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Johnson D, Carbonetti N. Roles and Effects of Interferon Lambda Signaling in the Context of Bacterial Infections. J Interferon Cytokine Res 2023; 43:363-369. [PMID: 37289801 PMCID: PMC10517327 DOI: 10.1089/jir.2023.0037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Type III interferon, or interferon lambda (IFNλ), was discovered 20 years ago and has been studied primarily for its role in combatting viral infections. However, it is also induced in response to certain bacterial infections but its roles and effects in this context are relatively poorly understood. In this mini review, we discuss the roles of IFNλ signaling in bacterial infections, highlighting its deleterious or protective effects for different infections. We also discuss a couple of recent studies showing that some bacteria possess defense mechanisms against the effects of IFNλ. We hope that this review will spur further investigation into the roles of IFNλ in the context of bacterial infections and will promote considerations of its therapeutic potential for these infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Da'Kuawn Johnson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Nicholas Carbonetti
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Jin X, Wang W, Zhao X, Jiang W, Shao Q, Chen Z, Huang C. The battle between the innate immune cGAS-STING signaling pathway and human herpesvirus infection. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1235590. [PMID: 37600809 PMCID: PMC10433641 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1235590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The incidence of human herpesvirus (HHVs) is gradually increasing and has affected a wide range of population. HHVs can result in serious consequences such as tumors, neonatal malformations, sexually transmitted diseases, as well as pose an immense threat to the human health. The cGAS-STING pathway is one of the innate immune pattern-recognition receptors discovered recently. This article discusses the role of the cGAS-STING pathway in human diseases, especially in human herpesvirus infections, as well as highlights how these viruses act on this pathway to evade the host immunity. Moreover, the author provides a comprehensive overview of modulators of the cGAS-STING pathway. By focusing on the small molecule compounds based on the cGAS-STING pathway, novel targets and concepts have been proposed for the development of antiviral drugs and vaccines, while also providing a reference for the investigation of disease models related to the cGAS-STING pathway. HHV is a double-stranded DNA virus that can trigger the activation of intracellular DNA sensor cGAS, after which the host cells initiate a cascade of reactions that culminate in the secretion of type I interferon to restrict the viral replication. Meanwhile, the viral protein can interact with various molecules in the cGAS-STING pathway. Viruses can evade immune surveillance and maintain their replication by inhibiting the enzyme activity of cGAS and reducing the phosphorylation levels of STING, TBK1 and IRF3 and suppressing the interferon gene activation. Activators and inhibitors of the cGAS-STING pathway have yielded numerous promising research findings in vitro and in vivo pertaining to cGAS/STING-related disease models. However, there remains a dearth of small molecule modulators that have been successfully translated into clinical applications, which serves as a hurdle to be overcome in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ximing Jin
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wenjia Wang
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xinwei Zhao
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wenhua Jiang
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qingqing Shao
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhuo Chen
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Cong Huang
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Gusho E, Laimins LA. Human papillomaviruses sensitize cells to DNA damage induced apoptosis by targeting the innate immune sensor cGAS. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010725. [PMID: 35877778 PMCID: PMC9352202 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) is a critical regulator of the innate immune response acting as a sensor of double-strand DNAs from pathogens or damaged host DNA. Upon activation, cGAS signals through the STING/TBK1/IRF3 pathway to induce interferon expression. Double stranded DNA viruses target the cGAS pathway to facilitate infection. In HPV positive cells that stably maintain viral episomes, the levels of cGAS were found to be significantly increased over those seen in normal human keratinocytes. Furthermore the downstream effectors of the cGAS pathway, STING and IRF3, were fully active in response to signaling from the secondary messenger cGAMP or poly (dA:dT). In HPV positive cells cGAS was detected in both cytoplasmic puncta as well as in DNA damage induced micronuclei. E6 was responsible for increased levels of cGAS that was dependent on inhibition of p53. CRISPR-Cas9 mediated knockout of cGAS prevented activation of STING and IRF3 but had a minimal effect on viral replication. A primary function of cGAS in HPV positive cells was in response to treatment with etoposide or cisplatin which lead to increased levels of H2AX phosphorylation and activation of caspase 3/7 cleavage while having only a minimal effect on activation of homologous recombination repair factors ATM, ATR or CHK2. In HPV positive cells cGAS was found to regulate the levels of the phosphorylated non-homologous end-joining kinase, DNA-PK, which may contribute to H2AX phosphorylation along with other factors. Importantly cGAS was also responsible for increased levels of DNA breaks along with enhanced apoptosis in HPV positive cells but not in HFKs. This study identifies an important and novel role for cGAS in mediating the response of HPV positive cells to chemotherapeutic drugs. Persistent infection by human papillomaviruses (HPV) is the major risk factor for development of cervical as well as other anogenital and oropharyngeal cancers. Innate immune surveillance pathways are important in determining whether HPV infections will be cleared or persist. The role and activity of cGAS, an innate immune DNA sensor, during HPV infection is still not well understood. In this study we characterized the activity of cGAS-STING pathway in cells that stably maintain high-risk HPV episomes and found it was fully active. Furthermore, our studies indicate that cGAS helps regulate the response to DNA damage causing drugs such as etoposide and cisplatin. Treatment with both drugs further increased the levels of cGAS in HPV positive cells and this was critical for causing DNA breaks along with apoptotic cell death. These findings identify a novel role of cGAS in HPV positive cells in regulating the response to chemotherapeutic DNA damaging agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elona Gusho
