Differential processing of sindbis virus glycoprotein PE2 in cultured vertebrate and arthropod cells

Structural basis for VLDLR recognition by eastern equine encephalitis virus

Alphaviruses are arthropod-borne enveloped RNA viruses that include several important human pathogens with outbreak potential. Among them, eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) is the most virulent, and many survivors develop neurological sequelae, including paralysis and intellectual disability. The spike proteins of alphaviruses comprise trimers of heterodimers of their envelope glycoproteins E2 and E1 that mediate binding to cellular receptors and fusion of virus and host cell membranes during entry. We recently identified very-low density lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR) and apolipoprotein E receptor 2 (ApoER2), two closely related proteins that are expressed in the brain, as cellular receptors for EEEV and a distantly related alphavirus, Semliki forest virus (SFV) 1 . The EEEV and SFV spike glycoproteins have low sequence homology, and how they have evolved to bind the same cellular receptors is unknown. Here, we used single-particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to determine structures of the EEEV and SFV spike glycoproteins bound to the VLDLR ligand-binding domain. The structures reveal that EEEV and SFV use distinct surfaces to bind VLDLR; EEEV uses a cluster of basic residues on the E2 subunit of its spike glycoprotein, while SFV uses two basic residues at a remote site on its E1 glycoprotein. Our studies reveal that different alphaviruses interact with the same cellular receptor through divergent binding modes. They further suggest that the ability of LDLR-related proteins to interact with viral spike proteins through very small footprints with flexible binding modes results in a low evolutionary barrier to the acquisition of LDLR-related proteins as cellular receptors for diverse sets of viruses.

Entry receptors - the gateway to alphavirus infection

Alphaviruses are enveloped, insect-transmitted, positive-sense RNA viruses that infect humans and other animals and cause a range of clinical manifestations, including arthritis, musculoskeletal disease, meningitis, encephalitis, and death. Over the past four years, aided by CRISPR/Cas9-based genetic screening approaches, intensive research efforts have focused on identifying entry receptors for alphaviruses to better understand the basis for cellular and species tropism. Herein, we review approaches to alphavirus receptor identification and how these were used for discovery. The identification of new receptors advances our understanding of viral pathogenesis, tropism, and evolution and is expected to contribute to the development of novel strategies for prevention and treatment of alphavirus infection.

Structure of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus in complex with the LDLRAD3 receptor

LDLRAD3 is a recently defined attachment and entry receptor for Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV)¹, a New World alphavirus that causes severe neurological disease in humans. Here we present near-atomic-resolution cryo-electron microscopy reconstructions of VEEV virus-like particles alone and in a complex with the ectodomains of LDLRAD3. Domain 1 of LDLRAD3 is a low-density lipoprotein receptor type-A module that binds to VEEV by wedging into a cleft created by two adjacent E2–E1 heterodimers in one trimeric spike, and engages domains A and B of E2 and the fusion loop in E1. Atomic modelling of this interface is supported by mutagenesis and anti-VEEV antibody binding competition assays. Notably, VEEV engages LDLRAD3 in a manner that is similar to the way that arthritogenic alphaviruses bind to the structurally unrelated MXRA8 receptor, but with a much smaller interface. These studies further elucidate the structural basis of alphavirus–receptor interactions, which could inform the development of therapies to mitigate infection and disease against multiple members of this family.

The structure of the Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus in complex with LDLRAD3 provides insights into the structural basis of alphavirus–receptor interactions.

Antivirals against the Chikungunya Virus

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-transmitted alphavirus that has re-emerged in recent decades, causing large-scale epidemics in many parts of the world. CHIKV infection leads to a febrile disease known as chikungunya fever (CHIKF), which is characterised by severe joint pain and myalgia. As many patients develop a painful chronic stage and neither antiviral drugs nor vaccines are available, the development of a potent CHIKV inhibiting drug is crucial for CHIKF treatment. A comprehensive summary of current antiviral research and development of small-molecule inhibitor against CHIKV is presented in this review. We highlight different approaches used for the identification of such compounds and further discuss the identification and application of promising viral and host targets.

