and its coevolution with the rabbit essentially paralleled what occurred in Australia. Detailed molecular studies on myxoma virus have dissected the role of virulence genes in the pathogenesis of myxomatosis and when combined with genomic data and reverse genetics should in future enable the understanding of the molecular evolution of the virus as it adapted to its new host. This review describes the natural history and evolution of myxoma virus together with the molecular biology and experimental pathogenesis studies that are informing our understanding of evolution of emerging diseases.