The Human Cytomegalovirus Trimer and Pentamer Promote Sequential Steps in Entry into Epithelial and Endothelial Cells at Cell Surfaces and Endosomes

Mouse cytomegalovirus lacking sgg1 shows reduced import into the salivary glands

Cytomegaloviruses (CMVs) transmit via chronic shedding from the salivary glands. How this relates to the broad cell tropism they exhibit in vitro is unclear. Human CMV (HCMV) infection presents only after salivary gland infection is established. Murine CMV (MCMV) is therefore useful to analyse early infection events. It reaches the salivary glands via infected myeloid cells. Three adjacent spliced genes designated as m131/129 (MCK-2), sgg1 and sgg1.1, positional homologues of the HCMV UL128/130/131 tropism determinants, are implicated. We show that a sgg1 null mutant is defective in infected myeloid cell entry into the salivary glands, a phenotype distinct from MCMV lacking MCK-2. These data point to a complex, multi-step process of salivary gland colonization.

Overview of Cytomegalovirus Ocular Diseases: Retinitis, Corneal Endotheliitis, and Iridocyclitis

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a significant clinical concern in newborns, immunocompromised patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and patients undergoing immunosuppressive therapy or chemotherapy. CMV infection affects many organs, such as the lungs, digestive organs, the central nerve system, and eyes. In addition, CMV infection sometimes occurs in immunocompetent individuals. CMV ocular diseases includes retinitis, corneal endotheliitis, and iridocyclitis. CMV retinitis often develops in infected newborns and immunocompromised patients. CMV corneal endotheliitis and iridocyclitis sometimes develop in immunocompetent individuals. Systemic infections and CMV ocular diseases often require systemic treatment in addition to topical treatment.

Human induced pluripotent stem cells are resistant to human cytomegalovirus infection primarily at the attachment level due to the reduced expression of cell-surface heparan sulfate

Cytomegalovirus (CMV), a type of herpes virus, is the predominant cause of congenital anomalies due to intrauterine infections in humans. Adverse outcomes related to intrauterine infections with human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) vary widely, depending on factors such as fetal infection timing, infection route, and viral virulence. The precise mechanism underlying HCMV susceptibility remains unclear. In this study, we compared the susceptibility of neonatal human dermal fibroblast cells (NHDFCs) and human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) derived from NHDFCs, which are genetically identical to HCMV, using immunostaining, microarray, in situ hybridization, quantitative PCR, and scanning electron microscopy. These cells were previously used to compare CMV susceptibility, but the underlying mechanisms were not fully elucidated. HCMV susceptibility of hiPSCs was significantly lower in the earliest phase. No shared gene ontologies were observed immediately post-infection between the two cell types using microarray analysis. Early-stage expression of HCMV antigens and the HCMV genome was minimal in immunostaining and in in situ hybridization in hiPSCs. This strongly suggests that HCMV does not readily bind to hiPSC surfaces. Scanning electron microscopy performed using the NanoSuit method confirmed the scarcity of HCMV particles on hiPSC surfaces. The zeta potential and charge mapping of the charged surface in NHDFCs and hiPSCs exhibited minimal differences when assessed using zeta potential analyzer and scanning ion conductance microscopy; however, the expression of heparan sulfate (HS) was significantly lower in hiPSCs compared with that in NHDFCs. Thus, HS expression could be a primary determinant of HCMV resistance in hiPSCs at the attachment level.

IMPORTANCE

Numerous factors such as attachment, virus particle entry, transcription, and virus particle egress can affect viral susceptibility. Since 1984, pluripotent cells are known to be CMV resistant; however, the exact mechanism underlying this resistance remains elusive. Some researchers suggest inhibition in the initial phase of HCMV binding, while others have suggested the possibility of a sufficient amount of HCMV entering the cells to establish latency. This study demonstrates that HCMV particles rarely attach to the surfaces of hiPSCs. This is not due to limitations in the electrostatic interactions between the surface of hiPSCs and HCMV particles, but due to HS expression. Therefore, HS expression should be recognized as a key factor in determining the susceptibility of HCMV in congenital infection in vitro and in vivo. In the future, drugs targeting HS may become crucial for the treatment of congenital CMV infections. Thus, further research in this area is warranted.

Ligands and receptors in human cytomegalovirus entry: Current therapies and new directions

The demand for human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) vaccines was first raised by a committee convened during the 1990s. A comprehensive investigation into the mechanism of viral infection supports the prioritization of developing drugs or vaccines that specifically target receptors and ligands involved in the infection process. As primary targets for neutralizing antibodies to combat HCMV, viral ligands (trimer, pentamer, and glycoprotein B) have crucial roles and exhibit substantial antiviral potential, which could be exploited for breakthroughs in antiviral research.

Subconfluent ARPE-19 Cells Display Mesenchymal Cell-State Characteristics and Behave like Fibroblasts, Rather Than Epithelial Cells, in Experimental HCMV Infection Studies

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) has a broad cellular tropism and epithelial cells are important physiological targets during infection. The retinal pigment epithelial cell line ARPE-19 has been used to model HCMV infection in epithelial cells for decades and remains a commonly used cell type for studying viral entry, replication, and the cellular response to infection. We previously found that ARPE-19 cells, despite being derived from an epithelial cell explant, express extremely low levels of canonical epithelial proteins, such as E-cadherin and EpCAM. Here, we perform comparative studies of ARPE-19 and additional epithelial cell lines with strong epithelial characteristics. We find that ARPE-19 cells cultured under subconfluent conditions resemble mesenchymal fibroblasts, rather than epithelial cells; this is consistent with previous studies showing that ARPE-19 cultures require extended periods of high confluency culture to maintain epithelial characteristics. By reanalyzing public gene expression data and using machine learning, we find evidence that ARPE-19 cultures maintained across many labs exhibit mesenchymal characteristics and that the majority of studies employing ARPE-19 use them in a mesenchymal state. Lastly, by performing experimental HCMV infections across mesenchymal and epithelial cell lines, we find that ARPE-19 cells behave like mesenchymal fibroblasts, producing logarithmic yields of cell-free infectious progeny, while cell lines with strong epithelial character exhibit an atypical infectious cycle and naturally restrict the production of cell-free progeny. Our work highlights important characteristics of the ARPE-19 cell line and suggests that subconfluent ARPE-19 cells may not be optimal for modeling epithelial infection with HCMV or other human viruses. It also suggests that HCMV biosynthesis and/or spread may occur quite differently in epithelial cells compared to mesenchymal cells. These differences could contribute to viral persistence or pathogenesis in epithelial tissues.

Neutralizing antibodies with neurotropic factor treatment maintain neurodevelopmental gene expression upon exposure to human cytomegalovirus

IMPORTANCE

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection is the leading cause of non-heritable birth defects worldwide. HCMV readily infects the early progenitor cell population of the developing brain, and we have found that infection leads to significantly downregulated expression of key neurodevelopmental transcripts. Currently, there are no approved therapies to prevent or mitigate the effects of congenital HCMV infection. Therefore, we used human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived organoids and neural progenitor cells to elucidate the glycoproteins and receptors used in the viral entry process and whether antibody neutralization was sufficient to block viral entry and prevent disruption of neurodevelopmental gene expression. We found that blocking viral entry alone was insufficient to maintain the expression of key neurodevelopmental genes, but neutralization combined with neurotrophic factor treatment provided robust protection. Together, these studies offer novel insight into mechanisms of HCMV infection in neural tissues, which may aid future therapeutic development.

Associations between human cytomegalovirus infection and type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Multiple studies have reported a potential contribution of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) to the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes and post-transplantation diabetes. However, the association between HCMV and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remains unclear. In this paper, we employ the meta-analysis approach to investigate the potential correlation between HCMV infection and T2DM.

METHOD

The data of our study were collected from PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and WAN FANG databases from inception to November 2022. Using the Review Manager V.5.4 software, the meta-analysis was performed.