The mechanistic basis of protection by non-neutralizing anti-alphavirus antibodies

Although neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against epitopes within the alphavirus E2 protein can protect against infection, the functional significance of non-neutralizing mAbs is poorly understood. Here, we evaluate the activity of 13 non-neutralizing mAbs against Mayaro virus (MAYV), an emerging arthritogenic alphavirus. These mAbs bind to the MAYV virion and surface of infected cells but fail to neutralize infection in cell culture. Mapping studies identify six mAb binding groups that localize to discrete epitopes within or adjacent to the A domain of the E2 glycoprotein. Remarkably, passive transfer of non-neutralizing mAbs protects against MAYV infection and disease in mice, and their efficacy requires Fc effector functions. Monocytes mediate the protection of non-neutralizing mAbs in vivo, as Fcγ-receptor-expressing myeloid cells facilitate the binding, uptake, and clearance of MAYV without antibody-dependent enhancement of infection. Humoral protection against alphaviruses likely reflects contributions from non-neutralizing antibodies through Fc-dependent mechanisms that accelerate viral clearance.

Human mAbs Broadly Protect against Arthritogenic Alphaviruses by Recognizing Conserved Elements of the Mxra8 Receptor-Binding Site

Mosquito inoculation of humans with arthritogenic alphaviruses results in a febrile syndrome characterized by debilitating musculoskeletal pain and arthritis. Despite an expanding global disease burden, no approved therapies or licensed vaccines exist. Here, we describe human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that bind to and neutralize multiple distantly related alphaviruses. These mAbs compete for an antigenic site and prevent attachment to the recently discovered Mxra8 alphavirus receptor. Three cryoelectron microscopy structures of Fab in complex with Ross River (RRV), Mayaro, or chikungunya viruses reveal a conserved footprint of the broadly neutralizing mAb RRV-12 in a region of the E2 glycoprotein B domain. This mAb neutralizes virus in vitro by preventing virus entry and spread and is protective in vivo in mouse models. Thus, the RRV-12 mAb and its defined epitope have potential as a therapeutic agent or target of vaccine design against multiple emerging arthritogenic alphavirus infections.

Expression of the Mxra8 Receptor Promotes Alphavirus Infection and Pathogenesis in Mice and Drosophila

Mxra8 is a recently described receptor for multiple alphaviruses, including Chikungunya (CHIKV), Mayaro (MAYV), Ross River (RRV), and O'nyong nyong (ONNV) viruses. To determine its role in pathogenesis, we generated mice with mutant Mxra8 alleles: an 8-nucleotide deletion that produces a truncated, soluble form (Mxra8^Δ8/Δ8) and a 97-nucleotide deletion that abolishes Mxra8 expression (Mxra8^Δ97/Δ97). Mxra8^Δ8/Δ8 and Mxra8^Δ97/Δ97 fibroblasts show reduced CHIKV infection in culture, and Mxra8^Δ8/Δ8 and Mxra8^Δ97/Δ97 mice have decreased infection of musculoskeletal tissues with CHIKV, MAYV, RRV, or ONNV. Less foot swelling is observed in CHIKV-infected Mxra8 mutant mice, which correlated with fewer infiltrating neutrophils and cytokines. A recombinant E2-D71A CHIKV with diminished binding to Mxra8 is attenuated in vivo in wild-type mice. Ectopic Mxra8 expression is sufficient to enhance CHIKV infection and lethality in transgenic flies. These studies establish a role for Mxra8 in the pathogenesis of multiple alphaviruses and suggest that targeting this protein may mitigate disease in humans.

Human monoclonal antibodies against Ross River virus target epitopes within the E2 protein and protect against disease

Ross River fever is a mosquito-transmitted viral disease that is endemic to Australia and the surrounding Pacific Islands. Ross River virus (RRV) belongs to the arthritogenic group of alphaviruses, which largely cause disease characterized by debilitating polyarthritis, rash, and fever. There is no specific treatment or licensed vaccine available, and the mechanisms of protective humoral immunity in humans are poorly understood. Here, we describe naturally occurring human mAbs specific to RRV, isolated from subjects with a prior natural infection. These mAbs potently neutralize RRV infectivity in cell culture and block infection through multiple mechanisms, including prevention of viral attachment, entry, and fusion. Some of the most potently neutralizing mAbs inhibited binding of RRV to Mxra8, a recently discovered alpahvirus receptor. Epitope mapping studies identified the A and B domains of the RRV E2 protein as the major antigenic sites for the human neutralizing antibody response. In experiments in mice, these mAbs were protective against cinical disease and reduced viral burden in multiple tissues, suggesting a potential therapeutic use for humans.

