1
|
Alberio T, Shallak M, Shaik AKB, Accolla RS, Forlani G. A Truncated Isoform of Cyclin T1 Could Contribute to the Non-Permissive HIV-1 Phenotype of U937 Promonocytic Cells. Viruses 2024; 16:1176. [PMID: 39205150 PMCID: PMC11359826 DOI: 10.3390/v16081176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The different susceptibility to HIV-1 infection in U937 cells-permissive (Plus) or nonpermissive (Minus)-is linked to the expression in Minus cells of interferon (IFN)-γ inducible antiviral factors such as tripartite motif-containing protein 22 (TRIM22) and class II transactivator (CIITA). CIITA interacts with Cyclin T1, a key component of the Positive-Transcription Elongation Factor b (P-TEFb) complex needed for the efficient transcription of HIV-1 upon interaction with the viral transactivator Tat. TRIM22 interacts with CIITA, recruiting it into nuclear bodies together with Cyclin T1. A 50 kDa Cyclin T1 was found only in Minus cells, alongside the canonical 80 kDa protein. The expression of this truncated form remained unaffected by proteasome inhibitors but was reduced by IFNγ treatment. Unlike the nuclear full-length protein, truncated Cyclin T1 was also present in the cytoplasm, and this subcellular localization correlated with its capacity to inhibit Tat-mediated HIV-1 transcription. The 50 kDa Cyclin T1 in Minus cells likely contributes to their non-permissive phenotype by acting as a dominant negative factor, disrupting P-TEFb complex formation and function. Its reduction upon IFNγ treatment suggests a regulatory loop by which its inhibitory role on HIV-1 replication is then exerted by the IFNγ-induced CIITA, which binds to the canonical Cyclin T1, displacing it from the P-TEFb complex.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tiziana Alberio
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Functional Proteomics, Department of Science and High Technology, University of Insubria, 21052 Busto Arsizio, Italy; (T.A.)
| | - Mariam Shallak
- Laboratories of General Pathology and Immunology “Giovanna Tosi”, Department of Medicine and Technological Innovation, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy; (M.S.); (A.K.B.S.); (R.S.A.)
| | - Amruth Kaleem Basha Shaik
- Laboratories of General Pathology and Immunology “Giovanna Tosi”, Department of Medicine and Technological Innovation, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy; (M.S.); (A.K.B.S.); (R.S.A.)
| | - Roberto Sergio Accolla
- Laboratories of General Pathology and Immunology “Giovanna Tosi”, Department of Medicine and Technological Innovation, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy; (M.S.); (A.K.B.S.); (R.S.A.)
| | - Greta Forlani
- Laboratories of General Pathology and Immunology “Giovanna Tosi”, Department of Medicine and Technological Innovation, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy; (M.S.); (A.K.B.S.); (R.S.A.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Dezhbord M, Kim SH, Park S, Lee DR, Kim N, Won J, Lee AR, Kim DS, Kim KH. Novel role of MHC class II transactivator in hepatitis B virus replication and viral counteraction. Clin Mol Hepatol 2024; 30:539-560. [PMID: 38741238 PMCID: PMC11261224 DOI: 10.3350/cmh.2024.0060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS The major histocompatibility class II (MHC II) transactivator, known as CIITA, is induced by Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and plays a well-established role in regulating the expression of class II MHC molecules in antigen-presenting cells. METHODS Primary human hepatocytes (PHH) were isolated via therapeutic hepatectomy from two donors. The hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines HepG2 and Huh7 were used for the mechanistic study, and HBV infection was performed in HepG2-NTCP cells. HBV DNA replication intermediates and secreted antigen levels were measured using Southern blotting and ELISA, respectively. RESULTS We identified a non-canonical function of CIITA in the inhibition of hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication in both HCC cells and patient-derived PHH. Notably, in vivo experiments demonstrated that HBV DNA and secreted antigen levels were significantly decreased in mice injected with the CIITA construct. Mechanistically, CIITA inhibited HBV transcription and replication by suppressing the activity of HBV-specific enhancers/promoters. Indeed, CIITA exerts antiviral activity in hepatocytes through ERK1/2-mediated down-regulation of the expression of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1α (HNF1α) and HNF4α, which are essential factors for virus replication. In addition, silencing of CIITA significantly abolished the IFN-γ-mediated anti-HBV activity, suggesting that CIITA mediates the anti-HBV activity of IFN-γ to some extent. HBV X protein (HBx) counteracts the antiviral activity of CIITA via direct binding and impairing its function. CONCLUSION Our findings reveal a novel antiviral mechanism of CIITA that involves the modulation of the ERK pathway to restrict HBV transcription. Additionally, our results suggest the possibility of a new immune avoidance mechanism involving HBx.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mehrangiz Dezhbord
- Department of Precision Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
| | - Seong Ho Kim
- Department of Precision Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
| | - Soree Park
- Department of Precision Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
| | - Da Rae Lee
- Department of Precision Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
| | - Nayeon Kim
- Department of Precision Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
| | - Juhee Won
- Department of Precision Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ah Ram Lee
- Department of Precision Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
| | - Dong-Sik Kim
- Department of Surgery, Division of HBP Surgery and Liver Transplantation, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyun-Hwan Kim