RESULTS

A total of 18 139 patients from 22 studies were included in our analysis. In the Asian subgroup, the patients with T2DM group had a significantly higher frequency of HCMV infection and older age compared with the healthy group. In the European, the frequency of HCMV infection in the T2DM was lower than the healthy group, although this difference was not statistically significant. After adjusting for demographic factors, the adjusted OR of T2DM for risk of by HCMV status was not found to be significant (adjusted OR=1.19, 95% CI=0.88 to 1.62, p>0.05). Additionally, T2DM with vasculopathy had a significantly higher rate of HCMV infection compared with those without vasculopathy (OR=1.87, 95% CI=1.24 to 2.83, p<0.05). Among T2DM with HCMV infection, there were significant increases in fasting blood glucose levels and the proportion of CD8+ T lymphocytes. Conversely, fasting blood insulin levels, the proportion of CD4+ T lymphocyte and the CD4+/CD8+ ratio were significantly decreased compared with the healthy group.

CONCLUSION

At present, the available evidence does not provide a clear understanding of whether there is a significant association between T2DM and HCMV infection. Additionally, T2DM with HCMV infection exhibited significantly worse blood glucose regulation and immune markers, as well as a higher frequency of vasculopathy.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42022342066.

The pentameric complex is not required for vertical transmission of cytomegalovirus in seronegative pregnant rhesus macaques

Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection is the leading infectious cause of neonatal neurological impairment but essential virological determinants of transplacental CMV transmission remain unclear. The pentameric complex (PC), composed of five subunits, glycoproteins H (gH), gL, UL128, UL130, and UL131A, is essential for efficient entry into non-fibroblast cells in vitro . Based on this role in cell tropism, the PC is considered a possible target for CMV vaccines and immunotherapies to prevent cCMV. To determine the role of the PC in transplacental CMV transmission in a non-human primate model of cCMV, we constructed a PC-deficient rhesus CMV (RhCMV) by deleting the homologues of the HCMV PC subunits UL128 and UL130 and compared congenital transmission to PC-intact RhCMV in CD4+ T cell-depleted or immunocompetent RhCMV-seronegative, pregnant rhesus macaques (RM). Surprisingly, we found that the transplacental transmission rate was similar for PC-intact and PC-deleted RhCMV based on viral genomic DNA detection in amniotic fluid. Moreover, PC-deleted and PC-intact RhCMV acute infection led to similar peak maternal plasma viremia. However, there was less viral shedding in maternal urine and saliva and less viral dissemination in fetal tissues in the PC-deleted group. As expected, dams inoculated with PC-deleted RhCMV demonstrated lower plasma IgG binding to PC-intact RhCMV virions and soluble PC, as well as reduced neutralization of PC-dependent entry of the PC-intact RhCMV isolate UCD52 into epithelial cells. In contrast, binding to gH expressed on the cell surface and neutralization of entry into fibroblasts by the PC-intact RhCMV was higher for dams infected with PC-deleted RhCMV compared to those infected with PC-intact RhCMV. Our data demonstrates that the PC is dispensable for transplacental CMV infection in our non-human primate model.

One Sentence Summary

Congenital CMV transmission frequency in seronegative rhesus macaques is not affected by the deletion of the viral pentameric complex.

Fibroblast, Epithelial and Endothelial Cell-Derived Human Cytomegalovirus Strains Display Distinct Neutralizing Antibody Responses and Varying Levels of gH/gL Complexes

In sequential sera from pregnant women with HCMV primary infection (PI), the serum neutralizing activity is higher against virions produced in epithelial and endothelial cells than in fibroblasts. Immunoblotting shows that the pentamer complex/trimer complex (PC/TC) ratio varies according to the producer cell culture type used for the virus preparation to be employed in the neutralizing antibody (NAb) assay, and is lower in fibroblasts and higher in epithelial, and especially endothelial cells. The blocking activity of TC- and PC-specific inhibitors varies according to the PC/TC ratio of virus preparations. The rapid reversion of the virus phenotype following its back passage to the original cell culture (fibroblasts) potentially argues in favor of a producer cell effect on virus phenotype. However, the role of genetic factors cannot be overlooked. In addition to the producer cell type, the PC/TC ratio may differ in single HCMV strains. In conclusion, the NAb activity not only varies with different HCMV strains, but is a dynamic parameter changing according to virus strain, type of target and producer cells, and number of cell culture passages. These findings may have some important implications for the development of both therapeutic antibodies and subunit vaccines.

mRNA vaccines: The future of prevention of viral infections?

Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines against COVID-19 are the first authorized biological preparations developed using this platform. During the pandemic, their administration has been proven to be a life-saving intervention. Here, we review the main advantages of using mRNA vaccines, identify further technological challenges to be met during the development of the mRNA platform, and provide an update on the clinical progress on leading mRNA vaccine candidates against different viruses that include influenza viruses, human immunodeficiency virus 1, respiratory syncytial virus, Nipah virus, Zika virus, human cytomegalovirus, and Epstein-Barr virus. The prospects and challenges of manufacturing mRNA vaccines in low-income countries are also discussed. The ongoing interest and research in mRNA technology are likely to overcome some existing challenges for this technology (e.g., related to storage conditions and immunogenicity of some components of lipid nanoparticles) and enhance the portfolio of vaccines against diseases for which classical formulations are already authorized. It may also open novel pathways of protection against infections and their consequences for which no safe and efficient immunization methods are currently available.

Neutralization Epitopes in Trimer and Pentamer Complexes Recognized by Potent Cytomegalovirus-Neutralizing Human Monoclonal Antibodies

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infects 36% to almost 100% of adults and causes severe complications only in immunocompromised individuals. HCMV viral surface trimeric (gH/gL/gO) and pentameric (gH/gL/UL128/UL130/UL131A) complexes play important roles in HCMV infection and tropism. Here, we isolated and identified a total of four neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) derived from HCMV-seropositive blood donors. Based on their reactivity to HCMV trimer and pentamer, these MAbs can be divided into two groups. MAbs PC0012, PC0014, and PC0035 in group 1 bind both trimer and pentamer and neutralize CMV by interfering with the postattachment steps of CMV entering into cells. These three antibodies recognize antigenic epitopes clustered in a similar area, which are overlapped by the epitope recognized by the known neutralizing antibody MSL-109. MAb PC0034 in group 2 binds only to pentamer and neutralizes CMV by blocking the binding of pentamer to cells. Epitope mapping using pentamer mutants showed that amino acid T94 of the subunit UL128 and K27 of UL131A on the pentamer are key epitope-associated residues recognized by PC0034. This study provides new evidence and insight information on the importance of the development of the CMV pentamer as a CMV vaccine. In addition, these newly identified potent CMV MAbs can be attractive candidates for development as antibody therapeutics for the prevention and treatment of HCMV infection. IMPORTANCE The majority of the global population is infected with HCMV, but severe complications occur only in immunocompromised individuals. In addition, CMV infection is a major cause of birth defects in newborns. Currently, there are still no approved prophylactic vaccines or therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) for clinical use against HCMV infection. This study identified and characterized a panel of four neutralizing MAbs targeting the HCMV pentamer complex with specific aims to identify a key protein(s) and antigenic epitopes in the HCMV pentamer complex. The study also explored the mechanism by which these newly identified antibodies neutralize HCMV in order to design better HCMV vaccines focusing on the pentamer and to provide attractive candidates for the development of effective cocktail therapeutics for the prevention and treatment of HCMV infection.

