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Basu R, Ganesan S, Winkler CW, Anzick SL, Martens C, Peterson KE, Fraser IDC. Identification of age-specific gene regulators of La Crosse virus neuroinvasion and pathogenesis. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2836. [PMID: 37202395 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37833-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the key events in viral encephalitis is the ability of virus to enter the central nervous system (CNS). Several encephalitic viruses, including La Crosse Virus (LACV), primarily induce encephalitis in children, but not adults. This phenomenon is also observed in LACV mouse models, where the virus gains access to the CNS of weanling animals through vascular leakage of brain microvessels, likely through brain capillary endothelial cells (BCECs). To examine age and region-specific regulatory factors of vascular leakage, we used genome-wide transcriptomics and targeted siRNA screening to identify genes whose suppression affected viral pathogenesis in BCECs. Further analysis of two of these gene products, Connexin43 (Cx43/Gja1) and EphrinA2 (Efna2), showed a substantial effect on LACV pathogenesis. Induction of Cx43 by 4-phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA) inhibited neurological disease in weanling mice, while Efna2 deficiency increased disease in adult mice. Thus, we show that Efna2 and Cx43 expressed by BCECs are key mediators of LACV-induced neuroinvasion and neurological disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Basu
- Neuroimmunology Section, Laboratory of Persistent Viral Disease, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, NIAID, NIH, 903 S. 4th Street, MT, 59840, Hamilton, USA
- Signaling Systems Section, Laboratory of Immune System Biology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 4 Memorial Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Sundar Ganesan
- Research Technologies Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 4 Memorial Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Clayton W Winkler
- Neuroimmunology Section, Laboratory of Persistent Viral Disease, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, NIAID, NIH, 903 S. 4th Street, MT, 59840, Hamilton, USA
| | - Sarah L Anzick
- Genomics Research Section, Research Technologies Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 903 S. 4th Street, MT 59840, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Craig Martens
- Genomics Research Section, Research Technologies Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 903 S. 4th Street, MT 59840, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Karin E Peterson
- Neuroimmunology Section, Laboratory of Persistent Viral Disease, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, NIAID, NIH, 903 S. 4th Street, MT, 59840, Hamilton, USA.
| | - Iain D C Fraser
- Signaling Systems Section, Laboratory of Immune System Biology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 4 Memorial Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
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Freda CT, Yin W, Ghebrehiwet B, Rubenstein DA. SARS-CoV-2 Structural Proteins Exposure Alter Thrombotic and Inflammatory Responses in Human Endothelial Cells. Cell Mol Bioeng 2021; 15:43-53. [PMID: 34484458 PMCID: PMC8407404 DOI: 10.1007/s12195-021-00696-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction We have experienced a pandemic induced by the interaction of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) structural proteins with innate structures. These interactions are especially prevalent for patients with underlying pathologies, such as cardiovascular diseases. However, there has been limited work to uncover the range of responses induced by SARS-CoV-2 structural proteins. Thus, our objective was to investigate how endothelial cell pro-thrombotic and pro-inflammatory responses are altered after exposure to SARS-CoV-2 spike, nucleocapsid, and membrane-envelope proteins. We hypothesized that after a short duration exposure, endothelial cells would have a heightened thrombotic and inflammatory potential. With longer exposures, this may lead to altered disease progression and the observed increased mortality and morbidity rates in patients with underlying vascular pathologies. Methods To test this hypothesis, human endothelial cells were exposed to SARS-CoV-2 structural proteins. After the exposure, the expression of thrombomodulin, PECAM-1, connexin-43, and gC1qR were assessed. In parallel, standard cell culture readouts were assessed to determine if these incubations altered cell growth and metabolism. Results and Conclusions We observed significant increases in thrombotic and inflammatory marker expression, with no change to the cell culture parameters (with the exception of a reduction in cell density in response to one SARS-CoV-2 structural protein). Importantly, these observations were dependent on the viral structural protein the cells were exposed to, suggesting that the interactions of SARS-CoV-2 with innate cells is complex and must be uncovered. Combined, this suggests that SARS-CoV-2 structural proteins can regulate inflammatory and thrombotic responses that underlie common pathologies observed during COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Thor Freda
