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Trammell CE, Rowe EH, Char AB, Jones BJ, Fawcett S, Ahlers LRH, Goodman AG. Insulin-mediated endothelin signaling is antiviral during West Nile virus infection. J Virol 2023; 97:e0111223. [PMID: 37796127 PMCID: PMC10617537 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01112-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Arboviruses, particularly those transmitted by mosquitoes, pose a significant threat to humans and are an increasing concern because of climate change, human activity, and expanding vector-competent populations. West Nile virus is of significant concern as the most frequent mosquito-borne disease transmitted annually within the continental United States. Here, we identify a previously uncharacterized signaling pathway that impacts West Nile virus infection, namely endothelin signaling. Additionally, we demonstrate that we can successfully translate results obtained from D. melanogaster into the more relevant human system. Our results add to the growing field of insulin-mediated antiviral immunity and identify potential biomarkers or intervention targets to better address West Nile virus infection and severe disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chasity E. Trammell
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Evelyn H. Rowe
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Aditya B. Char
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Brianne J. Jones
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Stephen Fawcett
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Laura R. H. Ahlers
- RNA Viruses Section, Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Alan G. Goodman
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
- Paul G. Allen School for Global Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
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Doshi H, Spengler K, Godbole A, Gee YS, Baell J, Oakhill JS, Henke A, Heller R. AMPK protects endothelial cells against HSV-1 replication via inhibition of mTORC1 and ACC1. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0041723. [PMID: 37702499 PMCID: PMC10580915 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00417-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a widespread contagious pathogen, mostly causing mild symptoms on the mucosal entry side. However, systemic distribution, in particular upon reactivation of the virus in immunocompromised patients, may trigger an innate immune response and induce damage of organs. In these conditions, HSV-1 may infect vascular endothelial cells, but little is known about the regulation of HSV-1 replication and possible defense mechanisms in these cells. The current study addresses the question of whether the host cell protein AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), an important metabolic sensor, can control HSV-1 replication in endothelial cells. We show that downregulation of the catalytic subunits AMPKα1 and/or AMPKα2 increased HSV-1 replication as monitored by TCID50 titrations, while a potent AMPK agonist, MK-8722, strongly inhibited it. MK-8722 induced a persistent phosphorylation of the AMPK downstream targets acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and the rapamycin-sensitive adaptor protein of mTOR (Raptor) and, related to this, impairment of ACC1-mediated lipid synthesis and the mechanistic target of the rapamycin complex-1 (mTORC1) pathway. Since blockade of mTOR by Torin-2 as well as downregulation of ACC1 by siRNA also decreased HSV-1 replication, MK-8722 is likely to exert its anti-viral effect via mTORC1 and ACC1 inhibition. Importantly, MK-8722 was able to reduce virus replication even when added after HSV-1. Together, our data highlight the importance of endothelial cells as host cells for HSV-1 replication upon systemic infection and identify AMPK, a metabolic host cell protein, as a potential target for antiviral strategies against HSV-1 infection and its severe consequences. IMPORTANCE Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a common pathogen that causes blisters or cold sores in humans. It remains latent in infected individuals and can be reactivated multiple times. In adverse conditions, for instance, in immunocompromised patients, HSV-1 can lead to serious complications such as encephalitis, meningitis, or blindness. In these situations, infection of endothelial cells lining the surface of blood vessels may contribute to the manifestation of disease. Here, we describe the role of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a potent regulator of cellular energy metabolism, in HSV-1 replication in endothelial cells. While downregulation of AMPK potentiates HSV-1 replication, pharmacological AMPK activation inhibits it by limiting the availability of required host cell macromolecules such as proteins or fatty acids. These data highlight the role of metabolic host cell proteins as antiviral targets and reveal activation of endothelial AMPK as a potential strategy to protect from severe consequences of HSV-1 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heena Doshi
- Institute for Molecular Cell Biology, Center for Molecular Biomedicine, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Katrin Spengler
- Institute for Molecular Cell Biology, Center for Molecular Biomedicine, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Amod Godbole
- Institute for Molecular Cell Biology, Center for Molecular Biomedicine, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Yi Sing Gee
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jonathan Baell
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jonathan S. Oakhill
- Metabolic Signaling Laboratory, St. Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
- Exercise and Nutrition Research Program, Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andreas Henke
- Section of Experimental Virology, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Regine Heller
- Institute for Molecular Cell Biology, Center for Molecular Biomedicine, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
