1
|
Huang C, Mantlo E, Paessler S. Lassa virus NP DEDDh 3'-5' exoribonuclease activity is required for optimal viral RNA replication and mutation control. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.12.536665. [PMID: 37090668 PMCID: PMC10120729 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.12.536665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Lassa virus (LASV), a mammarenavirus from Arenaviridae, is the causative agent of Lassa fever (LF) endemic in West Africa. Currently, there are no vaccines or antivirals approved for LF. The RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RdRp) of RNA viruses are error-prone. As a negative-sense RNA virus, how LASV copes with errors in RNA synthesis and ensures optimal RNA replication are not well elucidated. LASV nucleoprotein (NP) contains a DEDDH 3'-to-5' exoribonuclease motif (ExoN), which is known to be essential for LASV evasion of the interferon response via its ability to degrade virus-derived double-stranded RNA. Herein, we present evidence that LASV NP ExoN has an additional function important for viral RNA replication. We rescued an ExoN-deficient LASV mutant (ExoN- rLASV) by using a reverse genetics system. Our data indicated that abrogation of NP ExoN led to impaired LASV growth and RNA replication in interferon-deficient cells as compared with wild-type rLASV. By utilizing PacBio Single Molecule, Real-Time (SMRT) long-read sequencing technology, we found that rLASV lacking ExoN activity was prone to producing aberrant viral genomic RNA with structural variations. In addition, NP ExoN deficiency enhanced LASV sensitivity to mutagenic nucleoside analogues in virus titration assay. Next-generation deep sequencing analysis showed increased single nucleotide substitution in ExoN- LASV RNA following mutagenic 5-flurouracil treatment. In conclusion, our study revealed that LASV NP ExoN is required for efficient viral RNA replication and mutation control. Among negative-sense RNA viruses, LASV NP is the first example that a viral protein, other than the RdRp, contributes to reduce errors in RNA replication and maintain genomic RNA integrity. These new findings promote our understanding of the basics of LASV infection and inform antiviral and vaccine development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Huang
- Department of Pathology, Galveston National Laboratory and
Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston,
TX, USA
| | - Emily Mantlo
- Department of Pathology, Galveston National Laboratory and
Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston,
TX, USA
- Current address: Department of Microbiology & Immunology,
Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Slobodan Paessler
- Department of Pathology, Galveston National Laboratory and
Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston,
TX, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Cline C, Zeng X, Bell TM, Shaia C, Facemire P, Williams J, Davis N, Babka A, Picado E, Fitzpatrick C, Golden JW. Temporal changes in pathology and viral RNA distribution in guinea pigs following separate infection with two New World Arenaviruses. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011620. [PMID: 37682988 PMCID: PMC10511090 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Numerous arenaviruses have been identified throughout the Americas and a subset of these viruses cause viral hemorrhagic fever in humans. This study compared the pathology and viral RNA distribution in Hartley guinea pigs challenged with two human-disease causing New World arenaviruses, Junin virus (JUNV) or Guanarito virus (GTOV). Histopathologic analysis and RNA in situ hybridization revealed similar pathology and viral RNA distribution for both groups of animals challenged with either JUNV or GTOV on days 3, 7, 10 and 12 post exposure (PE). Gross lesions were first observed on day 7 and primarily involved the lungs and liver. The most severe histologic lesions occurred in the lymph nodes, spleen, and thymus and included lymphoid depletion and necrosis which increased in severity over time. Extensive necrosis was also observed in the bone marrow on day 12. Minimal to mild inflammation with and without necrosis was observed in the choroid plexus of the brain, choroid of the eye, intestinal tract, lung and adrenal gland. Significant liver lesions were rare, consisting predominantly of hepatocyte vacuolation. Viral RNA labeling was identified in nearly all organs examined, was often extensive in certain organs and generally increased over time starting on day 7. Our data demonstrate the guinea pig may serve as a useful model to study New World arenavirus infection in humans and for the evaluation and development of medical countermeasures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Curtis Cline
- Pathology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Xiankun Zeng
- Pathology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Todd M. Bell
- Foundational Sciences Directorate, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Carl Shaia
- Rocky Mountain Veterinary Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, United States of America
| | - Paul Facemire
- Pathology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Janice Williams
- Pathology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Neil Davis
- Pathology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - April Babka
- Pathology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Edwin Picado
- Pathology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Colin Fitzpatrick
- Virology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Joseph W. Golden
- Virology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Sierra AA, Loureiro ME, Esperante S, Borkosky SS, Gallo GL, de Prat Gay G, Lopez N. Nuclease Activity of the Junín Virus Nucleoprotein C-Terminal Domain. Viruses 2023; 15:1818. [PMID: 37766225 PMCID: PMC10535676 DOI: 10.3390/v15091818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The mammarenavirus Junín (JUNV) is the causative agent of Argentine hemorrhagic fever, a severe disease of public health concern. The most abundant viral protein is the nucleoprotein (NP), a multifunctional, two-domain protein with the primary role as structural component of the viral nucleocapsids, used as template for viral polymerase RNA synthesis activities. Here, we report that the C-terminal domain (CTD) of the attenuated Candid#1 strain of the JUNV NP can be purified as a stable soluble form with a secondary structure in line with known NP structures from other mammarenaviruses. We show that the JUNV NP CTD interacts with the viral matrix protein Z in vitro, and that the full-length NP and Z interact with each other in cellulo, suggesting that the NP CTD is responsible for this interaction. This domain comprises an arrangement of four acidic residues and a histidine residue conserved in the active site of exoribonucleases belonging to the DEDDh family. We show that the JUNV NP CTD displays metal-ion-dependent nuclease activity against DNA and single- and double-stranded RNA, and that this activity is impaired by the mutation of a catalytic residue within the DEDDh motif. These results further support this activity, not previously observed in the JUNV NP, which could impact the mechanism of the cellular immune response modulation of this important pathogen.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Armella Sierra
- Centro de Virología Humana y Animal (CEVHAN), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)-Universidad Abierta Interamericana, Buenos Aires C1287, Argentina; (A.A.S.); (M.E.L.); (G.L.G.)
| | - María Eugenia Loureiro
- Centro de Virología Humana y Animal (CEVHAN), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)-Universidad Abierta Interamericana, Buenos Aires C1287, Argentina; (A.A.S.); (M.E.L.); (G.L.G.)
| | - Sebastián Esperante
- Fundación Instituto Leloir, Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires (IIBBA) CONICET, Buenos Aires C1405, Argentina; (S.E.); (S.S.B.); (G.d.P.G.)
| | - Silvia Susana Borkosky
- Fundación Instituto Leloir, Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires (IIBBA) CONICET, Buenos Aires C1405, Argentina; (S.E.); (S.S.B.); (G.d.P.G.)
| | - Giovanna L. Gallo
- Centro de Virología Humana y Animal (CEVHAN), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)-Universidad Abierta Interamericana, Buenos Aires C1287, Argentina; (A.A.S.); (M.E.L.); (G.L.G.)
| | - Gonzalo de Prat Gay
- Fundación Instituto Leloir, Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires (IIBBA) CONICET, Buenos Aires C1405, Argentina; (S.E.); (S.S.B.); (G.d.P.G.)
| | - Nora Lopez
- Centro de Virología Humana y Animal (CEVHAN), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)-Universidad Abierta Interamericana, Buenos Aires C1287, Argentina; (A.A.S.); (M.E.L.); (G.L.G.)
