Effects of cytochalasin D on fusion of cells by HVJ (Sendai virus)

Enhanced tumor-specific long-term immunity of hemagglutinating [correction of hemaggluttinating] virus of Japan-mediated dendritic cell-tumor fused cell vaccination by coadministration with CpG oligodeoxynucleotides

Immunization with dendritic cells (DCs) using various Ag-loading approaches has shown promising results in tumor-specific immunotherapy and immunoprevention. Fused cells (FCs) that are generated from DCs and tumor cells are one of effective cancer vaccines because both known and unknown tumor Ags are presented on the FCs and recognized by T cells. In this study, we attempted to augment antitumor immunity by the combination of DC-tumor FC vaccination with immunostimulatory oligodeoxynucleotides containing CpG motif (CpG ODN). Murine DCs were fused with syngeneic tumor cells ex vivo using inactivated hemagglutinating virus of Japan (Sendai virus). Mice were intradermally (i.d.) immunized with FCs and/or CpG ODN. Coadministration of CpG ODN enhanced the phenotypical maturation of FCs and unfused DCs, and the production of Th1 cytokines, such as IFN-gamma and IL-12, leading to the induction of tumor-specific CTLs without falling into T cell anergy. In addition, immunization with FCs + CpG ODN provided significant protection against lethal s.c. tumor challenge and spontaneous lung metastasis compared with that with either FCs or CpG ODN alone. Furthermore, among mice that rejected tumor challenge, the mice immunized with FCs + CpG ODN, but not the mice immunized with FCs or CpG ODN alone, completely rejected tumor rechallenge, indicating that CpG ODN provided long-term maintenance of tumor-specific immunity induced by FCs. Thus, the combination of DC-tumor FCs and CpG ODN is an effective and feasible cancer vaccine to prevent the generation and recurrence of cancers.

Effects of temperature on viral glycoprotein mobility and a possible role of internal "viroskeleton" proteins in Sendai virus fusion

The effect of temperature on fusion of Sendai virus with target membranes and mobility of the viral glycoproteins was studied with fluorescence methods. When intact virus was used, the fusion threshold temperature (20-22 degrees C) was not altered regardless of the different types of target membranes. Viral glycoprotein mobility in the intact virus increased with temperature, particularly sharply at the fusion threshold temperature. This effect was suppressed by the presence of erythrocyte ghosts and/or dextran sulfate in the virus suspension. In these cases also, no change in the fusion threshold temperature was observed. On the other hand, reconstituted viral envelopes (virosomes) bearing viral glycoproteins but lacking matrix proteins were capable of fusing with erythrocyte ghosts even at temperatures lower than the fusion threshold temperature and no fusion threshold temperature was observed over the range of 10-40 degrees C. The mobility of viral glycoproteins on virosomes was much greater and virtually temperature-independent. The intact virus treated with an actin-affector, jasplakinolide, reduced the extent of fusion with erythrocyte ghosts and the mobility of viral glycoproteins, while the treatment of virosomes with the same drug did not affect the extent of fusion of virosomes with erythrocyte ghosts and the mobility of the glycoproteins. These results suggest that viral matrix proteins including actins affect viral glycoprotein mobility and may be responsible for the temperature threshold phenomenon observed in Sendai virus fusion.

A decrease in Sendai virus infection potency by interactions with cationic thermo-responsive polymers

Three types of synthetic cationic polymers were incubated with Sendai virus (HVJ), and virus infection of Rhesus monkey kidney cells, LLCMK2, was measured by the plaque assay method. One composition poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-N,N-dimethylaminopropyl acrylamide-co-butylmethacrylate) of (P(IP-27DA-16BM)) showed substantial decreases in the infection potency of the virus over a wide range of polymer concentrations. This polymer expressed a significant virus titer decrease even at a very low concentration (2 x 10(-4) wt%), and its virus titer reduction was found to be incubation temperature-dependent. As the virus was incubated with this polymer above the phase transition temperature of this polymer over a long period, the virus titer reduction was larger. Selectivity to the virus titer reduction in comparison with cytotoxicity to LLCMK2 cells was evaluated. This P(IP-27DA-16BM) polymer was revealed to possess a higher selectivity to virus reduction than sodium dodecyl sulfate. This indicates the feasibility of this polymer for a virus-specific inactivating agent.

