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Witwit H, Khafaji R, Salaniwal A, Kim AS, Cubitt B, Jackson N, Ye C, Weiss SR, Martinez-Sobrido L, de la Torre JC. Activation of protein kinase receptor (PKR) plays a pro-viral role in mammarenavirus-infected cells. J Virol 2024; 98:e0188323. [PMID: 38376197 PMCID: PMC10949842 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01883-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Many viruses, including mammarenaviruses, have evolved mechanisms to counteract different components of the host cell innate immunity, which is required to facilitate robust virus multiplication. The double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) sensor protein kinase receptor (PKR) pathway plays a critical role in the cell anti-viral response. Whether PKR can restrict the multiplication of the Old World mammarenavirus lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) and the mechanisms by which LCMV may counteract the anti-viral functions of PKR have not yet been investigated. Here we present evidence that LCMV infection results in very limited levels of PKR activation, but LCMV multiplication is enhanced in the absence of PKR. In contrast, infection with a recombinant LCMV with a mutation affecting the 3'-5' exonuclease (ExoN) activity of the viral nucleoprotein resulted in robust PKR activation in the absence of detectable levels of dsRNA, which was associated with severely restricted virus multiplication that was alleviated in the absence of PKR. However, pharmacological inhibition of PKR activation resulted in reduced levels of LCMV multiplication. These findings uncovered a complex role of the PKR pathway in LCMV-infected cells involving both pro- and anti-viral activities.IMPORTANCEAs with many other viruses, the prototypic Old World mammarenavirus LCMV can interfere with the host cell innate immune response to infection, which includes the dsRNA sensor PKR pathway. A detailed understanding of LCMV-PKR interactions can provide novel insights about mammarenavirus-host cell interactions and facilitate the development of effective anti-viral strategies against human pathogenic mammarenaviruses. In the present work, we present evidence that LCMV multiplication is enhanced in PKR-deficient cells, but pharmacological inhibition of PKR activation unexpectedly resulted in severely restricted propagation of LCMV. Likewise, we document a robust PKR activation in LCMV-infected cells in the absence of detectable levels of dsRNA. Our findings have revealed a complex role of the PKR pathway during LCMV infection and uncovered the activation of PKR as a druggable target for the development of anti-viral drugs against human pathogenic mammarenaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haydar Witwit
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Roaa Khafaji
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Arul Salaniwal
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Arthur S. Kim
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Beatrice Cubitt
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | | | - Chengjin Ye
- Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Susan R. Weiss
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Juan Carlos de la Torre
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
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Witwit H, Khafaji R, Salaniwal A, Kim AS, Cubitt B, Jackson N, Ye C, Weiss SR, Martinez-Sobrido L, de la Torre JC. Activation of Protein Kinase R (PKR) Plays a Pro-Viral Role in Mammarenavirus Infected Cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.05.570143. [PMID: 38106082 PMCID: PMC10723269 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.05.570143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Many viruses, including mammarenaviruses, have evolved mechanisms to counteract different components of the host cell innate immunity, which is required to facilitate robust virus multiplication. The double strand (ds)RNA sensor protein kinase receptor (PKR) pathway plays a critical role in the cell antiviral response. Whether PKR can restrict the multiplication of the Old World mammarenavirus lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) and the mechanisms by which LCMV may counteract the antiviral functions of PKR have not yet been investigated. Here we present evidence that LCMV infection results in very limited levels of PKR activation, but LCMV multiplication is enhanced in the absence of PKR. In contrast, infection with a recombinant LCMV with a mutation affecting the 3'-5' exonuclease (ExoN) activity of the viral nucleoprotein (NP) resulted in robust PKR activation in the absence of detectable levels of dsRNA, which was associated with severely restricted virus multiplication that was alleviated in the absence of PKR. However, pharmacological inhibition of PKR activation resulted in reduced levels of LCMV multiplication. These findings uncovered a complex role of the PKR pathway in LCMV-infected cells involving both pro-and antiviral activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haydar Witwit
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Roaa Khafaji
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Arul Salaniwal
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Arthur S. Kim
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Beatrice Cubitt
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | | | - Chengjin Ye
- Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Susan R Weiss
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | | | - Juan Carlos de la Torre
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037
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Hamele CE, Spurrier MA, Leonard RA, Heaton NS. Segmented, Negative-Sense RNA Viruses of Humans: Genetic Systems and Experimental Uses of Reporter Strains. Annu Rev Virol 2023; 10:261-282. [PMID: 37774125 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-virology-111821-120445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
