Latency type-specific distribution of epigenetic marks at the alternative promoters Cp and Qp of Epstein-Barr virus

Histone methylation in Epstein-Barr virus-associated diseases

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is linked to various human diseases, including both noncancerous conditions like infectious mononucleosis and cancerous diseases such as lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. After the initial infection, EBV establishes a lifelong presence and remains latent in specific cells. This latent infection causes changes in the epigenetic marks known as histone methylation. Many studies have examined the role of histone methylation in different EBV-associated diseases, and understanding how EBV affects histone methylation can help us identify potential targets for epigenetic therapies. This review focuses on the research progress made in understanding histone methylation in well-studied EBV-associated diseases, intending to provide insights into potential strategies based on histone methylation to combat EBV-related ailments.

In silico interrogation of the miRNAome of infected hematopoietic cells to predict processes important for human cytomegalovirus latent infection

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) latency in CD34+ progenitor cells is the outcome of a complex and continued interaction of virus and host that is initiated during very early stages of infection and reflects pro- and anti-viral activity. We hypothesized that a key event during early infection could involve changes to host miRNAs, allowing for rapid modulation of the host proteome. Here, we identify 72 significantly upregulated miRNAs and three that were downregulated by 6hpi of infection of CD34+ cells which were then subject to multiple in silico analyses to identify potential genes and pathways important for viral infection. The analyses focused on the upregulated miRNAs and were used to predict potential gene hubs or common mRNA targets of multiple miRNAs. Constitutive deletion of one target, the transcriptional regulator JDP2, resulted in a defect in latent infection of myeloid cells; interestingly, transient knockdown in differentiated dendritic cells resulted in increased viral lytic IE gene expression, arguing for subtle differences in the role of JDP2 during latency establishment and reactivation of HCMV. Finally, in silico predictions identified clusters of genes with related functions (such as calcium signaling, ubiquitination, and chromatin modification), suggesting potential importance in latency and reactivation. Consistent with this hypothesis, we demonstrate that viral IE gene expression is sensitive to calcium channel inhibition in reactivating dendritic cells. In conclusion, we demonstrate HCMV alters the miRNAome rapidly upon infection and that in silico interrogation of these changes reveals new insight into mechanisms controlling viral gene expression during HCMV latency and, intriguingly, reactivation.

Stress-Induced Epstein-Barr Virus Reactivation

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is typically found in a latent, asymptomatic state in immunocompetent individuals. Perturbations of the host immune system can stimulate viral reactivation. Furthermore, there are a myriad of EBV-associated illnesses including various cancers, post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease, and autoimmune conditions. A thorough understanding of this virus, and the interplay between stress and the immune system, is essential to establish effective treatment. This review will provide a summary of the interaction between both psychological and cellular stressors resulting in EBV reactivation. It will examine mechanisms by which EBV establishes and maintains latency and will conclude with a brief overview of treatments targeting EBV.

Herpesvirus Epigenetic Reprogramming and Oncogenesis

Among all of the known biological carcinogens, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) are two of the classical oncogenic herpesviruses known to induce the oncogenic phenotype. Many studies have revealed important functions related to epigenetic alterations of the EBV and KSHV genomes that mediate oncogenesis, but the detailed mechanisms are not fully understood. It is also challenging to fully describe the critical cellular events that drive oncogenesis as well as a comprehensive map of the molecular contributors. This review introduces the roles of epigenetic modifications of these viral genomes, including DNA methylation, histone modification, chromatin remodeling, and noncoding RNA expression, and elucidates potential strategies utilized for inducing oncogenesis by these human gammaherpesviruses.

Methylation analysis of plasma DNA informs etiologies of Epstein-Barr virus-associated diseases

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with a number of diseases, including malignancies. Currently, it is not known whether patients with different EBV-associated diseases have different methylation profiles of circulating EBV DNA. Through whole-genome methylation analysis of plasma samples from patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), EBV-associated lymphoma and infectious mononucleosis, we demonstrate that EBV DNA methylation profiles exhibit a disease-associated pattern. This observation implies a significant potential for the development of methylation analysis of plasma EBV DNA for NPC diagnostics. We further analyse the plasma EBV DNA methylome of NPC and non-NPC subjects from a prospective screening cohort. Plasma EBV DNA fragments demonstrate differential methylation patterns between NPC and non-NPC subjects. Combining such differential methylation patterns with the fractional concentration (count) and size of plasma EBV DNA, population screening of NPC is performed with an improved positive predictive value of 35.1%, compared to a count- and size-based only protocol.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with different malignant diseases and circulating EBV DNA is a biomarker for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Here, the authors report that plasma EBV DNA methylation profiles show disease-associated patterns and can help to distinguish NPC and non-NPC subjects.