- Department of Precision Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Xu M, Warner C, Duan X, Cheng Z, Jeyarajan AJ, Li W, Wang Y, Shao T, Salloum S, Chen PJ, Yu X, Chung RT, Lin W. HIV coinfection exacerbates HBV-induced liver fibrogenesis through a HIF-1α- and TGF-β1-dependent pathway. J Hepatol 2024; 80:868-881. [PMID: 38311121 PMCID: PMC11102332 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2024.01.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Persons with chronic HBV infection coinfected with HIV experience accelerated progression of liver fibrosis compared to those with HBV monoinfection. We aimed to determine whether HIV and its proteins promote HBV-induced liver fibrosis in HIV/HBV-coinfected cell culture models through HIF-1α and TGF-β1 signaling. METHODS The HBV-positive supernatant, purified HBV viral particles, HIV-positive supernatant, or HIV viral particles were directly incubated with cell lines or primary hepatocytes, hepatic stellate cells, and macrophages in mono or 3D spheroid coculture models. Cells were incubated with recombinant cytokines and HIV proteins including gp120. HBV sub-genomic constructs were transfected into NTCP-HepG2 cells. We also evaluated the effects of inhibitor of HIF-1α and HIV gp120 in a HBV carrier mouse model that was generated via hydrodynamic injection of the pAAV/HBV1.2 plasmid into the tail vein of wild-type C57BL/6 mice. RESULTS We found that HIV and HIV gp120, through engagement with CCR5 and CXCR4 coreceptors, activate AKT and ERK signaling and subsequently upregulate hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) to increase HBV-induced transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and profibrogenic gene expression in hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells. HIV gp120 exacerbates HBV X protein-mediated HIF-1α expression and liver fibrogenesis, which can be alleviated by inhibiting HIF-1α. Conversely, TGF-β1 upregulates HIF-1α expression and HBV-induced liver fibrogenesis through the SMAD signaling pathway. HIF-1α small-interfering RNA transfection or the HIF-1α inhibitor (acriflavine) blocked HIV-, HBV-, and TGF-β1-induced fibrogenesis. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that HIV coinfection exacerbates HBV-induced liver fibrogenesis through enhancement of the positive feedback between HIF-1α and TGF-β1 via CCR5/CXCR4. HIF-1α represents a novel target for antifibrotic therapeutic development in HBV/HIV coinfection. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS HIV coinfection accelerates the progression of liver fibrosis compared to HBV monoinfection, even among patients with successful suppression of viral load, and there is no sufficient treatment for this disease process. In this study, we found that HIV viral particles and specifically HIV gp120 promote HBV-induced hepatic fibrogenesis via enhancement of the positive feedback between HIF-1α and TGF-β1, which can be ameliorated by inhibition of HIF-1α. These findings suggest that targeting the HIF-1α pathway can reduce liver fibrogenesis in patients with HIV and HBV coinfection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Min Xu
- Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Charlotte Warner
- Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Xiaoqiong Duan
- Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan 610052, China; Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Zhimeng Cheng
- Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Andre J Jeyarajan
- Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Wenting Li
- Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Department of Tropical Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan 570311, China
| | - Yongtao Wang
- Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Tuo Shao
- Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Shadi Salloum
- Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Pei-Jer Chen
- Graduate Institute of Microbiology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine and National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 10002, Taiwan
| | - Xu Yu
- The Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Boston, MA 02129, USA
| | - Raymond T Chung
- Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
| | - Wenyu Lin
- Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Forlani G, Shallak M, Gatta A, Shaik AKB, Accolla RS. The NLR member CIITA: Master controller of adaptive and intrinsic immunity and unexpected tool in cancer immunotherapy. Biomed J 2023; 46:100631. [PMID: 37467968 PMCID: PMC10505679 DOI: 10.1016/j.bj.2023.100631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Human nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptors (NLR) include a large family of proteins that have important functions in basic physio-pathological processes like inflammation, cell death and regulation of transcription of key molecules for the homeostasis of the immune system. They are all characterized by a common backbone structure (the STAND ATPase module consisting in a nucleotide-binding domain (NBD), an helical domain 1 (HD1) and a winged helix domain (WHD), used by both prokaryotes and eukaryotes as defense mechanism. In this review, we will focus on the MHC class II transactivator (CIITA), the master regulator of MHC class II (MHC-II) gene expression and the founding member of NLR. Although a consistent part of the described NLR family components is often recalled as innate or intrinsic immune sensors, CIITA in fact occupies a special place as a unique example of regulator of both intrinsic and adaptive immunity. The description of the discovery of CIITA and the genetic and molecular characterization of its expression will be followed by the most recent studies that have unveiled this dual role of CIITA, key molecule in intrinsic immunity as restriction factor for human retroviruses and precious tool to induce the expression of MHC-II molecules in cancer cells, rendering them potent surrogate antigen presenting cells (APC) for their own tumor antigens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Greta Forlani
- Laboratories of General Pathology and Immunology "Giovanna Tosi", Department of Medicine and Technological Innovation, School of Medicine, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy.