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Grant DS, Samuels RJ, Garry RF, Schieffelin JS. Lassa Fever Natural History and Clinical Management. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2023. [PMID: 37106159 DOI: 10.1007/82_2023_263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Lassa fever is caused by Lassa virus (LASV), an Old World Mammarenavirus that is carried by Mastomys natalensis and other rodents. It is endemic in Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and other countries in West Africa. The clinical presentation of LASV infection is heterogenous varying from an inapparent or mild illness to a fatal hemorrhagic fever. Exposure to LASV is usually through contact with rodent excreta. After an incubation period of 1-3 weeks, initial symptoms such as fever, headache, and fatigue develop that may progress to sore throat, retrosternal chest pain, conjunctival injection, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Severe illness, including hypotension, shock, and multiorgan failure, develops in a minority of patients. Patient demographics and case fatality rates are distinctly different in Sierra Leone and Nigeria. Laboratory diagnosis relies on the detection of LASV antigens or genomic RNA. LASV-specific immunoglobulin G and M assays can also contribute to clinical management. The mainstay of treatment for Lassa fever is supportive care. The nucleoside analog ribavirin is commonly used to treat acute Lassa fever but is considered useful only if treatment is begun early in the disease course. Drugs in development, including a monoclonal antibody cocktail, have the potential to impact the management of Lassa fever.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Donald S Grant
- Lassa Fever Program, Kenema Government Hospital, Ministry of Health, Kenema, Sierra Leone
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences (COMAHS), University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Robert J Samuels
- Lassa Fever Program, Kenema Government Hospital, Ministry of Health, Kenema, Sierra Leone
| | - Robert F Garry
- School of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
- Zalgen Labs, Frederick, MD, 21703, USA
- Global Virus Network (GVN), Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - John S Schieffelin
- School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Abstract
Lassa virus (LASV) is endemic in the rodent populations of Sierra Leone, Nigeria and other countries in West Africa. Spillover to humans occurs frequently and results in Lassa fever, a viral haemorrhagic fever (VHF) associated with a high case fatality rate. Despite advances, fundamental gaps in knowledge of the immunology, epidemiology, ecology and pathogenesis of Lassa fever persist. More frequent outbreaks, the potential for further geographic expansion of Mastomys natalensis and other rodent reservoirs, the ease of procurement and possible use and weaponization of LASV, the frequent importation of LASV to North America and Europe, and the emergence of novel LASV strains in densely populated West Africa have driven new initiatives to develop countermeasures for LASV. Although promising candidates are being evaluated, as yet there are no approved vaccines or therapeutics for human use. This Review discusses the virology of LASV, the clinical course of Lassa fever and the progress towards developing medical countermeasures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert F Garry
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA.
- Zalgen Labs, Frederick, MD, USA.
- Global Viral Network, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Bohn P, Waßmann I, Wendt L, Leske A, Hoenen T, Tews BA, Groseth A. A dsRNA-binding mutant reveals only a minor role of exonuclease activity in interferon antagonism by the arenavirus nucleoprotein. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011049. [PMID: 36603036 PMCID: PMC9815661 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The arenavirus nucleoprotein (NP) plays an important role in the virus' ability to block interferon (IFN) production, and its exonuclease function appears to contribute to this activity. However, efforts to analyze this contribution are complicated by the functional overlap between the exonuclease active site and a neighboring region involved in IKKε-binding and subsequent inhibition of IRF3 activation, which also plays an important role in IFN production. To circumvent this issue, we mutated a residue located away from the active site that is involved in binding of the dsRNA substrate being targeted for exonuclease digestion, i.e. H426A. We found that expression of Tacaribe virus (TCRV) NP containing this RNA-binding H426A mutation was still able to efficiently block IFN-β promoter activity in response to Sendai virus infection, despite being strongly impaired in its exonuclease activity. This was in contrast to a conventional exonuclease active site mutant (E388A), which was impaired with respect to both exonuclease activity and IFN antagonism. Importantly, growth of a recombinant virus encoding the RNA-binding mutation (rTCRV-H426A) was similar to wild-type in IFN-deficient cells, unlike the active site mutant (rTCRV-E388A), which was already markedly impaired in these cells. Further, in IFN-competent cells, the TCRV-H426A RNA-binding mutant showed more robust growth and delayed IFN-β mRNA upregulation compared to the TCRV-E388A active site mutant. Taken together, this novel mutational approach, which allows us to now dissect the different contributions of the NP exonuclease activity and IKKε-binding/IRF3 inhibition to IFN antagonism, clearly suggests that conventional exonuclease mutants targeting the active site overestimate the contribution of the exonuclease function, and that rather other IFN antagonistic functions of NP play the dominant role in IFN-antagonism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Bohn
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Irke Waßmann
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Lisa Wendt
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Anne Leske
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Thomas Hoenen
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Birke A. Tews
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald–Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Allison Groseth
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Flórez-Álvarez L, de Souza EE, Botosso VF, de Oliveira DBL, Ho PL, Taborda CP, Palmisano G, Capurro ML, Pinho JRR, Ferreira HL, Minoprio P, Arruda E, de Souza Ferreira LC, Wrenger C, Durigon EL. Hemorrhagic fever viruses: Pathogenesis, therapeutics, and emerging and re-emerging potential. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1040093. [PMID: 36386719 PMCID: PMC9640979 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1040093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hemorrhagic fever viruses (HFVs) pose a threat to global public health owing to the emergence and re-emergence of highly fatal diseases. Viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHFs) caused by these viruses are mostly characterized by an acute febrile syndrome with coagulation abnormalities and generalized hemorrhage that may lead to life-threatening organ dysfunction. Currently, the events underlying the viral pathogenicity associated with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome still underexplored. In this minireview, we address the current knowledge of the mechanisms underlying VHFs pathogenesis and discuss the available development of preventive and therapeutic options to treat these infections. Furthermore, we discuss the potential of HFVs to cause worldwide emergencies along with factors that favor their spread beyond their original niches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Paulo Lee Ho
- Virology Laboratory, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Giuseppe Palmisano
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - João Renato Rebello Pinho
- Albert Einstein Institute for Teaching and Research (IIEP), Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil,Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Helena Lage Ferreira
- Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Eurico Arruda
- Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luís Carlos de Souza Ferreira
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil,Scientific Platform Pasteur-USP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carsten Wrenger
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil,*Correspondence: Carsten Wrenger, ; Edison Luiz Durigon,
| | - Edison Luiz Durigon
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil,Scientific Platform Pasteur-USP, São Paulo, Brazil,*Correspondence: Carsten Wrenger, ; Edison Luiz Durigon,
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Khan T, Muzaffar A, Shoaib RM, Khan A, Waheed Y, Wei DQ. Towards specie-specific ensemble vaccine candidates against mammarenaviruses using optimized structural vaccinology pipeline and molecular modelling approaches. Microb Pathog 2022; 172:105793. [PMID: 36165863 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2022.105793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
Mammarena viruses are emerging pathogenic agents and cause hemorrhagic fevers in humans. These viruses accomplish host immune system evasion to replicate and spread in the host. There are only few available therapeutic options developed for Mammarena Virus (also called MMV). Currently, only a single candidate vaccine called Candid#1 is available against Junin virus. Similarly, the effective treatment Ribavirin is used only in Lassa fever treatments. Herein, immune-informatics pipeline has been used to annotate whole proteome of the seven human infecting Mammarena strains. The extensive immune based analysis reveals specie specific epitopes with a crucial role in immune response induction. This was achieved by construction of immunogenic epitopes (CTL "Cytotoxic T-Lymphocytes", HTL "Helper T-Lymphocytes", and B cell "B-Lymphocytes") based vaccine designs against seven different Mammarena virus species. Furthermore, validation of the vaccine constructs through exploring physiochemical properties was performed to confirm experimental feasibility. Additionally, in-silico cloning and receptor based immune simulation was performed to ensure induction of primary and secondary immune response. This was confirmed through expression of immune factors such as IL, cytokines, and antibodies. The current study provides with novel vaccine designs which needs further demonstrations through potential processing against MMVs. Future studies may be directed towards advanced evaluations to determine the efficacy and safety of the designed vaccines through further experimental procedures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Taimoor Khan
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biological Statistics, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, PR China
| | | | | | - Abbas Khan
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biological Statistics, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Shanghai-Islamabad-Belgrade Joint Innovation Center on Antibacterial Resistances, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, PR China; Zhongjing Research and Industrialization Institute of Chinese Medicine, Zhongguancun Scientific Park, Meixi, Nayang, Henan, 473006, PR China.