Targeting epigenetic mechanisms in periodontal diseases

Epigenetic factors are heritable genome modifications that potentially impact gene transcription, contributing to disease states. Epigenetic marks play an important role in chronic inflammatory conditions, as observed in periodontal diseases, by allowing microbial persistence or by permitting microbial insult to play a role in the so-called 'hit-and-run' infectious mechanism, leading to lasting pathogen interference with the host genome. Epigenetics also affects the health sciences by providing a dynamic mechanistic framework to explain the way in which environmental and behavioral factors interact with the genome to alter disease risk. In this article we review current knowledge of epigenome regulation in light of the multifactorial nature of periodontal diseases. We discuss epigenetic tagging in identified genes, and consider the potential implications of epigenetic changes on host-microbiome dynamics in chronic inflammatory states and in response to environmental stressors. The most recent advances in genomic technologies have placed us in a position to analyze interaction effects (eg, between periodontal disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus), which can be investigated through epigenome-wide association analysis. Finally, because of the individualized traits of epigenetic biomarkers, pharmacoepigenomic perspectives are also considered as potentially novel therapeutic approaches for improving periodontal disease status.

Environmental epigenetics and its implication on disease risk and health outcomes

This review focuses on how environmental factors through epigenetics modify disease risk and health outcomes. Major epigenetic events, such as histone modifications, DNA methylation, and microRNA expression, are described. The function of dose, duration, composition, and window of exposure in remodeling the individual's epigenetic terrain and disease susceptibility are addressed. The ideas of lifelong editing of early-life epigenetic memories, transgenerational effects through germline transmission, and the potential role of hydroxylmethylation of cytosine in developmental reprogramming are discussed. Finally, the epigenetic effects of several major classes of environmental factors are reviewed in the context of pathogenesis of disease. These include endocrine disruptors, tobacco smoke, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, infectious pathogens, particulate matter, diesel exhaust particles, dust mites, fungi, heavy metals, and other indoor and outdoor pollutants. We conclude that the summation of epigenetic modifications induced by multiple environmental exposures, accumulated over time, represented as broad or narrow, acute or chronic, developmental or lifelong, may provide a more precise assessment of risk and consequences. Future investigations may focus on their use as readouts or biomarkers of the totality of past exposure for the prediction of future disease risk and the prescription of effective countermeasures.

Keeping it quiet: chromatin control of gammaherpesvirus latency

The human gammaherpesviruses Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) establish long-term latent infections associated with diverse human cancers. Viral oncogenesis depends on the ability of the latent viral genome to persist in host nuclei as episomes that express a restricted yet dynamic pattern of viral genes. Multiple epigenetic events control viral episome generation and maintenance. This Review highlights some of the recent findings on the role of chromatin assembly, histone and DNA modifications, and higher-order chromosome structures that enable gammaherpesviruses to establish stable latent infections that mediate viral pathogenesis.

The role of DNA hypomethylation, histone acetylation and in vivo protein-DNA binding in Epstein-Barr virus-induced CD23 upregulation

We analyzed epigenetic marks at the CD23 regulatory regions in well characterized Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-carrying cell lines covering the major latency types. Bisulfite sequencing showed that DNA methylation is not a major regulator of EBV-induced CD23 transcription, although a wide hypomethylated DNA sequence in the regulatory regions is always present in the cell lines with high CD23 expression. Acetylated histone H3 levels at the CD23b promoter showed strong correlation with CD23b expression, while a weaker correlation could be observed at the CD23a core promoter. DMS in vivo footprinting at the intronic EBV-responsive enhancer and the intermediate-affinity CBF1 site at the CD23a core promoter did not reveal any significant sign of in vivo protein-DNA interactions, despite the presence of strong, characteristic footprints in the same DMS-treated DNA samples at the two CBF1 sites of the LMP2A-promoter. Our in vivo results suggest a minor role for DNA methylation, while a more important role for histone acetylation in the regulation of EBV-induced CD23 expression. Furthermore, our in vivo footprinting results support the complex model of CD23 induction by EBV, rather than a simple model with direct transactivation of CD23 by EBNA-2.