| | - Mariam Shallak
- Laboratories of General Pathology and Immunology "Giovanna Tosi", Department of Medicine and Technological Innovation, School of Medicine, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Andrea Gatta
- Laboratories of General Pathology and Immunology "Giovanna Tosi", Department of Medicine and Technological Innovation, School of Medicine, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Amruth K B Shaik
- Laboratories of General Pathology and Immunology "Giovanna Tosi", Department of Medicine and Technological Innovation, School of Medicine, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Roberto S Accolla
- Laboratories of General Pathology and Immunology "Giovanna Tosi", Department of Medicine and Technological Innovation, School of Medicine, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Celesti F, Gatta A, Shallak M, Chiaravalli AM, Cerati M, Sessa F, Accolla RS, Forlani G. Protective anti-tumor vaccination against glioblastoma expressing the MHC class II transactivator CIITA. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1133177. [PMID: 36993983 PMCID: PMC10040613 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1133177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma is the most malignant tumor of the central nervous system. Current treatments based on surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, and more recently on selected immunological approaches, unfortunately produce dismal outcomes, and less than 2% of patients survive after 5 years. Thus, there is an urgent need for new therapeutic strategies. Here, we report unprecedented positive results in terms of protection from glioblastoma growth in an animal experimental system after vaccination with glioblastoma GL261 cells stably expressing the MHC class II transactivator CIITA. Mice injected with GL261-CIITA express de novo MHC class II molecules and reject or strongly retard tumor growth as a consequence of rapid infiltration with CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Importantly, mice vaccinated with GL261-CIITA cells by injection in the right brain hemisphere strongly reject parental GL261 tumors injected in the opposite brain hemisphere, indicating not only the acquisition of anti-tumor immune memory but also the capacity of immune T cells to migrate within the brain, overcoming the blood–brain barrier. GL261-CIITA cells are a potent anti-glioblastoma vaccine, stimulating a protective adaptive anti-tumor immune response in vivo as a consequence of CIITA-driven MHC class II expression and consequent acquisition of surrogate antigen-presenting function toward tumor-specific CD4+ Th cells. This unprecedented approach for glioblastoma demonstrates the feasibility of novel immunotherapeutic strategies for potential application in the clinical setting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio Celesti
- Laboratories of General Phatology and Immunology “Giovanna Tosi”, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Andrea Gatta
- Laboratories of General Phatology and Immunology “Giovanna Tosi”, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Mariam Shallak
- Laboratories of General Phatology and Immunology “Giovanna Tosi”, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | | | | | - Fausto Sessa
- Unit of Pathology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, ASST Sette-Laghi, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Roberto S. Accolla
- Laboratories of General Phatology and Immunology “Giovanna Tosi”, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
- *Correspondence: Greta Forlani, ; Roberto S. Accolla,
| | - Greta Forlani
- Laboratories of General Phatology and Immunology “Giovanna Tosi”, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
- *Correspondence: Greta Forlani, ; Roberto S. Accolla,
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Carcone A, Journo C, Dutartre H. Is the HTLV-1 Retrovirus Targeted by Host Restriction Factors? Viruses 2022; 14:v14081611. [PMID: 35893677 PMCID: PMC9332716 DOI: 10.3390/v14081611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Human T cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1), the etiological agent of adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) and of HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP), was identified a few years before Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). However, forty years later, our comprehension of HTLV-1 immune detection and the host immune responses to HTLV-1 is far more limited than for HIV. In addition to innate and adaptive immune responses that rely on specialized cells of the immune system, host cells may also express a range of antiviral factors that inhibit viral replication at different stages of the cycle, in a cell-autonomous manner. Multiple antiviral factors allowing such an intrinsic immunity have been primarily and extensively described in the context HIV infection. Here, we provide an overview of whether known HIV restriction factors might act on HTLV-1 replication. Interestingly, many of them do not exert any antiviral activity against HTLV-1, and we discuss viral replication cycle specificities that could account for these differences. Finally, we highlight future research directions that could help to identify antiviral factors specific to HTLV-1.
Collapse
|
7
|
Abstract
To identify novel host factors as putative targets to reverse HIV-1 latency, we performed an insertional mutagenesis genetic screen in a latent HIV-1 infected pseudohaploid KBM7 cell line (Hap-Lat). Following mutagenesis, insertions were mapped to the genome, and bioinformatic analysis resulted in the identification of 69 candidate host genes involved in maintaining HIV-1 latency. A select set of candidate genes was functionally validated using short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated depletion in latent HIV-1 infected J-Lat A2 and 11.1 T cell lines. We confirmed ADK, CHD9, CMSS1, EVI2B, EXOSC8, FAM19A, GRIK5, IRF2BP2, NF1, and USP15 as novel host factors involved in the maintenance of HIV-1 latency. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays indicated that CHD9, a chromodomain helicase DNA-binding protein, maintains HIV-1 latency via direct association with the HIV-1 5′ long terminal repeat (LTR), and its depletion results in increased histone acetylation at the HIV-1 promoter, concomitant with HIV-1 latency reversal. FDA-approved inhibitors 5-iodotubercidin, trametinib, and topiramate, targeting ADK, NF1, and GRIK5, respectively, were characterized for their latency reversal potential. While 5-iodotubercidin exhibited significant cytotoxicity in both J-Lat and primary CD4+ T cells, trametinib reversed latency in J-Lat cells but not in latent HIV-1 infected primary CD4+ T cells. Importantly, topiramate reversed latency in cell line models, in latently infected primary CD4+ T cells, and crucially in CD4+ T cells from three people living with HIV-1 (PLWH) under suppressive antiretroviral therapy, without inducing T cell activation or significant toxicity. Thus, using an adaptation of a haploid forward genetic screen, we identified novel and druggable host factors contributing to HIV-1 latency.