An Evolutionary Insertion in the Mxra8 Receptor-Binding Site Confers Resistance to Alphavirus Infection and Pathogenesis

Alphaviruses are emerging, mosquito-transmitted RNA viruses with poorly understood cellular tropism and species selectivity. Mxra8 is a receptor for multiple alphaviruses including chikungunya virus (CHIKV). We discovered that while expression of mouse, rat, chimpanzee, dog, horse, goat, sheep, and human Mxra8 enables alphavirus infection in cell culture, cattle Mxra8 does not. Cattle Mxra8 encodes a 15-amino acid insertion in its ectodomain that prevents Mxra8 binding to CHIKV. Identical insertions are present in zebu, yak, and the extinct auroch. As other Bovinae lineages contain related Mxra8 sequences, this insertion likely occurred at least 5 million years ago. Removing the Mxra8 insertion in Bovinae enhances alphavirus binding and infection, while introducing the insertion into mouse Mxra8 blocks CHIKV binding, prevents infection by multiple alphaviruses in cells, and mitigates CHIKV-induced pathogenesis in mice. Our studies on how this insertion provides resistance to CHIKV infection could facilitate countermeasures that disrupt Mxra8 interactions with alphaviruses.

Neutralizing antibodies against Mayaro virus require Fc effector functions for protective activity

Despite causing outbreaks of fever and arthritis in multiple countries, no countermeasures exist against Mayaro virus (MAYV), an emerging mosquito-transmitted alphavirus. We generated 18 neutralizing mAbs against MAYV, 11 of which had "elite" activity that inhibited infection with EC50 values of <10 ng/ml. Antibodies with the greatest inhibitory capacity in cell culture mapped to epitopes near the fusion peptide of E1 and in domain B of the E2 glycoproteins. Unexpectedly, many of the elite neutralizing mAbs failed to prevent MAYV infection and disease in vivo. Instead, the most protective mAbs bound viral antigen on the cell surface with high avidity and promoted specific Fc effector functions, including phagocytosis by neutrophils and monocytes. In subclass switching studies, murine IgG2a and humanized IgG1 mAb variants controlled infection better than murine IgG1 and humanized IgG1-N297Q variants. An optimally protective antibody response to MAYV and possibly other alphaviruses may require tandem virus neutralization by the Fab moiety and effector functions of the Fc region.

Cryo-EM Structure of Chikungunya Virus in Complex with the Mxra8 Receptor

Mxra8 is a receptor for multiple arthritogenic alphaviruses that cause debilitating acute and chronic musculoskeletal disease in humans. Herein, we present a 2.2 Å resolution X-ray crystal structure of Mxra8 and 4 to 5 Å resolution cryo-electron microscopy reconstructions of Mxra8 bound to chikungunya (CHIKV) virus-like particles and infectious virus. The Mxra8 ectodomain contains two strand-swapped Ig-like domains oriented in a unique disulfide-linked head-to-head arrangement. Mxra8 binds by wedging into a cleft created by two adjacent CHIKV E2-E1 heterodimers in one trimeric spike and engaging a neighboring spike. Two binding modes are observed with the fully mature VLP, with one Mxra8 binding with unique contacts. Only the high-affinity binding mode was observed in the complex with infectious CHIKV, as viral maturation and E3 occupancy appear to influence receptor binding-site usage. Our studies provide insight into how Mxra8 binds CHIKV and creates a path for developing alphavirus entry inhibitors.

Loss of Glycosaminoglycan Receptor Binding after Mosquito Cell Passage Reduces Chikungunya Virus Infectivity