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Trammell CE, Rowe EH, Jones BJ, Char AB, Fawcett S, Ahlers LR, Goodman AG. Insulin-mediated endothelin signaling is antiviral during West Nile virus infection. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.17.524426. [PMID: 36712090 PMCID: PMC9882177 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.17.524426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is the most prevalent mosquito-borne virus in the United States with approximately 2,000 cases each year. There are currently no approved human vaccines and a lack of prophylactic and therapeutic treatments. Understanding host responses to infection may reveal potential intervention targets to reduce virus replication and disease progression. The use of Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism to understand innate immunity and host antiviral responses is well established. Previous studies revealed that insulin-mediated signaling regulates WNV infection in invertebrates by regulating canonical antiviral pathways. Because insulin signaling is well-conserved across insect and mammalian species, we sought to determine if results using D. melanogaster can be extrapolated for the analysis of orthologous pathways in humans. Here, we identify insulin-mediated endothelin signaling using the D. melanogaster model and evaluate an orthologous pathway in human cells during WNV infection. We demonstrate that endothelin signaling reduces WNV replication through the activation of canonical antiviral signaling. Taken together, our findings show that endothelin-mediated antiviral immunity is broadly conserved across species and reduces replication of viruses that can cause severe human disease. IMPORTANCE Arboviruses, particularly those transmitted by mosquitoes, pose a significant threat to humans and are an increasing concern because of climate change, human activity, and expanding vector-competent populations. West Nile virus is of significant concern as the most frequent mosquito-borne disease transmitted annually within the continental United States. Here, we identify a previously uncharacterized signaling pathway that impacts West Nile virus infection, namely endothelin signaling. Additionally, we demonstrate that we can successfully translate results obtained from D. melanogaster into the more relevant human system. Our results add to the growing field of insulin-mediated antiviral immunity and identifies potential biomarkers or intervention targets to better address West Nile virus infection and severe disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chasity E. Trammell
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Evelyn H. Rowe
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Brianne J. Jones
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Aditya B. Char
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Stephen Fawcett
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Laura R.H. Ahlers
- RNA Viruses Section, Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Alan G. Goodman
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
- Paul G. Allen School for Global Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
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Azar WS, Njeim R, Fares AH, Azar NS, Azar ST, El Sayed M, Eid AA. COVID-19 and diabetes mellitus: how one pandemic worsens the other. Rev Endocr Metab Disord 2020; 21:451-463. [PMID: 32743793 PMCID: PMC7395898 DOI: 10.1007/s11154-020-09573-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
In light of the most challenging public health crisis of modern history, COVID-19 mortality continues to rise at an alarming rate. Patients with co-morbidities such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes mellitus (DM) seem to be more prone to severe symptoms and appear to have a higher mortality rate. In this review, we elucidate suggested mechanisms underlying the increased susceptibility of patients with diabetes to infection with SARS-CoV-2 with a more severe COVID-19 disease. The worsened prognosis of COVID-19 patients with DM can be attributed to a facilitated viral uptake assisted by the host's receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). It can also be associated with a higher basal level of pro-inflammatory cytokines present in patients with diabetes, which enables a hyperinflammatory "cytokine storm" in response to the virus. This review also suggests a link between elevated levels of IL-6 and AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway and their role in exacerbating diabetes-induced complications and insulin resistance. If further studied, these findings could help identify novel therapeutic intervention strategies for patients with diabetes comorbid with COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- William S Azar
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center, American University of Beirut, Bliss Street, 11-0236, Riad El-Solh, Beirut, 1107-2020, Lebanon
- AUB Diabetes, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Rachel Njeim
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center, American University of Beirut, Bliss Street, 11-0236, Riad El-Solh, Beirut, 1107-2020, Lebanon
- AUB Diabetes, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Angie H Fares
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center, American University of Beirut, Bliss Street, 11-0236, Riad El-Solh, Beirut, 1107-2020, Lebanon
- AUB Diabetes, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Nadim S Azar
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center, American University of Beirut, Bliss Street, 11-0236, Riad El-Solh, Beirut, 1107-2020, Lebanon
- AUB Diabetes, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Sami T Azar
- AUB Diabetes, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Mazen El Sayed
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Assaad A Eid
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center, American University of Beirut, Bliss Street, 11-0236, Riad El-Solh, Beirut, 1107-2020, Lebanon.
