Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type-I tax gene induces interleukin-8 secretion by autocrine mechanism and has No effect on interleukin-16 in transfected Jurkat cells

The Expression of Tax and HBZ Genes in Serum-Derived Extracellular Vesicles From HTLV-1 Carriers Correlates to Proviral Load and Inflammatory Markers

Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 (HTLV-1) is the etiologic agent of adult cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) and HTLV-1 associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). One of the major questions in HTLV-1 studies is related to the understanding of causes that lead to different clinical manifestations. However, it is well known that the viral genes tax and HTLV-1 basic leucine zipper factor (HBZ) are related to viral infectivity and the development of neurological and hematological diseases. Currently, there is evidence that HTLV-1 infected cells can release small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) involved in the mechanisms of viral particles spreading. Therefore, we evaluated the expression levels of tax and HBZ viral transcripts in serum-derived sEVs from HTLV-1 carriers, as well as the role of these vesicles in the modulation of the immune response. Three HAM/TSP carriers presented detectable levels of tax and HBZ transcripts in sEVs and were positively correlated to the proviral load (PVL) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The viral transcripts were only detectable in individuals with a PVL higher than 6,000/10⁵ PBMCs. Additionally, it was observed that HBZ presented a 2–12-folds increase over tax expression units. Gene expression and secretory protein analysis indicated that PBMCs from blood donors and HTLV-1 carriers exposed to increasing doses of tax+ HBZ+ sEVs showed a dose-dependent increase in interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-8 transcripts and proteins. Interestingly, the increase in IL-8 levels was close to those seen in HTLV-1-infected PBMCs with high PVL. Taken together, these findings indicate that the expression of viral transcripts in serum-derived sEVs of HTLV-1 carriers is related to the PVL presented by the infected individual. Additionally, tax+ HBZ+ sEVs can induce the production of inflammatory cytokines in patients with low PVL, which may be related to the development of symptoms in HTLV-1 infection.

Anti-inflammatory properties of potato glycoalkaloids in stimulated Jurkat and Raw 264.7 mouse macrophages

AIMS

The potato glycoalkaloids, α-chaconine, α-solanine and solanidine, along with potato peel extracts were investigated for potential anti-inflammatory effects in vitro. Their potential to reduce two biomarkers of inflammation, cytokine and nitric oxide (NO) productions, were assessed in the stimulated Jurkat and macrophage models, respectively.

MAIN METHODS

Cytokine and nitric oxide productions were stimulated in Jurkat and Raw 264.7 macrophages with Concanavalin A (Con A; 25 μg/ml) and lipopolysaccaride (LPS; 1 μg/ml), respectively. Selective concentrations of glycoalkaloids and potato peel extracts were added simultaneously with Con A or LPS for 24h to investigate their potential to reduce inflammatory activity.

KEY FINDINGS

α-Chaconine and solanidine significantly reduced interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) productions in Con A-induced Jurkat cells. The potato peel extracts did not influence cytokine production. In LPS-stimulated Raw macrophages, α-solanine, solanidine and two potato peel extracts significantly reduced induced NO production.

SIGNIFICANCE

Our findings suggest that sub-cytotoxic concentrations of potato glycoalkaloids and potato peel extracts possess anti-inflammatory effects in vitro and with further investigation may be useful in the prevention of anti-inflammatory diseases.

Autocrine role of macrophage inflammatory protein-1 beta in human T-cell lymphotropic virus type-I tax-transfected Jurkat T-cells

The interaction of human T-cell lymphotropic virus I (HTLV-I) tax gene with host cell factors plays an important role in the maintenance of the transformed state. There have been numerous reports that have demonstrated the role of tax in transactivating several cytokines. In this study, we show that upon mitogen stimulation, macrophage inflammatory protein-1 beta (MIP-1beta) is expressed and secreted in tax-transfected Jurkat cells. Furthermore, expression of CC-chemokine receptor-5 (CCR5) mRNA in these cells suggests an autocrine role for MIP-1beta in HTLV-I-infected T-cells. These results, coupled with our earlier observations, demonstrate the influence that extracellular Tax protein might have on modulating host chemokines for proliferation and transformation of uninfected cells.

Interleukin-8 expression in AIDS-associated lymphoma B-cell lines

Interleukin 8 (IL-8), a member of the CXC subfamily of chemokines, is a potent inflammatory cytokine produced by many cell types in response to several stimuli. In an attempt to determine whether human B-cell IL-8 functions as an autocrine growth factor, a wide panel of B-cell lines derived from patients with AIDS-associated B-cell lymphomas (AABCL) (n = 5) and from non-AABCLs (n = 8) was studied for expression of IL-8, IL-8 Receptor type A (IL-8R), and secretion of IL-8 protein. Using RT-PCR and Northern Blot analysis, we were able to observe IL-8 expression ubiquitously. However, IL-8R expression was seen only in EBV negative (4 out of 7) B-cell lines. EBV and HIV-1 activated B-cell line; HBL-1, was the major secretor of IL-8. Our results demonstrate that IL-8 is expressed in malignant B-cell phenotypes that correspond to a narrow window in the B-cell differentiation pathway (pre-B, early-B, and intermediate-B) as well as in normal CD19-enriched B-cells. Furthermore, IL-8 autocrine loops were not evident since IL-8R was detected only in cell lines that did not secrete IL-8 protein.

Autocrine regulation of interleukin-8 production in human monocytes

Interleukin (IL)-8 is a C-X-C chemokine that plays an important role in acute inflammation through its G protein-coupled receptors CXCR1 and CXCR2. In this study, we investigated the role of IL-8 as an autocrine regulator of IL-8 production and the signaling mechanisms involved in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MNCs). Sepharose-immobilized IL-8 stimulated a sevenfold increase in IL-8 production within 2 h. IL-8 induced the expression of its own message, and IL-8 biosynthesis was inhibited by cycloheximide and actinomycin D, indicating de novo RNA and protein synthesis. In contrast to MNCs, polymorphonuclear neutrophils did not respond to the immobilized IL-8 with IL-8 production despite cell surface expression of CXCR1 and CXCR2. Melanoma growth-stimulatory activity/growth-related protein-alpha (MGSA/GROalpha), which binds CXCR2 but not CXCR1, was unable to either stimulate IL-8 secretion in MNCs or desensitize these cells to respond to immobilized IL-8. The involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in IL-8-induced IL-8 biosynthesis was suggested by the ability of PD-98059, an inhibitor of MAPK kinase, to block this function. Furthermore, IL-8 induced a significant increase in extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 phosphorylation, whereas MGSA/GROalpha was much less effective. These findings support the role of IL-8 as an autocrine regulator of IL-8 production and suggest that this function is mediated by CXCR1 through activation of MAPK.