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Stony Brook University, 101 Bioengineering, Stony Brook, NY 11794-5281 USA
| | - Wei Yin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Stony Brook University, 101 Bioengineering, Stony Brook, NY 11794-5281 USA
| | | | - David A Rubenstein
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Stony Brook University, 101 Bioengineering, Stony Brook, NY 11794-5281 USA
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Calhoun PJ, Phan AV, Taylor JD, James CC, Padget RL, Zeitz MJ, Smyth JW. Adenovirus targets transcriptional and posttranslational mechanisms to limit gap junction function. FASEB J 2020; 34:9694-9712. [PMID: 32485054 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202000667r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2020] [Revised: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Adenoviruses are responsible for a spectrum of pathogenesis including viral myocarditis. The gap junction protein connexin43 (Cx43, gene name GJA1) facilitates rapid propagation of action potentials necessary for each heartbeat. Gap junctions also propagate innate and adaptive antiviral immune responses, but how viruses may target these structures is not understood. Given this immunological role of Cx43, we hypothesized that gap junctions would be targeted during adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) infection. We find reduced Cx43 protein levels due to decreased GJA1 mRNA transcripts dependent upon β-catenin transcriptional activity during Ad5 infection, with early viral protein E4orf1 sufficient to induce β-catenin phosphorylation. Loss of gap junction function occurs prior to reduced Cx43 protein levels with Ad5 infection rapidly inducing Cx43 phosphorylation events consistent with altered gap junction conductance. Direct Cx43 interaction with ZO-1 plays a critical role in gap junction regulation. We find loss of Cx43/ZO-1 complexing during Ad5 infection by co-immunoprecipitation and complementary studies in human induced pluripotent stem cell derived-cardiomyocytes reveal Cx43 gap junction remodeling by reduced ZO-1 complexing. These findings reveal specific targeting of gap junction function by Ad5 leading to loss of intercellular communication which would contribute to dangerous pathological states including arrhythmias in infected hearts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick J Calhoun
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, Roanoke, VA, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Allen V Phan
- Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, USA
| | | | - Carissa C James
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, Roanoke, VA, USA.,Graduate Program in Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Rachel L Padget
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, Roanoke, VA, USA.,Graduate Program in Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Michael J Zeitz
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, Roanoke, VA, USA
| | - James W Smyth
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, Roanoke, VA, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA.,Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, USA
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Abstract
The gap junctions (GJs), which form intercellular communicating channels between two apposing cells or form hemichannel with extracellular environment, perform crucial functions to maintain small molecule homeostasis. The central nervous system (CNS) GJs are important for maintenance of myelin sheath and neuronal activity. Connexin (Cx) proteins are building blocks of GJs. Recent cell-biological investigations show that amongst the CNS specific Cxs, the most abundant Cx protein, Cx43 and its oligodendrocytic coupling partner Cx47 primarily important for maintenance of CNS myelin. Recent investigations elucidate that the expression of Cx43 and Cx47 is very important to maintain K+ buffering and nutrient homeostasis in oligodendrocytes, CNS myelin and oligodendrocyte function. The investigations on Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patient samples and EAE hypothesized that the functional loss of Cx43/Cx47 could be associated with spread of chronic MS lesions. Exploring the mechanism of initial GJ alteration and its effect on demyelination in this model of MS might play a primary role to understand the basis of altered CNS homeostasis, observed during MS. In this review, we mainly discuss the role of CNS GJs, specifically the Cx43/Cx47 axis in the perspective of demyelination.