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-transmitted alphavirus that can cause fever and chronic arthritis in humans. CHIKV that is generated in mosquito or mammalian cells differs in glycosylation patterns of viral proteins, which may affect its replication and virulence. Herein, we compare replication, pathogenicity, and receptor binding of CHIKV generated in Vero cells (mammal) or C6/36 cells (mosquito) through a single passage. We demonstrate that mosquito cell-derived CHIKV (CHIKV_mos) has slower replication than mammalian cell-derived CHIKV (CHIKV_vero), when tested in both human and murine cell lines. Consistent with this, CHIKV_mos infection in both cell lines produce less cytopathic effects and reduced antiviral responses. In addition, infection in mice show that CHIKV_mos produces a lower level of viremia and less severe footpad swelling when compared with CHIKV_vero. Interestingly, CHIKV_mos has impaired ability to bind to glycosaminoglycan (GAG) receptors on mammalian cells. However, sequencing analysis shows that this impairment is not due to a mutation in the CHIKV E2 gene, which encodes for the viral receptor binding protein. Moreover, CHIKV_mos progenies can regain GAG receptor binding capability and can replicate similarly to CHIKV_vero after a single passage in mammalian cells. Furthermore, CHIKV_vero and CHIKV_mos no longer differ in replication when N-glycosylation of viral proteins was inhibited by growing these viruses in the presence of tunicamycin. Collectively, these results suggest that N-glycosylation of viral proteins within mosquito cells can result in loss of GAG receptor binding capability of CHIKV and reduction of its infectivity in mammalian cells.

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a chronic arthritis-causing pathogen in humans, for which no licensed vaccine or specific antiviral drug is currently available. Due to the global spread of its mosquito vectors, CHIKV is now becoming a public health threat worldwide. CHIKV can replicate in both mammalian and mosquito cells, however it does not cause apparent damage to mosquito cells, yet it rapidly kills mammalian cells within a day after infection. In addition, mosquito and mammalian cells have different mechanism of protein glycosylation, which can result in different glycan structures of viral glycoproteins. In this study, we report that mosquito cell-generated CHIKV has lower infectivity in cell culture and causes less severe disease in mice, when compared to mammalian cell-generated CHIKV. We demonstrate that only mammalian cell-generated CHIKV, but not mosquito-cell generated CHIKV, binds to mammalian cell surface glycosaminoglycan receptors. Interestingly, mosquito-cell generated CHIKV can re-acquire glycosaminoglycan receptor binding capability after a single passage in mammalian cells and replicate at similar levels with mammalian cell-generated CHIKV, suggesting that passage of CHIKV in mosquito cells can reduce its infectivity.

Eilat virus host range restriction is present at multiple levels of the virus life cycle

Most alphaviruses are mosquito-borne and exhibit a broad host range, infecting many different vertebrates, including birds, rodents, equids, humans, and nonhuman primates. This ability of most alphaviruses to infect arthropods and vertebrates is essential for their maintenance in nature. Recently, a new alphavirus, Eilat virus (EILV), was described, and in contrast to all other mosquito-borne viruses, it is unable to replicate in vertebrate cell lines. Investigations into the nature of its host range restriction showed the inability of genomic EILV RNA to replicate in vertebrate cells. Here, we investigated whether the EILV host range restriction is present at the entry level and further explored the viral factors responsible for the lack of genomic RNA replication. Utilizing Sindbis virus (SINV) and EILV chimeras, we show that the EILV vertebrate host range restriction is also manifested at the entry level. Furthermore, the EILV RNA replication restriction is independent of the 3' untranslated genome region (UTR). Complementation experiments with SINV suggested that RNA replication is restricted by the inability of the EILV nonstructural proteins to form functional replicative complexes. These data demonstrate that the EILV host range restriction is multigenic, involving at least one gene from both nonstructural protein (nsP) and structural protein (sP) open reading frames (ORFs). As EILV groups phylogenetically within the mosquito-borne virus clade of pathogenic alphaviruses, our findings have important evolutionary implications for arboviruses.

IMPORTANCE

Our work explores the nature of host range restriction of the first "mosquito-only alphavirus," EILV. EILV is related to pathogenic mosquito-borne viruses (Eastern equine encephalitis virus [EEEV], Western equine encephalitis virus [WEEV], Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus [VEEV], and Chikungunya virus [CHIKV]) that cause severe disease in humans. Our data demonstrate that EILV is restricted both at entry and genomic RNA replication levels in vertebrate cells. These findings have important implications for arbovirus evolution and will help elucidate the viral factors responsible for the broad host range of pathogenic mosquito-borne alphaviruses, facilitate vaccine development, and inform potential strategies to reduce/prevent alphavirus transmission.