Epigenetic regulation of EBV and KSHV latency

The gammaherpesviruses are unique for their capacity to establish a variety of gene expression programs during latent and lytic infection. This capacity enables the virus to control host-cell proliferation, prevent programmed cell death, elude immune cell detection, and ultimately adapt to a wide range of environmental and developmental changes in the host cell. This remarkable plasticity of gene expression results from the combined functionalities of viral and host factors that biochemically remodel and epigenetically modify the viral chromosome. These epigenetic modifications range from primary DNA methylations, to chromatin protein post-translational modifications, to higher-order chromosome conformations. In addition, gammaherpesviruses have acquired specialized tools to modulate the epigenetic processes that promote viral genome propagation and host-cell survival.

The 5' regulatory sequences of active miR-146a promoters are hypomethylated and associated with euchromatic histone modification marks in B lymphoid cells

Although the microRNA miR-146a is an important regulator of immunological processes and contributes to the pathogenesis of certain B cell lymphoma types, in B cells the epigenetic regulation of miR-146a expresion has not been studied yet. To elucidate the mechanisms controlling miR-146a expression in B lymphoid cells we analysed epigenetic marks, including CpG methylation and histone modifications, at the miR-146a promoter in well characterized Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) positive and EBV negative B cell lines. In addition, EBV positive epithelial cell lines were also studied as controls. In cells with a silent miR-146a promoter the 5' regulatory sequences comprising a CpG island were devoid of activating histone modifications, independently of the methylation pattern of the regulatory region. The regulatory sequences flanking the inactive miR-146 promoter were hypermethylated at CpG dinucleotides in the EBV positive Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) cell lines of memory B cell phenotype (Rael and Akata), partially methylated in the mammary carcinoma cell lines C2G6 and C4A3, and completely unmethylated in the nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line C666-1. In contrast, in EBV positive cell lines of activated B cell phenotype, and EBV negative BL cell lines the invariably unmethylated 5' regulatory sequences of active miR-146a promoters were enriched in the euchromatic histone modification marks acetylated histone H3, acetylated histone H4, and histone H3 dimethylated at lysine 4. The euchromatic histone modification marks extended over the immediate vicinity of the transcriptional initiation site to the 3' intron, too. We concluded that similarly to the promoters of protein coding genes, both DNA methylation and histone modifications contribute to the host cell dependent expression of miR-146a.

The B cell transcription program mediates hypomethylation and overexpression of key genes in Epstein-Barr virus-associated proliferative conversion

BACKGROUND

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is a well characterized etiopathogenic factor for a variety of immune-related conditions, including lymphomas, lymphoproliferative disorders and autoimmune diseases. EBV-mediated transformation of resting B cells to proliferating lymphoblastoid cells occurs in early stages of infection and is an excellent model for investigating the mechanisms associated with acquisition of unlimited growth.

RESULTS

We investigated the effects of experimental EBV infection of B cells on DNA methylation profiles by using high-throughput analysis. Remarkably, we observed hypomethylation of around 250 genes, but no hypermethylation. Hypomethylation did not occur at repetitive sequences, consistent with the absence of genomic instability in lymphoproliferative cells. Changes in methylation only occurred after cell divisions started, without the participation of the active demethylation machinery, and were concomitant with acquisition by B cells of the ability to proliferate. Gene Ontology analysis, expression profiling, and high-throughput analysis of the presence of transcription factor binding motifs and occupancy revealed that most genes undergoing hypomethylation are active and display the presence of NF-κB p65 and other B cell-specific transcription factors. Promoter hypomethylation was associated with upregulation of genes relevant for the phenotype of proliferating lymphoblasts. Interestingly, pharmacologically induced demethylation increased the efficiency of transformation of resting B cells to lymphoblastoid cells, consistent with productive cooperation between hypomethylation and lymphocyte proliferation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data provide novel clues on the role of the B cell transcription program leading to DNA methylation changes, which we find to be key to the EBV-associated conversion of resting B cells to proliferating lymphoblasts.