Negative-stranded RNA viruses are a large group of viruses that encode their genomes in RNA across multiple segments in an orientation antisense to messenger RNA. Their members infect broad ranges of hosts, and there are a number of notable human pathogens. Here, we examine the development of reverse genetic systems as applied to these virus families, emphasizing conserved approaches illustrated by some of the prominent members that cause significant human disease. We also describe the utility of their genetic systems in the development of reporter strains of the viruses and some biological insights made possible by their use. To conclude the review, we highlight some possible future uses of reporter viruses that not only will increase our basic understanding of how these viruses replicate and cause disease but also could inform the development of new approaches to therapeutically intervene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cait E Hamele
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA;
| | - M Ariel Spurrier
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA;
| | - Rebecca A Leonard
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA;
| | - Nicholas S Heaton
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA;
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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Andreescu M. Risk of Infections Secondary to the Use of Targeted Therapies in Hematological Malignancies. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1272. [PMID: 37374055 DOI: 10.3390/life13061272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Concurrent infections in hematological malignancies (HM) are major contributors to adverse clinical outcomes, including prolonged hospitalization and reduced life expectancy. Individuals diagnosed with HM are particularly susceptible to infectious pathogens due to immunosuppression, which can either be inherent to the hematological disorder or induced by specific therapeutic strategies. Over the years, the treatment paradigm for HM has witnessed a tremendous shift, from broad-spectrum treatment approaches to more specific targeted therapies. At present, the therapeutic landscape of HM is constantly evolving due to the advent of novel targeted therapies and the enhanced utilization of these agents for treatment purposes. By initiating unique molecular pathways, these agents hinder the proliferation of malignant cells, consequently affecting innate and adaptive immunity, which increases the risk of infectious complications. Due to the complexity of novel targeted therapies and their associated risks of infection, it often becomes a daunting task for physicians to maintain updated knowledge in their clinical practice. The situation is further aggravated by the fact that most of the initial clinical trials on targeted therapies provide inadequate information to determine the associated risk of infection. In such a scenario, a cumulative body of evidence is paramount in guiding clinicians regarding the infectious complications that can arise following targeted therapies. In this review, I summarize the recent knowledge on infectious complications arising in the context of targeted therapies for HM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mihaela Andreescu
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, Titu Maiorescu University of Bucharest, 040051 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Hematology, Colentina Clinical Hospital, 020125 Bucharest, Romania
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Liu Z, Fu Y, Huang Y, Zeng F, Rao J, Xiao X, Sun X, Jin H, Li J, Yang J, Du W, Liu L. Ubiquitination of SARS-CoV-2 ORF7a Prevents Cell Death Induced by Recruiting BclXL To Activate ER Stress. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0150922. [PMID: 36326498 PMCID: PMC9769937 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01509-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which has emerged in the last 2 years. The accessory protein ORF7a has been proposed as an immunomodulating factor that can cause dramatic inflammatory responses, but it is unknown how ORF7a interacts with host cells. We show that ORF7a induces cell apoptosis by recruiting the prosurvival factor BclXL to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) via the exposed C-terminal residues Lys117 and Lys119. Simultaneously, ORF7a activates ER stress via the PERK-elF2α-CHOP pathway and inhibits the expression of endogenous BclXL, resulting in enhanced cell apoptosis. Ubiquitination of ORF7a interrupts the interaction with BclXL in the ER and weakens the activation of ER stress, which to some extent rescues the cells. Our work demonstrates that SARS-CoV-2 ORF7a hires antiapoptosis protein and aggregates on the ER, resulting in ER stress and apoptosis initiation. On the other hand, ORF7a utilizes the ubiquitin system to impede and escape host elimination, providing a promising potential target for developing strategies for minimizing the COVID-19 pandemic. IMPORTANCE Viruses struggle to reproduce after infecting cells, and the host eliminates infected cells through apoptosis to prevent virus spread. Cells adopt a special ubiquitination code to protect against viral infection, while ORF7a manipulates and exploits the ubiquitin system to eliminate host cells' effect on apoptosis and redirect cellular pathways in favor of virus survival. Our results revealed that SARS-CoV-2-encoded accessory protein ORF7a recruits prosurvival factor BclXL to the ER and activates the cellular ER stress response resulting in the initiation of programmed death to remove virus-infected cells. Ubiquitination of ORF7a blocked the recruitment of BclXL and suppressed the ER stress response, which helps to counteract cell apoptosis and rescue cell fate. These findings help us understand the mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 invasion and contribute to a theoretical foundation for the clinical prevention of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhixin Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Renmin Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
- Institute of Virology, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Yanan Fu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Renmin Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
- Institute of Virology, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Yanping Huang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Renmin Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
- Institute of Virology, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Feng Zeng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Renmin Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
- Institute of Virology, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Jingjing Rao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Renmin Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