Endocytosis of poly(ethylene oxide)-modified liposome by human lymphoblastoid cells

Egg PC liposome as reconstituted with poly(ethylene oxide)-bearing lipid (coded as PEO-lipid (n = 15)) was remarkably endocytosed by Jurkat cell, which was a lymphoblastoma derived from human T cell. To confirm the endocytosis, two kinds of fluorescent probes (FITC-dextran and octadecyl rhodamine B) were employed. The former was loaded in the aqueous phase of the liposome, while the latter was embedded in the liposomal membrane. Both probes were found coincidentally at the same site in the cytosol, clearly suggesting that whole liposome entered the cell. The endocytosis was most obvious when PEO-lipid (n = 15) was employed above 50 mol%. FITC-Dextran entered the cell was found small dots in the cell, not dispersive. Even when octadecyl rhodamine B was used, no membrane fluorescence was observed at all. The uptake closely related to the cell metabolism as affected by the culture temperature and serum in the incubation medium. Furthermore, the addition of cytochalasin B completely prohibited the cell uptake of liposomes.

Temperature dependence of cell-cell fusion induced by the envelope glycoprotein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1

We investigated cell-cell fusion induced by the envelope glycoprotein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 strain IIIB expressed on the surface of CHO cells. These cells formed syncytia when incubated together with CD4-positive human lymphoblastoid SupT1 cells or HeLa-CD4 cells but not when incubated with CD4-negative cell lines. A new assay for binding and fusion was developed by using fluorescent phospholipid analogs that were produced in SupT1 cells by metabolic incorporation of BODIPY-labeled fatty acids. Fusion occurred as early as 10 min after mixing of labeled SupT1 cells with unlabeled CHO-gp160 cells at 37 degrees C. When both the fluorescence assay and formation of syncytia were used, fusion of SupT1 and HeLa-CD4 cells with CHO-gp160 cells was observed only at temperatures above 25 degrees C, confirming recent observations (Y.-K. Fu, T.K. Hart, Z.L. Jonak, and P.J. Bugelski, J. Virol. 67:3818-3825, 1993). This temperature dependence was not observed with influenza virus-induced cell-cell fusion, which was quantitatively similar at both 20 and 37 degrees C, indicating that cell-cell fusion in general is not temperature dependent in this range. gp120-CD4-specific cell-cell binding was found over the entire 0 to 37 degrees C range but increased markedly above 25 degrees C. The enhanced binding and fusion were reduced by cytochalasins B and D. Binding of soluble gp120 to CD4-expressing cells was equivalent at 37 and 16 degrees C. Together, these data indicate that during gp120-gp41-induced syncytium formation, initial cell-cell binding is followed by a cytoskeleton-dependent increase in the number of gp120-CD4 complexes, leading to an increase in the avidity of cell-cell binding. The increased number of gp120-CD4 complexes is required for fusion, which suggests that the formation of a fusion complex consisting of multiple CD4 and gp120-gp41 molecules is a step in the fusion mechanism.

The endocytic pathway for human immunodeficiency virus infection

We have presented data supporting the view that HIV infection of T cells and monocytes proceeds via receptor-mediated endocytosis. Biochemical analysis of the pathway for internalization of 32P-labeled HIV revealed the presence of intact, intercellular virions and provided evidence for subsequent uncoating of these particles and release of viral RNA to the cytoplasm. Electron microscopy demonstrated virions within vesicles and documented fusion between viral and endosomal membranes. Others have provided evidence supporting the notion that endocytosis is not required for HIV infection. In consequence of this apparent paradox, it has been suggested that both mechanisms, i.e. direct fusion to the plasma membrane and endocytosis, are functional pathways for HIV entry. I do not favor this position. Examination of the biology of CD4, its role in lymphocyte activation, and its function as the receptor for HIV imply a more active role for this molecule in virus infection than simply as a transient anchor for fusion events. The principal experiment of concern is the report by Maddon, et al., that human CD4- expressing murine cell lines remain resistant to infection by VSV pseudotypes bearing the HIV envelope glycoprotein. This paper and a subsequent review of HIV entry by Marsh and Dalgleish comment on the possibility that endocytosis of human CD4 may not occur in murine cells hence, the block to infectious entry of these pseudotype virions. Resolution of the mechanism for HIV infection is more than rationalization or semantics. The pathway of endocytosis presents an unique feature of cell biology. Should HIV infection be proven to occur via this mechanism, then appropriate assays for novel classes of antiviral agents could be developed. Other features of the endosomal vesicle, such as the unique composition of its membrane or the possible presence of specific proteolytic activities might play important roles in HIV infection and thus, present new targets for the development of antiviral agents. Indeed, the synthetic liposome AL721 is an effective inhibitor of HIV infection in vitro. This antiviral agent probably acts by decreasing the cholesterol content of the virion envelope. It was shown previously that the envelope is specifically enriched in cholesterol, a property not associated with the plasma membrane but clearly involved in Semliki Forest virus fusion within the endosome.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Effects of fusion temperature on the lateral mobility of Sendai virus glycoproteins in erythrocyte membranes and on cell fusion indicate that glycoprotein mobilization is required for cell fusion

