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Biographical Feature: Bernhard Fleckenstein. J Virol 2021; 95:e0089621. [PMID: 34191579 PMCID: PMC8354219 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00896-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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Millen S, Gross C, Donhauser N, Mann MC, Péloponèse JM, Thoma-Kress AK. Collagen IV (COL4A1, COL4A2), a Component of the Viral Biofilm, Is Induced by the HTLV-1 Oncoprotein Tax and Impacts Virus Transmission. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:2439. [PMID: 31708905 PMCID: PMC6819499 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is the etiologic agent for Adult T-Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma (ATLL) and HTLV-1-Associated Myelopathy/Tropical Spastic Paraparesis (HAM/TSP). HTLV-1 infects CD4+ T-cells via cell-to-cell transmission requiring reorganization of the cytoskeleton and expression of the viral transactivator and oncoprotein Tax. Viruses spread at the virological synapse (VS), a virus-induced specialized cell-cell contact, by polarized budding into synaptic clefts, and by cell surface transfer of viral biofilms (VBs). Since little is known about Tax’s role in formation of the VB, we asked which component of the VB is regulated by Tax and important for HTLV-1 transmission. Collagens are not only structural proteins of the extracellular matrix and basal membrane but also represent an important component of the VB. Here, we report that among the collagens known to be present in VBs, COL4 is specifically upregulated in the presence of HTLV-1 infection. Further, we found that transient expression of Tax is sufficient to induce COL4A1 and COL4A2 transcripts in Jurkat and CCRF-CEM T-cells, while robust induction of COL4 protein requires continuous Tax expression as shown in Tax-transformed T-cell lines. Repression of Tax led to a significant reduction of COL4A1/A2 transcripts and COL4 protein. Mechanistically, luciferase-based promoter studies indicate that Tax activates the COL4A2 and, to a less extent, the COL4A1 promoter. Imaging showing partial co-localization of COL4 with the viral Gag protein in VBs at the VS and transfer of COL4 and Gag to target cells suggests a role of COL4 in VB formation. Strikingly, in chronically infected C91-PL cells, knockout of COL4A2 impaired Gag transfer between infected T-cells and acceptor T-cells, while release of virus-like particles was unaffected. Taken together, we identified COL4 (COL4A1, COL4A2) as a component of the VB and a novel cellular target of Tax with COL4A2 appearing to impact virus transmission. Thus, this study is the first to provide a link between Tax’s activity and VB formation by hijacking COL4 protein functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Millen
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christine Gross
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Norbert Donhauser
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Melanie C Mann
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jean-Marie Péloponèse
- IRIM-UMR 9004, Research Institute in Infectiology of Montpellier, CNRS, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Andrea K Thoma-Kress
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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Yang XD, Sun SC. Targeting signaling factors for degradation, an emerging mechanism for TRAF functions. Immunol Rev 2015; 266:56-71. [PMID: 26085207 PMCID: PMC4473799 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR)-associated factors (TRAFs) form a family of proteins that are best known as signaling adapters of TNFRs. However, emerging evidence suggests that TRAF proteins, particularly TRAF2 and TRAF3, also regulate signal transduction by controlling the fate of intracellular signaling factors. A well-recognized function of TRAF2 and TRAF3 in this aspect is to mediate ubiquitin-dependent degradation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)-inducing kinase (NIK), an action required for the control of NIK-regulated non-canonical NF-κB signaling pathway. TRAF2 and TRAF3 form a complex with the E3 ubiquitin ligase cIAP (cIAP1 or cIAP2), in which TRAF3 serves as the NIK-binding adapter. Recent evidence suggests that the cIAP-TRAF2-TRAF3 E3 complex also targets additional signaling factors for ubiquitin-dependent degradation, thereby regulating important aspects of immune and inflammatory responses. This review provides both historical aspects and new insights into the signaling functions of this ubiquitination system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Dong Yang
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shao-Cong Sun
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