| | - Yasir Waheed
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biological Statistics, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, PR China
| | - Dong-Qing Wei
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biological Statistics, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Shanghai-Islamabad-Belgrade Joint Innovation Center on Antibacterial Resistances, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, PR China; Zhongjing Research and Industrialization Institute of Chinese Medicine, Zhongguancun Scientific Park, Meixi, Nayang, Henan, 473006, PR China; Peng Cheng National Laboratory, Vanke Cloud City Phase I Building 8, Xili Street, Nashan District, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Holzerland J, Fénéant L, Groseth A. Regulation of Stress-Activated Kinases in Response to Tacaribe Virus Infection and Its Implications for Viral Replication. Viruses 2022; 14:v14092018. [PMID: 36146824 PMCID: PMC9505436 DOI: 10.3390/v14092018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Arenaviruses include important zoonotic pathogens that cause hemorrhagic fever (e.g., Junín virus; JUNV) as well as other viruses that are closely related but apathogenic (e.g., Tacaribe virus; TCRV). We have found that, while TCRV and JUNV differ in their ability to induce apoptosis in infected cells, due to active inhibition of caspase activation by the JUNV nucleoprotein, both viruses trigger similar upstream pro-apoptotic signaling events, including the activation/phosphorylation of p53. In the case of TCRV, the pro-apoptotic factor Bad is also phosphorylated (leading to its inactivation). These events clearly implicate upstream kinases in regulating the induction of apoptosis. Consistent with this, here we show activation in TCRV-infected cells of the stress-activated protein kinases p38 and JNK, which are known to regulate p53 activation, as well as the downstream kinase MK2 and transcription factor c-Jun. We also observed the early transient activation of Akt, but not Erk. Importantly, the chemical inhibition of Akt, p38, JNK and c-Jun all dramatically reduced viral growth, even though we have shown that inhibition of apoptosis itself does not. This indicates that kinase activation is crucial for viral infection, independent of its downstream role in apoptosis regulation, a finding that has the potential to shed further light on the determinants of arenavirus pathogenesis, as well as to inform future therapeutic approaches.
Collapse
|
10
|
Understanding Host–Virus Interactions: Assessment of Innate Immune Responses in Mastomys natalensis Cells after Arenavirus Infection. Viruses 2022; 14:v14091986. [PMID: 36146793 PMCID: PMC9506377 DOI: 10.3390/v14091986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Mastomys natalensis is the natural host of various arenaviruses, including the human-pathogenic Lassa virus. Homologous arenaviruses, defined here as those having M. natalensis as a natural host, can establish long-lasting infection in M. natalensis, while these animals rapidly clear arenaviruses having another rodent species as a natural host (heterologous viruses). Little is known about the mechanisms behind the underlying arenavirus–host barriers. The innate immune system, particularly the type I interferon (IFN) response, might play a role. In this study, we developed and validated RT-PCR assays to analyse the expression of M. natalensis interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). We then used these assays to study if homologous and heterologous viruses induce different IFN responses in M. natalensis cells. Infection experiments were performed with the homologous Lassa and Morogoro viruses and the related but heterologous Mobala virus. Compared to the direct induction with IFN or Poly(I:C), arenaviruses generally induced a weak IFN response. However, the ISG-expression profiles of homologous and heterologous viruses were similar. Our data indicate that, at least in M. natalensis cells, the IFN system is not a major factor in the virus–host barrier for arenaviruses. Our system provides a valuable tool for future in vivo investigation of arenavirus host restrictions at the level of the innate immune response.
Collapse
|
11
|
Nguyen THV, Yekwa E, Selisko B, Canard B, Alvarez K, Ferron F. Inhibition of Arenaviridae nucleoprotein exonuclease by bisphosphonate. IUCRJ 2022; 9:468-479. [PMID: 35844481 PMCID: PMC9252148 DOI: 10.1107/s2052252522005061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Arenaviruses are emerging enveloped negative-sense RNA viruses that cause neurological and hemorrhagic diseases in humans. Currently, no FDA-approved vaccine or therapeutic agent is available except for ribavirin, which must be administered early during infection for optimum efficacy. A hallmark of arenavirus infection is rapid and efficient immune suppression mediated by the exonuclease domain encoded by the nucleoprotein. This exonuclease is therefore an attractive target for the design of novel antiviral drugs since exonuclease inhibitors might not only have a direct effect on the enzyme but could also boost viral clearance through stimulation of the innate immune system of the host cell. Here, in silico screening and an enzymatic assay were used to identify a novel, specific but weak inhibitor of the arenavirus exonuclease, with IC50 values of 65.9 and 68.6 µM for Mopeia virus and Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, respectively. This finding was further characterized using crystallographic and docking approaches. This study serves as a proof of concept and may have assigned a new therapeutic purpose for the bisphosphonate family, therefore paving the way for the development of inhibitors against Arenaviridae.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thi Hong Van Nguyen
- Aix-Marseille Université and Laboratoire Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques (AFMB), CNRS – UMR-7257, 13288 Marseille, France
| | - Elsie Yekwa
- Aix-Marseille Université and Laboratoire Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques (AFMB), CNRS – UMR-7257, 13288 Marseille, France
| | - Barbara Selisko
- Aix-Marseille Université and Laboratoire Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques (AFMB), CNRS – UMR-7257, 13288 Marseille, France
| | - Bruno Canard
- Aix-Marseille Université and Laboratoire Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques (AFMB), CNRS – UMR-7257, 13288 Marseille, France
- European Virus Bioinformatics Center, Leutragraben 1, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Karine Alvarez
- Aix-Marseille Université and Laboratoire Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques (AFMB), CNRS – UMR-7257, 13288 Marseille, France
| | - François Ferron
- Aix-Marseille Université and Laboratoire Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques (AFMB), CNRS – UMR-7257, 13288 Marseille, France
- European Virus Bioinformatics Center, Leutragraben 1, 07743 Jena, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Brisse M, Huang Q, Rahman M, Di D, Liang Y, Ly H. RIG-I and MDA5 Protect Mice From Pichinde Virus Infection by Controlling Viral Replication and Regulating Immune Responses to the Infection. Front Immunol 2021; 12:801811. [PMID: 34925387 PMCID: PMC8677829 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.801811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
RIG-I and MDA5 are major cytoplasmic innate-immune sensor proteins that recognize aberrant double-stranded RNAs generated during virus infection to activate type 1 interferon (IFN-I) and IFN-stimulated gene (ISG) expressions to control virus infection. The roles of RIG-I and MDA5 in controlling replication of Pichinde virus (PICV), a mammarenavirus, in mice have not been examined. Here, we showed that MDA5 single knockout (SKO) and RIG-I/MDA5 double knockout (DKO) mice are highly susceptible to PICV infection as evidenced by their significant reduction in body weights during the course of the infection, validating the important roles of these innate-immune sensor proteins in controlling PICV infection. Compared to the wildtype mice, SKO and DKO mice infected with PICV had significantly higher virus titers and lower IFN-I expressions early in the infection but appeared to exhibit a late and heightened level of adaptive immune responses to clear the infection. When a recombinant rPICV mutant virus (rPICV-NPmut) that lacks the ability to suppress IFN-I was used to infect mice, as expected, there were heightened levels of IFN-I and ISG expressions in the wild-type mice, whereas infected SKO and DKO mice showed delayed mouse growth kinetics and relatively low, delayed, and transient levels of innate and adaptive immune responses to this viral infection. Taken together, our data suggest that PICV infection triggers activation of immune sensors that include but might not be necessarily limited to RIG-I and MDA5 to stimulate effective innate and adaptive immune responses to control virus infection in mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Morgan Brisse
- Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics Graduate Program, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, MN, United States
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, MN, United States
| | - Qinfeng Huang
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, MN, United States
| | - Mizanur Rahman
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, MN, United States
| | - Da Di
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, MN, United States
| | - Yuying Liang
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, MN, United States
| | - Hinh Ly
- Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics Graduate Program, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, MN, United States
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, MN, United States
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Baggio F, Hetzel U, Nufer L, Kipar A, Hepojoki J. A subpopulation of arenavirus nucleoprotein localizes to mitochondria. Sci Rep 2021; 11:21048. [PMID: 34702948 PMCID: PMC8548533 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-99887-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Viruses need cells for their replication and, therefore, ways to hijack cellular functions. Mitochondria play fundamental roles within the cell in metabolism, immunity and regulation of homeostasis due to which some viruses aim to alter mitochondrial functions. Herein we show that the nucleoprotein (NP) of arenaviruses enters the mitochondria of infected cells, affecting the mitochondrial morphology. Reptarenaviruses cause boid inclusion body disease (BIBD) that is characterized, especially in boas, by the formation of cytoplasmic inclusion bodies (IBs) comprising reptarenavirus NP within the infected cells. We initiated this study after observing electron-dense material reminiscent of IBs within the mitochondria of reptarenavirus infected boid cell cultures in an ultrastructural study. We employed immuno-electron microscopy to confirm that the mitochondrial inclusions indeed contain reptarenavirus NP. Mutations to a putative N-terminal mitochondrial targeting signal (MTS), identified via software predictions in both mamm- and reptarenavirus NPs, did not affect the mitochondrial localization of NP, suggesting that it occurs independently of MTS. In support of MTS-independent translocation, we did not detect cleavage of the putative MTSs of arenavirus NPs in reptilian or mammalian cells. Furthermore, in vitro translated NPs could not enter isolated mitochondria, suggesting that the translocation requires cellular factors or conditions. Our findings suggest that MTS-independent mitochondrial translocation of NP is a shared feature among arenaviruses. We speculate that by targeting the mitochondria arenaviruses aim to alter mitochondrial metabolism and homeostasis or affect the cellular defense.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Baggio