Collapse
|
8
|
Aguiar VRC, Augusto DG, Castelli EC, Hollenbach JA, Meyer D, Nunes K, Petzl-Erler ML. An immunogenetic view of COVID-19. Genet Mol Biol 2021; 44:e20210036. [PMID: 34436508 PMCID: PMC8388242 DOI: 10.1590/1678-4685-gmb-2021-0036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Meeting the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic requires an interdisciplinary approach. In this context, integrating knowledge of immune function with an understanding of how genetic variation influences the nature of immunity is a key challenge. Immunogenetics can help explain the heterogeneity of susceptibility and protection to the viral infection and disease progression. Here, we review the knowledge developed so far, discussing fundamental genes for triggering the innate and adaptive immune responses associated with a viral infection, especially with the SARS-CoV-2 mechanisms. We emphasize the role of the HLA and KIR genes, discussing what has been uncovered about their role in COVID-19 and addressing methodological challenges of studying these genes. Finally, we comment on questions that arise when studying admixed populations, highlighting the case of Brazil. We argue that the interplay between immunology and an understanding of genetic associations can provide an important contribution to our knowledge of COVID-19.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vitor R. C. Aguiar
- Universidade de São Paulo, Departamento de Genética e Biologia
Evolutiva, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Danillo G. Augusto
- University of California, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences,
Department of Neurology, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Universidade Federal do Paraná, Departamento de Genética, Curitiba,
PR, Brazil
| | - Erick C. Castelli
- Universidade Estadual Paulista, Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu,
Departamento de Patologia, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Jill A. Hollenbach
- University of California, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences,
Department of Neurology, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Diogo Meyer
- Universidade de São Paulo, Departamento de Genética e Biologia
Evolutiva, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Kelly Nunes
- Universidade de São Paulo, Departamento de Genética e Biologia
Evolutiva, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
León Machado JA, Steimle V. The MHC Class II Transactivator CIITA: Not (Quite) the Odd-One-Out Anymore among NLR Proteins. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:1074. [PMID: 33499042 PMCID: PMC7866136 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22031074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In this review, we discuss the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II transactivator (CIITA), which is the master regulator of MHC class II gene expression. CIITA is the founding member of the mammalian nucleotide-binding and leucine-rich-repeat (NLR) protein family but stood apart for a long time as the only transcriptional regulator. More recently, it was found that its closest homolog, NLRC5 (NLR protein caspase activation and recruitment domain (CARD)-containing 5), is a regulator of MHC-I gene expression. Both act as non-DNA-binding activators through multiple protein-protein interactions with an MHC enhanceosome complex that binds cooperatively to a highly conserved combinatorial cis-acting module. Thus, the regulation of MHC-II expression is regulated largely through the differential expression of CIITA. In addition to the well-defined role of CIITA in MHC-II GENE regulation, we will discuss several other aspects of CIITA functions, such as its role in cancer, its role as a viral restriction element contributing to intrinsic immunity, and lastly, its very recently discovered role as an inhibitor of Ebola and SARS-Cov-2 virus replication. We will briefly touch upon the recently discovered role of NLRP3 as a transcriptional regulator, which suggests that transcriptional regulation is, after all, not such an unusual feature for NLR proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Viktor Steimle
- Département de Biologie, Université de Sherbrooke, 2500 Boul., Sherbrooke, QC J1K 2R1, Canada;
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Forlani G, Shallak M, Ramia E, Tedeschi A, Accolla RS. Restriction factors in human retrovirus infections and the unprecedented case of CIITA as link of intrinsic and adaptive immunity against HTLV-1. Retrovirology 2019; 16:34. [PMID: 31783769 PMCID: PMC6884849 DOI: 10.1186/s12977-019-0498-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Immunity against pathogens evolved through complex mechanisms that only for sake of simplicity are defined as innate immunity and adaptive immunity. Indeed innate and adaptive immunity are strongly intertwined each other during evolution. The complexity is further increased by intrinsic mechanisms of immunity that rely on the action of intracellular molecules defined as restriction factors (RFs) that, particularly in virus infections, counteract the action of pathogen gene products acting at different steps of virus life cycle. Main body and conclusion Here we provide an overview on the nature and the mode of action of restriction factors involved in retrovirus infection, particularly Human T Leukemia/Lymphoma Virus 1 (HTLV-1) infection. As it has been extensively studied by our group, special emphasis is given to the involvement of the MHC class II transactivator CIITA discovered in our laboratory as regulator of adaptive immunity and subsequently as restriction factor against HIV-1 and HTLV-1, a unique example of dual function linking adaptive and intrinsic immunity during evolution. We describe the multiple molecular mechanisms through which CIITA exerts its restriction on retroviruses. Of relevance, we review the unprecedented findings pointing to a concerted action of several restriction factors such as CIITA, TRIM22 and TRIM19/PML in synergizing against retroviral replication. Finally, as CIITA profoundly affects HTLV-1 replication by interacting and inhibiting the function of HTLV-1 Tax-1 molecule, the major viral product associated to the virus oncogenicity, we also put forward the hypothesis of CIITA as counteractor of HTLV-1-mediated cancer initiation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Greta Forlani
- Laboratories of General Pathology and Immunology "Giovanna Tosi", Department of Medicine and Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Insubria, Via Ottorino Rossi 9, 21100, Varese, Italy
| | - Mariam Shallak
- Laboratories of General Pathology and Immunology "Giovanna Tosi", Department of Medicine and Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Insubria, Via Ottorino Rossi 9, 21100, Varese, Italy
| | - Elise Ramia
- Laboratories of General Pathology and Immunology "Giovanna Tosi", Department of Medicine and Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Insubria, Via Ottorino Rossi 9, 21100, Varese, Italy
| | - Alessandra Tedeschi
- Laboratories of General Pathology and Immunology "Giovanna Tosi", Department of Medicine and Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Insubria, Via Ottorino Rossi 9, 21100, Varese, Italy
| | - Roberto S Accolla
- Laboratories of General Pathology and Immunology "Giovanna Tosi", Department of Medicine and Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Insubria, Via Ottorino Rossi 9, 21100, Varese, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Interferon-inducible TRIM22 contributes to maintenance of HIV-1 proviral latency in T cell lines. Virus Res 2019; 269:197631. [PMID: 31136823 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2019.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Revised: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) establishes a state of latent infection in a small number of CD4+ T lymphocytes that, nonetheless, represent a major obstacle to viral eradication. We here show that Tripartite Motif-containing protein 22 (TRIM22), an epigenetic inhibitor of Specificity protein 1 (Sp1)-dependent HIV-1 transcription, is a relevant factor in maintaining a state of repressed HIV-1 expression at least in CD4+ T cell lines. By knocking-down (KD) TRIM22 expression, we observed an accelerated reactivation of a doxycycline (Dox)-controlled HIV-1 replication in the T lymphocytic SupT1 cell line. Furthermore, we here report for the first time that TRIM22 is a crucial factor for maintaining a state of HIV-1 quiescence in chronically infected ACH2 -T cell line while its KD potentiated HIV-1 expression in both ACH-2 and J-Lat 10.6 cell lines upon cell stimulation with either tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) or histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi). In conclusion, TRIM22 is a novel determinant of HIV-1 latency, at least in T cell lines, thus representing a potential pharmacological target for strategies aiming at curtailing or silencing the pool of latently infected CD4+ T lymphocytes constituting the HIV-1 reservoir in individuals receiving combination antiretroviral therapy.