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Basu R, Sarma JDAS. Connexin 43/47 channels are important for astrocyte/ oligodendrocyte cross-talk in myelination and demyelination. J Biosci 2018; 43:1055-1068. [PMID: 30541963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/28/2022]
Abstract
The gap junctions (GJs), which form intercellular communicating channels between two apposing cells or form hemichannel with extracellular environment, perform crucial functions to maintain small molecule homeostasis. The central nervous system (CNS) GJs are important for maintenance of myelin sheath and neuronal activity. Connexin (Cx) proteins are building blocks of GJs. Recent cell-biological investigations show that amongst the CNS specific Cxs, the most abundant Cx protein, Cx43 and its oligodendrocytic coupling partner Cx47 primarily important for maintenance of CNS myelin. Recent investigations elucidate that the expression of Cx43 and Cx47 is very important to maintain K? buffering and nutrient homeostasis in oligodendrocytes, CNS myelin and oligodendrocyte function. The investigations on Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patient samples and EAE hypothesized that the functional loss of Cx43/Cx47 could be associated with spread of chronic MS lesions. Exploring the mechanism of initial GJ alteration and its effect on demyelination in this model of MS might play a primary role to understand the basis of altered CNS homeostasis, observed during MS. In this review, we mainly discuss the role of CNS GJs, specifically the Cx43/Cx47 axis in the perspective of demyelination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Basu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur 741246, India
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Castellano P, Eugenin EA. Regulation of gap junction channels by infectious agents and inflammation in the CNS. Front Cell Neurosci 2014; 8:122. [PMID: 24847208 PMCID: PMC4023065 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2014.00122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2014] [Accepted: 04/17/2014] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Gap junctions (GJs) are conglomerates of intercellular channels that connect the cytoplasm of two or more cells, and facilitate the transfer of ions and small molecules, including second messengers, resulting in metabolic and electrical coordination. In general, loss of gap junctional communication (GJC) has been associated with cellular damage and inflammation resulting in compromise of physiological functions. Recently, it has become evident that GJ channels also play a critical role in the pathogenesis of infectious diseases and associated inflammation. Several pathogens use the transfer of intracellular signals through GJ channels to spread infection and toxic signals that amplify inflammation to neighboring cells. Thus, identification of the mechanisms by which several infectious agents alter GJC could result in new potential therapeutic approaches to reduce inflammation and their pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Castellano
- Public Health Research Institute (PHRI), New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers The State University of New Jersey Newark, NJ, USA ; Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers The State University of New Jersey Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Eliseo A Eugenin
- Public Health Research Institute (PHRI), New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers The State University of New Jersey Newark, NJ, USA ; Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers The State University of New Jersey Newark, NJ, USA
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Eugenin EA. Role of connexin/pannexin containing channels in infectious diseases. FEBS Lett 2014; 588:1389-95. [PMID: 24486013 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2014.01.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2013] [Revised: 01/20/2014] [Accepted: 01/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In recent years it has become evident that gap junctions and hemichannels, in concert with extracellular ATP and purinergic receptors, play key roles in several physiological processes and pathological conditions. However, only recently has their importance in infectious diseases been explored, likely because early reports indicated that connexin containing channels were completely inactivated under inflammatory conditions, and therefore no further research was performed. However, recent evidence indicates that several infectious agents take advantage of these communication systems to enhance inflammation and apoptosis, as well as to participate in the infectious cycle of several pathogens. In the current review, we will discuss the role of these channels/receptors in the pathogenesis of several infectious diseases and the possibilities of generating novel therapeutic approaches to reduce or prevent these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliseo A Eugenin
- Public Health Research Institute (PHRI), Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, USA; Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, USA.