Subviral Dense Bodies of Human Cytomegalovirus Induce an Antiviral Type I Interferon Response

(1) Background: Cells infected with the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) produce subviral particles, termed dense bodies (DBs), both in-vitro and in-vivo. They are released from cells, comparable to infectious virions, and are enclosed by a membrane that resembles the viral envelope and mediates the entry into cells. To date, little is known about how the DB uptake influences the gene expression in target cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of DBs on cells, in the absence of a viral infection. (2) Methods: Mass spectrometry, immunoblot analyses, siRNA knockdown, and a CRISPR-CAS9 knockout, were used to investigate the changes in cellular gene expression following a DB exposure; (3) Results: A number of interferon-regulated genes (IRGs) were upregulated after the fibroblasts and endothelial cells were exposed to DBs. This upregulation was dependent on the DB entry and mediated by the type I interferon signaling through the JAK-STAT pathway. The induction of IRGs was mediated by the sensing of the DB-introduced DNA by the pattern recognition receptor cGAS. (4) Conclusions: The induction of a strong type I IFN response by DBs is a unique feature of the HCMV infection. The release of DBs may serve as a danger signal and concomitantly contribute to the induction of a strong, antiviral immune response.

Well Put Together—A Guide to Accessorizing with the Herpesvirus gH/gL Complexes

Herpesviruses are enveloped, double-stranded DNA viruses that infect a variety of hosts across the animal kingdom. Nine of these establish lifelong infections in humans, for which there are no cures and few vaccine or treatment options. Like all enveloped viruses, herpesviruses enter cells by fusing their lipid envelopes with a host cell membrane. Uniquely, herpesviruses distribute the functions of receptor engagement and membrane fusion across a diverse cast of glycoproteins. Two glycoprotein complexes are conserved throughout the three herpesvirus subfamilies: the trimeric gB that functions as a membrane fusogen and the heterodimeric gH/gL, the role of which is less clearly defined. Here, we highlight the conserved and divergent functions of gH/gL across the three subfamilies of human herpesviruses by comparing its interactions with a broad range of accessory viral proteins, host cell receptors, and neutralizing or inhibitory antibodies. We propose that the intrinsic structural plasticity of gH/gL enables it to function as a signal integration machine that can accept diverse regulatory inputs and convert them into a “trigger” signal that activates the fusogenic ability of gB.

Inclusion of the Guinea Pig Cytomegalovirus Pentameric Complex in a Live Virus Vaccine Aids Efficacy against Congenital Infection but Is Not Essential for Improving Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes

The development of a vaccine against congenital human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection is a major priority. The pentameric complex (PC) of virion envelope proteins gH, gL, UL128, UL130, and UL131A is a key vaccine target. To determine the importance of immunity to the homologous PC encoded by guinea pig cytomegalovirus (GPCMV) in preventing congenital CMV, PC-intact and PC-deficient live-attenuated vaccines were generated and directly compared for immunogenicity and efficacy against vertical transmission in a vertical transmission model. A virulent PC-intact GPCMV (PC/intact) was modified by galK mutagenesis either to abrogate PC expression (PC/null; containing a frame-shift mutation in GP129, homolog of UL128) or to delete genes encoding three MHC Class I homologs and a protein kinase R (PKR) evasin while retaining the PC (3DX/Δ145). Attenuated vaccines were compared to sham immunization in a two-dose preconception subcutaneous inoculation regimen in GPCMV seronegative Hartley guinea pigs. Vaccines induced transient, low-grade viremia in 5/12 PC/intact-, 2/12 PC/null-, and 1/11 3DX/Δ145-vaccinated animals. Upon completion of the two-dose vaccine series, ELISA titers for the PC/intact group (geometic mean titer (GMT) 13,669) were not significantly different from PC/null (GMT 8127) but were significantly higher than for the 3DX/Δ145 group (GMT 6185; p < 0.01). Dams were challenged with salivary gland-adapted GPCMV in the second trimester. All vaccines conferred protection against maternal viremia. Newborn weights were significantly lower in sham-immunized controls (84.5 ± 2.4 g) compared to PC/intact (96 ± 2.3 g), PC/null (97.6 ± 1.9 g), or 3DX/Δ145 (93 ± 1.7) pups (p < 0.01). Pup mortality in sham-immunized controls was 29/40 (73%) and decreased to 1/44 (2.3%), 2/46 (4.3%), or 4/40 (10%) in PC/intact, PC/null, or 3DX/Δ145 groups, respectively (all p < 0.001 compared to control). Congenital GPCMV transmission occurred in 5/44 (11%), 16/46 (35%), or 29/38 (76%) of pups in PC/intact, PC/null, or 3DX/Δ145 groups, versus 36/40 (90%) in controls. For infected pups, viral loads were lower in pups born to vaccinated dams compared to controls. Sequence analysis demonstrated that infected pups in the vaccine groups had salivary gland-adapted GPCMV and not vaccine strain-specific sequences, indicating that congenital transmission was due to the challenge virus and not vaccine virus. We conclude that inclusion of the PC in a live, attenuated preconception vaccine improves immunogenicity and reduces vertical transmission, but PC-null vaccines are equal to PC-intact vaccines in reducing maternal viremia and protecting against GPCMV-related pup mortality.

Cryo-Electron Microscopy Structure and Interactions of the Human Cytomegalovirus gHgLgO Trimer with Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Receptor Alpha

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a herpesvirus that produces disease in transplant patients and newborn children. Entry of HCMV into cells relies on gH/gL trimer (gHgLgO) and pentamer (gHgLUL128–131) complexes that bind cellular receptors. Here, we studied the structure and interactions of the HCMV trimer, formed by AD169 strain gH and gL and TR strain gO proteins, with the human platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRα). Three trimer surfaces make extensive contacts with three PDGFRα N-terminal domains, causing PDGFRα to wrap around gO in a structure similar to a human hand, explaining the high-affinity interaction. gO is among the least conserved HCMV proteins, with 8 distinct genotypes. We observed high conservation of residues mediating gO-gL interactions but more extensive gO variability in the PDGFRα interface. Comparisons between our trimer structure and a previously determined structure composed of different subunit genotypes indicate that gO variability is accommodated by adjustments in the gO-PDGFRα interface. We identified two loops within gO that were disordered and apparently glycosylated, which could be deleted without disrupting PDGFRα binding. We also identified four gO residues that contact PDGFRα, which when mutated produced markedly reduced receptor binding. These residues fall within conserved contact sites of gO with PDGFRα and may represent key targets for anti-trimer neutralizing antibodies and HCMV vaccines. Finally, we observe that gO mutations distant from the gL interaction site impact trimer expression, suggesting that the intrinsic folding or stability of gO can impact the efficiency of trimer assembly.

Congenital Human Cytomegalovirus Infection: A Narrative Review of Maternal Immune Response and Diagnosis in View of the Development of a Vaccine and Prevention of Primary and Non-Primary Infections in Pregnancy

Congenital cytomegalovirus infection (cCMV) may affect about 1% of all newborns all over the world as a result of either a primary or recurrent human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection. While about 90% of infants affected by cCMV are asymptomatic at birth, the remaining 10% are symptomatic often with neurodevelopmental impairment and sensorineural hearing loss. In view of identifying the best approach to vaccine prevention of cCMV, this review will examine the most important steps made in the study of the immune response to, and diagnosis of, HCMV infection. The maternal immune response and immune correlates of protection are being partially identified with a partial contribution given by our laboratory. The diagnosis of primary infection is often difficult to achieve in the first three months of pregnancy, which is the time primarily involved in virus transmission to the fetus in association with the most severe symptoms and sequelae. Prevention of cCMV is anticipated by prevention of primary infection in early pregnancy by means of different measures, such as (i) behavioral-educational measures, (ii) immunoglobulin administration, (iii) antiviral treatment with valaciclovir. However, the most promising approach to cCMV prevention appears to be the development of a non-living vaccine, including at least three viral antigens: gB, pentamer complex gHgLpUL128L, and pp65, which have been shown to be able to stimulate both the humoral and the cellular arms of the maternal immune response. Primary HCMV infection may be managed in pregnancy by counseling of the couples involved by a team of specialists that includes virologists, obstetricians, infectivologists and neonatologists.