Collapse
|
12
|
Forlani G, Baratella M, Tedeschi A, Pique C, Jacobson S, Accolla RS. HTLV-1 HBZ Protein Resides Exclusively in the Cytoplasm of Infected Cells in Asymptomatic Carriers and HAM/TSP Patients. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:819. [PMID: 31080441 PMCID: PMC6497793 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Human T cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is the causative agent of adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) and HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) in a subset of infected subjects. Two viral proteins, Tax-1 and HTLV-1 basic leucine zipper factor (HBZ), play important roles in the pathogenesis of both diseases. We recently demonstrated that HBZ, previously considered a nuclear protein, is exclusively localized in the cytoplasm of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of HAM/TSP patients. Here, the analysis of a larger panel of HAM/TSP cases confirmed that HBZ is a cytoplasmic protein, while Tax-1 preferentially localized in the cytoplasm with fewer speckle-like dots in the nucleus. More importantly, here we report for the first time that HBZ, when expressed in asymptomatic carriers (AC), is also confined in the cytoplasm. Similarly, Tax-1 was preferentially expressed in the cytoplasm in a significant proportion of AC. Interestingly, in both HAM/TSP and AC patients, the expression of HBZ and Tax-1 was rarely found in the same cell. We observed only few cases coexpressing the two oncoprotein in a very limited number of cells. In representative AC and HAM/TSP patients, cells expressing cytoplasmic HBZ were almost exclusively found in the CD4+ T cell compartment and very rarely in CD8+ T cells. Interestingly, at least in the cases analyzed, the expression of thymocite-expressed molecule involved in selection (THEMIS) is dispensable for the cytoplasmic localization of HBZ in both AC and HAM/TSP. The study of an HTLV-1-immortalized cell line established from an HAM/TSP patient confirmed HBZ as a resident cytoplasmic protein not shuttling between the cytoplasm and nucleus. These results extend our previous observation on the dichotomy of HBZ localization between HAM/TSP and ATL, pointing to the exclusive either cytoplasmic or nuclear localization in the two diseased states, respectively. Moreover, they show a rather selective expression in distinct cells of either HBZ or Tax-1. The unprecedented observation that HBZ is expressed only in the cytoplasm in AC strongly suggests a progressive modification of HBZ localization during the disease states associated to HTLV-1 infection. Future studies will clarify whether the distinct HBZ intracellular localization is a marker or a causative event of disease evolution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Greta Forlani
- Laboratories of General Pathology and Immunology “Giovanna Tosi,” Department of Medicine and Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Marco Baratella
- Laboratories of General Pathology and Immunology “Giovanna Tosi,” Department of Medicine and Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Alessandra Tedeschi
- Laboratories of General Pathology and Immunology “Giovanna Tosi,” Department of Medicine and Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Claudine Pique
- INSERM U1016, CNRS UMR 8104, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Institut Cochin, Paris, France
| | - Steve Jacobson
- Viral Immunology Section, Neuroimmunology Branch, NINDS/NIH, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Roberto S. Accolla
- Laboratories of General Pathology and Immunology “Giovanna Tosi,” Department of Medicine and Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Ramia E, Chiaravalli AM, Bou Nasser Eddine F, Tedeschi A, Sessa F, Accolla RS, Forlani G. CIITA-related block of HLA class II expression, upregulation of HLA class I, and heterogeneous expression of immune checkpoints in hepatocarcinomas: implications for new therapeutic approaches. Oncoimmunology 2018; 8:1548243. [PMID: 30723578 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2018.1548243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Revised: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 11/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second cause of death for cancer worldwide, justifying the urgent need for novel therapeutic approaches. Immunotherapeutic strategies based on triggering and/or rescuing tumor antigen-specific T cells may be promising particularly if combined together. As preliminary step toward this goal, we have investigated the expression of antigen presenting molecules (HLA class I and class II) and immune checkpoints (PD-1 and PD-L1) in 43 HCC samples from distinct patients and in HCC cell lines. While normal hepatocytes did not express HLA class I and II, HCC cells strongly upregulated HLA class I while remaining negative for HLA class II. The absence of HLA class II expression in HCC cell lines correlated with lack of expression of the HLA class II transactivator, CIITA, which could not be rescued even after interferon-gamma treatment. This was due to high methylation levels of interferon-gamma-sensitive CIITA promoter IV strongly suggesting a biologically relevant developmental silencing of HLA-II expression in liver cell lineage. HCC tumor tissues showed a variable degree of leukocyte infiltration. Infiltrating lymphocytes expressed PD-1, while PD-L1 was expressed in cells with monocyte-macrophage morphology mostly localized at the tumor margin, but not in tumor cells. De novo expression of HLA class I, instrumental for presenting tumor antigens to cytotoxic T lymphocytes, and the correct characterization of the cells expressing checkpoint inhibitors in the tumor tissue should be the ground for setting novel strategies of combined approaches of immunotherapy in HCC based on tumor peptide vaccines and anti-checkpoint inhibitor antibodies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elise Ramia
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Chiaravalli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Farah Bou Nasser Eddine
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Alessandra Tedeschi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Fausto Sessa
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Roberto S Accolla
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Greta Forlani
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Graziano F, Aimola G, Forlani G, Turrini F, Accolla RS, Vicenzi E, Poli G. Reversible Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type-1 Latency in Primary Human Monocyte-Derived Macrophages Induced by Sustained M1 Polarization. Sci Rep 2018; 8:14249. [PMID: 30250078 PMCID: PMC6155284 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-32451-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