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Hävemeier A, Gramolelli S, Pietrek M, Jochmann R, Stürzl M, Schulz TF. Activation of NF-κB by the Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus K15 protein involves recruitment of the NF-κB-inducing kinase, IκB kinases, and phosphorylation of p65. J Virol 2014; 88:13161-72. [PMID: 25187543 PMCID: PMC4249085 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01766-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2014] [Accepted: 08/26/2014] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV) (or human herpesvirus 8) is the cause of Kaposi's sarcoma, primary effusion lymphoma (PEL), and the plasma cell variant of multicentric Castleman's disease (MCD). The transmembrane K15 protein, encoded by KSHV, has been shown to activate NF-κB and the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) c-jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) as well as phospholipase C gamma (PLCγ) and to contribute to KSHV-induced angiogenesis. Here we investigate how the K15 protein activates the NF-κB pathway. We show that activation of NF-κB involves the recruitment of NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK) and IKK α/β to result in the phosphorylation of p65/RelA on Ser536. A K15 mutant devoid in NIK/IKK recruitment fails to activate NF-κB but remains proficient in the stimulation of both NFAT- and AP1-dependent promoters, showing that the structural integrity of the mutant K15 protein has not been altered dramatically. Direct recruitment of NIK represents a novel way for a viral protein to activate and manipulate the NF-κB pathway. IMPORTANCE KSHV K15 is a viral protein involved in the activation of proinflammatory and angiogenic pathways. Previous studies reported that K15 can activate the NF-κB pathway. Here we show the molecular mechanism underlying the activation of this signaling pathway by K15, which involves direct recruitment of the NF-κB-inducing kinase NIK to K15 as well as NIK-mediated NF-κB p65 phosphorylation on Ser536. K15 is the first viral protein shown to activate NF-κB through direct recruitment of NIK. These results indicate a new mechanism whereby a viral protein can manipulate the NF-κB pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anika Hävemeier
- Institut für Virologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Silvia Gramolelli
- Institut für Virologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Marcel Pietrek
- Institut für Virologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ramona Jochmann
- Chirurgische Klinik, Abteilung Molekulare und Experimentelle Chirurgie, Translational Research Center Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Michael Stürzl
- Chirurgische Klinik, Abteilung Molekulare und Experimentelle Chirurgie, Translational Research Center Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Thomas F Schulz
- Institut für Virologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover, Germany
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Roles for TNF-receptor associated factor 3 (TRAF3) in lymphocyte functions. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2013; 25:147-56. [PMID: 24433987 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2013.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2013] [Accepted: 12/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
TRAF3 is an adapter protein that serves and regulates the functions of several types of receptors, located both inside the cell and at the plasma membrane. These include members of the TNF receptor superfamily (TNFR-SF), toll-like receptors (TLR), and cytokine receptors. It has become increasingly evident that the roles and functions of TRAF3 are highly context-dependent. TRAF3 can serve distinct roles for different receptors in the same cell, and also has highly cell-type-dependent functions. This review focuses upon the current state of knowledge regarding how TRAF3 regulates the biology and effector functions of B and T lymphocytes, two major cell types of the adaptive immune response in which TRAF3 has markedly distinct roles.
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de Jong SJ, Albrecht JC, Giehler F, Kieser A, Sticht H, Biesinger B. Noncanonical NF-κB activation by the oncoprotein Tio occurs through a nonconserved TRAF3-binding motif. Sci Signal 2013; 6:ra27. [PMID: 23612708 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.2003309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Members of the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) family of transcription factors regulate many cellular functions. Activation of NF-κB signaling is commonly classified as occurring through canonical or noncanonical pathways. Most NF-κB-inducing stimuli, including the viral oncoprotein Tio, lead to a concerted activation of both NF-κB pathways; however, extensive crosstalk at multiple levels between these signaling cascades restricts the ability to discriminate between the canonical and the noncanonical effects. We showed that noncanonical NF-κB activation by Tio depends on a distinct sequence motif that directly recruits tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 3 (TRAF3). Through its TRAF3-binding motif, Tio triggered a ubiquitin-independent depletion of TRAF3 from the cytosol, which prevented TRAF3 from inhibiting signaling through the noncanonical NF-κB cascade. Furthermore, the Tio-TRAF3 interaction did not affect components of the canonical NF-κB signaling pathway or the expression of target genes; thus, Tio induced noncanonical NF-κB independently of crosstalk with the canonical pathway. Together, these data identify a distinct molecular mechanism of noncanonical NF-κB activation that should enable studies into the particular functions of this pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Jill de Jong
- Institut für Klinische und Molekulare Virologie, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany