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland. .,Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Udo Hetzel
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland.,Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Lisbeth Nufer
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Anja Kipar
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland.,Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jussi Hepojoki
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland.,Department of Virology, Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00290, Helsinki, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Wang M, Li R, Li Y, Yu C, Chi X, Wu S, Liu S, Xu J, Chen W. Construction and Immunological Evaluation of an Adenoviral Vector-Based Vaccine Candidate for Lassa Fever. Viruses 2021; 13:v13030484. [PMID: 33804206 PMCID: PMC8001012 DOI: 10.3390/v13030484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Lassa virus (LASV) is a rodent-borne arenavirus circulating in West African regions that causes Lassa fever (LF). LF is normally asymptomatic at the initial infection stage, but can progress to severe disease with multiorgan collapse and hemorrhagic fever. To date, the therapeutic choices are limited, and there is no approved vaccine for avoiding LASV infection. Adenoviral vector-based vaccines represent an effective countermeasure against LASV because of their safety and adequate immunogenicity, as demonstrated in use against other emerging viral infections. Here, we constructed and characterized a novel Ad5 (E1-, E3-) vectored vaccine containing the glycoprotein precursor (GPC) of LASV. Ad5-GPCLASV elicited both humoral and cellular immune responses in BALB/c mice. Moreover, a bioluminescent imaging-based BALB/c mouse model infected with GPC-bearing and luciferase-expressing replication-incompetent LASV pseudovirus was utilized to evaluate the vaccine efficacy. The bioluminescence intensity of immunized mice was significantly lower than that of control mice after being inoculated with LASV pseudovirus. This study suggests that Ad5-GPCLASV represents a potential vaccine candidate against LF.
Collapse
|
15
|
Designing a multi-epitope vaccine against the Lassa virus through reverse vaccinology, subtractive proteomics, and immunoinformatics approaches. INFORMATICS IN MEDICINE UNLOCKED 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.imu.2021.100683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
|
16
|
Holzerland J, Fénéant L, Banadyga L, Hölper JE, Knittler MR, Groseth A. BH3-only sensors Bad, Noxa and Puma are Key Regulators of Tacaribe virus-induced Apoptosis. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008948. [PMID: 33045019 PMCID: PMC7598930 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Pathogenicity often differs dramatically among even closely related arenavirus species. For instance, Junín virus (JUNV), the causative agent of Argentine hemorrhagic fever (AHF), is closely related to Tacaribe virus (TCRV), which is normally avirulent in humans. While little is known about how host cell pathways are regulated in response to arenavirus infection, or how this contributes to virulence, these two viruses have been found to differ markedly in their ability to induce apoptosis. However, details of the mechanism(s) governing the apoptotic response to arenavirus infections are unknown. Here we confirm that TCRV-induced apoptosis is mitochondria-regulated, with associated canonical hallmarks of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway, and go on to identify the pro- and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 factors responsible for regulating this process. In particular, levels of the pro-apoptotic BH3-only proteins Noxa and Puma, as well as their canonical transcription factor p53, were strongly increased. Interestingly, TCRV infection also led to the accumulation of the inactive phosphorylated form of another pro-apoptotic BH3-only protein, Bad (i.e. as phospho-Bad). Knockout of Noxa or Puma suppressed apoptosis in response to TCRV infection, whereas silencing of Bad increased apoptosis, confirming that these factors are key regulators of apoptosis induction in response to TCRV infection. Further, we found that while the highly pathogenic JUNV does not induce caspase activation, it still activated upstream pro-apoptotic factors, consistent with current models suggesting that JUNV evades apoptosis by interfering with caspase activation through a nucleoprotein-mediated decoy function. This new mechanistic insight into the role that individual BH3-only proteins and their regulation play in controlling apoptotic fate in arenavirus-infected cells provides an important experimental framework for future studies aimed at dissecting differences in the apoptotic responses between arenaviruses, their connection to other cell signaling events and ultimately the relationship of these processes to pathogenesis. Arenaviruses are important zoonotic pathogens that present a serious threat to human health. While some virus species cause severe disease, resulting in hemorrhagic fever and/or neurological symptoms, other closely related species exhibit little or no pathogenicity. The basis for these dramatically different outcomes is insufficiently understood, but investigations of host cell responses have suggested that apoptosis, i.e. non-inflammatory programmed cell death, is regulated differently between pathogenic and apathogenic arenaviruses. However, many questions remain regarding how these viruses interact with cell death pathways upon infection. Here we demonstrate that apoptosis induced by the avirulent Tacaribe virus (TCRV), proceeds via the mitochondria (i.e. the intrinsic apoptotic signaling pathway), and is regulated by a combination of factors that appear to balance activation (i.e. Noxa and Puma) and inactivation (i.e. Bad-P) of this cascade. During TCRV infection, the balance of these pro- and anti-apoptotic signals shifts the equilibrium late in the infection towards cell death. Importantly, we also found that the highly pathogenic Junín virus (JUNV), which does not trigger caspase activation or apoptotic cell death, nonetheless induces pro-apoptotic factors, thus supporting the existence of a specific mechanism by which this virus is able to evade apoptosis at late stages in this process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julia Holzerland
- Junior Research Group Arenavirus Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute of Animal Health, Greifswald—Isle of Riems, Germany
| | - Lucie Fénéant
- Junior Research Group Arenavirus Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute of Animal Health, Greifswald—Isle of Riems, Germany
| | - Logan Banadyga
- Special Pathogens Program, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Julia E. Hölper
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute of Animal Health, Greifswald—Isle of Riems, Germany
| | - Michael R. Knittler
- Institute of Immunology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute of Animal Health, Greifswald—Isle of Riems, Germany
| | - Allison Groseth
- Junior Research Group Arenavirus Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute of Animal Health, Greifswald—Isle of Riems, Germany
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Huang Q, Liu X, Brisse M, Ly H, Liang Y. Effect of Strain Variations on Lassa Virus Z Protein-Mediated Human RIG-I Inhibition. Viruses 2020; 12:E907. [PMID: 32824946 PMCID: PMC7551410 DOI: 10.3390/v12090907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammarenaviruses include several known human pathogens, such as the prototypic lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) that can cause neurological diseases and Lassa virus (LASV) that causes endemic hemorrhagic fever infection. LASV-infected patients show diverse clinical manifestations ranging from asymptomatic infection to hemorrhage, multi-organ failures and death, the mechanisms of which have not been well characterized. We have previously shown that the matrix protein Z of pathogenic arenaviruses, including LASV and LCMV, can strongly inhibit the ability of the innate immune protein RIG-I to suppress type I interferon (IFN-I) expression, which serves as a mechanism of viral immune evasion and virulence. Here, we show that Z proteins of diverse LASV isolates derived from rodents and humans have a high degree of sequence variations at their N- and C-terminal regions and produce variable degrees of inhibition of human RIG-I (hRIG-I) function in an established IFN-β promoter-driven luciferase (LUC) reporter assay. Additionally, we show that Z proteins of four known LCMV strains can also inhibit hRIG-I at variable degrees of efficiency. Collectively, our results confirm that Z proteins of pathogenic LASV and LCMV can inhibit hRIG-I and suggest that strain variations of the Z proteins can influence their efficiency to suppress host innate immunity that might contribute to viral virulence and disease heterogeneity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Yuying Liang
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-612-625-3376; Fax: +1-612-625-0204
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Distinct Molecular Mechanisms of Host Immune Response Modulation by Arenavirus NP and Z Proteins. Viruses 2020; 12:v12070784. [PMID: 32708250 PMCID: PMC7412275 DOI: 10.3390/v12070784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Endemic to West Africa and South America, mammalian arenaviruses can cross the species barrier from their natural rodent hosts to humans, resulting in illnesses ranging from mild flu-like syndromes to severe and fatal haemorrhagic zoonoses. The increased frequency of outbreaks and associated high fatality rates of the most prevalent arenavirus, Lassa, in West African countries, highlights the significant risk to public health and to the socio-economic development of affected countries. The devastating impact of these viruses is further exacerbated by the lack of approved vaccines and effective treatments. Differential immune responses to arenavirus infections that can lead to either clearance or rapid, widespread and uncontrolled viral dissemination are modulated by the arenavirus multifunctional proteins, NP and Z. These two proteins control the antiviral response to infection by targeting multiple cellular pathways; and thus, represent attractive targets for antiviral development to counteract infection. The interplay between the host immune responses and viral replication is a key determinant of virus pathogenicity and disease outcome. In this review, we examine the current understanding of host immune defenses against arenavirus infections and summarise the host protein interactions of NP and Z and the mechanisms that govern immune evasion strategies.