We have reported that short-term stimulation of primary human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) with interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), i.e. M1 polarization, leads to a significant containment of virus replication. Here we show that M1-MDM restimulation with these cytokines 7 days after infection (M12 MDM) promoted an increased restriction of HIV-1 replication characterized by very low levels of virus production near to undetectable levels. In comparison to control and M1-MDM that were not restimulated, M12 MDM showed a stronger reduction of both total and integrated HIV DNA as well as of viral mRNA expression. M12 MDM were characterized by an upregulated expression of restriction factors acting at the level of reverse transcription (RT), including apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme, catalytic polypeptide-like 3A (APOBEC3A) and APOBEC3G, but not SAM domain and HD domain-containing protein 1 (SAMHD1). M12 MDM also showed an increased expression of Class II Transactivator (CIITA) and Tripartite Motif22 (TRIM22), two negative regulators of proviral transcription, whereas expression and phosphorylation of transcriptional inducers of HIV-1, such as nuclear factor kB (NF-kB) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1), were not impaired in these cells. The almost quiescent state of the infection in M12 MDM was promptly reversed by coculture with mitogen-stimulated leukocytes or cell incubation with their filtered culture supernatant. M12 MDM harbored replication-competent HIV-1 as virus spreading following cell stimulation was fully prevented by the RT inhibitor lamivudine/3TC. Selective reactivation of proviral expression in M12 MDM, but not in control or in M1-MDM that were not restimulated, was confirmed in cells infected with single round Vesicular Stomatitis Virus-G-pseudotyped HIV-1. Thus, M12 MDM represent an in vitro model of reversible, almost quiescent HIV-1 infection of primary human macrophages that could be further exploited for “Cure” related investigations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Graziano
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy.,Institute Curie Laboratoire Immunité et Cancer - INSERM U932, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75248, Paris cedex 05, Paris, France
| | - Giulia Aimola
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
| | - Greta Forlani
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Filippo Turrini
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
| | - Roberto S Accolla
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Elisa Vicenzi
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
| | - Guido Poli
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy. .,Vita-Salute San Raffaele University School of Medicine, Milano, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Leal FE, Menezes SM, Costa EAS, Brailey PM, Gama L, Segurado AC, Kallas EG, Nixon DF, Dierckx T, Khouri R, Vercauteren J, Galvão-Castro B, Saraiva Raposo RA, Van Weyenbergh J. Comprehensive Antiretroviral Restriction Factor Profiling Reveals the Evolutionary Imprint of the ex Vivo and in Vivo IFN-β Response in HTLV-1-Associated Neuroinflammation. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:985. [PMID: 29872426 PMCID: PMC5972197 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Accepted: 04/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
HTLV-1-Associated Myelopathy (HAM/TSP) is a progressive neuroinflammatory disorder for which no disease-modifying treatment exists. Modest clinical benefit from type I interferons (IFN-α/β) in HAM/TSP contrasts with its recently identified IFN-inducible gene signature. In addition, IFN-α treatment in vivo decreases proviral load and immune activation in HAM/TSP, whereas IFN-β therapy decreases tax mRNA and lymphoproliferation. We hypothesize this "IFN paradox" in HAM/TSP might be explained by both cell type- and gene-specific effects of type I IFN in HTLV-1-associated pathogenesis. Therefore, we analyzed ex vivo transcriptomes of CD4+ T cells, PBMCs and whole blood in healthy controls, HTLV-1-infected individuals, and HAM/TSP patients. First, we used a targeted approach, simultaneously quantifying HTLV-1 mRNA (HBZ, Tax), proviral load and 42 host genes with known antiretroviral (anti-HIV) activity in purified CD4+ T cells. This revealed two major clusters ("antiviral/protective" vs. "proviral/deleterious"), as evidenced by significant negative (TRIM5/TRIM22/BST2) vs. positive correlation (ISG15/PAF1/CDKN1A) with HTLV-1 viral markers and clinical status. Surprisingly, we found a significant inversion of antiretroviral activity of host restriction factors, as evidenced by opposite correlation to in vivo HIV-1 vs. HTLV-1 RNA levels. The anti-HTLV-1 effect of antiviral cluster genes was significantly correlated to their adaptive chimp/human evolution score, for both Tax mRNA and PVL. Six genes of the proposed antiviral cluster underwent lentivirus-driven purifying selection during primate evolution (TRIM5/TRIM22/BST2/APOBEC3F-G-H), underscoring the cross-retroviral evolutionary imprint. Secondly, we examined the genome-wide type I IFN response in HAM/TSP patients, following short-term ex vivo culture of PBMCs with either IFN-α or IFN-β. Microarray analysis evidenced 12 antiretroviral genes (including TRIM5α/TRIM22/BST2) were significantly up-regulated by IFN-β, but not IFN-α, in HAM/TSP. This was paralleled by a significant decrease in lymphoproliferation by IFN-β, but not IFN-α treatment. Finally, using published ex vivo whole blood transcriptomic data of independent cohorts, we validated the significant positive correlation between TRIM5, TRIM22, and BST2 in HTLV-1-infected individuals and HAM/TSP patients, which was independent of the HAM/TSP disease signature. In conclusion, our results provide ex vivo mechanistic evidence for the observed immunovirological effect of in vivo IFN-β treatment in HAM/TSP, reconcile an apparent IFN paradox in HTLV-1 research and identify biomarkers/targets for a precision medicine approach.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fabio E Leal
- Oncovirology Program, Instituto Nacional de Câncer (INCA), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Microbiology Immunology and Tropical Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Soraya Maria Menezes
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Emanuela A S Costa
- Departamento de Moléstias Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Phillip M Brailey
- Oncovirology Program, Instituto Nacional de Câncer (INCA), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Lucio Gama
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Aluisio C Segurado
- Departamento de Moléstias Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Esper G Kallas
- Departamento de Moléstias Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Douglas F Nixon
- Oncovirology Program, Instituto Nacional de Câncer (INCA), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Tim Dierckx
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ricardo Khouri
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Gonçalo Moniz (IGM), Salvador-Bahia, Brazil
| | - Jurgen Vercauteren
