Varicella Zoster Virus Alters Expression of Cell Adhesion Proteins in Human Perineurial Cells via Interleukin 6

The Basic Requirement of Tight Junction Proteins in Blood-Brain Barrier Function and Their Role in Pathologies

This review addresses the role of tight junction proteins at the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Their expression is described, and their role in physiological and pathological processes at the BBB is discussed. Based on this, new approaches are depicted for paracellular drug delivery and diagnostics in the treatment of cerebral diseases. Recent data provide convincing evidence that, in addition to its impairment in the course of diseases, the BBB could be involved in the aetiology of CNS disorders. Further progress will be expected based on new insights in tight junction protein structure and in their involvement in signalling pathways.

VZV Infection of Primary Human Adrenal Cortical Cells Produces a Proinflammatory Environment without Cell Death

Virus infection of adrenal glands can disrupt secretion of mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids, and sex hormones from the cortex and catecholamines from the medulla, leading to a constellation of symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, weight loss, nausea, and muscle and joint pain. Specifically, varicella zoster virus (VZV) can produce bilateral adrenal hemorrhage and adrenal insufficiency during primary infection or following reactivation. However, the mechanisms by which VZV affects the adrenal glands are not well-characterized. Herein, we determined if primary human adrenal cortical cells (HAdCCs) infected with VZV support viral replication and produce a proinflammatory environment. Quantitative PCR showed VZV DNA increasing over time in HAdCCs, yet no cell death was seen at 3 days post-infection by TUNEL staining or Western Blot analysis with PARP and caspase 9 antibodies. Compared to conditioned supernatant from mock-infected cells, supernatant from VZV-infected cells contained significantly elevated IL-6, IL-8, IL-12p70, IL-13, IL-4, and TNF-α. Overall, VZV can productively infect adrenal cortical cells in the absence of cell death, suggesting that these cells may be a potential reservoir for ongoing viral replication and proinflammatory cytokine production, leading to chronic adrenalitis and dysfunction.

Interaction networks between the Fallopian tubes and the embryo in human tubal pregnancy: Current knowledge and perspectives

AIM

More than 90% of ectopic pregnancies occur in the Fallopian tubes. As the pathogenesis of tubal pregnancy remains largely unclear, the development of strategies to prevent and treat tubal pregnancy still represents a major clinical challenge. This review thoroughly summarizes the current data, aiming to determine the genes and signaling pathways that are involved in the pathophysiology of human tubal pregnancy.

METHODS

An electronic search from databases of PubMed, Google Scholar, and Chinese databases was carried out using key words pertaining to the pathogenesis of tubal pregnancy from the perspectives of both the Fallopian tubes and the embryo. A review of the literatures including review articles, experimental, and observational studies and case reports published between 1999 and 2021 was conducted.

RESULTS

Tubal pregnancy results from the interaction networks between the Fallopian tube and the embryo rather than from simple tubal abnormality. Furthermore, the embryo-maternal communication is supposed to start from the preimplantation period to the implantation period.

CONCLUSION

A greater understanding of the interaction networks between the Fallopian tubes and the embryo is of great significance for the prevention and medical treatment of tubal pregnancy.

Targeted RNA Sequencing of Formalin-Fixed, Paraffin-Embedded Temporal Arteries From Giant Cell Arteritis Cases Reveals Viral Signatures

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) antigen has been detected in temporal arteries (TAs) of individuals with giant cell arteritis (GCA), the most common systemic vasculitis in older adults. Thus, we explored the contribution of VZV to GCA pathogenesis.

METHODS

Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded TA sections from biopsy-positive GCA participants with VZV antigen (GCA/VZV-positive; n = 20) and without (GCA/VZV-negative, n = 20) and from normal participants with VZV antigen (control/VZV-positive, n = 11) and without (control/VZV-negative, n = 20) were analyzed by targeted RNA sequencing of the whole human transcriptome (BioSpyder TempO-Seq). Ingenuity pathway analysis and R-computational program were used to identify differentially expressed genes and pathways between groups.

RESULTS

Compared with control/VZV-negative TAs, GCA/VZV-negative and GCA/VZV-positive TAs were significantly enriched for human transcripts specific for pathways involved in viral infections, including viral entry, nuclear factor kappa B activation by viruses, and other pathogen-related immune activation pathways. Similarly, human gene sets supporting viral infection were found in control/VZV-positive TAs that showed no morphological signs of inflammation, suggesting that the enriched pathways were not nonspecific signatures of infiltrating immune cells. All GCA TAs and control/VZV-positive TAs showed enrichment of transcripts involved in vascular remodeling, including smooth muscle cell migration.