Eilat virus, a unique alphavirus with host range restricted to insects by RNA replication

Most alphaviruses and many other arboviruses are mosquito-borne and exhibit a broad host range, infecting many different vertebrates including birds, rodents, equids, humans, and nonhuman primates. Consequently, they can be propagated in most vertebrate and insect cell cultures. This ability of arboviruses to infect arthropods and vertebrates is usually essential for their maintenance in nature. However, several flaviviruses have recently been described that infect mosquitoes but not vertebrates, although the mechanism of their host restriction has not been determined. Here we describe a unique alphavirus, Eilat virus (EILV), isolated from a pool of Anopheles coustani mosquitoes from the Negev desert of Israel. Phylogenetic analyses placed EILV as a sister to the Western equine encephalitis antigenic complex within the main clade of mosquito-borne alphaviruses. Electron microscopy revealed that, like other alphaviruses, EILV virions were spherical, 70 nm in diameter, and budded from the plasma membrane of mosquito cells in culture. EILV readily infected a variety of insect cells with little overt cytopathic effect. However, in contrast to typical mosquito-borne alphaviruses, EILV could not infect mammalian or avian cell lines, and viral as well as RNA replication could not be detected at 37 °C or 28 °C. Evolutionarily, these findings suggest that EILV lost its ability to infect vertebrate cells. Thus, EILV seems to be mosquito-specific and represents a previously undescribed complex within the genus Alphavirus. Reverse genetic studies of EILV may facilitate the discovery of determinants of alphavirus host range that mediate disease emergence.

Early neutralizing IgG response to Chikungunya virus in infected patients targets a dominant linear epitope on the E2 glycoprotein

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and related arboviruses have been responsible for large epidemic outbreaks with serious economic and social impact. The immune mechanisms, which control viral multiplication and dissemination, are not yet known. Here, we studied the antibody response against the CHIKV surface antigens in infected patients. With plasma samples obtained during the early convalescent phase, we showed that the naturally-acquired IgG response is dominated by IgG3 antibodies specific mostly for a single linear epitope ‘E2EP3’. E2EP3 is located at the N-terminus of the E2 glycoprotein and prominently exposed on the viral envelope. E2EP3-specific antibodies are neutralizing and their removal from the plasma reduced the CHIKV-specific antibody titer by up to 80%. Screening of E2EP3 across different patient cohorts and in non-human primates demonstrated the value of this epitope as a good serology detection marker for CHIKV infection already at an early stage. Mice vaccinated by E2EP3 peptides were protected against CHIKV with reduced viremia and joint inflammation, providing a pre-clinical basis for the design of effective vaccine against arthralgia-inducing CHIKV and other alphaviruses.

An arthropod enzyme, Dfurin1, and a vertebrate furin homolog display distinct cleavage site sequence preferences for a shared viral proprotein substrate

Alphaviruses replicate in vertebrate and arthropod cells and utilize a cellular enzyme called furin to process the PE2 glycoprotein precursor during virus replication in both cell types. Furin cleaves PE2 at a site immediately following a highly conserved four residue cleavage signal. Prior studies demonstrated that the amino acid immediately adjacent to the cleavage site influenced PE2 cleavage differently in vertebrate and mosquito cells (HW Heidner et al. 1996 . Journal of Virology 70: 2069-2073.). This finding was tentatively attributed to potential differences in the substrate specificities of the vertebrate and arthropod furin enzymes or to differences in the carbohydrate processing phenotypes of arthropod and vertebrate cells. To further address this issue, we evaluated Sindbis virus replication and PE2 cleavage in the Chinese hamster, Cricetulus griseus Milne-Edwards (Rodentia: Cricetidae) ovary cells (CHO-K1) and in a CHO-K1-derived furin-negative cell line (RPE.40) engineered to stably express the Dfurin1 enzyme of Drosophila melanogaster Meigen (Diptera: Drosophilidae). Expression of Dfurin1 enhanced Sindbis virus titers in RPE.40 cells by a factor of 10(2)-10(3), and this increase correlated with efficient cleavage of PE2. The PE2-cleavage phenotypes of viruses containing different amino acid substitutions adjacent to the furin cleavage site were compared in mosquito (C6/36), CHO-K1, and Dfurin1-expressing RPE.40 cells. This analysis confirmed that the substrate specificities of Dfurin1 and the putative mosquito furin homolog present in C6/36 cells are similar and suggested that the alternative PE2 cleavage phenotypes observed in vertebrate and arthropod cells were due to differences in substrate specificity between the arthropod and vertebrate furin enzymes and not to differences in host cell glycoprotein processing pathways.