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Laimonis A. Laimins
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Pietrobon AJ, Yoshikawa FSY, Oliveira LM, Pereira NZ, Matozo T, de Alencar BC, Duarte AJS, Sato MN. Antiviral Response Induced by TLR7/TLR8 Activation Inhibits HIV-1 Infection in Cord Blood Macrophages. J Infect Dis 2021; 225:510-519. [PMID: 34355765 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiab389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Vertical transmission is the main mechanism of HIV-1 infection in infants, who may develop high viremia and rapidly progress to AIDS. Innate immunity agonists can control HIV-1 replication in vitro, but the protective effect in the neonatal period remains unknown. Herein, we evaluated the immunomodulatory and antiviral effects of IFN-I adjuvants on cord blood monocyte-derived macrophages upon HIV-1 infection. Despite the phenotypic and transcriptional similarities between cord blood and adult macrophages, cord blood cells were prone to viral replication when infected with HIV-1. However, treatment with CL097 efficiently promoted the antiviral and inflammatory responses and inhibited HIV-1 replication in cord blood cells in an NF-κB and autophagy activation-independent manner. Our data suggest that cord blood macrophages are able to establish antiviral responses induced by IFN-I adjuvants similar to those of their adult counterparts, revealing a potential adjuvant candidate to enhance the neonatal immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna J Pietrobon
- Laboratory of Dermatology and Immunodeficiencies, LIM-56, Department of Dermatology, Tropical Medicine Institute of São Paulo, University of São Paulo Medical School, Brazil.,Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Fábio S Y Yoshikawa
- Laboratory of Dermatology and Immunodeficiencies, LIM-56, Department of Dermatology, Tropical Medicine Institute of São Paulo, University of São Paulo Medical School, Brazil
| | - Luana M Oliveira
- Laboratory of Dermatology and Immunodeficiencies, LIM-56, Department of Dermatology, Tropical Medicine Institute of São Paulo, University of São Paulo Medical School, Brazil
| | - Natalli Z Pereira
- Laboratory of Dermatology and Immunodeficiencies, LIM-56, Department of Dermatology, Tropical Medicine Institute of São Paulo, University of São Paulo Medical School, Brazil
| | - Tais Matozo
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Bruna C de Alencar
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Alberto J S Duarte
- Laboratory of Dermatology and Immunodeficiencies, LIM-56, Department of Dermatology, Tropical Medicine Institute of São Paulo, University of São Paulo Medical School, Brazil
| | - Maria N Sato
- Laboratory of Dermatology and Immunodeficiencies, LIM-56, Department of Dermatology, Tropical Medicine Institute of São Paulo, University of São Paulo Medical School, Brazil
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Zhang F, Yuan Y, Ma F. Function and Regulation of Nuclear DNA Sensors During Viral Infection and Tumorigenesis. Front Immunol 2021; 11:624556. [PMID: 33505405 PMCID: PMC7829187 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.624556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
IFI16, hnRNPA2B1, and nuclear cGAS are nuclear-located DNA sensors that play important roles in initiating host antiviral immunity and modulating tumorigenesis. IFI16 triggers innate antiviral immunity, inflammasome, and suppresses tumorigenesis by recognizing double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), damaged nuclear DNA, or cooperatively interacting with multiple tumor suppressors such as p53 and BRCA1. hnRNPA2B1 initiates interferon (IFN)-α/β production and enhances STING-dependent cytosolic antiviral signaling by directly binding viral dsDNA from invaded viruses and facilitating N6 -methyladenosine (m6A) modification of cGAS, IFI16, and STING mRNAs. Nuclear cGAS is recruited to double-stranded breaks (DSBs), suppresses DNA repair, and promotes tumorigenesis. This review briefly describes the nuclear functions of IFI16, hnRNPA2B1, and cGAS, and summarizes the transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational regulation of these nuclear DNA sensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology Regulatory Elements, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.,Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Suzhou, China
| | - Yi Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology Regulatory Elements, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.,Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Suzhou, China.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine of Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Feng Ma
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology Regulatory Elements, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.,Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Suzhou, China
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Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Interactions with the Interferon System. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21145150. [PMID: 32708188 PMCID: PMC7404291 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21145150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The interferon (IFN) system is one of the first lines of defense activated against invading viral pathogens. Upon secretion, IFNs activate a signaling cascade resulting in the production of several interferon stimulated genes (ISGs), which work to limit viral replication and establish an overall anti-viral state. Herpes simplex virus type 1 is a ubiquitous human pathogen that has evolved to downregulate the IFN response and establish lifelong latent infection in sensory neurons of the host. This review will focus on the mechanisms by which the host innate immune system detects invading HSV-1 virions, the subsequent IFN response generated to limit viral infection, and the evasion strategies developed by HSV-1 to evade the immune system and establish latency in the host.