Collapse
|
19
|
Simard J, Marschang RE, Leineweber C, Hellebuyck T. Prevalence of inclusion body disease and associated comorbidity in captive collections of boid and pythonid snakes in Belgium. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0229667. [PMID: 32119716 PMCID: PMC7051093 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0229667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Inclusion body disease (IBD) is caused by reptarenaviruses and constitutes one of the most notorious viral diseases in snakes. Although central nervous system disease and various other clinical signs have been attributed to IBD in boid and pythonid snakes, studies that unambiguously reveal the clinical course of natural IBD and reptarenavirus infection are scarce. In the present study, the prevalence of IBD and reptarenaviruses in captive snake collections and the correlation of IBD and reptarenavirus infection with the clinical status of the sampled snakes were investigated. In three IBD positive collections, long-term follow-up during a three- to seven-year period was performed. A total of 292 snakes (178 boas and 114 pythons) from 40 collections in Belgium were sampled. In each snake, blood and buffy coat smears were evaluated for the presence of IBD inclusion bodies (IB) and whole blood was tested for reptarenavirus RNA by RT-PCR. Of all tested snakes, 16.5% (48/292) were positive for IBD of which all were boa constrictors (34.0%; 48/141) and 17.1% (50/292) were reptarenavirus RT-PCR positive. The presence of IB could not be demonstrated in any of the tested pythons, while 5.3% (6/114) were reptarenavirus positive. In contrast to pythons, the presence of IB in peripheral blood cells in boa constrictors is strongly correlated with reptarenavirus detection by RT-PCR (P<0.0001). Although boa constrictors often show persistent subclinical infection, long-term follow-up indicated that a considerable number (22.2%; 6/27) of IBD/reptarenavirus positive boas eventually develop IBD associated comorbidities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jules Simard
- Division of Poultry, Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Exotic Companion Animals, Wildlife and Experimental Animals, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | | | | | - Tom Hellebuyck
- Division of Poultry, Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Exotic Companion Animals, Wildlife and Experimental Animals, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Panigaj M, Johnson MB, Ke W, McMillan J, Goncharova EA, Chandler M, Afonin KA. Aptamers as Modular Components of Therapeutic Nucleic Acid Nanotechnology. ACS NANO 2019; 13:12301-12321. [PMID: 31664817 PMCID: PMC7382785 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.9b06522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Nucleic acids play a central role in all domains of life, either as genetic blueprints or as regulators of various biochemical pathways. The chemical makeup of ribonucleic acid (RNA) or deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), generally represented by a sequence of four monomers, also provides precise instructions for folding and higher-order assembly of these biopolymers that, in turn, dictate biological functions. The sequence-based specific 3D structures of nucleic acids led to the development of the directed evolution of oligonucleotides, SELEX (systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment), against a chosen target molecule. Among the variety of functions, selected oligonucleotides named aptamers also allow targeting of cell-specific receptors with antibody-like precision and can deliver functional RNAs without a transfection agent. The advancements in the field of customizable nucleic acid nanoparticles (NANPs) opened avenues for the design of nanoassemblies utilizing aptamers for triggering or blocking cell signaling pathways or using aptamer-receptor combinations to activate therapeutic functionalities. A recent selection of fluorescent aptamers enables real-time tracking of NANP formation and interactions. The aptamers are anticipated to contribute to the future development of technologies, enabling an efficient assembly of functional NANPs in mammalian cells or in vivo. These research topics are of top importance for the field of therapeutic nucleic acid nanotechnology with the promises to scale up mass production of NANPs suitable for biomedical applications, to control the intracellular organization of biological materials to enhance the efficiency of biochemical pathways, and to enhance the therapeutic potential of NANP-based therapeutics while minimizing undesired side effects and toxicities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Panigaj
- Nanoscale Science Program, Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223, United States
- Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice, Kosice 04154, Slovak Republic
| | - M. Brittany Johnson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223, United States
| | - Weina Ke
- Nanoscale Science Program, Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223, United States
| | - Jessica McMillan
- Nanoscale Science Program, Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223, United States
| | - Ekaterina A. Goncharova
- Nanoscale Science Program, Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223, United States
- Laboratory of Solution Chemistry of Advanced Materials and Technologies, ITMO University, St. Petersburg 191002, Russian Federation
| | - Morgan Chandler
- Nanoscale Science Program, Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223, United States
| | - Kirill A. Afonin
- Nanoscale Science Program, Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223, United States
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Comparison of the Innate Immune Responses to Pathogenic and Nonpathogenic Clade B New World Arenaviruses. J Virol 2019; 93:JVI.00148-19. [PMID: 31270228 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00148-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The New World (NW) arenaviruses are a diverse group of zoonotic viruses, including several causative agents of severe hemorrhagic fevers in humans. All known human-pathogenic NW arenaviruses belong to clade B, where they group into sublineages with phylogenetically closely related nonpathogenic viruses, e.g., the highly pathogenic Junin (JUNV) and Machupo viruses with the nonpathogenic Tacaribe virus (TCRV). Considering the close genetic relationship of nonpathogenic and pathogenic NW arenaviruses, the identification of molecular determinants of virulence is of great importance. The host cell's innate antiviral defense represents a major barrier for zoonotic infection. Here, we performed a side-by-side comparison of the innate immune responses against JUNV and TCRV in human cells. Despite similar levels of viral replication, infection with TCRV consistently induced a stronger type I interferon (IFN-I) response than JUNV infection did. Transcriptome profiling revealed upregulation of a largely overlapping set of interferon-stimulated genes in cells infected with TCRV and JUNV. Both viruses were relatively insensitive to IFN-I treatment of human cells and induced similar levels of apoptosis in the presence or absence of an IFN-I response. However, in comparison to JUNV, TCRV induced stronger activation of the innate sensor double-strand RNA-dependent protein kinase R (PKR), resulting in phosphorylation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor eIF2α. Confocal microscopy studies revealed similar subcellular colocalizations of the JUNV and TCRV viral replication-transcription complexes with PKR. However, deletion of PKR by CRISPR/Cas9 hardly affected JUNV but promoted TCRV multiplication, providing the first evidence for differential innate recognition and control of pathogenic and nonpathogenic NW arenaviruses by PKR.IMPORTANCE New World (NW) arenaviruses are a diverse family of emerging zoonotic viruses that merit significant attention as important public health problems. The close genetic relationship of nonpathogenic NW arenaviruses with their highly pathogenic cousins suggests that few mutations may be sufficient to enhance virulence. The identification of molecular determinants of virulence of NW arenaviruses is therefore of great importance. Here we undertook a side-by-side comparison of the innate immune responses against the highly pathogenic Junin virus (JUNV) and the related nonpathogenic Tacaribe virus (TCRV) in human cells. We consistently found that TCRV induces a stronger type I interferon (IFN-I) response than JUNV. Transcriptome profiling revealed an overlapping pattern of IFN-induced gene expression and similar low sensitivities to IFN-I treatment. However, the double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-dependent protein kinase R (PKR) contributed to the control of TCRV, but not JUNV, providing the first evidence for differential innate recognition and control of JUNV and TCRV.