Epstein-Barr virus-associated gastric carcinoma: a newly defined entity

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated gastric carcinoma (EBVaGC) is a recently recognized entity, which is defined by the presence of EBV in the gastric carcinoma cells. EBVaGC represents about 10% of gastric carcinoma worldwide, and >80,000 patients are estimated to develop EBVaGC annually. EBVaGC shows some distinct clinicopathologic characteristics, such as male predominance, predisposition to the proximal stomach, and a high proportion in diffuse-type gastric carcinomas. Besides, EBVaGC also shows characteristic molecular abnormality, that is, global and nonrandom CpG-island methylation of the promoter region of many cancer-related genes, which causes downregulation of their expression. Moreover, EBVaGC has a relative favorable prognosis. The uniform presence of EBV-encoded small RNA in tumor cells but not in the surrounding normal epithelial cells, and the detection of monoclonal EBV episomes in EBVaGC, strongly suggests that EBV play an etiological role in gastric carcinogenesis. Therefore, EBVaGC should be regarded as a distinct entity of gastric carcinoma, although it only accounts for a relatively small fraction of total gastric carcinomas. In this review, the epidemiological and clinicopathologic features of EBVaGC and the genetic abnormalities of EBVaGC cell including chromosomal and epigenetic abnormalities are described. The roles of EBV in gastric carcinogenesis are discussed. We make an emphasis on the EBV latency pattern and genome polymorphisms as well as local immunity in EBVaGC. In addition, the treatment of EBVaGC is also briefly discussed. Taken together, this review aims to give the reader a full understanding of a newly defined entity of gastric carcinoma, EBVaGC.

The role of promoter methylation in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) microRNA expression in EBV-infected B cell lines

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) microRNAs (miRNAs) are expressed in EBV-associated tumors and cell lines, but the regulation mechanism of their expression is unclear yet. We investigated whether the expression of EBV miRNAs is epigenetically regulated in EBV-infected B cell lines. The expression of BART miRNAs was inversely related with the methylation level of the BART promoter at both steady-state and following 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine treatment of the cells. The expression of BHRF1 miRNAs also became detectable with the demethylation of Cp/Wp in latency I EBV-infected cell lines. Furthermore, in vitro methylation of the BART and Cp promoters reduced the promoter-driven transactivation. In contrast, tricostatin A had little effect on the expression of EBV miRNA expression as well as on the BART and Cp/Wp promoters. Our results suggest that promoter methylation, but not histone acetylation, plays a role in regulation of the EBV miRNA expression in EBV-infected B cell lines.

Epigenetic mechanisms in virus-induced tumorigenesis

About 15–20% of human cancers worldwide have viral etiology. Emerging data clearly indicate that several human DNA and RNA viruses, such as human papillomavirus, Epstein–Barr virus, Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and human T-cell lymphotropic virus, contribute to cancer development. Human tumor-associated viruses have evolved multiple molecular mechanisms to disrupt specific cellular pathways to facilitate aberrant replication. Although oncogenic viruses belong to different families, their strategies in human cancer development show many similarities and involve viral-encoded oncoproteins targeting the key cellular proteins that regulate cell growth. Recent studies show that virus and host interactions also occur at the epigenetic level. In this review, we summarize the published information related to the interactions between viral proteins and epigenetic machinery which lead to alterations in the epigenetic landscape of the cell contributing to carcinogenesis.

Viral epigenomes in human tumorigenesis

Viruses are associated with 15-20% of human cancers worldwide. In the last century, many studies were directed towards elucidating the molecular mechanisms and genetic alterations by which viruses cause cancer. The importance of epigenetics in the regulation of gene expression has prompted the investigation of virus and host interactions not only at the genetic level but also at the epigenetic level. In this study, we summarize the published epigenetic information relating to the genomes of viruses directly or indirectly associated with the establishment of tumorigenic processes. We also review aspects such as viral replication and latency associated with epigenetic changes and summarize what is known about epigenetic alterations in host genomes and the implications of these for the tumoral process. The advances made in characterizing epigenetic features in cancer-causing viruses have improved our understanding of their functional mechanisms. Knowledge of the epigenetic changes that occur in the genome of these viruses should provide us with markers for following cancer progression, as well as new tools for cancer therapy.