Mutagenesis of Human Cytomegalovirus Glycoprotein L Disproportionately Disrupts gH/gL/gO over gH/gL/pUL128-131

Cell-free and cell-to-cell spread of herpesviruses involves a core fusion apparatus comprised of the fusion protein glycoprotein B (gB) and the regulatory factor gH/gL. The human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) gH/gL/gO and gH/gL/pUL128-131 facilitate spread in different cell types. The gO and pUL128-131 components bind distinct receptors, but how the gH/gL portions of the complexes functionally compare is not understood. We previously characterized a panel of gL mutants by transient expression and showed that many were impaired for gH/gL-gB-dependent cell-cell fusion but were still able to form gH/gL/pUL128-131 and induce receptor interference. Here, the gL mutants were engineered into the HCMV BAC clones TB40/e-BAC4 (TB), TR, and Merlin (ME), which differ in their utilization of the two complexes for entry and spread. Several of the gL mutations disproportionately impacted gH/gL/gO-dependent entry and spread over gH/gL/pUL128-131 processes. The effects of some mutants could be explained by impaired gH/gL/gO assembly, but other mutants impacted gH/gL/gO function. Soluble gH/gL/gO containing the L201 mutant failed to block HCMV infection despite unimpaired binding to PDGFRα, indicating the existence of other important gH/gL/gO receptors. Another mutant (L139) enhanced the gH/gL/gO-dependent cell-free spread of TR, suggesting a "hyperactive" gH/gL/gO. Recently published crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy studies suggest structural conservation of the gH/gL underlying gH/gL/gO and gH/gL/pUL128-131. However, our data suggest important differences in the gH/gL of the two complexes and support a model in which gH/gL/gO can provide an activation signal for gB. IMPORTANCE The endemic betaherpesvirus HCMV circulates in human populations as a complex mixture of genetically distinct variants, establishes lifelong persistent infections, and causes significant disease in neonates and immunocompromised adults. This study capitalizes on our recent characterizations of three genetically distinct HCMV BAC clones to discern the functions of the envelope glycoprotein complexes gH/gL/gO and gH/gL/pUL128-13, which are promising vaccine targets that share the herpesvirus core fusion apparatus component, gH/gL. Mutations in the shared gL subunit disproportionally affected gH/gL/gO, demonstrating mechanistic differences between the two complexes, and may provide a basis for more refined evaluations of neutralizing antibodies.

Evasion of the Host Immune Response by Betaherpesviruses

The human immune system boasts a diverse array of strategies for recognizing and eradicating invading pathogens. Human betaherpesviruses, a highly prevalent subfamily of viruses, include human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), human herpesvirus (HHV) 6A, HHV-6B, and HHV-7. These viruses have evolved numerous mechanisms for evading the host response. In this review, we will highlight the complex interplay between betaherpesviruses and the human immune response, focusing on protein function. We will explore methods by which the immune system first responds to betaherpesvirus infection as well as mechanisms by which viruses subvert normal cellular functions to evade the immune system and facilitate viral latency, persistence, and reactivation. Lastly, we will briefly discuss recent advances in vaccine technology targeting betaherpesviruses. This review aims to further elucidate the dynamic interactions between betaherpesviruses and the human immune system.

Insight for Immunotherapy of HCMV Infection

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), a ubiquitous in humans, has a high prevalence rate. Young people are susceptible to HCMV infection in developing countries, while older individuals are more susceptible in developed countries. Most patients have no obvious symptoms from the primary infection. Studies have indicated that the virus has gradually adapted to the host immune system. Therefore, the control of HCMV infection requires strong immune modulation. With the recent advances in immunotherapy, its application to HCMV infections is receiving increasing attention. Here, we discuss the immune response to HCMV infection, the immune escape mechanism, and the different roles that HCMV plays in various types of immunotherapy, including vaccines, adoptive cell therapy, checkpoint blockade therapy, and targeted antibodies.

Characterization of gH/gL/pUL128-131 pentameric complex, gH/gL/gO trimeric complex, gB and gM/gN glycoproteins in a human cytomegalovirus using automated capillary western blots

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is currently a major cause of congenital disease in newborns and organ failure in transplant recipients. Despite decades of efforts, an effective vaccine against HCMV has yet to be developed. However, the discovery of pentameric gH complex on viral surface which contains potent neutralizing epitopes may help enable development of an effective vaccine. In our company ongoing Phase II clinical trial of whole-live virus HCMV vaccine (V160), the pentameric gH complex has been restored on the surface of live attenuated AD169 virus strain. The reconstructed HCMV virus contains a variety of surface glycoproteins including pentameric gH/gL/gUL128-131 complex, trimeric gH/gL/gO complex, gB glycoprotein, and gM/gN heterodimer complex. To further characterize this virus and enable the monitoring of multiple viral antigens during vaccine process development an effective and efficient analytical strategy was required to detect and quantify several viral surface proteins. In this paper, we present an innovative approach based on capillary western blot technology that allows fast and accurate quantitation of pentameric gH/gL/gUL128-131 complex, trimeric gH/gL/gO complex, and gB glycoprotein. This method is suitable for analyzing target proteins in multiple sample types including supernatants from infected cell culture, purification intermediates, concentration bulk, and the final vaccine product. In addition, the capillary western blot-based technology identified a previously unknown biochemical profile present in some HCMV viruses: triplet gH peaks of viral surface proteins in non-reducing environment, which could potentially present a new strategy for specificity and identity testing.

Human Cytomegalovirus Host Interactions: EGFR and Host Cell Signaling Is a Point of Convergence Between Viral Infection and Functional Changes in Infected Cells

Viruses have evolved diverse strategies to manipulate cellular signaling pathways in order to promote infection and/or persistence. Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) possesses a number of unique properties that allow the virus to alter cellular events required for infection of a diverse array of host cell types and long-term persistence. Of specific importance is infection of bone marrow derived and myeloid lineage cells, such as peripheral blood monocytes and CD34⁺ hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) because of their essential role in dissemination of the virus and for the establishment of latency. Viral induced signaling through the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) and other receptors such as integrins are key control points for viral-induced cellular changes and productive and latent infection in host organ systems. This review will explore the current understanding of HCMV strategies utilized to hijack cellular signaling pathways, such as EGFR, to promote the wide-spread dissemination and the classic life-long herpesvirus persistence.

The Interference between SARS-CoV-2 and Tyrosine Kinase Receptor Signaling in Cancer

Cancer and viruses have a long history that has evolved over many decades. Much information about the interplay between viruses and cell proliferation and metabolism has come from the history of clinical cases of patients infected with virus-induced cancer. In addition, information from viruses used to treat some types of cancer is valuable. Now, since the global coronavirus pandemic erupted almost a year ago, the scientific community has invested countless time and resources to slow down the infection rate and diminish the number of casualties produced by this highly infectious pathogen. A large percentage of cancer cases diagnosed are strongly related to dysregulations of the tyrosine kinase receptor (TKR) family and its downstream signaling pathways. As such, many therapeutic agents have been developed to strategically target these structures in order to hinder certain mechanisms pertaining to the phenotypic characteristics of cancer cells such as division, invasion or metastatic potential. Interestingly, several authors have pointed out that a correlation between coronaviruses such as the SARS-CoV-1 and -2 or MERS viruses and dysregulations of signaling pathways activated by TKRs can be established. This information may help to accelerate the repurposing of clinically developed anti-TKR cancer drugs in COVID-19 management. Because the need for treatment is critical, drug repurposing may be an advantageous choice in the search for new and efficient therapeutic compounds. This approach would be advantageous from a financial point of view as well, given that the resources used for research and development would no longer be required and can be potentially redirected towards other key projects. This review aims to provide an overview of how SARS-CoV-2 interacts with different TKRs and their respective downstream signaling pathway and how several therapeutic agents targeted against these receptors can interfere with the viral infection. Additionally, this review aims to identify if SARS-CoV-2 can be repurposed to be a potential viral vector against different cancer types.

