Dengue Virus-Induced Inflammation of the Endothelium and the Potential Roles of Sphingosine Kinase-1 and MicroRNAs

Small extracellular vesicles from the human endothelial cell line EA.hy 926 exert a self-cell activation and modulate DENV-2 genome replication and infection in naïve endothelial cells

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play crucial roles in cell signaling and communication, transporting molecules that convey a message to target cells. During infectious diseases, EVs can also carry viral molecules that may contribute to viral spread, as previously reported for dengue virus (DENV). EVs from infected endothelial cells (EC) may harbor viral segments and various sets of molecules that could contribute to endothelial dysfunction during severe dengue. However, the effect of these EVs on non-infected EC (NIC) remain unknown. We characterized the EVs produced by the human EC line EA.hy 926 infected with DENV-2 and assessed their functional impact on polarized NIC. Results showed that infection induced an increased in the quantity of produced EVs, which differentially carried proteins mainly involved in proteosome activity, along with a peptide of the NS5 viral protein. Additionally, all types of Y-RNAs were found, accompanied by a set of differentially loaded microRNAs (miRs) that could regulate DENV genome. Pre-treatment of polarized NIC with small EVs (sEVs) from infected EC before DENV-2 infection caused EC activation, a decrease in viral genome replication, and a protective effect against barrier disruption during the first 24h post-infection, suggesting that sEVs could be important in the pathology or resolution of DENV and a promising therapeutic tool for infectious diseases.

Toward a Categorization of Virus-ncRNA Interactions in the World of RNA to Disentangle the Tiny Secrets of Dengue Virus

In recent years, the function of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) as regulatory molecules of cell physiology has begun to be better understood. Advances in viral molecular biology have shown that host ncRNAs, cellular factors, and virus-derived ncRNAs and their interplay are strongly disturbed during viral infections. Nevertheless, the folding of RNA virus genomes has also been identified as a critical factor in regulating canonical and non-canonical functions. Due to the influence of host ncRNAs and the structure of RNA viral genomes, complex molecular and cellular processes in infections are modulated. We propose three main categories to organize the current information about RNA-RNA interactions in some well-known human viruses. The first category shows examples of host ncRNAs associated with the immune response triggered in viral infections. Even though miRNAs introduce a standpoint, they are briefly presented to keep researchers moving forward in uncovering other RNAs. The second category outlines interactions between virus-host ncRNAs, while the third describes how the structure of the RNA viral genome serves as a scaffold for processing virus-derived RNAs. Our grouping may provide a comprehensive framework to classify ncRNA-host-cell interactions for emerging viruses and diseases. In this sense, we introduced them to organize DENV-host-cell interactions.

Glycolipids in Parkinson's disease: beyond neuronal function

Glycolipid balance is key to normal body function, and its alteration can lead to a variety of diseases involving multiple organs and tissues. Glycolipid disturbances are also involved in Parkinson's disease (PD) pathogenesis and aging. Increasing evidence suggests that glycolipids affect cellular functions beyond the brain, including the peripheral immune system, intestinal barrier, and immunity. Hence, the interplay between aging, genetic predisposition, and environmental exposures could initiate systemic and local glycolipid changes that lead to inflammatory reactions and neuronal dysfunction. In this review, we discuss recent advances in the link between glycolipid metabolism and immune function and how these metabolic changes can exacerbate immunological contributions to neurodegenerative diseases, with a focus on PD. Further understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms that control glycolipid pathways and their impact on both peripheral tissues and the brain will help unravel how glycolipids shape immune and nervous system communication and the development of novel drugs to prevent PD and promote healthy aging.