Proteolytic cleavage of VP1-2 is required for release of herpes simplex virus 1 DNA into the nucleus

In this report we propose a model in which after the herpes simplex virus (HSV) capsid docks at the nuclear pore, the tegument protein attached to the capsid must be cleaved by a serine or a cysteine protease in order for the DNA to be released into the nucleus. In support of the model are the following results. (i) Exposure of cells at the time of or before infection to l-(tosylamido-2-phenyl) ethyl chloromethyl ketone (TPCK), a serine-cysteine protease inhibitor, prevents the release of viral DNA or expression of viral genes. TPCK does not block viral gene expression after entry of viral DNA into the nucleus. (ii) The tegument protein VP1-2, the product of the U(L)36 gene, is cleaved shortly after the entry of the HSV 1 (HSV-1) virion into the cell. (iii) The proteolytic cleavage of VP1-2 does not occur in cells that are infected with HSV-1 under conditions that prevent the release of the viral DNA into the nucleus. (iv) The proteolytic cleavage of VP1-2 occurs only after the capsid is attached to the nuclear pore. Thus, TPCK prevented the release of HSV-1 DNA into the nucleus when added to medium 1 hour after infection with tsB7 at 39.5 degrees C followed by a shift down to the permissive temperature. The ts lesion maps in the U(L)36 gene. At the nonpermissive temperature, the capsids accumulate at the nuclear pore but the DNA is not released into the nucleus.

Attenuation of Sindbis virus variants incorporating uncleaved PE2 glycoprotein is correlated with attachment to cell-surface heparan sulfate

Sindbis virus virions incorporating uncleaved precursor envelope protein PE2 bind efficiently to cell-surface heparan sulfate (HS) because the furin cleavage site (a consensus HS-binding domain) is retained in the mature virus particle. However, they are essentially nonviable. Resuscitating mutations selected in the E3 or E2 protein preserve the PE2 noncleaving phenotype and HS binding, but facilitate fusion, and thereby restore wild-type infectivity on cultured cells. Here, we have demonstrated that the resuscitated PE2 noncleaving virus was almost avirulent in vivo, but mutated during the infection. Mutants had increased virulence and cleavage of PE2, with reduced HS binding capacity. We hypothesize that HS binding leads to sequestration of PE2 noncleaving virus particles and suppression of serum viremia, thereby selecting for evolution of the virus into a PE2-cleaving, low HS-binding phenotype.

Future vaccines against emerging encephalitides

The vaccine strategies available for control of emerging encephalitides range in a continuum from traditional approaches to those utilizing new technologies. In this report, we explore the use of live attenuated vaccines where the attenuating mutations have been selected in a rational way to improve attenuation without sacrificing effectiveness. A strategy for paired lethal and resuscitating mutations is presented that will greatly reduce the possibility of reversion to virulence. Finally, we describe an example of a vaccine vector system that could be rapidly adapted for use against these virus diseases as they emerge.

Vector infection determinants of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus reside within the E2 envelope glycoprotein

Epizootic subtype IAB and IC Venezuelan equine encephalitis viruses (VEEV) readily infect the epizootic mosquito vector Aedes taeniorhynchus. The inability of enzootic subtype IE viruses to infect this mosquito species provides a model system for the identification of natural viral determinants of vector infectivity. To map mosquito infection determinants, reciprocal chimeric viruses generated from epizootic subtype IAB and enzootic IE VEEV were tested for mosquito infectivity. Chimeras containing the IAB epizootic structural gene region and, more specifically, the IAB PE2 envelope glycoprotein E2 precursor gene demonstrated an efficient infection phenotype. Introduction of the PE2 gene from an enzootic subtype ID virus into an epizootic IAB or IC genetic backbone resulted in lower infection rates than those of the epizootic parent. The finding that the E2 envelope glycoprotein, the site of epitopes that define the enzootic and epizootic subtypes, also encodes mosquito infection determinants suggests that selection for efficient infection of epizootic mosquito vectors may mediate VEE emergence.