- AUB Diabetes, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
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Morales-Garcia V, Contreras-Paredes A, Martinez-Abundis E, Gomez-Crisostomo NP, Lizano M, Hernandez-Landero F, de la Cruz-Hernandez E. The high-risk HPV E6 proteins modify the activity of the eIF4E protein via the MEK/ERK and AKT/PKB pathways. FEBS Open Bio 2020; 10:2541-2552. [PMID: 32981220 PMCID: PMC7714072 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.12987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have proposed that the human papillomavirus (HPV) E6 oncoproteins modify the transcriptional activity of eIF4E through mechanisms dependent on p53 degradation. However, the effect of these oncoproteins on pathways regulating the activity of the eIF4E protein remains poorly understood. Hence, we investigated the mechanisms whereby E6 proteins regulate the activity of the eIF4E protein and its effect on target genes. Overexpression of E6 constructs (HPV-6, HPV-16, HPV-18, and HPV52) showed that E6 oncoproteins increased phosphorylation of the eIF4E protein (Serine-209). This result was mainly mediated by phosphorylation of the 4EBP1 protein via the PI3K/AKT pathway. Additionally, the pharmacological inhibition of eIF4E phosphorylation in cervical cancer cell lines substantially reduced the protein levels of CCND1 and ODC1, indicating that E6 of the high-risk genotypes may modify protein synthesis of the eIF4E target genes by increasing the activity of the AKT and ERK pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicente Morales-Garcia
- Division Academica Multidisciplinaria de Comalcalco, Universidad Juarez Autonoma de Tabasco, Comalcalco, Mexico
| | - Adriana Contreras-Paredes
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica en Cancer, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Eduardo Martinez-Abundis
- Division Academica Multidisciplinaria de Comalcalco, Universidad Juarez Autonoma de Tabasco, Comalcalco, Mexico
| | - Nancy P Gomez-Crisostomo
- Division Academica Multidisciplinaria de Comalcalco, Universidad Juarez Autonoma de Tabasco, Comalcalco, Mexico
| | - Marcela Lizano
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica en Cancer, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico.,Departamento de Medicina Genómica y Toxicología Ambiental, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Fernanda Hernandez-Landero
- Division Academica Multidisciplinaria de Comalcalco, Universidad Juarez Autonoma de Tabasco, Comalcalco, Mexico
| | - Erick de la Cruz-Hernandez
- Division Academica Multidisciplinaria de Comalcalco, Universidad Juarez Autonoma de Tabasco, Comalcalco, Mexico
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Nouwen LV, Everts B. Pathogens MenTORing Macrophages and Dendritic Cells: Manipulation of mTOR and Cellular Metabolism to Promote Immune Escape. Cells 2020; 9:cells9010161. [PMID: 31936570 PMCID: PMC7017145 DOI: 10.3390/cells9010161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 01/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Myeloid cells, including macrophages and dendritic cells, represent an important first line of defense against infections. Upon recognition of pathogens, these cells undergo a metabolic reprogramming that supports their activation and ability to respond to the invading pathogens. An important metabolic regulator of these cells is mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). During infection, pathogens use host metabolic pathways to scavenge host nutrients, as well as target metabolic pathways for subversion of the host immune response that together facilitate pathogen survival. Given the pivotal role of mTOR in controlling metabolism and DC and macrophage function, pathogens have evolved strategies to target this pathway to manipulate these cells. This review seeks to discuss the most recent insights into how pathogens target DC and macrophage metabolism to subvert potential deleterious immune responses against them, by focusing on the metabolic pathways that are known to regulate and to be regulated by mTOR signaling including amino acid, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, and autophagy.
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Maiese K. The Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin (mTOR): Novel Considerations as an Antiviral Treatment. Curr Neurovasc Res 2020; 17:332-337. [PMID: 32334502 PMCID: PMC7541431 DOI: 10.2174/1567202617666200425205122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Revised: 04/12/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Multiple viral pathogens can pose a significant health risk to individuals. As a recent example, the β-coronavirus family virion, SARS-CoV-2, has quickly evolved as a pandemic leading to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and has been declared by the World Health Organization as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. To date, no definitive treatment or vaccine application exists for COVID-19. Although new investigations seek to repurpose existing antiviral treatments for COVID-19, innovative treatment strategies not normally considered to have antiviral capabilities may be critical to address this global concern. One such avenue that may prove to be exceedingly fruitful and offer exciting potential as new antiviral therapy involves the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) and its associated pathways of mTOR Complex 1 (mTORC1), mTOR Complex 2 (mTORC2), and AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK). Recent work has shown that mTOR pathways in conjunction with AMPK may offer valuable targets to control cell injury, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and the onset of hyperinflammation, a significant disability associated with COVID-19. Furthermore, pathways that can activate mTOR may be necessary for anti-hepatitis C activity, reduction of influenza A virus replication, and vital for type-1 interferon responses with influenza vaccination. Yet, important considerations for the development of safe and effective antiviral therapy with mTOR pathways exist. Under some conditions, mTOR can act as a double edge sword and participate in virion replication and virion release from cells. Future work with mTOR as a potential antiviral target is highly warranted and with a greater understanding of this novel pathway, new treatments against several viral pathogens may successfully emerge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Maiese
- Cellular and Molecular Signaling, New York, NY10022, USA
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