Angiotensin II and dengue

Dengue is a disease caused by a flavivirus that is transmitted principally by the bite of an Aedes aegypti mosquito and represents a major public-health problem. Many studies have been carried out to identify soluble factors that are involved in the pathogenesis of this infection. Cytokines, soluble factors, and oxidative stress have been reported to be involved in the development of severe disease. Angiotensin II (Ang II) is a hormone with the ability to induce the production of cytokines and soluble factors related to the inflammatory processes and coagulation disorders observed in dengue. However, a direct involvement of Ang II in this disease has not been demonstrated. This review primarily summarizes the pathophysiology of dengue, the role of Ang II in various diseases, and reports that are highly suggestive of the involvement of this hormone in dengue.

The expression of circulating hsa-miR-126-3p in dengue-infected Thai pediatric patients

Circulating hsa-miRNA-126 (CmiR-126) has been reported to involve in the pathogenesis of many infectious diseases including dengue virus infection. However, no prior study has been conducted to describe more details in dengue-infected pediatric patients. This study aimed to describe CmiR-126-3p in dengue-infected pediatric patients during the febrile and convalescent phases. Additionally, the correlations between CmiR-126-3p and other relevant clinical laboratory factors were investigated. Sixty paired-serum specimens collected during febrile and convalescent phases were retrieved from patients with dengue fever (DF) (n = 30) and dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) (n = 30). Thirty paired-serum specimens collected from non-dengue acute febrile illness patients (AFI) were included as the control group. CmiR-126-3p was determined using reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase-chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Relative miRNA expression was calculated as 2^-ΔCt using CmiR-16-5p for data normalization. CmiR-126-3p expression during febrile and convalescent phases in dengue-infected patients was significantly lower than AFI (p < 0.05). However, miRNA levels were not different (p > 0.05) compared between DF and DHF and between primary and secondary infection. CmiR-126-3p levels in DF in the convalescent were significantly higher than in the febrile phase (p = 0.025). No association between CmiR-126-3p and hematocrit, WBC level, platelet count, WBC differential count or dengue viral load was observed (p > 0.05). The data suggest that hsa-miR-126-3p involved in pathogenesis of dengue infection and may be a promising early and late biomarker for DENV infection. However, hsa-miR-126-3p alone cannot be used as a predictor for dengue severity.

miR-573 rescues endothelial dysfunction during dengue infection under PPARγ regulation

Early prognosis of abnormal vasculopathy is essential for effective clinical management of severe dengue patients. An exaggerated interferon (IFN) response and release of vasoactive factors from endothelial cells cause vasculopathy. This study shows that dengue 2 (DENV2) infection of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) results in differentially regulated miRNAs important for endothelial function. miR-573 was significantly down-regulated in DENV2-infected HUVEC due to decreased Peroxisome Proliferator Activator Receptor Gamma (PPARγ) activity. Restoring miR-573 expression decreased endothelial permeability by suppressing the expression of vasoactive angiopoietin 2 (ANGPT2). We also found that miR-573 suppressed the proinflammatory IFN response through direct downregulation of toll like receptor 2 (TLR2) expression. Our study provides a novel insight into miR-573 mediated regulation of endothelial function during DENV2 infection which can be further translated into a potential therapeutic and prognostic agent for severe dengue patients. IMPORTANCE: We need to identify molecular factors which can predict the onset of endothelial dysfunction in dengue patients. Increase in endothelial permeability during severe dengue infections is poorly understood. In this study we focus on factors which regulate endothelial function and are dysregulated during DENV2 infection. We show that miR-573 rescues endothelial permeability and is downregulated during DENV2 infection in endothelial cells. This finding can have diagnostic as well as therapeutic applications.

Dengue Virus Infection: A Tale of Viral Exploitations and Host Responses

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease (arboviral) caused by the Dengue virus. It is one of the prominent public health problems in tropical and subtropical regions with no effective vaccines. Every year around 400 million people get infected by the Dengue virus, with a mortality rate of about 20% among the patients with severe dengue. The Dengue virus belongs to the Flaviviridae family, and it is an enveloped virus with positive-sense single-stranded RNA as the genetic material. Studies of the infection cycle of this virus revealed potential host targets important for the virus replication cycle. Here in this review article, we will be discussing different stages of the Dengue virus infection cycle inside mammalian host cells and how host proteins are exploited by the virus in the course of infection as well as how the host counteracts the virus by eliciting different antiviral responses.