Differential evolution of eastern equine encephalitis virus populations in response to host cell type

Arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) cycle between hosts in two widely separated taxonomic groups, vertebrate amplifying hosts and invertebrate vectors, both of which may separately or in concert shape the course of arbovirus evolution. To elucidate the selective pressures associated with virus replication within each portion of this two-host life cycle, the effects of host type on the growth characteristics of the New World alphavirus, eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus, were investigated. Multiple lineages of an ancestral EEE virus stock were repeatedly transferred through either mosquito or avian cells or in alternating passages between these two cell types. When assayed in both cell types, derived single host lineages exhibited significant differences in infectivity, growth pattern, plaque morphology, and total virus yield, demonstrating that this virus is capable of host-specific evolution. Virus lineages grown in alternation between the two cell types expressed intermediate phenotypes consistent with dual adaptation to both cellular environments. Both insect-adapted and alternated lineages greatly increased in their ability to infect insect cells. These results indicate that different selective pressures exist for virus replication within each portion of the two-host life cycle, and that alternation of hosts selects for virus populations well adapted for replication in both host systems.

The host range phenotype displayed by a Sindbis virus glycoprotein variant results from virion aggregation and retention on the surface of mosquito cells

The Sindbis virus variant NE2G216 is a PE2-containing host range mutant that is growth restricted in cultured mosquito cells (C6/36) due to inefficient release of virions from this cell type. The maturation defect of NE2G216 has been linked to the structures of N-linked oligosaccharides synthesized by arthropod cells. Analysis of C6/36 cells infected with NE2G216 by transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of dense virus aggregates within cytoplasmic vacuoles and virus aggregates adhered to the cell surface. The virus aggregation phenotype of NE2G216 was reproduced in vertebrate cells (Pro-5) by the addition of 1-deoxymannojirimycin, an inhibitor of carbohydrate processing which limits the processing of N-linked oligosaccharides to structures that are structurally similar, albeit not identical, to those synthesized in C6/36 cells. We conclude that defective maturation of NE2G216 in mosquito cells is due to virion aggregation and retention on the cell surface and that this phenotype is directly linked to the carbohydrate-processing properties of these cells.

Linkage of an alphavirus host-range restriction to the carbohydrate-processing phenotypes of the host cell

The Sindbis virus mutant NE2G216 retains PE2 in place of E2 in its virion structure. NE2G216 is a host-range mutant that replicates with near-normal kinetics in vertebrate cells, but displays severely restricted growth in cultured mosquito cells (C6/36) due to defects in the virus maturation process. In this study we tested the hypothesis that the host-range phenotype of NE2G216 was linked to the differences in carbohydrate-processing phenotypes between vertebrate and arthropod cells. Arthropod cell-derived glycoproteins are distinguishable from those synthesized in vertebrate cells by the absence of complex- and hybrid-type N-linked oligosaccharides. To test our hypothesis we compared the growth of the wild-type virus, TRSB, NE2G216 and three PE2-containing, C6/36 cell-adapted variants, in vertebrate cells treated with 1-deoxymannojirimycin (1-dMM). 1-dMM inhibits the Golgi alpha-mannosidase I enzyme and limits oligosaccharide processing to high-mannose forms (Man(8-9)GlcNAc(2)). The growth of TRSB was not restricted by the action of 1-dMM; however, NE2G216 was restricted in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, the growth of each PE2-containing, C6/36 cell-adapted mutant was enhanced by low concentrations of 1-dMM (up to 1500%) and was only slightly affected by the higher concentrations. These results demonstrate that virion maturation functions of NE2G216 are sensitive to the structure of cis-linked oligosaccharides, and indicate that the carbohydrate-processing phenotypes of the host cell can influence viral host-range and function as a selective pressure in alphavirus evolution.