- Institute of Virology, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Xiao Xiao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Renmin Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
- Institute of Virology, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Xiaoguang Sun
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Renmin Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
- Institute of Virology, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Hao Jin
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Renmin Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Jian Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Renmin Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
- Institute of Virology, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Renmin Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
- Institute of Virology, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Weixing Du
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Renmin Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Long Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Renmin Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
- Institute of Virology, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
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Samy A, Maher MA, Abdelsalam NA, Badr E. SARS-CoV-2 potential drugs, drug targets, and biomarkers: a viral-host interaction network-based analysis. Sci Rep 2022; 12:11934. [PMID: 35831333 PMCID: PMC9279364 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-15898-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 is a global pandemic impacting the daily living of millions. As variants of the virus evolve, a complete comprehension of the disease and drug targets becomes a decisive duty. The Omicron variant, for example, has a notably high transmission rate verified in 155 countries. We performed integrative transcriptomic and network analyses to identify drug targets and diagnostic biomarkers and repurpose FDA-approved drugs for SARS-CoV-2. Upon the enrichment of 464 differentially expressed genes, pathways regulating the host cell cycle were significant. Regulatory and interaction networks featured hsa-mir-93-5p and hsa-mir-17-5p as blood biomarkers while hsa-mir-15b-5p as an antiviral agent. MYB, RRM2, ERG, CENPF, CIT, and TOP2A are potential drug targets for treatment. HMOX1 is suggested as a prognostic biomarker. Enhancing HMOX1 expression by neem plant extract might be a therapeutic alternative. We constructed a drug-gene network for FDA-approved drugs to be repurposed against the infection. The key drugs retrieved were members of anthracyclines, mitotic inhibitors, anti-tumor antibiotics, and CDK1 inhibitors. Additionally, hydroxyquinone and digitoxin are potent TOP2A inhibitors. Hydroxyurea, cytarabine, gemcitabine, sotalol, and amiodarone can also be redirected against COVID-19. The analysis enforced the repositioning of fluorouracil and doxorubicin, especially that they have multiple drug targets, hence less probability of resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asmaa Samy
- University of Science and Technology, Zewail City, Giza, 12578, Egypt
| | - Mohamed A Maher
- University of Science and Technology, Zewail City, Giza, 12578, Egypt
| | - Nehal Adel Abdelsalam
- University of Science and Technology, Zewail City, Giza, 12578, Egypt.,Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, 11562, Egypt
| | - Eman Badr
- University of Science and Technology, Zewail City, Giza, 12578, Egypt. .,Faculty of Computers and Artificial Intelligence, Cairo University, Giza, 12613, Egypt.
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Gao L, Zhai Z, Shi Q, Yan J, Zhou L, Wu Y, Zeng Q, Tian G, Li H. MiR-501-5p alleviates cardiac dysfunction in septic patients through targeting NR4A3 to prevent its binding with Bcl-2. Cell Cycle 2022; 21:961-971. [PMID: 35230891 PMCID: PMC9037443 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2022.2035618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction is a common complication in septic patients. To date, a limited number of biomarkers that could predict cardiomyocyte apoptosis have been explored. In this study, we successfully established a cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced septic model, and it was found that miR-501-5p expression was down-regulated in peripheral blood samples of septic patients with cardiac dysfunction, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cardiomyocytes, and the myocardium and peripheral blood in the septic model. Moreover, it was revealed that miR-501-5p overexpression could increase left ventricular diastolic pressure (LVDP), fractional shortening (FS), ejection fraction (EF), and maximum rate of the rise of left ventricular pressure (+dp/dt) in vivo, while it decreased the levels of myocardial injury-related indicators. In addition, LPS induction accelerated apoptosis and elevated the inflammation in HL-1 and HCM cells, which could be reversed by miR-501-5p overexpression. Mechanistically, we considered nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A member 3 (NR4A3) as the target of miR-501-5p, and it was found that miR-501-5p prevented the binding between NR4A3 and Bcl-2. It was found that miR-501-5p exerted an inhibitory effect on cardiomyocyte apoptosis and inflammation in a NR4A3-dependent manner. Overall, our results may provide evidence for consideration of miR-501-5p in the therapy of sepsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Gao
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhongjie Zhai
- Department of Health Statistics, Faculty of Preventive Medicine, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qindong Shi
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jinqi Yan
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Linjing Zhou
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yongxin Wu
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qinjing Zeng
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Gang Tian
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China,CONTACT Gang Tian Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hao Li
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China,Hao Li Department of Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, Xi'an, China
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