Matrix metalloproteinases in the pathogenesis of dengue viral disease: Involvement of immune system and newer therapeutic strategies

Globally, the burden due to dengue infection is increasing with a recent estimate of 96 million progressing to the disease every year. Dengue pathogenesis and the factors influencing it are not completely known. It is now widely speculated that there is an important role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the initiation and progression of dengue pathogenesis; however, their exact roles are not fully understood. Overactivation of matrix metalloproteinases may contribute to the severity of dengue pathogenesis. Cytokines and various other mediators of inflammation interact with the vascular endothelium and matrix metalloproteinases may be one of the components among them. Extensive plasma leakage into tissue spaces may result in a shock. It is evident in the literature that MMP2 and MMP9 increase in dengue patients is correlated with the severity of the disease; however, the underlying mechanism is still unknown. Activation of innate cells and adaptive immune cells which include, B and T cells, macrophages or monocytes and dendritic cells also contribute to the dengue pathology. Newer therapeutic strategies include microRNAs, such as miR-134 (targets MMP3 and MMP1) and MicroRNA-320d, (targets MMP/TIMP proteolytic system). The use of antibodies-based therapeutics like (Andecaliximab; anti-matrix metalloproteinase-9 antibody) is also suggested against MMPs in dengue. In this review, we summarize some recent developments associated with the involvement of immune cells and their mediators associated with the matrix metalloproteinases mediated dengue pathogenesis. We highlight that, there is still very little knowledge about the MMPs in dengue pathogenesis which needs attention and extensive investigations.

The Role of Ceramide and Sphingosine-1-Phosphate in Alzheimer's Disease and Other Neurodegenerative Disorders

Bioactive sphingolipids-ceramide, sphingosine, and their respective 1-phosphates (C1P and S1P)-are signaling molecules serving as intracellular second messengers. Moreover, S1P acts through G protein-coupled receptors in the plasma membrane. Accumulating evidence points to sphingolipids' engagement in brain aging and in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Metabolic alterations observed in the course of neurodegeneration favor ceramide-dependent pro-apoptotic signaling, while the levels of the neuroprotective S1P are reduced. These trends are observed early in the diseases' development, suggesting causal relationship. Mechanistic evidence has shown links between altered ceramide/S1P rheostat and the production, secretion, and aggregation of amyloid β/α-synuclein as well as signaling pathways of critical importance for the pathomechanism of protein conformation diseases. Sphingolipids influence multiple aspects of Akt/protein kinase B signaling, a pathway that regulates metabolism, stress response, and Bcl-2 family proteins. The cross-talk between sphingolipids and transcription factors including NF-κB, FOXOs, and AP-1 may be also important for immune regulation and cell survival/death. Sphingolipids regulate exosomes and other secretion mechanisms that can contribute to either the spread of neurotoxic proteins between brain cells, or their clearance. Recent discoveries also suggest the importance of intracellular and exosomal pools of small regulatory RNAs in the creation of disturbed signaling environment in the diseased brain. The identified interactions of bioactive sphingolipids urge for their evaluation as potential therapeutic targets. Moreover, the early disturbances in sphingolipid metabolism may deliver easily accessible biomarkers of neurodegenerative disorders.

Dengue haemorrhagic fever: a job done via exosomes?