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Species restriction of Herpesvirus saimiri and Herpesvirus ateles: Human lymphocyte transformation correlates with distinct signaling properties of viral oncoproteins. Virus Res 2012; 165:179-89. [DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2012.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2011] [Revised: 02/06/2012] [Accepted: 02/16/2012] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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Sønder SU, Saret S, Tang W, Sturdevant DE, Porcella SF, Siebenlist U. IL-17-induced NF-kappaB activation via CIKS/Act1: physiologic significance and signaling mechanisms. J Biol Chem 2011; 286:12881-90. [PMID: 21335551 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m110.199547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-17 (IL-17) is essential in host defense against extracellular bacteria and fungi, especially at mucosal sites, but it also contributes significantly to inflammatory and autoimmune disease pathologies. Binding of IL-17 to its receptor leads to recruitment of adaptor protein CIKS/Act1 via heterotypic association of their respective SEFIR domains and activation of transcription factor NF-κB; it is not known whether CIKS and/or NF-κB are required for all gene induction events. Here we report that CIKS is essential for all IL-17-induced immediate-early genes in primary mouse embryo fibroblasts, whereas NF-κB is profoundly involved. We also identify a novel subdomain in the N terminus of CIKS that is essential for IL-17-mediated NF-κB activation. This domain is both necessary and sufficient for interaction between CIKS and TRAF6, an adaptor required for NF-κB activation. The ability of decoy peptides to block this interaction may provide a new therapeutic strategy for intervention in IL-17-driven autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Søren Ulrik Sønder
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, NIAID, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20852, USA
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Ma T, Wang N, Su Z, Chen L, Zhu N, Ma C, Chen X, Chen H. Characterization of apoptosis and proliferation in esophageal carcinoma EC109 cells following siRNA-induced down-regulation of TRAF6. Mol Cell Biochem 2011; 352:77-85. [PMID: 21312055 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-011-0741-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2010] [Accepted: 01/28/2011] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) is an activator of the NF-κB transcription factor. NF-κB is involved in a variety of inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and gene regulatory pathways and was recently found to be over-expressed in esophageal cancer cells. Here we investigated the function of TRAF6 in the esophageal cancer cell line EC109. siRNA targeting TRAF6 was introduced into EC109 cells and TRAF6 mRNA and protein levels were subsequently examined via RT-PCR and western blotting. Rates of apoptosis and cell proliferation were also measured using flow cytometry, ethynyl deoxyuridine (EdU), and CCK-8 (Cell Counting Kit-8) assays. The real-time PCR array was applied to profile the expression of TRAF6 related genes. TRAF6-siRNA reduced TRAF6 mRNA and protein expressions. NF-κB p65 protein expression was decreased in TRAF6-targeting siRNA-transfected cells compared to cells of the negative control. TRAF6-siRNA also significantly inhibited proliferation and enhanced apoptosis of EC109 cells. These studies suggested that TRAF6 was required for NF-κB activation in EC109 cells and it may be a good molecular target for suppressing the survival and proliferation of esophageal cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianzhong Ma
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical College of Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
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Chikungunya virus nonstructural protein 2 inhibits type I/II interferon-stimulated JAK-STAT signaling. J Virol 2010; 84:10877-87. [PMID: 20686047 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00949-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 191] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an emerging human pathogen transmitted by mosquitoes. Like that of other alphaviruses, CHIKV replication causes general host shutoff, leading to severe cytopathicity in mammalian cells, and inhibits the ability of infected cells to respond to interferon (IFN). Recent research, however, suggests that alphaviruses may have additional mechanisms to circumvent the host's antiviral IFN response. Here we show that CHIKV replication is resistant to inhibition by interferon once RNA replication has been established and that CHIKV actively suppresses the antiviral IFN response by preventing IFN-induced gene expression. Both CHIKV infection and CHIKV replicon RNA replication efficiently blocked STAT1 phosphorylation and/or nuclear translocation in mammalian cells induced by either type I or type II IFN. Expression of individual CHIKV nonstructural proteins (nsPs) showed that nsP2 was a potent inhibitor of IFN-induced JAK-STAT signaling. In addition, mutations in CHIKV-nsP2 (P718S) and Sindbis virus (SINV)-nsP2 (P726S) that render alphavirus replicons noncytopathic significantly reduced JAK-STAT inhibition. This host shutoff-independent inhibition of IFN signaling by CHIKV is likely to have an important role in viral pathogenesis.