Collapse
|
22
|
Windbichler K, Michalopoulou E, Palamides P, Pesch T, Jelinek C, Vapalahti O, Kipar A, Hetzel U, Hepojoki J. Antibody response in snakes with boid inclusion body disease. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0221863. [PMID: 31498825 PMCID: PMC6733472 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0221863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Boid Inclusion Body Disease (BIBD) is a potentially fatal disease reported in captive boid snakes worldwide that is caused by reptarenavirus infection. Although the detection of intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies (IB) in blood cells serves as the gold standard for the ante mortem diagnosis of BIBD, the mechanisms underlying IB formation and the pathogenesis of BIBD are unknown. Knowledge on the reptile immune system is sparse compared to the mammalian counterpart, and in particular the response towards reptarenavirus infection is practically unknown. Herein, we investigated a breeding collection of 70 Boa constrictor snakes for BIBD, reptarenavirus viraemia, anti-reptarenavirus IgM and IgY antibodies, and population parameters. Using NGS and RT-PCR on pooled blood samples of snakes with and without BIBD, we could identify three different reptarenavirus S segments in the collection. The examination of individual samples by RT-PCR indicated that the presence of University of Giessen virus (UGV)-like S segment strongly correlates with IB formation. We could also demonstrate a negative correlation between BIBD and the presence of anti-UGV NP IgY antibodies. Further evidence of an association between antibody response and BIBD is the finding that the level of anti-reptarenavirus antibodies measured by ELISA was lower in snakes with BIBD. Furthermore, female snakes had a significantly lower body weight when they had BIBD. Taken together our findings suggest that the detection of the UGV-/S6-like S segment and the presence of anti-reptarenavirus IgY antibodies might serve as a prognostic tool for predicting the development of BIBD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Windbichler
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Eleni Michalopoulou
- Department of Veterinary Pathology and Public Health, Institute of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Pia Palamides
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Theresa Pesch
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Christine Jelinek
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Olli Vapalahti
- University of Helsinki, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Helsinki, Finland
- University of Helsinki, Faculty of Medicine, Medicum, Department of Virology, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anja Kipar
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- University of Helsinki, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Udo Hetzel
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- University of Helsinki, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jussi Hepojoki
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- University of Helsinki, Faculty of Medicine, Medicum, Department of Virology, Helsinki, Finland
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Dhanwani R, Ly H. Arenaviral vaccine vectors to combat infectious diseases. Oncotarget 2019; 7:44875. [PMID: 27391429 PMCID: PMC5216690 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.10405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2016] [Accepted: 07/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rekha Dhanwani
- Department of Veterinary & Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, MN, USA
| | - Hinh Ly
- Department of Veterinary & Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, MN, USA
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Brisse ME, Ly H. Hemorrhagic Fever-Causing Arenaviruses: Lethal Pathogens and Potent Immune Suppressors. Front Immunol 2019; 10:372. [PMID: 30918506 PMCID: PMC6424867 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Hemorrhagic fevers (HF) resulting from pathogenic arenaviral infections have traditionally been neglected as tropical diseases primarily affecting African and South American regions. There are currently no FDA-approved vaccines for arenaviruses, and treatments have been limited to supportive therapy and use of non-specific nucleoside analogs, such as Ribavirin. Outbreaks of arenaviral infections have been limited to certain geographic areas that are endemic but known cases of exportation of arenaviruses from endemic regions and socioeconomic challenges for local control of rodent reservoirs raise serious concerns about the potential for larger outbreaks in the future. This review synthesizes current knowledge about arenaviral evolution, ecology, transmission patterns, life cycle, modulation of host immunity, disease pathogenesis, as well as discusses recent development of preventative and therapeutic pursuits against this group of deadly viral pathogens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Morgan E Brisse
- Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics Graduate Program, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United States.,Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United States
| | - Hinh Ly
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United States
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Pontremoli C, Forni D, Sironi M. Arenavirus genomics: novel insights into viral diversity, origin, and evolution. Curr Opin Virol 2019; 34:18-28. [DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2018.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Revised: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 11/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
|
26
|
Hepojoki J, Hepojoki S, Smura T, Szirovicza L, Dervas E, Prähauser B, Nufer L, Schraner EM, Vapalahti O, Kipar A, Hetzel U. Characterization of Haartman Institute snake virus-1 (HISV-1) and HISV-like viruses-The representatives of genus Hartmanivirus, family Arenaviridae. PLoS Pathog 2018; 14:e1007415. [PMID: 30427944 PMCID: PMC6261641 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Revised: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The family Arenaviridae comprises three genera, Mammarenavirus, Reptarenavirus and the most recently added Hartmanivirus. Arenaviruses have a bisegmented genome with ambisense coding strategy. For mammarenaviruses and reptarenaviruses the L segment encodes the Z protein (ZP) and the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, and the S segment encodes the glycoprotein precursor and the nucleoprotein. Herein we report the full length genome and characterization of Haartman Institute snake virus-1 (HISV-1), the putative type species of hartmaniviruses. The L segment of HISV-1 lacks an open-reading frame for ZP, and our analysis of purified HISV-1 particles by SDS-PAGE and electron microscopy further support the lack of ZP. Since we originally identified HISV-1 in co-infection with a reptarenavirus, one could hypothesize that co-infecting reptarenavirus provides the ZP to complement HISV-1. However, we observed that co-infection does not markedly affect the amount of hartmanivirus or reptarenavirus RNA released from infected cells in vitro, indicating that HISV-1 does not benefit from reptarenavirus ZP. Furthermore, we succeeded in generating a pure HISV-1 isolate showing the virus to replicate without ZP. Immunofluorescence and ultrastructural studies demonstrate that, unlike reptarenaviruses, HISV-1 does not produce the intracellular inclusion bodies typical for the reptarenavirus-induced boid inclusion body disease (BIBD). While we observed HISV-1 to be slightly cytopathic for cultured boid cells, the histological and immunohistological investigation of HISV-positive snakes showed no evidence of a pathological effect. The histological analyses also revealed that hartmaniviruses, unlike reptarenaviruses, have a limited tissue tropism. By nucleic acid sequencing, de novo genome assembly, and phylogenetic analyses we identified additional four hartmanivirus species. Finally, we screened 71 individuals from a collection of snakes with BIBD by RT-PCR and found 44 to carry hartmaniviruses. These findings suggest that harmaniviruses are common in captive snake populations, but their relevance and pathogenic potential needs yet to be revealed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jussi Hepojoki
- University of Helsinki, Faculty of Medicine, Medicum, Department of Virology, Helsinki, Finland
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Boid Inclusion Body Disease Group, Institute of Veterinary Pathology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Satu Hepojoki
- University of Helsinki, Faculty of Medicine, Medicum, Department of Virology, Helsinki, Finland
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Teemu Smura
- University of Helsinki, Faculty of Medicine, Medicum, Department of Virology, Helsinki, Finland
- Boid Inclusion Body Disease Group, Institute of Veterinary Pathology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Leonóra Szirovicza