Dengue fever is one of those unique diseases where host immune responses largely determine the pathogenesis and its severity. Earlier studies have established the fact that dengue virus (DENV) infection causes haemorrhagic fever and shock syndrome, but it is not directly responsible for exhibiting these clinical symptoms. It is noteworthy that clinically, vascular leakage syndrome does not develop for several days after infection despite a robust innate immune response that elicits the production of proinflammatory and proangiogenic cytokines. The onset of hyperpermeability in severe cases of dengue disease takes place around the time of defervescence and after clearance of viraemia. Extracellular vesicles are known to carry biological information (mRNA, miRNA, transcription factors) from their cells of origin and have emerged as a significant vehicle for horizontal transfer of stress signals. In dengue virus infection, the relevance of exosomes can be instrumental since the majority of the immune responses in severe dengue involve heavy secretion and circulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Here, we present an updated review which will address the unique and puzzling features of hyperpermeability associated with DENV infection with a special focus on the role of secreted extracellular vesicles.

Zika virus E protein alters the properties of human fetal neural stem cells by modulating microRNA circuitry

Zika virus (ZV) infects neural stem cells (NSCs) and causes quiescence in NSCs, reducing the pool of brain cells, leading to microcephaly. Despite conscientious efforts, the molecular mechanisms for ZV-mediated effects on NSCs lack clarity. This study aimed to explore the underlying mechanisms for ZV-mediated induction of quiescence in the primary cultures of human fetal neural stem cells (fNSCs). We demonstrate that expression of ZV envelope (E) protein displays maximum quiescence in human fNSCs by accumulating cells in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle as compared to other non-structural proteins, viz. NS2A, NS4A and NS4B. E protein induces immature differentiation by induction of pro-neuronal genes in proliferating fNSCs, induces apoptosis in differentiating fNSCs 3 days post differentiation, and disrupts migration of cells from differentiating neurospheres. In utero electroporation of mouse brain with E protein shows drastic downregulation of proliferating cells in ventricular and subventricular zone regions. Global microRNA sequencing suggests that E protein modulates miRNA circuitry. Among differentially expressed miRNAs, we found 14 upregulated and 11 downregulated miRNAs. Mir-204-3p and mir-1273g-3p directly regulate NOTCH2 and PAX3 expression, respectively, by binding to their 3'UTR. Bioinformatic analysis using GO analysis for the targets of differentially expressed miRNAs revealed enrichment of cell cycle and developmental processes. Furthermore, WNT, CCKR, PDGF, EGF, p53, and NOTCH signaling pathways were among the top enriched pathways. Thus, our study provides evidence for the involvement of ZV E protein and novel insights into the molecular mechanism through identification of miRNA circuitry. Art work depicting the effect of Zika virus E protein on human fetal neural stem cells.

Dengue virus potentially promotes migratory responses on endothelial cells by enhancing pro-migratory soluble factors and miRNAs

The most life-threatening effect of the Dengue virus (DENV) infection is an acute destabilization of the microvascular endothelial cell (MEC) barrier leading to plasma leakage, hypovolemic shock and haemorrhage. However, the underlying cellular mechanisms responsible for the dysfunction of MECs are not well understood. To identify potential cellular processes altered during DENV infection of MECs, expression profiles of cytokines/growth factors and microRNAs were measured by Luminex assay and next generation sequencing, respectively. Synchronously DENV2-infected MECs increase the secretion of IL-6, IL-8, FGF-2, GM-CSF, G-CSF, TGF-α, GRO, RANTES, MCP-1 and MCP-3. Conditioned media of infected MECs increased the migration of non-infected MECs. Furthermore, six miRNAs deregulated at 24 hpi were predicted to regulate host genes involved in cell migration and vascular developmental processes such as angiogenesis. These in silico analyses provide insights that support that DENV promotes an acute migratory phenotype in MECs that contributes to the vascular destabilization observed in severe dengue cases.