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | | | - Johan Van Weyenbergh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Different molecular mechanisms of HTLV-1 and HIV LTR activation by TPA. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2018; 500:538-543. [PMID: 29660338 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.04.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2018] [Accepted: 04/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
HTLV-1 and HIV-1 are retroviruses involved in different human diseases. However, following infection, these viruses inter into a latent state. Tax and Tat are regarded as trans-activators of HTLV-1 and HIV-1 respectively. As it known, during the latent state the infected cells contain low Tax and Tat protein levels, so the activation of these viruses must be independent of these proteins. Here we focus on exploring the mechanism of activation of these viruses by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), which is a potent activator of protein kinase C (PKC) and considered as a stress-inducing agent. Our results showed that short exposure to TPA considerably stimulated only the HIV-1 LTR expression, while long exposure stimulated only the HTLV-1 LTR and that their activation is agonized or antagonized by PKC respectively. It was found that TPA induced interaction between the transcriptional factors Sp1 and P53 producing Sp1-p53 complex which strongly interacted with c-Jun only after short exposure to TPA. In addition, TPA treatment highly induced the expression of CREB which attached to the Sp1-p53 complex mainly after a long exposure to TPA. A strong binding of sp1, p53 and CREB proteins with HTLV-1 LTR and strong binding of NF-κB with HIV-1 LTR were observed after long (24 h) and short (6 h) exposures to TPA respectively by Chip assay. These results support the possibility that sp1, p53 and CREB are involved in the TPA induced HTLV-1 LTR expression while TPA activation of HIV-1 LTR seems to be dependent on PKC activity through the NF-κB pathway.
Collapse
|
17
|
Vicenzi E, Poli G. The interferon-stimulated gene TRIM22: A double-edged sword in HIV-1 infection. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2018; 40:40-47. [PMID: 29650252 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2018.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Infection of target cells by the human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) is hampered by constitutively expressed host cell proteins preventing or curtailing virus replication and therefore defined as "restriction factors". Among them, members of the tripartite motif (TRIM) family have emerged as important players endowed with both antiviral effects and modulatory capacity of the innate immune response. TRIM5α and TRIM19 (i.e. promyelocytic leukemia, PML) are among the best-characterized family members; however, in this review we will focus on the potential role of another family member, i.e. TRIM22, a factor strongly induced by interferon stimulation, in HIV infection in vivo and in vitro in the context of its broader antiviral effects. We will also focus on the potential role of TRIM22 in HIV-1-infected individuals speculating on its dual role in controlling virus replication and more complex role in chronic infection. At the molecular levels, we will review the evidence in favor of a relevant role of TRIM22 as epigenetic inhibitor of HIV-1 transcription acting by preventing the binding of the host cell transcription factor Sp1 to the viral promoter. These evidences suggest that TRIM22 should be considered a potential new player in either the establishment or maintenance of HIV-1 reservoirs of latently infected cells unaffected by combination antiretroviral therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Vicenzi
- Viral Pathogens and Biosafety Unit, P2-P3 Laboratories, DIBIT, Via Olgettina n. 58, 20132, Milano, Italy.
| | - Guido Poli
- AIDS Immunopathogenesis Unit, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, School of Medicine, Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Bissa M, Forlani G, Zanotto C, Tosi G, De Giuli Morghen C, Accolla RS, Radaelli A. Fowlpoxvirus recombinants coding for the CIITA gene increase the expression of endogenous MHC-II and Fowlpox Gag/Pro and Env SIV transgenes. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0190869. [PMID: 29385169 PMCID: PMC5791965 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0190869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
A complete eradication of an HIV infection has never been achieved by vaccination and the search for new immunogens that can induce long-lasting protective responses is ongoing. Avipoxvirus recombinants are host-restricted for replication to avian species and they do not have the undesired side effects induced by vaccinia recombinants. In particular, Fowlpox (FP) recombinants can express transgenes over long periods and can induce protective immunity in mammals, mainly due to CD4-dependent CD8+ T cells. In this context, the class II transactivator (CIITA) has a pivotal role in triggering the adaptive immune response through induction of the expression of class-II major histocompatibility complex molecule (MHC-II), that can present antigens to CD4+ T helper cells. Here, we report on construction of novel FPgp and FPenv recombinants that express the highly immunogenic SIV Gag-pro and Env structural antigens. Several FP-based recombinants, with single or dual genes, were also developed that express CIITA, driven from H6 or SP promoters. These recombinants were used to infect CEF and Vero cells in vitro and determine transgene expression, which was evaluated by real-time PCR and Western blotting. Subcellular localisation of the different proteins was evaluated by confocal microscopy, whereas HLA-DR or MHC-II expression was measured by flow cytometry. Fowlpox recombinants were also used to infect syngeneic T/SA tumour cells, then injected into Balb/c mice to elicit MHC-II immune response and define the presentation of the SIV transgene products in the presence or absence of FPCIITA. Antibodies to Env were measured by ELISA. Our data show that the H6 promoter was more efficient than SP to drive CIITA expression and that CIITA can enhance the levels of the gag/pro and env gene products only when infection is performed by FP single recombinants. Also, CIITA expression is higher when carried by FP single recombinants than when combined with FPgp or FPenv constructs and can induce HLA-DR cell surface expression. However, in-vivo experiments did not show any significant increase in the humoral response. As CIITA already proved to elicit immunogenicity by improving antigen presentation, further in-vivo experiments should be performed to increase the immune responses. The use of prime/boost immunisation protocols and the oral administration route of the recombinants may enhance the immunogenicity of Env peptides presented by MHC-II and provide CD4+ T-cell stimulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Massimiliano Bissa
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, via Balzaretti 9, Milan, Italy
| | - Greta Forlani