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Ketone bodies upregulate endothelial connexin 43 (Cx43) gap junctions. Vet J 2013; 198:696-701. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.09.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2013] [Revised: 09/21/2013] [Accepted: 09/28/2013] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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Liao CK, Jeng CJ, Wang HS, Wang SH, Wu JC. Lipopolysaccharide induces degradation of connexin43 in rat astrocytes via the ubiquitin-proteasome proteolytic pathway. PLoS One 2013; 8:e79350. [PMID: 24236122 PMCID: PMC3827358 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0079350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2013] [Accepted: 09/30/2013] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The astrocytic syncytium plays a critical role in maintaining the homeostasis of the brain through the regulation of gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC). Changes to GJIC in response to inflammatory stimuli in astrocytes may have serious effects on the brain. We have previously shown that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) reduces connexin43 (Cx43) expression and GJIC in cultured rat astrocytes via a toll-like receptor 4-mediated signaling pathway. In the present study, treatment of astrocytes with LPS resulted in a significant increase in levels of the phosphorylated forms of stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK) -1, -2, and -3 for up to 18 h. An increase in nuclear transcription factor NF-κB levels was also observed after 8 h of LPS treatment and was sustained for up to 18 h. The LPS-induced decrease in Cx43 protein levels and inhibition of GJIC were blocked by the SAPK/JNK inhibitor SP600125, but not by the NF-κB inhibitor BAY11-7082. Following blockade of de novo protein synthesis by cycloheximide, LPS accelerated Cx43 degradation. Moreover, the LPS-induced downregulation of Cx43 was blocked following inhibition of 26S proteasome activity using the reversible proteasome inhibitor MG132 or the irreversible proteasome inhibitor lactacystin. Immunoprecipitation analyses revealed an increased association of Cx43 with both ubiquitin and E3 ubiquitin ligase Nedd4 in astrocytes after LPS stimulation for 6 h and this effect was prevented by SP600125. Taken together, these results suggest that LPS stimulation leads to downregulation of Cx43 expression and GJIC in rat astrocytes by activation of SAPK/JNK and the ubiquitin-proteasome proteolytic pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Kai Liao
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Jiuan Jeng
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hwai-Shi Wang
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Huei Wang
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jiahn-Chun Wu
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
- * E-mail:
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Eugenin EA, Basilio D, Sáez JC, Orellana JA, Raine CS, Bukauskas F, Bennett MVL, Berman JW. The role of gap junction channels during physiologic and pathologic conditions of the human central nervous system. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2012; 7:499-518. [PMID: 22438035 PMCID: PMC3638201 DOI: 10.1007/s11481-012-9352-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2012] [Accepted: 02/28/2012] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Gap junctions (GJs) are expressed in most cell types of the nervous system, including neuronal stem cells, neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, cells of the blood brain barrier (endothelial cells and astrocytes) and under inflammatory conditions in microglia/macrophages. GJs connect cells by the docking of two hemichannels, one from each cell with each hemichannel being formed by 6 proteins named connexins (Cx). Unapposed hemichannels (uHC) also can be open on the surface of the cells allowing the release of different intracellular factors to the extracellular space. GJs provide a mechanism of cell-to-cell communication between adjacent cells that enables the direct exchange of intracellular messengers, such as calcium, nucleotides, IP(3), and diverse metabolites, as well as electrical signals that ultimately coordinate tissue homeostasis, proliferation, differentiation, metabolism, cell survival and death. Despite their essential functions in physiological conditions, relatively little is known about the role of GJs and uHC in human diseases, especially within the nervous system. The focus of this review is to summarize recent findings related to the role of GJs and uHC in physiologic and pathologic conditions of the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliseo A Eugenin
- Department of Pathology, F727, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave., Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
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Ceelen L, Haesebrouck F, Vanhaecke T, Rogiers V, Vinken M. Modulation of connexin signaling by bacterial pathogens and their toxins. Cell Mol Life Sci 2011; 68:3047-64. [PMID: 21656255 PMCID: PMC11115019 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-011-0737-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2011] [Revised: 05/12/2011] [Accepted: 05/17/2011] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Inherent to their pivotal tasks in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis, gap junctions, connexin hemichannels, and pannexin hemichannels are frequently involved in the dysregulation of this critical balance. The present paper specifically focuses on their roles in bacterial infection and disease. In particular, the reported biological outcome of clinically important bacteria including Escherichia coli, Shigella flexneri, Yersinia enterocolitica, Helicobacter pylori, Bordetella pertussis, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Citrobacter rodentium, Clostridium species, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus and their toxic products on connexin- and pannexin-related signaling in host cells is reviewed. Particular attention is paid to the underlying molecular mechanisms of these effects as well as to the actual biological relevance of these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liesbeth Ceelen
- Department of Toxicology, Centre for Pharmaceutical Research, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium.
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Attenuation of nitric oxide bioavailability in porcine aortic endothelial cells by classical swine fever virus. Arch Virol 2011; 156:1151-60. [DOI: 10.1007/s00705-011-0972-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2010] [Accepted: 03/07/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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