Targeted mutagenesis on PDGFRα-Fc identifies amino acid modifications that allow efficient inhibition of HCMV infection while abolishing PDGF sequestration

Platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRα) serves as an entry receptor for the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), and soluble PDGFRα-Fc can neutralize HCMV at a half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) of about 10 ng/ml. While this indicates a potential for usage as an HCMV entry inhibitor PDGFRα-Fc can also bind the physiological ligands of PDGFRα (PDGFs), which likely interferes with the respective signaling pathways and represents a potential source of side effects. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that interference with PDGF signaling can be prevented by mutations in PDGFRα-Fc or combinations thereof, without losing the inhibitory potential for HCMV. To this aim, a targeted mutagenesis approach was chosen. The mutations were quantitatively tested in biological assays for interference with PDGF-dependent signaling as well as inhibition of HCMV infection and biochemically for reduced affinity to PDGF-BB, facilitating quantification of PDGFRα-Fc selectivity for HCMV inhibition. Mutation of Ile 139 to Glu and Tyr 206 to Ser strongly reduced the affinity for PDGF-BB and hence interference with PDGF-dependent signaling. Inhibition of HCMV infection was less affected, thus increasing the selectivity by factor 4 and 8, respectively. Surprisingly, the combination of these mutations had an additive effect on binding of PDGF-BB but not on inhibition of HCMV, resulting in a synergistic 260fold increase of selectivity. In addition, a recently reported mutation, Val 242 to Lys, was included in the analysis. PDGFRα-Fc with this mutation was fully effective at blocking HCMV entry and had a drastically reduced affinity for PDGF-BB. Combining Val 242 to Lys with Ile 139 to Glu and/or Tyr 206 to Ser further reduced PDGF ligand binding beyond detection. In conclusion, this targeted mutagenesis approach identified combinations of mutations in PDGFRα-Fc that prevent interference with PDGF-BB but maintain inhibition of HCMV, which qualifies such mutants as candidates for the development of HCMV entry inhibitors.

Receptors in host pathogen interactions between human cytomegalovirus and the placenta during congenital infection

Cellular receptors in human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) mother to child transmission play an important role in congenital infection. Placental trophoblast cells are a significant cell type in placental development, placental functional processes, and in HCMV transmission. Different cells within the placental floating and chorionic villi present alternate receptors for HCMV cell entry. Syncytiotrophoblasts present neonatal Fc receptors that bind and transport circulating maternal immunoglobulin G across the placental interface which can also be bound to HCMV virions, facilitating viral entry into the placenta and foetal circulation. Cytotrophoblast express HCMV receptors including integrin-α1β1, integrin-αVβ3, epidermal growth factor receptor and platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha. The latter interacts with HCMV glycoprotein-H, glycoprotein-L and glycoprotein-O (gH/gL/gO) trimers (predominantly in placental fibroblasts) and the gH/gL/pUL128, UL130-UL131A pentameric complex in other placental cell types. The pentameric complex allows viral tropism of placental trophoblasts, endothelial cells, epithelial cells, leukocytes and monocytes. This review outlines HCMV ligands and target receptor proteins in congenital HCMV infection.

Structures of HCMV Trimer reveal the basis for receptor recognition and cell entry

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infects the majority of the human population and represents the leading viral cause of congenital birth defects. HCMV utilizes the glycoproteins gHgLgO (Trimer) to bind to platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRα) and transforming growth factor beta receptor 3 (TGFβR3) to gain entry into multiple cell types. This complex is targeted by potent neutralizing antibodies and represents an important candidate for therapeutics against HCMV. Here, we determine three cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of the trimer and the details of its interactions with four binding partners: the receptor proteins PDGFRα and TGFβR3 as well as two broadly neutralizing antibodies. Trimer binding to PDGFRα and TGFβR3 is mutually exclusive, suggesting that they function as independent entry receptors. In addition, Trimer-PDGFRα interaction has an inhibitory effect on PDGFRα signaling. Our results provide a framework for understanding HCMV receptor engagement, neutralization, and the development of anti-viral strategies against HCMV.

Analysis of Cytomegalovirus Glycoprotein and Cellular Receptor Interactions

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) entry into host cells is a complex process involving interactions between an array of viral glycoproteins with multiple host cell surface receptors. A significant amount of research has been devoted toward identifying these glycoprotein and cellular receptor interactions as the broad cellular tropism of HCMV suggests a highly regulated yet adaptable process that controls viral binding and penetration. However, deciphering the initial binding and cellular receptor activation events by viral glycoproteins remains challenging. The relatively low abundance of receptors and/or interactions with glycoproteins during viral entry, the hydrophobicity of membrane receptors, and the rapid degradation and recycling of activated receptors have complicated the analysis of HCMV entry and the cellular signaling pathways initiated by HCMV engagement to the host membrane. Here, we describe the different methodologies used in our laboratory and others to analyze the interactions between HCMV glycoproteins and host cellular receptors during the entry stage of the viral life cycle.

Rat Cytomegalovirus Virion-Associated Proteins R131 and R129 Are Necessary for Infection of Macrophages and Dendritic Cells

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) establishes persistent, latent infection in hosts, causing diseases in immunocompromised patients, transplant recipients, and neonates. CMV infection modifies the host chemokine axis by modulating chemokine and chemokine receptor expression and by encoding putative chemokine and chemokine receptor homologues. The viral proteins have roles in cellular signaling, migration, and transformation, as well as viral dissemination, tropism, latency and reactivation. Herein, we review the contribution of CMV-encoded chemokines and chemokine receptors to these processes, and further elucidate the viral tropism role of rat CMV (RCMV) R129 and R131. These homologues of the human CMV (HCMV)-encoded chemokines UL128 and UL130 are of particular interest because of their dual role as chemokines and members of the pentameric entry complex, which is required for entry into cell types that are essential for viral transmission and dissemination. The contributions of UL128 and UL130 to acceleration of solid organ transplant chronic rejection are poorly understood, and are in need of an effective in vivo model system to elucidate the phenomenon. We demonstrated similar molecular entry requirements for R129 and R131 in the rat cells, as observed for HCMV, and provided evidence that R129 and R131 are part of the viral entry complex required for entry into macrophages, dendritic cells, and bone marrow cells.

The structural basis of herpesvirus entry

Herpesviruses are ubiquitous, double-stranded DNA, enveloped viruses that establish lifelong infections and cause a range of diseases. Entry into host cells requires binding of the virus to specific receptors, followed by the coordinated action of multiple viral entry glycoproteins to trigger membrane fusion. Although the core fusion machinery is conserved for all herpesviruses, each species uses distinct receptors and receptor-binding glycoproteins. Structural studies of the prototypical herpesviruses herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), HSV-2, human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) entry glycoproteins have defined the interaction sites for glycoprotein complexes and receptors, and have revealed conformational changes that occur on receptor binding. Recent crystallography and electron microscopy studies have refined our model of herpesvirus entry into cells, clarifying both the conserved features and the unique features. In this Review, we discuss recent insights into herpesvirus entry by analysing the structures of entry glycoproteins, including the diverse receptor-binding glycoproteins (HSV-1 glycoprotein D (gD), EBV glycoprotein 42 (gp42) and HCMV gH-gL-gO trimer and gH-gL-UL128-UL130-UL131A pentamer), as well gH-gL and the fusion protein gB, which are conserved in all herpesviruses.

COVID-19 and immunomodulation treatment for women with reproductive failures

COVID-19 pandemic is affecting various areas of health care, including human reproduction. Many women with reproductive failures, during the peri-implantation period and pregnancy, are on the immunotherapy using immune modulators and immunosuppressant due to underlying autoimmune diseases, cellular immune dysfunction, and rheumatic conditions. Many questions have been raised for women with immunotherapy during the COVID-19 pandemic, including infection susceptibility, how to manage women with an increased risk of and active COVID-19 infection. SARS-CoV-2 is a novel virus, and not enough information exists. Yet, we aim to review the data from previous coronavirus outbreaks and current COVID-19 and provide interim guidelines for immunotherapy in women with reproductive failures.