The importance of epigenetic alterations in the development of epstein-barr virus-related lymphomas

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a human gammaherpesvirus, is associated with a series of malignant tumors. These include lymphomas (Burkitt's lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, T/NK-cell lymphoma, post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease, AIDS-associated lymphoma, X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome), carcinomas (nasopharyngeal carcinoma, gastric carcinoma, carcinomas of major salivary glands, thymic carcinoma, mammary carcinoma) and a sarcoma (leiomyosarcoma). The latent EBV genomes persist in the tumor cells as circular episomes, co-replicating with the cellular DNA once per cell cycle. The expression of latent EBV genes is cell type specific due to the strict epigenetic control of their promoters. DNA methylation, histone modifications and binding of key cellular regulatory proteins contribute to the regulation of alternative promoters for transcripts encoding the nuclear antigens EBNA1 to 6 and affect the activity of promoters for transcripts encoding transmembrane proteins (LMP1, LMP2A, LMP2B). In addition to genes transcribed by RNA polymerase II, there are also two RNA polymerase III transcribed genes in the EBV genome (EBER 1 and 2). The 5' and internal regulatory sequences of EBER 1 and 2 transcription units are invariably unmethylated. The highly abundant EBER 1 and 2 RNAs are not translated to protein. Based on the cell type specific epigenetic marks associated with latent EBV genomes one can distinguish between viral epigenotypes that differ in transcriptional activity in spite of having an identical (or nearly identical) DNA sequence. Whereas latent EBV genomes are regularly targeted by epigenetic control mechanisms in different cell types, EBV encoded proteins may, in turn, affect the activity of a set of cellular promoters by interacting with the very same epigenetic regulatory machinery. There are EBNA1 binding sites in the human genome. Because high affinity binding of EBNA1 to its recognition sites is known to specify sites of DNA demethylation, we suggest that binding of EBNA1 to its cellular target sites may elicit local demethylation and contribute thereby to the activation of silent cellular promoters. EBNA2 interacts with histone acetyltransferases, and EBNALP (EBNA5) coactivates transcription by displacing histone deacetylase 4 from EBNA2-bound promoter sites. EBNA3C (EBNA6) seems to be associated both with histone acetylases and deacetylases, although in separate complexes. LMP1, a transmembrane protein involved in malignant transformation, can affect both alternative systems of epigenetic memory, DNA methylation and the Polycomb-trithorax group of protein complexes. In epithelial cells LMP1 can up-regulate DNA methyltransferases and, in Hodgkin lymphoma cells, induce the Polycomb group protein Bmi-1. In addition, LMP1 can also modulate cellular gene expression programs by affecting, via the NF-κB pathway, levels of cellular microRNAs miR-146a and miR-155. These interactions may result in epigenetic dysregulation and subsequent cellular dysfunctions that may manifest in or contribute to the development of pathological changes (e.g. initiation and progression of malignant neoplasms, autoimmune phenomena, immunodeficiency). Thus, Epstein-Barr virus, similarly to other viruses and certain bacteria, may induce pathological changes by epigenetic reprogramming of host cells. Elucidation of the epigenetic consequences of EBV-host interactions (within the framework of the emerging new field of patho-epigenetics) may have important implications for therapy and disease prevention, because epigenetic processes are reversible and continuous silencing of EBV genes contributing to patho-epigenetic changes may prevent disease development.

Zinc coordination is required for and regulates transcription activation by Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 1