DISCUSSION

The detection of viral and immune activation pathways in GCA TAs supports a role for virus infection in GCA pathogenesis. In addition, the detection of viral pathways in control/VZV-positive TAs, along with vascular remodeling pathways, suggests that these samples may represent early infection with progression to clinical disease, depending on host and other environmental factors.

Detection of varicella zoster virus antigen and DNA in two cases of cerebral amyloid angiopathy

OBJECTIVE

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) vasculopathy and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) have similar clinical presentations: both affect cerebrovasculature in the elderly, produce hemorrhage, and can have a protracted course of cognitive decline and other neurological deficits. The cause of CAA is unknown, but amyloid-beta (Aβ) is found within arterial walls. Recent studies show that VZV induces Aβ and amylin expression and an amyloid-promoting environment. Thus, we determined if VZV was present in CAA-affected arteries.

METHODS

Two subjects with pathologically-verified CAA were identified postmortem and frontal lobes analyzed by immunohistochemistry for arteries containing VZV, Aβ, and amylin and H&E for pathological changes. VZV antigen detection was confirmed by PCR for VZV DNA in the same region.

RESULTS

In both CAA cases, sections with cerebral arteries containing VZV antigen with corresponding VZV DNA were identified; VZV antigen co-localized with Aβ in media of arteries with histological changes characteristic of CAA. Amylin was also seen in the intima of a VZV-positive artery in the diabetic subject. Not all Aβ-containing arteries had VZV, but all VZV-positive arteries contained Aβ.

CONCLUSIONS

VZV antigen co-localized with Aβ in some affected arteries from two CAA cases, suggesting a possible association between VZV infection and CAA.

Amylin, Aβ42, and Amyloid in Varicella Zoster Virus Vasculopathy Cerebrospinal Fluid and Infected Vascular Cells

BACKGROUND

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) vasculopathy is characterized by persistent arterial inflammation leading to stroke. Studies show that VZV induces amyloid formation that may aggravate vasculitis. Thus, we determined if VZV central nervous system infection produces amyloid.

METHODS

Aβ peptides, amylin, and amyloid were measured in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 16 VZV vasculopathy subjects and 36 stroke controls. To determine if infection induced amyloid deposition, mock- and VZV-infected quiescent primary human perineurial cells (qHPNCs), present in vasculature, were analyzed for intracellular amyloidogenic transcripts/proteins and amyloid. Supernatants were assayed for amyloidogenic peptides and ability to induce amyloid formation. To determine amylin's function during infection, amylin was knocked down with small interfering RNA and viral complementary DNA (cDNA) was quantitated.

RESULTS

Compared to controls, VZV vasculopathy CSF had increased amyloid that positively correlated with amylin and anti-VZV antibody levels; Aβ40 was reduced and Aβ42 unchanged. Intracellular amylin, Aβ42, and amyloid were seen only in VZV-infected qHPNCs. VZV-infected supernatant formed amyloid fibrils following addition of amyloidogenic peptides. Amylin knockdown decreased viral cDNA.

CONCLUSIONS

VZV infection increased levels of amyloidogenic peptides and amyloid in CSF and qHPNCs, indicating that VZV-induced amyloid deposition may contribute to persistent arterial inflammation in VZV vasculopathy. In addition, we identified a novel proviral function of amylin.

Relationship between SDC1 and cadherin signalling activation in cancer

E-cadherin and SDC1 are markers of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) that can be used to assess tumour prognosis. SDC1 has different effects in various types of cancers. On the one hand, reduced expression of SDC1 can leads to advantage stages of some cancers, such as gastric and colorectal cancer. On the other hand, SDC1 overexpression can also promote the growth and proliferation of cancer cells in pancreatic and breast cancer. However, the function of SDC1 is influenced and regulated by many factors. Exfoliated extracellular domain HS chain can mediate the function of SDC1 and play an important role in the occurrence and development of cancer. SDC1 binds to various ligands and influences the growth and reproduction of cancer cells via the activation of Wnt, the long isoform of FLICE-inhibitory protein (FLIP long), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and MAPK/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and other pathways. Cadherins occur in several types, but this review focuses on classical cadherins. N-cadherin and P-cadherin are activated during tumour development, whereas E-cadherin is a tumour suppressor. The cellular signalling pathways involved in classical cadherins, such as Wnt and VEGFR pathways, are also related to SDC1. The activation of E-cadherin caused by SDC1 knockdown has also been observed. Despite this evidence, no articles regarding the relationship of SDC1 and cadherin activation have been published. This review summarises the expressions of these two molecules in different cancers and analyses their possible relationship to provide insights into future cancer research and clinical treatment.