Human Cytomegalovirus Glycoprotein-Initiated Signaling Mediates the Aberrant Activation of Akt

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among immunocompromised and immunonaive individuals. HCMV-induced signaling initiated during viral entry stimulates a rapid noncanonical activation of Akt to drive the differentiation of short-lived monocytes into long-lived macrophages, which is essential for viral dissemination and persistence. We found that HCMV glycoproteins gB and gH directly bind and activate cellular epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and integrin β1, respectively, to reshape canonical Akt signaling within monocytes. The remodeling of the Akt signaling network was due to the recruitment of nontraditional Akt activators to either the gB- or gH-generated receptor signaling complexes. Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) comprised of the p110β catalytic subunit was recruited to the gB/EGFR complex despite p110δ being the primary PI3K isoform found within monocytes. Concomitantly, SH2 domain-containing inositol 5-phosphatase 1 (SHIP1) was recruited to the gH/integrin β1 complex, which is critical to aberrant Akt activation, as SHIP1 diverts PI3K signaling toward a noncanonical pathway. Although integrin β1 was required for SHIP1 recruitment, gB-activated EGFR mediated SHIP1 activation, underscoring the importance of the interplay between gB- and gH-mediated signaling to the unique activation of Akt during HCMV infection. Indeed, SHIP1 activation mediated the increased expression of Mcl-1 and HSP27, two Akt-dependent antiapoptotic proteins specifically upregulated during HCMV infection but not during growth factor treatment. Overall, our data indicate that HCMV glycoproteins gB and gH work in concert to initiate an HCMV-specific signalosome responsible for the atypical activation of Akt required for infected monocyte survival and ultimately viral persistence.IMPORTANCE Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection is endemic throughout the world regardless of socioeconomic conditions and geographic locations with a seroprevalence reaching up to 100% in some developing countries. Although asymptomatic in healthy individuals, HCMV can cause severe multiorgan disease in immunocompromised or immunonaive patients. HCMV disease is a direct consequence of monocyte-mediated systematic spread of the virus following infection. Because monocytes are short-lived cells, HCMV must subvert the natural short life-span of these blood cells by inducing a distinct activation of Akt, a serine/theonine protein kinase. In this work, we demonstrate that HCMV glycoproteins gB and gH work in tandem to reroute classical host cellular receptor signaling to aberrantly activate Akt and drive survival of infected monocytes. Deciphering how HCMV modulates the cellular pathway to induce monocyte survival is important to develop a new class of anti-HCMV drugs that could target and prevent spread of the virus by eliminating infected monocytes.

Specialization for Cell-Free or Cell-to-Cell Spread of BAC-Cloned Human Cytomegalovirus Strains Is Determined by Factors beyond the UL128-131 and RL13 Loci

It is widely held that clinical isolates of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) are highly cell associated, and mutations affecting the UL128-131 and RL13 loci that arise in culture lead to the appearance of a cell-free spread phenotype. The bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clone Merlin (ME) expresses abundant UL128-131, is RL13 impaired, and produces low infectivity virions in fibroblasts, whereas TB40/e (TB) and TR are low in UL128-131, are RL13 intact, and produce virions of much higher infectivity. Despite these differences, quantification of spread by flow cytometry revealed remarkably similar spread efficiencies in fibroblasts. In epithelial cells, ME spread more efficiently, consistent with robust UL128-131 expression. Strikingly, ME spread far better than did TB or TR in the presence of neutralizing antibodies on both cell types, indicating that ME is not simply deficient at cell-free spread but is particularly efficient at cell-to-cell spread, whereas TB and TR cell-to-cell spread is poor. Sonically disrupted ME-infected cells contained scant infectivity, suggesting that the efficient cell-to-cell spread mechanism of ME depends on features of the intact cells such as junctions or intracellular trafficking processes. Even when UL128-131 was transcriptionally repressed, cell-to-cell spread of ME was still more efficient than that of TB or TR. Moreover, RL13 expression comparably reduced both cell-free and cell-to-cell spread of all three strains, suggesting that it acts at a stage of assembly and/or egress common to both routes of spread. Thus, HCMV strains can be highly specialized for either for cell-free or cell-to-cell spread, and these phenotypes are determined by factors beyond the UL128-131 or RL13 loci.IMPORTANCE Both cell-free and cell-to-cell spread are likely important for the natural biology of HCMV. In culture, strains clearly differ in their capacity for cell-free spread as a result of differences in the quantity and infectivity of extracellular released progeny. However, it has been unclear whether "cell-associated" phenotypes are simply the result of poor cell-free spread or are indicative of particularly efficient cell-to-cell spread mechanisms. By measuring the kinetics of spread at early time points, we were able to show that HCMV strains can be highly specialized to either cell-free or cell-to-cell mechanisms, and this was not strictly linked the efficiency of cell-free spread. Our results provide a conceptual approach to evaluating intervention strategies for their ability to limit cell-free or cell-to-cell spread as independent processes.

The role of human cytomegalovirus in atherosclerosis: a systematic review

Atherosclerosis is a progressive vascular disease with increasing morbidity and mortality year by year in modern society. Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection is closely associated with the development of atherosclerosis. HCMV infection may accelerate graft atherosclerosis and the development of transplant vasculopathy in organ transplantation. However, our current understanding of HCMV-associated atherosclerosis remains limited and is mainly based on clinical observations. The underlying mechanism of the involvement of HCMV infection in atherogenesis remains unclear. Here, we summarized current knowledge regarding the multiple influences of HCMV on a diverse range of infected cells, including vascular endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, monocytes, macrophages, and T cells. In addition, we described potential HCMV-induced molecular mechanisms, such as oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, autophagy, lipid metabolism, and miRNA regulation, which are involved in the development of HCMV-associated atherogenesis. Gaining an improved understanding of these mechanisms will facilitate the development of novel and effective therapeutic strategies for the treatment of HCMV-related cardiovascular disease.

Polymorphisms in Human Cytomegalovirus Glycoprotein O (gO) Exert Epistatic Influences on Cell-Free and Cell-to-Cell Spread and Antibody Neutralization on gH Epitopes

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) glycoproteins H and L (gH/gL) can be bound by either gO or the UL128 to UL131 proteins (referred to here as UL128-131) to form complexes that facilitate entry and spread, and the complexes formed are important targets of neutralizing antibodies. Strains of HCMV vary considerably in the levels of gH/gL/gO and gH/gL/UL128-131, and this can impact infectivity and cell tropism. In this study, we investigated how natural interstrain variation in the amino acid sequence of gO influences the biology of HCMV. Heterologous gO recombinants were constructed in which 6 of the 8 alleles or genotypes (GT) of gO were analyzed in the backgrounds of strains TR and Merlin (ME). The levels of gH/gL complexes were not affected, but there were impacts on entry, spread, and neutralization by anti-gH antibodies. AD169 (AD) gO (GT1a) [referred to here as ADgO(GT1a)] drastically reduced cell-free infectivity of both strains on fibroblasts and epithelial cells. PHgO(GT2a) increased cell-free infectivity of TR in both cell types, but spread in fibroblasts was impaired. In contrast, spread of ME in both cell types was enhanced by Towne (TN) gO (GT4), despite similar cell-free infectivity. TR expressing TNgO(GT4) was resistant to neutralization by anti-gH antibodies AP86 and 14-4b, whereas ADgO(GT1a) conferred resistance to 14-4b but enhanced neutralization by AP86. Conversely, ME expressing ADgO(GT1a) was more resistant to 14-4b. These results suggest that (i) there are mechanistically distinct roles for gH/gL/gO in cell-free and cell-to-cell spread, (ii) gO isoforms can differentially shield the virus from neutralizing antibodies, and (iii) effects of gO polymorphisms are epistatically dependent on other variable loci.IMPORTANCE Advances in HCMV population genetics have greatly outpaced understanding of the links between genetic diversity and phenotypic variation. Moreover, recombination between genotypes may shuffle variable loci into various combinations with unknown outcomes. UL74(gO) is an important determinant of HCMV infectivity and one of the most diverse loci in the viral genome. By analyzing interstrain heterologous UL74(gO) recombinants, we showed that gO diversity can have dramatic impacts on cell-free and cell-to-cell spread as well as on antibody neutralization and that the manifestation of these impacts can be subject to epistatic influences of the global genetic background. These results highlight the potential limitations of laboratory studies of HCMV biology that use single, isolated genotypes or strains.