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Gamdzyk M, Doycheva DM, Araujo C, Ocak U, Luo Y, Tang J, Zhang JH. cGAS/STING Pathway Activation Contributes to Delayed Neurodegeneration in Neonatal Hypoxia-Ischemia Rat Model: Possible Involvement of LINE-1. Mol Neurobiol 2020; 57:2600-2619. [PMID: 32253733 PMCID: PMC7260114 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-020-01904-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
cGAS is a sensor of cytosolic DNA and responds equally to exogenous and endogenous DNA. After recognition of cytosolic dsDNA or ssDNA, cGAS synthesizes the second messenger 2'3'-cGAMP, which then binds to and activates stimulator of interferon genes (STING). STING plays an essential role in responding to pathogenic DNA and self-DNA in the context of autoimmunity. In pathologic conditions, such as stroke or hypoxia-ischemia (HI), DNA can gain access into the cytoplasm of the cell and leak from the dying cells into the extracellular environment, which potentially activates cGAS/STING. Recent in vivo studies of myocardial ischemia, traumatic brain injury, and liver damage models suggest that activation of cGAS/STING is not only a side-effect of the injury, but it can also actively contribute to cell death and apoptosis. We found, for the first time, that cGAS/STING pathway becomes activated between 24 and 48 h after HI in a 10-day-old rat model. Silencing STING with siRNA resulted in decreased infarction area, reduced cortical neurodegeneration, and improved neurobehavior at 48 h, suggesting that STING can contribute to injury progression after HI. STING colocalized with lysosomal marker LAMP-1 and blocking STING reduced the expression of cathepsin B and decreased the expression of Bax and caspase 3 cleavage. We observed similar protective effects after intranasal treatment with cGAS inhibitor RU.521, which were reversed by administration of STING agonist 2'3'-cGAMP. Additionally, we showed that long interspersed element 1 (LINE-1) retrotransposon, a potential upstream activator of cGAS/STING pathway was induced at 48 h after HI, which was evidenced by increased expression of ORF1p and ORF2p proteins and increased LINE-1 DNA content in the cytosol. Blocking LINE-1 with the nucleoside analog reverse-transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) stavudine reduced infarction area, neuronal degeneration in the cerebral cortex, and reduced the expression of Bax and cleaved caspase 3. Thus, our results identify the cGAS/STING pathway as a potential therapeutic target to inhibit delayed neuronal death after HI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Gamdzyk
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, 11041 Campus St, Risley Hall, Room 219, Loma Linda, CA, 92354, USA
| | - Desislava Met Doycheva
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, 11041 Campus St, Risley Hall, Room 219, Loma Linda, CA, 92354, USA
| | - Camila Araujo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, 11041 Campus St, Risley Hall, Room 219, Loma Linda, CA, 92354, USA
| | - Umut Ocak
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, 11041 Campus St, Risley Hall, Room 219, Loma Linda, CA, 92354, USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Bursa Yuksek Ihtisas Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, 16310, Bursa, Turkey
| | - Yujie Luo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, 11041 Campus St, Risley Hall, Room 219, Loma Linda, CA, 92354, USA
| | - Jiping Tang
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, 11041 Campus St, Risley Hall, Room 219, Loma Linda, CA, 92354, USA
| | - John H Zhang
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, 11041 Campus St, Risley Hall, Room 219, Loma Linda, CA, 92354, USA.
- Department of Anesthesiology, Neurosurgery and Neurology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, 11041 Campus St, Risley Hall, Room 219, Loma Linda, CA, 92354, USA.
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Suramin potently inhibits cGAMP synthase, cGAS, in THP1 cells to modulate IFN-β levels. Future Med Chem 2018; 10:1301-1317. [PMID: 29558821 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2017-0322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: Persistent activation of STING pathway is the basis for several autoimmune diseases. STING is activated by cGAMP, which is produced by cGAS in the presence of DNA. Results/methodology: HPLC-based medium throughput screening for inhibitors of cGAS identified suramin as a potent inhibitor. Unlike other reported cGAS inhibitors, which bind to the ATP/GTP binding site, suramin displaced the bound DNA from cGAS. Addition of suramin to THP1 cells reduced the levels of IFN-β mRNA and protein. Suramin did not inhibit lipopolysaccharide- or Pam3CSK4-induced IL-6 mRNA expression. Conclusion: Suramin inhibits STING pathway via the inhibition of cGAS enzymatic activity. Suramin or analogs thereof that displace DNA from cGAS could be used as anti-inflammatory drugs.
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