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Insubria, Via O. Rossi 9, Varese, Italy
| | - Carlo Zanotto
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, via Vanvitelli 32, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanna Tosi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Insubria, Via O. Rossi 9, Varese, Italy
| | - Carlo De Giuli Morghen
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, via Vanvitelli 32, Milan, Italy
- Catholic University “Our Lady of Good Counsel”, Rr. Dritan Hoxha, Tirana, Albania
| | - Roberto S. Accolla
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Insubria, Via O. Rossi 9, Varese, Italy
| | - Antonia Radaelli
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, via Balzaretti 9, Milan, Italy
- CNR Institute of Neurosciences, Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology Section, University of Milan, via Vanvitelli 32, Milan, Italy
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Multiple Inhibitory Factors Act in the Late Phase of HIV-1 Replication: a Systematic Review of the Literature. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2018; 82:82/1/e00051-17. [PMID: 29321222 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00051-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of lentiviral vectors for therapeutic purposes has shown promising results in clinical trials. The ability to produce a clinical-grade vector at high yields remains a critical issue. One possible obstacle could be cellular factors known to inhibit human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). To date, five HIV restriction factors have been identified, although it is likely that more factors are involved in the complex HIV-cell interaction. Inhibitory factors that have an adverse effect but do not abolish virus production are much less well described. Therefore, a gap exists in the knowledge of inhibitory factors acting late in the HIV life cycle (from transcription to infection of a new cell), which are relevant to the lentiviral vector production process. The objective was to review the HIV literature to identify cellular factors previously implicated as inhibitors of the late stages of lentivirus production. A search for publications was conducted on MEDLINE via the PubMed interface, using the keyword sequence "HIV restriction factor" or "HIV restriction" or "inhibit HIV" or "repress HIV" or "restrict HIV" or "suppress HIV" or "block HIV," with a publication date up to 31 December 2016. Cited papers from the identified records were investigated, and additional database searches were performed. A total of 260 candidate inhibitory factors were identified. These factors have been identified in the literature as having a negative impact on HIV replication. This study identified hundreds of candidate inhibitory factors for which the impact of modulating their expression in lentiviral vector production could be beneficial.
Collapse
|
20
|
Forlani G, Accolla RS. Tripartite Motif 22 and Class II Transactivator Restriction Factors: Unveiling Their Concerted Action against Retroviruses. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1362. [PMID: 29093716 PMCID: PMC5651408 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2017] [Accepted: 10/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Coevolution of the three basic mechanisms of immunity, intrinsic, innate and adaptive, is a constant feature of the host defense against pathogens. Within this frame, a peculiar role is played by restriction factors (RFs), elements of intrinsic immunity that interfere with viral life cycle. Often considered as molecules whose specific functions are distinct and unrelated among themselves recent results indicate instead, at least for some of them, a concerted action against the pathogen. Here we review recent findings on the antiviral activity of tripartite motif 22 (TRIM22) and class II transactivator (CIITA), first discovered as human immunodeficiency virus 1 RFs, but endowed with general antiviral activity. TRIM22 and CIITA provide the first example of cellular proteins acting together to potentiate their intrinsic immunity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Greta Forlani
- Laboratories of General Pathology and Immunology "Giovanna Tosi", Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Roberto S Accolla
- Laboratories of General Pathology and Immunology "Giovanna Tosi", Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Forlani G, Tosi G, Turrini F, Poli G, Vicenzi E, Accolla RS. Tripartite Motif-Containing Protein 22 Interacts with Class II Transactivator and Orchestrates Its Recruitment in Nuclear Bodies Containing TRIM19/PML and Cyclin T1. Front Immunol 2017; 8:564. [PMID: 28555140 PMCID: PMC5430032 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Among interferon (IFN) inducible antiviral factors both tripartite motif-containing protein 22 (TRIM22) and class II transactivator (CIITA) share the capacity of repressing human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) proviral transcription. TRIM22 is constitutively expressed in a subset of U937 cell clones poorly permissive to HIV-1 replication, whereas CIITA has been shown to inhibit virus multiplication in both T lymphocytic and myeloid cells, including poorly HIV-1 permissive U937 cells, by suppressing Tat-mediated transactivation of HIV-1 transcription. Therefore, we tested whether TRIM22 and CIITA could form a nuclear complex potentially endowed with HIV-1 repressive functions. Indeed, we observed that TRIM22, independent of its E3 ubiquitin ligase domain, interacts with CIITA and promotes its recruitment into nuclear bodies. Importantly, TRIM19/promyelocytic leukemia (PML) protein, another repressor of HIV-1 transcription also acting before proviral integration, colocalize in these nuclear bodies upon TRIM22 expression induced by IFN-γ. Finally, tTRIM22 nuclear bodies also contained CyclinT1, a crucial elongation factor of HIV-1 primary transcripts. These findings show that TRIM22 nuclear bodies are a site of recruitment of factors crucial for the regulation of HIV-1 transcription and highlight the potential existence of a concerted action between TRIM22, CIITA, and TRIM19/PML to maintain a state of proviral latency, at least in myeloid cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Greta Forlani
- Laboratory of General Pathology and Immunology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Giovanna Tosi
- Laboratory of General Pathology and Immunology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Filippo Turrini
- Viral Pathogens and Biosafety Unit, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
| | - Guido Poli
- AIDS Immunopathogenesis Unit, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy.,School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milano, Italy
| | - Elisa Vicenzi
- Viral Pathogens and Biosafety Unit, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
| | - Roberto S Accolla
- Laboratory of General Pathology and Immunology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| |
Collapse
|