Evasion of a Human Cytomegalovirus Entry Inhibitor with Potent Cysteine Reactivity Is Concomitant with the Utilization of a Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycan-Independent Route of Entry

The dependence of viruses on the host cell to complete their replicative cycle renders cellular functions potential targets for novel antivirals. We screened a panel of broadly acting cellular ion channel inhibitors for activity against human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and identified the voltage-gated chloride ion channel inhibitor 4,4'-diisothiocyano-2,2'-stilbenedisulfonic acid (DIDS) as a potent inhibitor of HCMV replication. Time-of-addition studies demonstrated that DIDS inhibited entry via direct interaction with the virion that impeded binding to the plasma membrane. Synthesis and analysis of pharmacological variants of DIDS suggested that intrinsic cysteine, and not lysine, reactivity was important for activity against HCMV. Although sequencing of DIDS-resistant HCMV revealed enrichment of a mutation within UL100 (encoding glycoprotein M) and a specific truncation of glycoprotein RL13, these did not explain the DIDS resistance phenotype. Specifically, only the introduction of the RL13 mutant partially phenocopied the DIDS resistance phenotype. Serendipitously, the entry of DIDS-resistant HCMV also became independent of heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs), suggesting that evasion of DIDS lowered dependence on an initial interaction with HSPGs. Intriguingly, the DIDS-resistant virus demonstrated increased sensitivity to antibody neutralization, which mapped, in part, to the presence of the gM mutation. Taken together the data characterize the antiviral activity of a novel HCMV inhibitor that drives HCMV infection to occur independently of HSPGs and the generation of increased sensitivity to humoral immunity. The data also demonstrate that compounds with cysteine reactivity have the potential to act as antiviral compounds against HCMV via direct engagement of virions.IMPORTANCE Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is major pathogen of nonimmunocompetent individuals that remains in need of new therapeutic options. Here, we identify a potent antiviral compound (4,4'-diisothiocyano-2,2'-stilbenedisulfonic acid [DIDS]), its mechanism of action, and the chemical properties required for its activity. In doing so, the data argue that cysteine-reactive compounds could have the capacity to be developed for anti-HCMV activity. Importantly, the data show that entry of DIDS-resistant virus became independent of heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) but, concomitantly, became more sensitive to neutralizing antibody responses. This serendipitous observation suggests that retention of an interaction with HSPGs during the entry process in vivo may be evolutionarily advantageous through better evasion of humoral responses directed against HCMV virions.

Inhibition of Human Cytomegalovirus Entry into Host Cells Through a Pleiotropic Small Molecule

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infections are wide-spread among the general population with manifestations ranging from asymptomatic to severe developmental disabilities in newborns and life-threatening illnesses in individuals with a compromised immune system. Nearly all current drugs suffer from one or more limitations, which emphasizes the critical need to develop new approaches and new molecules. We reasoned that a ‘poly-pharmacy’ approach relying on simultaneous binding to multiple receptors involved in HCMV entry into host cells could pave the way to a more effective therapeutic outcome. This work presents the study of a synthetic, small molecule displaying pleiotropicity of interactions as a competitive antagonist of viral or cell surface receptors including heparan sulfate proteoglycans and heparan sulfate-binding proteins, which play important roles in HCMV entry and spread. Sulfated pentagalloylglucoside (SPGG), a functional mimetic of heparan sulfate, inhibits HCMV entry into human foreskin fibroblasts and neuroepithelioma cells with high potency. At the same time, SPGG exhibits no toxicity at levels as high as 50-fold more than its inhibition potency. Interestingly, cell-ELISA assays showed downregulation in HCMV immediate-early gene 1 and 2 (IE 1&2) expression in presence of SPGG further supporting inhibition of viral entry. Finally, HCMV foci were observed to decrease significantly in the presence of SPGG suggesting impact on viral spread too. Overall, this work offers the first evidence that pleiotropicity, such as demonstrated by SPGG, may offer a new poly-therapeutic approach toward effective inhibition of HCMV.

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) Reorganization and Intracellular Retention of CD58 Are Functionally Independent Properties of the Human Cytomegalovirus ER-Resident Glycoprotein UL148

The human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident glycoprotein UL148 is posited to play roles in immune evasion and regulation of viral cell tropism. UL148 prevents cell surface presentation of the immune cell costimulatory ligand CD58 while promoting maturation and virion incorporation of glycoprotein O, a receptor binding subunit for an envelope glycoprotein complex involved in entry. Meanwhile, UL148 activates the unfolded protein response (UPR) and causes large-scale reorganization of the ER. In order to determine whether the seemingly disparate effects of UL148 are related or discrete, we generated six charged cluster-to-alanine (CCTA) mutants within the UL148 ectodomain and compared them to wild-type UL148, both in the context of infection studies using recombinant viruses and in ectopic expression experiments, assaying for effects on ER remodeling and CD58 surface presentation. Two mutants, targeting charged clusters spanning residues 79 to 83 (CC3) and 133 to 136 (CC4), retained the potential to impede CD58 surface presentation. Of the six mutants, only CC3 retained the capacity to reorganize the ER, but it showed a partial phenotype. Wild-type UL148 accumulates in a detergent-insoluble form during infection. However, all six CCTA mutants were fully soluble, which implies a relationship between insolubility and organelle remodeling. Additionally, we found that the chimpanzee cytomegalovirus UL148 homolog suppresses surface presentation of CD58 but fails to reorganize the ER, while the homolog from rhesus cytomegalovirus shows neither activity. Collectively, our findings illustrate various degrees of functional divergence between homologous primate cytomegalovirus immunevasins and suggest that the capacity to cause ER reorganization is unique to HCMV UL148.IMPORTANCE In myriad examples, viral gene products cause striking effects on cells, such as activation of stress responses. It can be challenging to decipher how such effects contribute to the biological roles of the proteins. The HCMV glycoprotein UL148 retains CD58 within the ER, thereby preventing it from reaching the cell surface, where it functions to stimulate cell-mediated antiviral responses. Intriguingly, UL148 also triggers the formation of large, ER-derived membranous structures and activates the UPR, a set of signaling pathways involved in adaptation to ER stress. We demonstrate that the potential of UL148 to reorganize the ER and to retain CD58 are separable by mutagenesis and, possibly, by evolution, since chimpanzee cytomegalovirus UL148 retains CD58 but does not remodel the ER. Our findings imply that ER reorganization contributes to other roles of UL148, such as modulation of alternative viral glycoprotein complexes that govern the virus' ability to infect different cell types.

