Parvovirus and Thyroid Cancer

The Pathogenic Aspects of Human Parvovirus B19 NS1 Protein in Chronic and Inflammatory Diseases

Background

The nonstructural protein (NS1) of human parvovirus B19 (hPVB19) is considered to be a double-edged sword in its pathogenesis. NS1 protein promotes cell death by apoptosis in erythroid-lineage cells and is also implicated in triggering and the progression of various inflammation and autoimmune disorders.

Objectives

We investigated the possible role of hPVB19 NS1 in the modulation of proinflammatory cytokines in nonpermissive HEK-293T cells.

Methods

A plasmid containing the fully sequenced NS1 gene (pCMV6-AC-GFP-NS1) was transfected into HEK-293T cells. Transfection efficiency was assessed by fluorescent microscopy over time. Mock (pCMV6-AC-GFP) transfected cells were used as controls. The percentage of apoptotic cells was measured by flow cytometry at 24, 48, and 72 h posttransfection. Interleukin 6 (IL-6) mRNA, as a pleiotropic cytokine, was measured by real-time PCR. Furthermore, cellular supernatants were collected to determine the type and quantity of cytokines produced by mock- and NS1-transfected cells using flow cytometry.

Results

Fold change in the expression level of IL-6 mRNA in transfected cells after 72 hr of incubation was found to be 3.01 when compared with mock-transfected cells; however, cell apoptosis did not happen over time. Also, the concentration of cytokines such as IL-2, IL-6, IL-9, IL-17A, IL-21, IL-22, interferon (IFN)-γ, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) increased in NS1-transfected cells.

Conclusions

Overall, our results indicated that proinflammatory cytokine levels had increased following the expression of hPVB19 NS1 in HEK-293T cells, consistent with a role for NS1 expression facilitating the upregulation of inflammatory reactions. Therefore, hPVB19 NS1 function may play a role in the progression of some chronic and inflammatory diseases.

Comparative Proteomic Profiling of Ectosomes Derived from Thyroid Carcinoma and Normal Thyroid Cells Uncovers Multiple Proteins with Functional Implications in Cancer

Proteins carried by tumor-derived ectosomes play an important role in cancer progression, and are considered promising diagnostic markers. In the present study, a shotgun nanoLC–MS/MS proteomic approach was applied to profile and compare the protein content of ectosomes released in vitro by normal human thyroid follicular epithelial Nthy-ori 3-1 cells and human anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (TC) 8305C cells. Additionally, the pro-migratory and pro-proliferative effects of Nthy-ori 3-1- and 8305C-derived ectosomes exerted on the recipient cells were assessed in wound closure and Alamar Blue assays. A total of 919 proteins were identified in all replicates of 8305C-derived ectosomes, while Nthy-ori 3-1-derived ectosomes contained a significantly lower number of 420 identified proteins. Qualitative analysis revealed 568 proteins present uniquely in 8305C-derived ectosomes, suggesting their applicability in TC diagnosis and management. In addition, 8305C-derived ectosomes were able to increase the proliferation and motility rates of the recipient cells, likely due to the ectosomal transfer of the identified cancer-promoting molecules. Our description of ectosome protein content and its related functions provides the first insight into the role of ectosomes in TC development and progression. The results also indicate the applicability of some of these ectosomal proteins for further investigation regarding their potential as circulating TC biomarkers.

Effect of N‑terminal region of human parvovirus B19‑VP1 unique region on cardiac injury in naïve mice