In order to investigate the requirement for lateral mobilization of viral envelope glycoproteins on the cell surface in the induction of cell-cell fusion, we employed fluorescence photobleaching recovery to study the effect of the fusion temperature on the lateral mobilization of Sendai virus glycoproteins in the human erythrocyte membrane. As the fusion temperature was reduced below 37 degrees C (to 31 or 25 degrees C), the rates of virus-cell fusion, the accompanying hemolysis, and cell-cell fusion were all slowed down. However, the plateau (final level) after the completion of fusion was significantly reduced at lower fusion temperatures only in the case of cell-cell fusion, despite the rather similar final levels of virus-cell fusion. A concomitant decrease as a function of the fusion temperature was observed in the fraction of cell-associated viral glycoproteins that became laterally mobile in the erythrocyte membrane during fusion, and a strict correlation was found between the level of laterally mobile viral glycoproteins in the cell membrane and the final extent of cell-cell fusion. The accompanying reduction in the lateral diffusion coefficients (D) of the viral glycoproteins (1.4-fold at 31 degrees C and 1.9-fold at 25 degrees C, as compared to 37 degrees C) does not appear to determine the final level of cell-cell fusion, since fusing the cells with a higher amount of virions at 25 degrees C increased the final level of cell-cell fusion while D remained constant.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Efficient introduction of contents of liposomes into cells using HVJ (Sendai virus)

The conditions for efficient introduction of the contents of liposomes into cells were examined using fragment A of diphtheria toxin (DA) as a marker; one molecule of DA can kill a cell when introduced into the cytoplasm. Liposomes containing DA (DA liposomes) were toxic to cells treated with HVJ (Sendai virus) at 4 degrees C just before exposure to DA liposomes at 37 degrees C, but were not toxic to untreated cells. This toxicity was temperature-dependent. DA outside of liposomes was not toxic to HVJ-treated cells. Results also showed that liposomes could fuse with HVJ at 37 degrees but not at 4 degrees C and that liposomes preincubated with HVJ at 37 degrees C could associate with cells. DA liposomes preincubated with HVJ at 37 degrees C were highly toxic to cells. This toxicity was dependent on the duration of preincubation with HVJ and the dose of HVJ. When plasmid DNA coded herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase was trapped in liposomes and fused with Ltk- cells with HVJ, the thymidine kinase activity was expressed in about 10% of the cells. These data show that naked liposomes fuse efficiently with cells with HVJ and that the contents of the liposomes can be introduced into the cytoplasm 100-10 000 times more efficiently by treatment of the cells or liposomes with HVJ.

Entry of diphtheria toxin into cells: possible existence of cellular factor(s) for entry of diphtheria toxin into cells was studied in somatic cell hybrids and hybrid toxins

Ehrlich ascites tumor cells were found to be very insensitive to diphtheria toxin. We formed 37 hybrids from Ehrlich tumor cells and diphtheria toxin-sensitive human fibroblasts. The effects of diphtheria toxin on protein synthesis in those hybrids were examined. The hybrids were divided into three groups on the basis of toxin sensitivity. Group A hybrids were as sensitive to diphtheria toxin as human fibroblasts, Group C were as resistant as Ehrlich tumor cells, and Group B had intermediate sensitivity. Group A hybrids had diphtheria toxin-binding sites but Group B and C had no detectable binding sites. Elongation factor-2 of all the hybrids was susceptible to ADP-ribosylation by fragment A of diphtheria toxin. Cells of Group A and B became more sensitive to CRM 45 (cross-reacting material 45 of diphtheria toxin) after they were exposed to low pH (pH = 4.5). The resistance of Group C to CRM 45 was not affected by the same treatment. Group A and B hybrids and human fibroblasts had similar sensitivities to a hybrid toxin composed of wheat germ agglutinin and fragment A of diphtheria toxin, but Group C and Ehrlich tumor cells were resistant to this hybrid toxin. All the hybrids and Ehrlich tumor cells were more sensitive to a hybrid toxin composed of wheat germ agglutinin and subunit A of ricin than were human fibroblasts. On subcloning of Group B hybrids, one Group C hybrid was obtained, but no Group A hybrid. These facts suggest that Ehrlich ascites tumor cells differ from human fibroblasts in the expression of a factor(s) that is involved in entry of fragment A of diphtheria toxin into the cytoplasm after the toxin binds to its surface receptors.