Entry of betaherpesviruses

In this chapter, we present an overview on betaherpesvirus entry, with a focus on human cytomegalovirus, human herpesvirus 6A and human herpesvirus 6B. Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a complex human pathogen with a genome of 235kb encoding more than 200 genes. It infects a broad range of cell types by switching its viral ligand on the virion, using the trimer gH/gL/gO for infection of fibroblasts and the pentamer gH/gL/UL128/UL130/UL131 for infection of other cells such as epithelial and endothelial cells, leading to membrane fusion mediated by the fusion protein gB. Adding to this scenario, however, accumulating data reveal the actual complexity in the viral entry process of HCMV with an intricate interplay among viral and host factors. Key novel findings include the identification of entry receptors platelet-derived growth factor-α receptor (PDGFRα) and Netropilin-2 (Nrp2) for trimer and pentamer, respectively, the determination of atomic structures of the fusion protein gB and the pentamer, and the in situ visualization of the state and arrangement of functional glycoproteins on virion. This is covered in the first part of this review. The second part focusses on HHV-6 which is a T lymphotropic virus categorized as two distinct virus species, HHV-6A and HHV-6B based on differences in epidemiological, biological, and immunological aspects, although homology of their entire genome sequences is nearly 90%. HHV-6B is a causative agent of exanthema subitum (ES), but the role of HHV-6A is unknown. HHV-6B reactivation occasionally causes encephalitis in patients with hematopoietic stem cell transplant. The HHV-6 specific envelope glycoprotein complex, gH/gL/gQ1/gQ2 is a viral ligand for the entry receptor. Recently, each virus has been found to recognize a different cellular receptor, CD46 for HHV 6A amd CD134 for HHV 6B. These findings show that distinct receptor recognition differing between both viruses could explain their different pathogenesis.

The N Terminus of Human Cytomegalovirus Glycoprotein O Is Important for Binding to the Cellular Receptor PDGFRα

The human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) glycoprotein complex gH/gL/gO is required for the infection of cells by cell-free virions. It was recently shown that entry into fibroblasts depends on the interaction of gO with the platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRα). This interaction can be blocked with soluble PDGFRα-Fc, which binds to HCMV virions and inhibits entry. The aim of this study was to identify parts of gO that contribute to PDGFRα binding. In a systematic mutational approach, we targeted potential interaction sites by exchanging conserved clusters of charged amino acids of gO with alanines. To screen for impaired interaction with PDGFRα, virus mutants were tested for sensitivity to inhibition by soluble PDGFRα-Fc. Two mutants with mutations within the N terminus of gO (amino acids 56 to 61 and 117 to 121) were partially resistant to neutralization. To validate whether these mutations impair interaction with PDGFRα-Fc, we compared binding of PDGFRα-Fc to mutant and wild-type virions via quantitative immunofluorescence analysis. PDGFRα-Fc staining intensities were reduced by 30% to 60% with mutant virus particles compared to wild-type particles. In concordance with the reduced binding to the soluble receptor, virus penetration into fibroblasts, which relies on binding to the cellular PDGFRα, was also reduced. In contrast, PDGFRα-independent penetration into endothelial cells was unaltered, demonstrating that the phenotypes of the gO mutant viruses were specific for the interaction with PDGFRα. In conclusion, the mutational screening of gO revealed that the N terminus of gO contributes to efficient spread in fibroblasts by promoting the interaction of virions with its cellular receptor.IMPORTANCE The human cytomegalovirus is a highly prevalent pathogen that can cause severe disease in immunocompromised hosts. Currently used drugs successfully target the viral replication within the host cell, but their use is restricted due to side effects and the development of resistance. An alternative approach is the inhibition of virus entry, for which understanding the details of the initial virus-cell interaction is desirable. As binding of the viral gH/gL/gO complex to the cellular PDGFRα drives infection of fibroblasts, this is a potential target for inhibition of infection. Our mutational mapping approach suggests the N terminus as the receptor binding portion of the protein. The respective mutants were partially resistant to inhibition by PDGFRα-Fc but also attenuated for infection of fibroblasts, indicating that such mutations have little if any benefit for the virus. These findings highlight the potential of targeting the interaction of gH/gL/gO with PDGFRα for therapeutic inhibition of HCMV.

HCMV modulation of cellular PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling: New opportunities for therapeutic intervention?

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) remains a major public health burden domestically and abroad. Current approved therapies, including ganciclovir, are only moderately efficacious, with many transplant patients suffering from a variety of side effects. A major impediment to the efficacy of current anti-HCMV drugs is their antiviral effects are restricted to the lytic stage of viral replication. Consequently, the non-lytic stages of the viral lifecycle remain major sources of HCMV infection associated with transplant recipients and ultimately the cause of morbidity and mortality. While work continues on new antivirals that block lytic replication, the dormant stages of HCMV's unique lifecycle need to be concurrently assessed for new therapeutic interventions. In this review, we will examine the role that the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling axis plays during the different stages of HCMV's lifecycle, and describe the advantages of targeting this cellular pathway as an antiviral strategy. In particular, we focus on the potential of exploiting the unique modifications HCMV imparts on the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway during quiescent infection of monocytes, which serve an essential role in the dissemination strategy of the virus.

HCMV trimer- and pentamer-specific antibodies synergize for virus neutralization but do not correlate with congenital transmission

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) causes severe morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients and is the most commonly transmitted virus that causes developmental defects in the fetus. Currently, there is no licensed HCMV vaccine available, and prior efforts using attenuated viruses and subunit vaccines were not successful. Recently, there has been intense interest in the HCMV pentamer glycoprotein as a component of vaccines. Here, we show that transplant patients’ and pregnant mothers’ sera contain neutralizing antibodies specific for the pentamer and also for a second HCMV glycoprotein, the trimer, which is essential for HCMV entry into cells. Trimer- and pentamer-specific antibodies acted synergistically to neutralize virus and block cell–cell spread. These observations will have major implications for the future of HCMV vaccine development.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) causes substantial disease in transplant patients and harms the development of the nervous system in babies infected in utero. Thus, there is a major focus on developing safe and effective HCMV vaccines. Evidence has been presented that a major target of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) is the HCMV pentamer glycoprotein gH/gL/UL128-131. In some studies, most of the NAbs in animal or human sera were found to recognize the pentamer, which mediates HCMV entry into endothelial and epithelial cells. It was also reported that pentamer-specific antibodies correlate with protection against transmission from mothers to babies. One problem with the studies on pentamer-specific NAbs to date has been that the studies did not compare the pentamer to the other major form of gH/gL, the gH/gL/gO trimer, which is essential for entry into all cell types. Here, we demonstrate that both trimer and pentamer NAbs are frequently found in human transplant patients’ and pregnant mothers’ sera. Depletion of human sera with trimer caused reductions in NAbs similar to that observed following depletion with the pentamer. The trimer- and pentamer-specific antibodies acted in a synergistic fashion to neutralize HCMV and also to prevent virus cell-to-cell spread. Importantly, there was no correlation between the titers of trimer- and pentamer-specific NAbs and transmission of HCMV from mothers to babies. Therefore, both the trimer and pentamer are important targets of NAbs. Nevertheless, these antibodies do not protect against transmission of HCMV from mothers to babies.

Pathogen at the Gates: Human Cytomegalovirus Entry and Cell Tropism

The past few years have brought substantial progress toward understanding how human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) enters the remarkably wide spectrum of cell types and tissues that it infects. Neuropilin-2 and platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRα) were identified as receptors, respectively, for the trimeric and pentameric glycoprotein H/glycoprotein L (gH/gL) complexes that in large part govern HCMV cell tropism, while CD90 and CD147 were also found to play roles during entry. X-ray crystal structures for the proximal viral fusogen, glycoprotein B (gB), and for the pentameric gH/gL complex (pentamer) have been solved. A novel virion gH complex consisting of gH bound to UL116 instead of gL was described, and findings supporting the existence of a stable complex between gH/gL and gB were reported. Additional work indicates that the pentamer promotes a mode of cell-associated spread that resists antibody neutralization, as opposed to the trimeric gH/gL complex (trimer), which appears to be broadly required for the infectivity of cell-free virions. Finally, viral factors such as UL148 and US16 were identified that can influence the incorporation of the alternative gH/gL complexes into virions. We will review these advances and their implications for understanding HCMV entry and cell tropism.