- University of Helsinki, Faculty of Medicine, Medicum, Department of Virology, Helsinki, Finland
- Boid Inclusion Body Disease Group, Institute of Veterinary Pathology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Eva Dervas
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Boid Inclusion Body Disease Group, Institute of Veterinary Pathology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Barbara Prähauser
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lisbeth Nufer
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Elisabeth M. Schraner
- Institutes of Veterinary Anatomy and Virology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Olli Vapalahti
- University of Helsinki, Faculty of Medicine, Medicum, Department of Virology, Helsinki, Finland
- Boid Inclusion Body Disease Group, Institute of Veterinary Pathology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- University of Helsinki, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Virology and Immunology, HUSLAB, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anja Kipar
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Boid Inclusion Body Disease Group, Institute of Veterinary Pathology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- University of Helsinki, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Udo Hetzel
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Boid Inclusion Body Disease Group, Institute of Veterinary Pathology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- University of Helsinki, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Helsinki, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Forni D, Pontremoli C, Pozzoli U, Clerici M, Cagliani R, Sironi M. Ancient Evolution of Mammarenaviruses: Adaptation via Changes in the L Protein and No Evidence for Host-Virus Codivergence. Genome Biol Evol 2018; 10:863-874. [PMID: 29608723 PMCID: PMC5863214 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evy050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The Mammarenavirus genus includes several pathogenic species of rodent-borne viruses. Old World (OW) mammarenaviruses infect rodents in the Murinae subfamily and are mainly transmitted in Africa and Asia; New World (NW) mammarenaviruses are found in rodents of the Cricetidae subfamily in the Americas. We applied a selection-informed method to estimate that OW and NW mammarenaviruses diverged less than ∼45,000 years ago (ya). By incorporating phylogeographic inference, we show that NW mammarenaviruses emerged in the Latin America-Caribbean region ∼41,400–3,300 ya, whereas OW mammarenaviruses originated ∼23,100–1,880 ya, most likely in Southern Africa. Cophylogenetic analysis indicated that cospeciation did not contribute significantly to mammarenavirus–host associations. Finally, we show that extremely strong selective pressure on the viral polymerase accompanied the speciation of NW viruses. These data suggest that the evolutionary history of mammarenaviruses was not driven by codivergence with their hosts. The viral polymerase should be regarded as a major determinant of mammarenavirus adaptation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diego Forni
- Bioinformatics, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. MEDEA, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Chiara Pontremoli
- Bioinformatics, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. MEDEA, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Uberto Pozzoli
- Bioinformatics, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. MEDEA, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Mario Clerici
- Department of Physiopathology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Italy.,Don C. Gnocchi Foundation ONLUS, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Rachele Cagliani
- Bioinformatics, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. MEDEA, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Manuela Sironi
- Bioinformatics, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. MEDEA, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Arenaviral Nucleoproteins Suppress PACT-Induced Augmentation of RIG-I Function To Inhibit Type I Interferon Production. J Virol 2018; 92:JVI.00482-18. [PMID: 29669840 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00482-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2018] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
RIG-I is a major cytoplasmic sensor of viral pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP) RNA and induces type I interferon (IFN) production upon viral infection. A double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-binding protein, PACT, plays an important role in potentiating RIG-I function. We have shown previously that arenaviral nucleoproteins (NPs) suppress type I IFN production via their RNase activity to degrade PAMP RNA. We report here that NPs of arenaviruses block the PACT-induced enhancement of RIG-I function to mediate type I IFN production and that this inhibition is dependent on the RNase function of NPs, which is different from that of a known mechanism of other viral proteins to abolish the interaction between PACT and RIG-I. To understand the biological roles of PACT and RIG-I in authentic arenavirus infection, we analyze growth kinetics of recombinant Pichinde virus (PICV), a prototypical arenavirus, in RIG-I knockout (KO) and PACT KO mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) cells. Wild-type (WT) PICV grew at higher titers in both KO MEF lines than in normal MEFs, suggesting the important roles of these cellular proteins in restricting virus replication. PICV carrying the NP RNase catalytically inactive mutation could not grow in normal MEFs but could replicate to some extent in both KO MEF lines. The level of virus growth was inversely correlated with the amount of type I IFNs produced. These results suggest that PACT plays an important role in potentiating RIG-I function to produce type I IFNs in order to restrict arenavirus replication and that viral NP RNase activity is essential for optimal viral replication by suppressing PACT-induced RIG-I activation.IMPORTANCE We report here a new role of the nucleoproteins of arenaviruses that can block type I IFN production via their specific inhibition of the cellular protein sensors of virus infection (RIG-I and PACT). Our results suggest that PACT plays an important role in potentiating RIG-I function to produce type I IFNs in order to restrict arenavirus replication. This new knowledge can be exploited for the development of novel antiviral treatments and/or vaccines against some arenaviruses that can cause severe and lethal hemorrhagic fever diseases in humans.
Collapse
|
29
|
Assays to Demonstrate the Roles of Arenaviral Nucleoproteins (NPs) in Viral RNA Synthesis and in Suppressing Type I Interferon. Methods Mol Biol 2018. [PMID: 28986834 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-6981-4_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
Abstract
Arenaviruses, such as Lassa virus (LASV) and Pichindé virus (PICV), are enveloped viruses with a bi-segmented ambisense RNA genome. The large (L) genomic segment encodes the Z matrix protein and the L RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, whereas the small (S) genomic segment encodes the nucleoprotein (NP) and the glycoprotein (GPC). The NP encapsidates viral genome, is required for viral transcription and replication, and acts as a type I interferon (IFN) antagonist. This article describes assays to demonstrate that NP contains 3'-5' exoribonuclease (RNase) activity to degrade modeled RNA of the pathogen-associated molecular pattern type and suppresses the IFNβ promoter-driven luciferase reporter gene. The minigenomic (MG) assay is used to assess the role of NP in replicating and transcribing a viral promoter-driven luciferase reporter gene. These powerful assays demonstrate the versatility of NP in mediating viral replication as well as in modulating host innate immune responses.
Collapse
|
30
|
Meyer B, Groseth A. Apoptosis during arenavirus infection: mechanisms and evasion strategies. Microbes Infect 2017; 20:65-80. [PMID: 29081359 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2017.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2017] [Revised: 10/15/2017] [Accepted: 10/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In recent years there has been a greatly increased interest in the interactions of arenaviruses with the apoptotic machinery, and particularly the extent to which these interactions may be an important contributor to pathogenesis. Here we summarize the current state of our knowledge on this subject and address the potential for interplay with other immunological mechanisms known to be regulated by these viruses. We also compare and contrast what is known for arenavirus-induced apoptosis with observations from other segmented hemorrhagic fever viruses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bjoern Meyer
- Viral Populations and Pathogenesis Unit, Institut Pasteur, 28 rue du Dr. Roux, 75724 Paris cedex 15, France.