Acceleration of peritoneal solute transport by cytochalasin D

Because cytochalasin D affects intercellular junctions the effect of this agent on peritoneal transport was investigated in normal rabbits. Using commercially available dialysis solution, short-term control peritoneal dialyses were compared in the same animals to dialyses in which cytochalasin D was added intraperitoneally. A dose (325-920 micrograms/kg) dependent increase in peritoneal clearances of urea (49% increment at high dose) and of creatinine (67% increment) occurred when cytochalasin D was added. When solute transport was highest at the maximal dose, osmotically induced ultrafiltration decreased significantly to 33% of control values. Cytochalasin D induces aberrations in solute transport that resemble those accompanying and occasionally following peritonitis.

Epstein-Barr virus-lymphoid cell interactions. III. Effect of concanavalin A and saccharides on Epstein-Barr virus penetration

To study some aspects of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) penetration into target cells, the effect of concanavalin A (ConA) and various saccharides on virus infectivity and cell susceptibility to EBV infection was examined. ConA treatment of the target cells, EBV, or EBV-cell complexes was found to inhibit virus antigen expression. Several control experiments with alpha-d-methyl-mannoside elution of ConA, removal of nonfused EBV particles from the cell surface by trypsin treatment, and addition of ConA at different times postinfection were performed to define the site of ConA action on EBV infection. ConA appeared to have a dual action: (i) it inhibited EBV binding to virus receptors, and (ii) it blocked the penetration of receptor-bound virus into target cells at a trypsin-sensitive stage, thus indicating that ConA prevented the fusion of viral envelope with the target cell membrane. A high sucrose concentration (0.25 M), known to inhibit cell membrane movements, was also found to block EBV penetration at a trypsinsensitive stage, thus suggesting the implication of cell membrane movements and underlying activities (or both) in viral envelope fusion. Lower concentrations of various monosaccharides (0.12 M) did not influence EBV infection. Under conditions of ConA treatment that did not influence EBV infectivity and target cells susceptibility, ConA was able to mediate virus binding to EBV receptornegative cell lines, but no virus antigens were expressed in these cells. These observations reinforced the idea that the mere attachment of EBV to lymphoid cells is not sufficient to lead to infection. In light of the present and previously published data, we postulate the existence of a specific cellular mechanism that allows the penetration of EBV into the target (B) lymphocyte.

Virus-induced fusion of human erythrocyte ghosts. I. Effects of macromolecules on the final stages of the fusion reaction

Human erythrocyte ghosts prepared by hypotonic hemolysis can be fused by Sendai virus, provided that certain macromolecules (bovine serum albumin, dextran and others) are sequestered in the ghosts. Since fusion of the ghosts is dependent on intactness of the F(fusion)-glycoprotein of the virion, and since the other requirements for this reaction are also similar to those for the Sendai virus-induced fusion of intact erythrocytes, this system can be used as a model for the Sendai virus-induced cell fusion reaction. Sequestered macromolecules seem to be required for rounding of locally fused ghosts. Under low osmotic swelling conditions, such as use of ghosts sealed without macromolecules or using bovine serum albumin-loaded ghosts sealed in the presence of external macromolecules, no apparently complete cell fusion (large spherical polyghost formation) could be observed. Even under these conditions, however, occurrence of local cell fusion could be demonstrated either by transfer of fluorescent-labeled albumin from one ghost to an other, or by observation of polyghost formation after osmotic swelling in the cold. Thus, final stages of the fusion reaction can be divided into local cell-cell fusion which could not be observed by phase-contrast microscopy, and rounding (i.e. formation of spherical polyghosts). For the observation of fusion of ghosts, the last step seems to be important.

Membrane fusion induced by the membrane mobility agent, A2C. Differentiation between fusible and non-fusible cells. Transfer of fusibility

Red cells of different species respond differently to the treatment with the membrane mobility agent, A2C, with respect to both the A2C interaction and the subsequent cell-cell interaction. Depending on whether both, one or neither of the processes are effective, some red cells (e.g., nucleated Leghorn hen red cells, rat red cells) fuse easily, some (human red cells) show morphological changes but do not fuse, and others (nucleated Rock hen red cells) show little or no response. Mixed fusion (i.e., between fusible cells of different species) is readily obtained, indicating that no species-specific recognition sites are required for A2C-induced fusion. the potential for fusion is a transferable characteristic. In the presence of fusible cells, A2C induces both heterologous and homologous fusion of otherwise 'non-fusible' cells. Electron micrographs of fusing cells after treatment with A2C reveal 'onion-ring' structures ('whorls'), free of intramembranous protein particles but different from the smooth appearance of A(2)C particles. Whorls are considered to arise from fusion-potent membrane areas. Fusion is apparent at multiple sites along the contact line between apposed membranes. The postulated appearance of vesicle-like structures along the fusion line (Kosower, E.M., Kosower, N.S. and Wegman, P. (1977) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 471, 311-329) is confirmed by micrographs. The mechanism of this fusion process is duscussed and compared to other types of fusion process.