The furin protease cleavage recognition sequence of Sindbis virus PE2 can mediate virion attachment to cell surface heparan sulfate

Cell culture-adapted Sindbis virus strains attach to heparan sulfate (HS) receptors during infection of cultured cells (W. B. Klimstra, K. D. Ryman, and R. E. Johnston, J. Virol. 72:7357-7366, 1998). At least three E2 glycoprotein mutations (E2 Arg 1, E2 Lys 70, and E2 Arg 114) can independently confer HS attachment in the background of the consensus sequence Sindbis virus (TR339). In the studies reported here, we have investigated the mechanism by which the E2 Arg 1 mutation confers HS-dependent binding. Substitution of Arg for Ser at E2 1 resulted in a significant reduction in the efficiency of PE2 cleavage, yielding virus particles containing a mixture of PE2 and mature E2. Presence of PE2 was associated with an increase in HS-dependent attachment to cells and efficient attachment to heparin-agarose beads, presumably because the furin recognition site for PE2 cleavage also represents a candidate HS binding sequence. A comparison of mutants with partially or completely inhibited PE2 cleavage demonstrated that efficiency of cell binding was correlated with the amount of PE2 in virus particles. Viruses rendered cleavage defective due to deletions of portions or all of the furin cleavage sequence attached very poorly to cells, indicating that an intact furin cleavage sequence was specifically required for PE2-mediated attachment to cells. In contrast, a virus containing a partial deletion was capable of efficient binding to heparin-agarose beads, suggesting different requirements for heparin bead and cell surface HS binding. Furthermore, virus produced in C6/36 mosquito cells, which cleave PE2 more efficiently than BHK cells, exhibited a reduction in cell attachment efficiency correlated with reduced content of PE2 in particles. Taken together, these results strongly argue that the XBXBBX (B, basic; X, hydrophobic) furin protease recognition sequence of PE2 can mediate the binding of PE2-containing Sindbis viruses to HS. This sequence is very similar to an XBBXBX heparin-HS interaction consensus sequence. The attachment of furin protease cleavage sequences to HS may have relevance to other viruses whose attachment proteins are cleaved during maturation at positively charged recognition sequences.

Adaptation of Sindbis virus to BHK cells selects for use of heparan sulfate as an attachment receptor

Attachment of Sindbis virus to the cell surface glycosaminoglycan heparan sulfate (HS) and the selection of this phenotype by cell culture adaptation were investigated. Virus (TR339) was derived from a cDNA clone representing the consensus sequence of strain AR339 (K. L. McKnight, D. A. Simpson, S. C. Lin, T. A. Knott, J. M. Polo, D. F. Pence, D. B. Johannsen, H. W. Heidner, N. L. Davis, and R. E. Johnston, J. Virol. 70:1981-1989, 1996) and from mutant clones containing either one or two dominant cell culture adaptations in the E2 structural glycoprotein (Arg instead of Ser at E2 position 1 [designated TRSB]) or this mutation plus Arg for Ser at E2 114 [designated TRSB-R114]). The consensus virus, TR339, bound to baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells very poorly. The mutation in TRSB increased binding 10- to 50-fold, and the additional mutation in TRSB-R114 increased binding 3- to 5-fold over TRSB. The magnitude of binding was positively correlated with the degree of cell culture adaptation and with attenuation of these viruses in neonatal mice. HS was identified as the attachment receptor for the mutant viruses by the following experimental results. (i) Low concentrations of soluble heparin inhibited plaque formation on and binding of mutant viruses to BHK cells by >95%. In contrast, TR339 showed minimal inhibition at high concentrations. (ii) Binding and infectivity of TRSB-R114 was sensitive to digestion of cell surface HS with heparinase III, and TRSB was sensitive to both heparinase I and heparinase III. TR339 infectivity was only slightly affected by either digestion. (iii) Radiolabeled TRSB and TRSB-R114 attached efficiently to heparin-agarose beads in binding assays, while TR339 showed virtually no binding. (iv) Binding and infectivity of TRSB and TRSB-R114, but not TR339, were greatly reduced on Chinese hamster ovary cells deficient in HS specifically or all glycosaminoglycans. (v) High-multiplicity-of-infection passage of TR339 on BHK cell cultures resulted in rapid coselection of high-affinity binding to BHK cells and attachment to heparin-agarose beads. Sequencing of the passaged virus population revealed a mutation from Glu to Lys at E2 70, a mutation common to many laboratory strains of Sindbis virus. These results suggest that TR339, the most virulent virus tested, attaches to cells through a low-affinity, primarily HS-independent mechanism. Adaptive mutations, selected during cell culture growth of Sindbis virus, enhance binding and infectivity by allowing the virus to attach by an alternative mechanism that is dependent on the presence of cell surface HS.