A unique region of human parvovirus B19 virus-VP1 (B19V–VP1u) has been linked to a variety of cardiac disorders. However, the precise role of B19V–VP1u in inducing cardiac injury remains unknown. The present study investigated the effects of B19V–VP1u and different regions of B19V–VP1u, including B19V–VP1uA (residues 1–60), B19V–VP1uB (residues 61–129), B19V–VP1uC (residues 130–195) and B19V–VP1uD (residues 196–227), on inducing cardiac injury in naïve mice by zymography, immunoblotting, H&E staining and cytokine immunoassay. A significantly higher MMP-9/MMP-2 ratio and increased levels of inflammatory cytokines, including IL-6 and IL-1β, were detected in the left ventricles of the mice injected with B19V-non-structural protein 1 (B19V-NS1) and B19V–VP1u, accompanied by increased expression levels of phosphorylated (p-)ERK and p-P38. Significantly upregulated expression levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) and creatine kinase isoenzyme-MB (CK-MB), which are well-known cardiac injury markers, as well as increased infiltration of lymphocytes, were detected in the left ventricles of the mice injected with B19V–VP1, B19V-NS1 and B19V–VP1u. Moreover, a significantly higher MMP-9/MMP-2 ratio and increased levels of IL-6 and IL-1β were observed in the left ventricles of the mice injected with B19V–VP1u, B19V–VP1u-A, B19V–VP1u-B and B19V–VP1u-C, accompanied by upregulated p-ERK and p-P38 expression. Notably, significantly lower levels of IL-6 and IL-1β were observed in the left ventricles of the mice injected with B19V–VP1uD. Furthermore, significantly increased ANP, H-FABP and CK-MB expression levels were detected in the left ventricles of the mice injected with B19V–VP1u, B19V–VP1u-A and B19V–VP1u-B, along with enhanced infiltration of lymphocytes. Significantly higher serum IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-γ levels were also detected in the mice injected with B19V–VP1u, B19V–VP1u-A and B19V–VP1u-B. To the best of our knowledge, the findings of the present study were the first to demonstrate that the N-terminal region (residues 1–129) of B19V–VP1u induces an increase in the levels of cardiac injury markers, thus providing evidence for understanding the possible functional regions within B19V–VP1u.

Next generation sequencing and its applications in HPV-associated cancers

Approximately 18% of all human cancers have a viral etiology, and human papillomavirus (HPV) has been identified as one of the most prevalent viruses that plays causative role in nearly all cervical cancers and, in addition, in subset of head and neck, anal, penile and vulvar cancers. The recent introduction of next generation sequencing (NGS) and other omics approaches have resulted in comprehensive knowledge on the pathogenesis of HPV-driven tumors. Specifically, these approaches have provided detailed information on genomic HPV integration sites, disrupted genes and pathways, and common and distinct genetic and epigenetic alterations in different human HPV-associated cancers. This review focuses on HPV integration sites, its concomitantly disrupted genes and pathways and its functional consequences in both cervical and head and neck cancers. Integration of NGS data with other omics and clinical data is crucial to better understand the pathophysiology of each individual malignancy and, based on this, to select targets and to design effective personalized treatment options.

Human Parvoviruses

Parvovirus B19 (B19V) and human bocavirus 1 (HBoV1), members of the large Parvoviridae family, are human pathogens responsible for a variety of diseases. For B19V in particular, host features determine disease manifestations. These viruses are prevalent worldwide and are culturable in vitro, and serological and molecular assays are available but require careful interpretation of results. Additional human parvoviruses, including HBoV2 to -4, human parvovirus 4 (PARV4), and human bufavirus (BuV) are also reviewed. The full spectrum of parvovirus disease in humans has yet to be established. Candidate recombinant B19V vaccines have been developed but may not be commercially feasible. We review relevant features of the molecular and cellular biology of these viruses, and the human immune response that they elicit, which have allowed a deep understanding of pathophysiology.

Lung Infection by Human Bocavirus Induces the Release of Profibrotic Mediator Cytokines In Vivo and In Vitro

Human Bocavirus subtype 1 (HBoV1) is associated with respiratory diseases and may contribute to chronic lung diseases by persisting in the infected host. Here the question was addressed if HBoV infections could contribute to fibrogenesis processes as suggested by previously published clinical observations. Cytokine profiles induced by HBoV infection in CuFi-8 air-liquid interphase cell cultures and in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of 20 HBoV-positive and 12 HBoV-negative patients were analysed by semi-quantitative Western spot blot analyses. Although lots of cytokines were regulated independently of HBoV status, several cytokines associated with lung fibrosis and tumour development, e.g., EGF, VEGF, TARC (CCL17), TNF-α, TNF-β, TIMP-1, were clearly upregulated in the HBoV-positive cohort. These findings suggest that the development of lung fibrosis might be triggered by HBoV induced cytokine expression.