Epstein-Barr Nuclear Antigen 1 (EBNA1) is essential for Epstein-Barr virus to immortalize naïve B-cells. Upon binding a cluster of 20 cognate binding-sites termed the family of repeats, EBNA1 transactivates promoters for EBV genes that are required for immortalization. A small domain, termed UR1, that is 25 amino-acids in length, has been identified previously as essential for EBNA1 to activate transcription. In this study, we have elucidated how UR1 contributes to EBNA1's ability to transactivate. We show that zinc is necessary for EBNA1 to activate transcription, and that UR1 coordinates zinc through a pair of essential cysteines contained within it. UR1 dimerizes upon coordinating zinc, indicating that EBNA1 contains a second dimerization interface in its amino-terminus. There is a strong correlation between UR1-mediated dimerization and EBNA1's ability to transactivate cooperatively. Point mutants of EBNA1 that disrupt zinc coordination also prevent self-association, and do not activate transcription cooperatively. Further, we demonstrate that UR1 acts as a molecular sensor that regulates the ability of EBNA1 to activate transcription in response to changes in redox and oxygen partial pressure (pO₂). Mild oxidative stress mimicking such environmental changes decreases EBNA1-dependent transcription in a lymphoblastoid cell-line. Coincident with a reduction in EBNA1-dependent transcription, reductions are observed in EBNA2 and LMP1 protein levels. Although these changes do not affect LCL survival, treated cells accumulate in G0/G1. These findings are discussed in the context of EBV latency in body compartments that differ strikingly in their pO₂ and redox potential.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infects human B-cells and immortalizes them. Immortalization results in diseases that range from infectious mononucleosis to malignancies such as lymphomas. During immortalization, EBV expresses a small number of viral genes that modulate cellular proliferation and differentiation. One of the genes expressed by EBV, Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1), activates the expression of the other viral genes required for immortalization. In this report, we have explored the mechanism by which EBNA1 activates gene expression. We have determined that EBNA1 uses the micronutrient zinc to self-associate, and that self-association is necessary for it to activate gene expression. Further, we have determined that environmental conditions such as oxygen tension and oxidative stress modulate EBNA1's capacity to self-associate, and therefore to activate gene expression. The gene expression profile and proliferative phenotype of EBV-infected cells is known to vary in differing environmental niches in the human body, such as lymph nodes and in peripheral circulation. We interpret our results to postulate that these differences arise as a consequence of varying oxygen tension in these microenvironments on EBNA1's capacity to activate viral gene expression. Our findings can be exploited to devise novel therapeutics against EBV-associated diseases that target EBNA1 through oxidative stress.

Binding of CCCTC-binding factor in vivo to the region located between Rep* and the C promoter of Epstein–Barr virus is unaffected by CpG methylation and does not correlate with Cp activity

In this study, the binding of the insulator protein CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) to the region located between Rep* and the C promoter (Cp) of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) was analysed using chromatin immunoprecipitation and in vivo footprinting. CTCF binding was found to be independent of Cp usage in cell lines corresponding to the major EBV latency types. Bisulfite sequencing and an electrophoretic mobility-shift assay (using methylated and unmethylated probes) revealed that CTCF binding was insufficient to induce local CpG demethylation in certain cell lines and was unaffected by CpG methylation in the region between Rep* and Cp. In addition, CTCF binding to the latency promoter, Qp, did not correlate with Qp activity.

Key role of splenic myeloid DCs in the IFN-alphabeta response to adenoviruses in vivo

The early systemic production of interferon (IFN)-alphabeta is an essential component of the antiviral host defense mechanisms, but is also thought to contribute to the toxic side effects accompanying gene therapy with adenoviral vectors. Here we investigated the IFN-alphabeta response to human adenoviruses (Ads) in mice. By comparing the responses of normal, myeloid (m)DC- and plasmacytoid (p)DC-depleted mice and by measuring IFN-alphabeta mRNA expression in different organs and cells types, we show that in vivo, Ads elicit strong and rapid IFN-alphabeta production, almost exclusively in splenic mDCs. Using knockout mice, various strains of Ads (wild type, mutant and UV-inactivated) and MAP kinase inhibitors, we demonstrate that the Ad-induced IFN-alphabeta response does not require Toll-like receptors (TLR), known cytosolic sensors of RNA (RIG-I/MDA-5) and DNA (DAI) recognition and interferon regulatory factor (IRF)-3, but is dependent on viral endosomal escape, signaling via the MAP kinase SAPK/JNK and IRF-7. Furthermore, we show that Ads induce IFN-alphabeta and IL-6 in vivo by distinct pathways and confirm that IFN-alphabeta positively regulates the IL-6 response. Finally, by measuring TNF-alpha responses to LPS in Ad-infected wild type and IFN-alphabetaR(-/-) mice, we show that IFN-alphabeta is the key mediator of Ad-induced hypersensitivity to LPS. These findings indicate that, like endosomal TLR signaling in pDCs, TLR-independent virus recognition in splenic mDCs can also produce a robust early IFN-alphabeta response, which is responsible for the bulk of IFN-alphabeta production induced by adenovirus in vivo. The signaling requirements are different from known TLR-dependent or cytosolic IFN-alphabeta induction mechanisms and suggest a novel cytosolic viral induction pathway. The hypersensitivity to components of the microbial flora and invading pathogens may in part explain the toxic side effects of adenoviral gene therapy and contribute to the pathogenesis of adenoviral disease.