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de Jong SJ, Albrecht JC, Schmidt M, Müller-Fleckenstein I, Biesinger B. Activation of noncanonical NF-kappaB signaling by the oncoprotein Tio. J Biol Chem 2010; 285:16495-503. [PMID: 20353939 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m110.102848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
NF-kappaB transcription factors are key regulators of cellular proliferation and frequently contribute to oncogenesis. The herpesviral oncoprotein Tio, which promotes growth transformation of human T cells in a recombinant herpesvirus saimiri background, potently induces canonical NF-kappaB signaling through membrane recruitment of the ubiquitin ligase tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6). Here, we show that, in addition to Tio-TRAF6 interaction, the Tio-induced canonical NF-kappaB signal requires the presence of the regulatory subunit of the inhibitor of kappaB kinase (IKK) complex, NF-kappaB essential modulator (NEMO), and the activity of its key kinase, IKKbeta, to up-regulate expression of endogenous cellular inhibitor of apoptosis 2 (cIAP2) and interleukin 8 (IL-8) proteins. Dependent on TRAF6 and NEMO, Tio enhances the expression of the noncanonical NF-kappaB proteins, p100 and RelB. Independent of TRAF6 and NEMO, Tio mediates stabilization of the noncanonical kinase, NF-kappaB-inducing kinase (NIK). Concomitantly, Tio induces efficient processing of the p100 precursor molecule to its active form, p52, as well as DNA binding of nuclear p52 and RelB. In human T cells transformed by infection with a Tio-recombinant virus, sustained expression of p100, RelB, and cIAP2 depends on IKKbeta activity, yet processing to p52 remains largely unaffected by IKKbeta inhibition. However, long term inhibition of IKKbeta disrupts the continuous growth of the transformed cells and induces cell death. Hence, the Tio oncoprotein triggers noncanonical NF-kappaB signaling through NEMO-dependent up-regulation of p100 precursor and RelB, as well as through NEMO-independent generation of p52 effector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Jill de Jong
- Institut für Klinische und Molekulare Virologie, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany
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Silbermann K, Schneider G, Grassmann R. Stimulation of interleukin-13 expression by human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 oncoprotein Tax via a dually active promoter element responsive to NF-kappaB and NFAT. J Gen Virol 2009; 89:2788-2798. [PMID: 18931077 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.2008/003699-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) Tax oncoprotein transforms human lymphocytes and is critical for the pathogenesis of HTLV-1-induced adult T-cell leukaemia. In HTLV-transformed cells, Tax upregulates interleukin (IL)-13, a cytokine with proliferative and anti-apoptotic functions that is linked to leukaemogenesis. Tax-stimulated IL-13 is thought to result in autocrine stimulation of HTLV-infected cells and thus may be relevant to their growth. The causal transactivation of the IL-13 promoter by Tax is predominantly dependent on a nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT)-binding P element. Here, it was shown that the isolated IL-13 Tax-responsive element (IL13TaxRE) was sufficient to mediate IL-13 transactivation by Tax and NFAT1. However, cyclosporin A, a specific NFAT inhibitor, revealed that Tax transactivation of IL13TaxRE or wild-type IL-13 promoter was independent of NFAT and that NFAT did not contribute to IL-13 upregulation in HTLV-transformed cells. By contrast, Tax stimulation was repressible by an efficient nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB inhibitor (IkBaDN), indicating the requirement for NF-kappaB. The capacity of NF-kappaB to stimulate IL13TaxRE was demonstrated by a strong response to NF-kappaB in reporter assays and by direct binding of NF-kappaB to IL13TaxRE. Thus, IL13TaxRE in the IL-13 promoter represents a dually active promoter element responsive to NF-kappaB and NFAT. Together, these results indicate that Tax causes IL-13 upregulation in HTLV-1-infected cells via NF-kappaB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Silbermann
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Grit Schneider
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ralph Grassmann
