1
|
McMahon‑Cole H, Johnson A, Sadat Aghamiri S, Helikar T, Crawford LB. Modeling and Remodeling the Cell: How Digital Twins and HCMV Can Elucidate the Complex Interactions of Viral Latency, Epigenetic Regulation, and Immune Responses. CURRENT CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2023; 10:141-151. [PMID: 37901689 PMCID: PMC10601359 DOI: 10.1007/s40588-023-00201-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
Purpose of Review Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), while asymptomatic in most, causes significant complications during fetal development, following transplant or in immunosuppressed individuals. The host-virus interactions regulating viral latency and reactivation and viral control of the cellular environment (immune regulation, differentiation, epigenetics) are highly complex. Understanding these processes is essential to controlling infection and can be leveraged as a novel approach for understanding basic cell biology. Recent Findings Immune digital twins (IDTs) are digital simulations integrating knowledge of human immunology, physiology, and patient-specific clinical data to predict individualized immune responses and targeted treatments. Recent studies used IDTs to elucidate mechanisms of T cells, dendritic cells, and epigenetic control-all key to HCMV biology. Summary Here, we discuss how leveraging the unique biology of HCMV and IDTs will clarify immune response dynamics, host-virus interactions, and viral latency and reactivation and serve as a powerful IDT-validation platform for individualized and holistic health management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hana McMahon‑Cole
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Alicia Johnson
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Sara Sadat Aghamiri
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Tomáš Helikar
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Lindsey B. Crawford
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
- Nebraska Center for Virology, Lincoln, NE, USA
- Nebraska Center for Integrated Biomolecular Communication, Lincoln, NE, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Dunn DM, Pack LJ, Munger JC. Raf1 promotes successful Human Cytomegalovirus replication and is regulated by AMPK-mediated phosphorylation during infection. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.26.550702. [PMID: 37546879 PMCID: PMC10402018 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.26.550702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Raf1 is a key player in growth factor receptor signaling, which has been linked to multiple viral infections, including Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection. Although HCMV remains latent in most individuals, it can cause acute infection in immunocompromised populations such as transplant recipients, neonates, and cancer patients. Current treatments are suboptimal, highlighting the need for novel treatments. Multiple points in the growth factor signaling pathway are important for HCMV infection, but the relationship between HCMV and Raf1, a component of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade, is not well understood. The AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a known regulator of Raf1, and AMPK activity is both induced by infection and important for HCMV replication. Our data indicate that HCMV infection induces AMPK-specific changes in Raf1 phosphorylation, including increasing phosphorylation at Raf1-Ser621, a known AMPK phospho-site, which results in increased binding to the 14-3-3 scaffolding protein, an important aspect of Raf1 activation. Inhibition of Raf1, either pharmacologically or via shRNA or CRISPR-mediated targeting, inhibits viral replication and spread in both fibroblasts and epithelial cells. Collectively, our data indicate that HCMV infection and AMPK activation modulate Raf1 activity, which are important for viral replication.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diana M. Dunn
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Ludia J. Pack
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Joshua C. Munger
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Motta F, Barone E, Sica A, Selmi C. Inflammaging and Osteoarthritis. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol 2023; 64:222-238. [PMID: 35716253 DOI: 10.1007/s12016-022-08941-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 68.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Osteoarthritis is a highly prevalent disease particularly in subjects over 65 years of age worldwide. While in the past it was considered a mere consequence of cartilage degradation leading to anatomical and functional joint impairment, in recent decades, there has been a more dynamic view with the synovium, the cartilage, and the subchondral bone producing inflammatory mediators which ultimately lead to cartilage damage. Inflammaging is defined as a chronic, sterile, low-grade inflammation state driven by endogenous signals in the absence of infections, occurring with aging. This chronic status is linked to the production of reactive oxygen species and molecules involved in the development of age-related disease such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Inflammaging contributes to osteoarthritis development where both the innate and the adaptive immune response are involved. Elevated systemic and local inflammatory cytokines and senescent molecules promote cartilage degradation, and antigens derived from damaged joints further trigger inflammation through inflammasome activation. B and T lymphocyte populations also change with inflammaging and OA, with reduced regulatory functions, thus implicating self-reactivity as an additional mechanism of joint damage. The discovery of the underlying pathogenic pathways may help to identify potential therapeutic targets for the management or the prevention of osteoarthritis. We will provide a comprehensive evaluation of the current literature on the role of inflammaging in osteoarthritis and discuss the emerging therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Motta
- Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, via Manzoni 56, 20089, Rozzano, Milan, Italy.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, via Rita Levi Montalcini, 20090, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Barone
- Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, via Manzoni 56, 20089, Rozzano, Milan, Italy.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, via Rita Levi Montalcini, 20090, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonio Sica
- Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, via Manzoni 56, 20089, Rozzano, Milan, Italy.,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale "Amedeo Avogadro", Largo Donegani 2, 28100, Novara, Italy
| | - Carlo Selmi
- Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, via Manzoni 56, 20089, Rozzano, Milan, Italy. .,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, via Rita Levi Montalcini, 20090, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Vezzani G, Pimazzoni S, Ferranti R, Calò S, Monda G, Amendola D, Frigimelica E, Maione D, Cortese M, Merola M. Human immunoglobulins are transported to HCMV viral envelope by viral Fc gamma receptors-dependent and independent mechanisms. Front Microbiol 2023; 13:1106401. [PMID: 36726564 PMCID: PMC9885202 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1106401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Human cytomegaloviruses (HCMVs) employ many different mechanisms to escape and subvert the host immune system, including expression of the viral IgG Fcγ receptors (vFcγRs) RL11 (gp34), RL12 (gp95), RL13 (gpRL13), and UL119 (gp68) gene products. The role of vFcγRs in HCMV pathogenesis has been reported to operate in infected cells by interfering with IgG-mediated effector functions. We found that gp34 and gp68 are envelope proteins that bind and internalize human IgGs on the surface of infected cells. Internalized IgGs are then transported on the envelope of viral particles in a vFcR-dependent mechanism. This mechanism is also responsible for the incorporation on the virions of the anti-gH neutralizing antibody MSL-109. Intriguingly, we show that gp68 is responsible for MSL-109 incorporation, but it is dispensable for other anti-HCMV antibodies that do not need this function to be transported on mature virions. HCMV-infected cells grown in presence of anti-HCMV monoclonal antibodies generate a viral progeny still infective and possible to be neutralized. This is the first example of a virus carrying neutralizing IgGs on its surface and their possible role is discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Mirko Cortese
- GSK, Siena, Italy,Department of Environmental Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Caserta, Italy,Mirko Cortese, ✉
| | - Marcello Merola
- GSK, Siena, Italy,Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy,*Correspondence: Marcello Merola, ✉
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Meineke R, Stelz S, Busch M, Werlein C, Kühnel M, Jonigk D, Rimmelzwaan GF, Elbahesh H. FDA-Approved Inhibitors of RTK/Raf Signaling Potently Impair Multiple Steps of In Vitro and Ex Vivo Influenza A Virus Infections. Viruses 2022; 14:v14092058. [PMID: 36146864 PMCID: PMC9504178 DOI: 10.3390/v14092058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Influenza virus (IV) infections pose a burden on global public health with significant morbidity and mortality. The limited range of currently licensed IV antiviral drugs is susceptible to the rapid rise of resistant viruses. In contrast, FDA-approved kinase inhibitors can be repurposed as fast-tracked host-targeted antivirals with a higher barrier of resistance. Extending our recent studies, we screened 21 FDA-approved small-molecule kinase inhibitors (SMKIs) and identified seven candidates as potent inhibitors of pandemic and seasonal IV infections. These SMKIs were further validated in a biologically and clinically relevant ex vivo model of human precision-cut lung slices. We identified steps of the virus infection cycle affected by these inhibitors (entry, replication, egress) and found that most SMKIs affected both entry and egress. Based on defined and overlapping targets of these inhibitors, the candidate SMKIs target receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK)-mediated activation of Raf/MEK/ERK pathways to limit influenza A virus infection. Our data and the established safety profiles of these SMKIs support further clinical investigations and repurposing of these SMKIs as host-targeted influenza therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert Meineke
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses (RIZ), University of Veterinary Medicine in Hannover (TiHo), Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Sonja Stelz
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses (RIZ), University of Veterinary Medicine in Hannover (TiHo), Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Maximilian Busch
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses (RIZ), University of Veterinary Medicine in Hannover (TiHo), Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Christopher Werlein
- Institute of Pathology, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Mark Kühnel
- Institute of Pathology, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), Hannover Medical School (MHH), Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Danny Jonigk
- Institute of Pathology, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), Hannover Medical School (MHH), Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Guus F. Rimmelzwaan
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses (RIZ), University of Veterinary Medicine in Hannover (TiHo), Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Husni Elbahesh
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses (RIZ), University of Veterinary Medicine in Hannover (TiHo), Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Tang J, Frascaroli G, Zhou X, Knickmann J, Brune W. Cell Fusion and Syncytium Formation in Betaherpesvirus Infection. Viruses 2021; 13:v13101973. [PMID: 34696402 PMCID: PMC8537622 DOI: 10.3390/v13101973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell–cell fusion is a fundamental and complex process that occurs during reproduction, organ and tissue growth, cancer metastasis, immune response, and infection. All enveloped viruses express one or more proteins that drive the fusion of the viral envelope with cellular membranes. The same proteins can mediate the fusion of the plasma membranes of adjacent cells, leading to the formation of multinucleated syncytia. While cell–cell fusion triggered by alpha- and gammaherpesviruses is well-studied, much less is known about the fusogenic potential of betaherpesviruses such as human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and human herpesviruses 6 and 7 (HHV-6 and HHV-7). These are slow-growing viruses that are highly prevalent in the human population and associated with several diseases, particularly in individuals with an immature or impaired immune system such as fetuses and transplant recipients. While HHV-6 and HHV-7 are strictly lymphotropic, HCMV infects a very broad range of cell types including epithelial, endothelial, mesenchymal, and myeloid cells. Syncytia have been observed occasionally for all three betaherpesviruses, both during in vitro and in vivo infection. Since cell–cell fusion may allow efficient spread to neighboring cells without exposure to neutralizing antibodies and other host immune factors, viral-induced syncytia may be important for viral dissemination, long-term persistence, and pathogenicity. In this review, we provide an overview of the viral and cellular factors and mechanisms identified so far in the process of cell–cell fusion induced by betaherpesviruses and discuss the possible consequences for cellular dysfunction and pathogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiajia Tang
- Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology (HPI), 20251 Hamburg, Germany; (J.T.); (G.F.); (X.Z.); (J.K.)
- Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Giada Frascaroli
- Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology (HPI), 20251 Hamburg, Germany; (J.T.); (G.F.); (X.Z.); (J.K.)
| | - Xuan Zhou
- Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology (HPI), 20251 Hamburg, Germany; (J.T.); (G.F.); (X.Z.); (J.K.)
| | - Jan Knickmann
- Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology (HPI), 20251 Hamburg, Germany; (J.T.); (G.F.); (X.Z.); (J.K.)
| | - Wolfram Brune
- Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology (HPI), 20251 Hamburg, Germany; (J.T.); (G.F.); (X.Z.); (J.K.)
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|