| | - Allison Groseth
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Pontremoli C, Forni D, Cagliani R, Pozzoli U, Riva S, Bravo IG, Clerici M, Sironi M. Evolutionary analysis of Old World arenaviruses reveals a major adaptive contribution of the viral polymerase. Mol Ecol 2017; 26:5173-5188. [PMID: 28779541 DOI: 10.1111/mec.14282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2017] [Revised: 07/25/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The Old World (OW) arenavirus complex includes several species of rodent-borne viruses, some of which (i.e., Lassa virus, LASV and Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, LCMV) cause human diseases. Most LCMV and LASV infections are caused by rodent-to-human transmissions. Thus, viral evolution is largely determined by events that occur in the wildlife reservoirs. We used a set of human- and rodent-derived viral sequences to investigate the evolutionary history underlying OW arenavirus speciation, as well as the more recent selective events that accompanied LASV spread in West Africa. We show that the viral RNA polymerase (L protein) was a major positive selection target in OW arenaviruses and during LASV out-of-Nigeria migration. No evidence of selection was observed for the glycoprotein, whereas positive selection acted on the nucleoprotein (NP) during LCMV speciation. Positively selected sites in L and NP are surrounded by highly conserved residues, and the bulk of the viral genome evolves under purifying selection. Several positively selected sites are likely to modulate viral replication/transcription. In both L and NP, structural features (solvent exposed surface area) are important determinants of site-wise evolutionary rate variation. By incorporating several rodent-derived sequences, we also performed an analysis of OW arenavirus codon adaptation to the human host. Results do not support a previously hypothesized role of codon adaptation in disease severity for non-Nigerian strains. In conclusion, L and NP represent the major selection targets and possible determinants of disease presentation; these results suggest that field surveys and experimental studies should primarily focus on these proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Pontremoli
- Bioinformatics, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. MEDEA, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Diego Forni
- Bioinformatics, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. MEDEA, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Rachele Cagliani
- Bioinformatics, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. MEDEA, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Uberto Pozzoli
- Bioinformatics, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. MEDEA, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Stefania Riva
- Bioinformatics, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. MEDEA, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Ignacio G Bravo
- Laboratory MIVEGEC, UMR CNRS 5290, IRD 224, UM, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Montpellier, France
| | - Mario Clerici
- Department of Physiopathology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,Don C. Gnocchi Foundation ONLUS, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Manuela Sironi
- Bioinformatics, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. MEDEA, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Ly H. Differential Immune Responses to New World and Old World Mammalian Arenaviruses. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:E1040. [PMID: 28498311 PMCID: PMC5454952 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18051040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2017] [Revised: 05/09/2017] [Accepted: 05/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Some New World (NW) and Old World (OW) mammalian arenaviruses are emerging, zoonotic viruses that can cause lethal hemorrhagic fever (HF) infections in humans. While these are closely related RNA viruses, the infected hosts appear to mount different types of immune responses against them. Lassa virus (LASV) infection, for example, results in suppressed immune function in progressive disease stage, whereas patients infected with Junín virus (JUNV) develop overt pro-inflammatory cytokine production. These viruses have also evolved different molecular strategies to evade host immune recognition and activation. This paper summarizes current progress in understanding the differential immune responses to pathogenic arenaviruses and how the information can be exploited toward the development of vaccines against them.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hinh Ly
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, 1988 Fitch Ave., Ste 295, Saint Paul, MN 55108, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Meyer B, Ly H. Uniquely conserved immunosuppressive viral exoribonucleases. Oncotarget 2017; 8:5650-5651. [PMID: 28077798 PMCID: PMC5351563 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.14548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
|
34
|
Dhanwani R, Ly H, Liang Y. Recombinant Tri-Segmented Pichinde Virus as a Novel Live Viral Vaccine Platform. Methods Mol Biol 2017; 1581:169-179. [PMID: 28374249 PMCID: PMC6340294 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-6869-5_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Pichinde virus (PICV) is a nonpathogenic arenavirus with a bi-segmented RNA genome (L and S segments) that encodes four viral genes. We have developed a reverse genetics system to generate recombinant tri-segmented PICV (rP18tri) that packages three RNA segments (L, S1, and S2) and can encode up to two foreign genes. Using influenza virus HA and NP as model antigens, we show that the rP18tri vector can induce strong humoral and cell-mediated immunity, which further increases upon a booster dose. We propose that this novel rP18tri vector can be developed into a useful vaccine platform for other antigens, particularly when strong cellular immunity and prime-boost vaccination strategy are desired.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rekha Dhanwani
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, 1988 Fitch Ave., Ste 295, Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine Building, Saint Paul, MN, 55108, USA
- La Jolla Institute for Allergy & Immunology, 9420 Athena Circle, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Hinh Ly
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, 1988 Fitch Ave., Ste 295, Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine Building, Saint Paul, MN, 55108, USA
| | - Yuying Liang
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, 1988 Fitch Ave., Ste 295, Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine Building, Saint Paul, MN, 55108, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Ly H. Virulence profile: Hinh Ly. Virulence 2016; 7:895-897. [PMID: 27414073 PMCID: PMC5160389 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2016.1212584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
|
36
|
Activation of the RLR/MAVS Signaling Pathway by the L Protein of Mopeia Virus. J Virol 2016; 90:10259-10270. [PMID: 27605671 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01292-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2016] [Accepted: 08/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The family Arenaviridae includes several important human pathogens that can cause severe hemorrhagic fever and greatly threaten public health. As a major component of the innate immune system, the RLR/MAVS signaling pathway is involved in recognizing viral components and initiating antiviral activity. It has been reported that arenavirus infection can suppress the innate immune response, and NP and Z proteins of pathogenic arenaviruses can disrupt RLR/MAVS signaling, thus inhibiting production of type I interferon (IFN-I). However, recent studies have shown elevated IFN-I levels in certain arenavirus-infected cells. The mechanism by which arenavirus infection induces IFN-I responses remains unclear. In this study, we determined that the L polymerase (Lp) of Mopeia virus (MOPV), an Old World (OW) arenavirus, can activate the RLR/MAVS pathway and thus induce the production of IFN-I. This activation is associated with the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity of Lp. This study provides a foundation for further studies of interactions between arenaviruses and the innate immune system and for the elucidation of arenavirus pathogenesis. IMPORTANCE Distinct innate immune responses are observed when hosts are infected with different arenaviruses. It has been widely accepted that NP and certain Z proteins of arenaviruses inhibit the RLR/MAVS signaling pathway. The viral components responsible for the activation of the RLR/MAVS signaling pathway remain to be determined. In the current study, we demonstrate for the first time that the Lp of MOPV, an OW arenavirus, can activate the RLR/MAVS signaling pathway and thus induce the production of IFN-I. Based on our results, we proposed that dynamic interactions exist among Lp-produced RNA, NP, and the RLR/MAVS signaling pathway, and the outcome of these interactions may determine the final IFN-I response pattern: elevated or reduced. Our study provides a possible explanation for how IFN-I can become activated during arenavirus infection and may help us gain insights into the interactions that form between different arenavirus components and the innate immune system.
Collapse
|
37
|
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Lassa virus (LASV), the most prominent human pathogen of the Arenaviridae, is transmitted to humans from infected rodents and can cause Lassa Fever (LF). The sizeable disease burden in West Africa, numerous imported LF cases worldwide, and the possibility that LASV can be used as an agent of biological warfare make a strong case for vaccine development. There are no licensed LASV vaccines and the antiviral treatment is limited to an off-label use of ribavirin that is only partially effective. AREAS COVERED LASV vaccine development is hampered by high cost of biocontainment requirement, the absence of appropriate small animal models, genetic diversity of LASV species, and by high HIV-1 prevalence in LASV endemic areas. Over the past 15 years several vaccine platforms have been developed. Natural history of LASV and pathogenesis of the disease provide strong justification for replication-competent (RC) vaccine as one of the most feasible approaches to control LF. Development of LASV vaccine candidates based on reassortant, recombinant, and alphavirus replicon technologies is covered in this review. Expert commentary: Two lead RC vaccine candidates, reassortant ML29 and recombinant VSV/LASV, have been successfully tested in non-human primates and have been recommended by international vaccine experts for rapid clinical development. Both platforms have powerful molecular tools to further secure safety, improve immunogenicity, and cross-protection. These platforms are well positioned to design multivalent vaccines to protect against all LASV strains citculatrd in West Africa. The regulatory pathway of Candid #1, the first live-attenuated arenaviral vaccine against Argentine hemorrhagic, will be a reasonable guideline for LASV vaccine efficacy trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Igor S Lukashevich
- a Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, and the Center for Predictive Medicine for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases , University of Louisville , Louisville , KY , USA
| | | |
Collapse
|