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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Pichler K, Schneider G, Grassmann R. MicroRNA miR-146a and further oncogenesis-related cellular microRNAs are dysregulated in HTLV-1-transformed T lymphocytes. Retrovirology 2008; 5:100. [PMID: 19014482 PMCID: PMC2628945 DOI: 10.1186/1742-4690-5-100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2008] [Accepted: 11/12/2008] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is the etiologic agent of a severe and fatal lymphoproliferative disease of mainly CD4+ T cell origin, adult T cell leukemia, which develops after prolonged viral persistence. Transformation of infected cells involves HTLV-1's oncoprotein Tax, which perturbs cell cycle regulation and modulates cellular gene expression. The latter function is also a hallmark of microRNAs, a rather new layer in the regulation of gene expression. Affecting e.g. proliferation, microRNAs constitute a potential target for viral interference on the way to persistence and transformation. Hence, we explored the interconnections between HTLV-1 and cellular microRNAs. Results We report that several microRNAs – miRs 21, 24, 146a, 155 and 223 – are deregulated in HTLV-1-transformed cells. They are all upregulated except for miR-223, which is downregulated. Each of those microRNAs has ties to cancer. Their expression pattern forms a uniform phenotype among HTLV-transformed cells when compared to HTLV-negative control cells. In particular, miR-146a expression was found to be directly stimulated by Tax via NF-κB-mediated transactivation of its promoter; a single NF-κB site proximal to the transcription start point was necessary and sufficient for this to happen. An in silico analysis of potential target genes revealed candidates that might be coregulated by two or more of the aforementioned overexpressed microRNAs. Conclusion These data demonstrate that cellular microRNAs are deregulated in HTLV-1-transformed T cells. In the case of miR-146a, this could be directly attributed to HTLV's oncoprotein Tax. Interference with cellular microRNAs may be crucial to maintaining persistence or may facilitate transformation of host cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klemens Pichler
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Schlossgarten 4, Erlangen, Germany.
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NF-kappaB activation by the viral oncoprotein StpC enhances IFN-gamma production in T cells. Immunol Cell Biol 2008; 86:622-30. [PMID: 18560378 DOI: 10.1038/icb.2008.43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) is an essential regulator of innate and adaptive immune responses and a hallmark of the Th1 T-cell subset. It is produced at high levels by human T lymphocytes upon transformation with Herpesvirus saimiri, which depends on the expression of the viral oncoproteins saimiri transformation-associated protein of subgroup C (StpC) and tyrosine kinase-interacting protein (Tip). Here, we show that IFN-gamma production was induced by Tip in Jurkat T cells. StpC by itself did not affect IFN-gamma expression, but enhanced the effect of Tip. Our results substantiated the findings that StpC induces NF-kappaB activation and demonstrated that other transcription factors, including NFAT, AP-1 and serum response element regulators, were not activated by StpC in unstimulated T cells. Studies using StpC mutants deficient in NF-kappaB activation, dominant negative IkappaBalpha and constitutively active IKK2, established the importance of NF-kappaB in StpC-mediated upregulation of IFN-gamma production. These observations suggest that NF-kappaB induction by StpC contributes to the Th1-like phenotype of virus-transformed human T cells.
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Strong induction of 4-1BB, a growth and survival promoting costimulatory receptor, in HTLV-1-infected cultured and patients' T cells by the viral Tax oncoprotein. Blood 2008; 111:4741-51. [PMID: 18276843 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2007-10-115220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1), the cause of adult T-cell leukemia, stimulates the growth of infected T cells in cultures and in nonleukemic patients. In the latter, HTLV-1 is found in long-term persisting T-cell clones. The persistence of normal T cells is controlled by the growth-stimulating and antiapoptotic functions of costimulatory receptors, while the growth-stimulating HTLV-1 functions are mediated by the viral oncoprotein Tax. Here we analyzed the impact of Tax on costimulatory receptors in T cells with repressible Tax and found that among these receptors 4-1BB (TNFRSF9/CD137/ILA) was induced most strongly. Up-regulated 4-1BB expression was a consistent feature of all HTLV-1-infected cell lines, whether patient-derived or in vitro transformed. Tax was sufficient to induce the expression of the endogenous 4-1BB gene in uninfected T cells, and it strongly activated (45-fold) the 4-1BB promoter via a single NF-kappaB site. The ligand of 4-1BB was also found on transformed T-cell lines, opening up the possibility of autostimulation. Moreover, 4-1BB expression in patients' lymphocytes ex vivo correlated with Tax expression, strongly suggesting Tax-mediated 4-1BB activation in vivo. Thus, 4-1BB up-regulation by Tax could contribute to growth, survival, and clonal expansion of the infected cells during persistence and disease.
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Silbermann K, Grassmann R. Human T cell leukemia virus type 1 Tax-induced signals in cell survival, proliferation, and transformation. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007. [DOI: 10.1002/sita.200600119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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