Sphingolipid signaling modulates trans-endothelial cell permeability in dengue virus infected HMEC-1 cells

Dengue has emerged as a major mosquito-borne disease in the tropics and subtropics. In severe dengue, enhanced microvascular endothelial permeability leads to plasma leakage. Direct dengue virus (DENV) infection in human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1) can enhance trans-endothelial leakage. Using a microarray-based analysis, we identified modulation of key endothelial cell signaling pathways in DENV-infected HMEC-1 cells. One among them was the sphingolipid pathway that regulates vascular barrier function. Sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 2 (S1PR2) and S1PR5 showed significant up-regulation in the microarray data. In DENV-infected cells, the kinetics of S1PR2 transcript expression and enhanced in vitro trans-endothelial permeability showed a correlation. We also observed an internalization and cytoplasmic translocation of VE-Cadherin, a component of adherens junctions (AJ), upon infection indicating AJ disassembly. Further, inhibition of S1PR2 signaling by a specific pharmacological inhibitor prevented translocation of VE-Cadherin, thus helping AJ maintenance, and abrogated DENV-induced trans-endothelial leakage. Our results show that sphingolipid signaling, especially that involving S1PR2, plays a critical role in vascular leakage in dengue.

Micro-anatomical changes in major blood vessel caused by dengue virus (serotype 2) infection

Dengue virus (DENV) has emerged as a major economic concern in developing countries, with 2.5 billion people believed to be at risk. Vascular endothelial cells (ECs) lining the circulatory system from heart to end vessels perform crucial functions in the human body, by aiding gas exchange in lungs, gaseous, nutritional and its waste exchange in all tissues, including the blood brain barrier, filtration of fluid in the glomeruli, neutrophil recruitment, hormone trafficking, as well as maintenance of blood vessel tone and hemostasis. These functions can be deregulated during DENV infection. In this study, BALB/c mice infected with DENV serotype 2 were analyzed histologically for changes in major blood vessels in response to DENV infection. In the uninfected mouse model, blood vessels showed normal architecture with intact endothelial monolayer, tunica media, and tunica adventitia. In the infected mouse model, DENV distorted the endothelium lining and disturbed the smooth muscle, elastic laminae and their supporting tissues causing vascular structural disarrangement. This may explain the severe pathological illness in DENV-infected individuals. The overall DENV-induced damages on the endothelial and it's supporting tissues and the dysregulated immune reactions initiated by the host were discussed.

Plasma Neutrophil Elastase, α1-Antitrypsin, α2-Macroglobulin and Neutrophil Elastase-α1-Antitrypsin Complex Levels in patients with Dengue Fever

Dengue fever (DF) is characterized by systemic inflammatory response including neutrophil activation leading to uncontrolled elastase activity. This study was aimed to measure the activity of plasma neutrophil elastase (NE), its endogenous inhibitors α₁-antitrypsin (α₁-AT) and α₂-macroglobulin (α₂-MG) and elastase in complex with α₁-AT (NE-α₁-AT complex) in DF. 50 dengue patients [39 DF and 11 dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF)] and 52 healthy subjects were included in the study. NE was measured using N-succinyl-tri-alanine-p-nitroanilide as substrate. α₁-AT, α₂-MG and NE-α₁-AT complex were estimated by ELISA. The result analysis indicated that the dengue patients had significantly higher elastase activity with significantly reduced inhibitor levels compared to controls. Between DF and DHF patients, DHF group had significantly higher elastase activity. In conclusion, significantly elevated NE and reduced inhibitors level in dengue fever indicate these parameters could be of significance in DF particularly for the assessment of progression of inflammatory processes.

Recent advances in the identification of the host factors involved in dengue virus replication

Dengue virus (DENV) belongs to the genus Flavivirus of the family Flaviviridae and it is primarily transmitted via Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. The life cycle of DENV includes attachment, endocytosis, protein translation, RNA synthesis, assembly, egress, and maturation. Recent researches have indicated that a variety of host factors, including cellular proteins and microRNAs, positively or negatively regulate the DENV replication process. This review summarizes the latest findings (from 2014 to 2016) in the identification of the host factors involved in the DENV life cycle and Dengue infection.