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Choi EJ, Wu W, Chen Y, Yan W, Li L, Choudhury A, Bao X. The role of M2-2 PDZ-binding motifs in pulmonary innate immune responses to human metapneumovirus. J Med Virol 2020; 92:2946-2954. [PMID: 32073159 PMCID: PMC8357536 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.25713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a leading cause of lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) in pediatric and geriatric populations. We recently found that two PDZ-binding motifs of the M2-2 protein, 29-DEMI-32 and 39-KEALSDGI-46, play a significant role in mediating HMPV immune evasion in airway epithelial cells (AECs). However, their role in the overall pulmonary responses to HMPV infection has not been investigated. In this study, we found that two recombinant HMPVs (rHMPV) lacking the individual M2-2 PDZ-binding motif are attenuated in mouse lungs. Mice infected with mutants produce more cytokines/chemokines in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid compared to mice infected with wild-type rHMPV. In addition, both mutants are able to enhance the pulmonary recruitment of dendritic cells (DCs) and T cells and induce effective protections against the HMPV challenge. The DC maturation is also significantly improved by the motif mutation. Taken together, our data provide proof-of-principle for two live-attenuated M2-2 mutants to be promising HMPV vaccine candidates that are effective in inducing higher pulmonary innate immunity and generating protection against HMPV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun-Jin Choi
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB), Galveston
| | - Wenzhe Wu
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB), Galveston
| | - Yu Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB), Galveston
| | - Weiyu Yan
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB), Galveston
- Honeybee Research Institute, Jiangxi Agriculture University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Liqing Li
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB), Galveston
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Atanu Choudhury
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB), Galveston
- The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX78712, USA
| | - Xiaoyong Bao
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB), Galveston
- Sealy Center for Molecular Medicine, UTMB, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- The Institute of Translational Sciences, UTMB, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- The Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, UTMB, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
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Lv W, Liu S, Zhang Q, Yi Z, Bao X, Feng Y, Ren Y. Downregulation of Epac Reduces Fibrosis and Induces Apoptosis Through Akt Signaling in Human Keloid Fibroblasts. J Surg Res 2020; 257:306-316. [PMID: 32890866 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2019.12.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A keloid is a type of pathological scar often caused by abnormal tissue repair after a skin injury and is more common in genetically susceptible individuals. cAMP is a universal second messenger and regulates critical physiological processes, including calcium homeostasis, secretion, cell fate, and gene transcription, by affecting the expression of the exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (Epac). Epac has two isoforms, Epac1 (cAMP-GEF-1) and Epac2 (cAMP-GEF-II), which show varying expression levels depending on the tissue and cell type. The expression of Epac1 in keloids has not yet been investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS Keloid tissue and normal dermal skin tissue were analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunofluorescence. Primary human keloid fibroblasts (HKFs) and human normal dermal fibroblasts were studied using immunofluorescence, wound healing tests, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and western blot analysis with different concentrations of the Epac1 inhibitor ESI-09. RESULTS Downregulation of Epac was performed using ESI-09, a specific Epac inhibitor. The proliferation and migration capacities of HKFs and human normal dermal fibroblasts showed an ESI-09 concentration-dependent decrease. Furthermore, the apoptosis rates were significantly different between fibroblasts treated with ESI-09 and control fibroblasts. In addition, the phosphorylation level of Akt was significantly decreased, indicating that ESI-09 reduces fibrosis and induces apoptosis through Akt signaling in HKFs. CONCLUSIONS Our results illustrate the role of Epac1 in regulating fibroblast function during keloid pathogenesis and indicate that Epac1 may be a potential therapeutic target in keloid treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenchang Lv
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, TongJi Hospital, TongJi Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China
| | - Shengxuan Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, TongJi Hospital, TongJi Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, TongJi Hospital, TongJi Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China
| | - Zhen Yi
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, TongJi Hospital, TongJi Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China
| | - Xiaoyong Bao
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
| | - Youping Feng
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, TongJi Hospital, TongJi Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China.
| | - Yuping Ren
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, TongJi Hospital, TongJi Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China.
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Ballegeer M, Saelens X. Cell-Mediated Responses to Human Metapneumovirus Infection. Viruses 2020; 12:v12050542. [PMID: 32423043 PMCID: PMC7290942 DOI: 10.3390/v12050542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Revised: 05/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Viruses are the most common cause of acute respiratory tract infections (ARTI). Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) frequently causes viral pneumonia which can become life-threatening if the virus spreads to the lungs. Even though hMPV was only isolated in 2001, this negative-stranded RNA virus has probably been circulating in the human population for many decades. Interestingly, almost all adults have serologic evidence of hMPV infection. A well-established host immune response is evoked when hMPV infection occurs. However, the virus has evolved to circumvent and even exploit the host immune response. Further, infection with hMPV induces a weak memory response, and re-infections during life are common. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the different cell types involved in the immune response in order to better understand the immunopathology induced by hMPV. Such knowledge may contribute to the development of vaccines and therapeutics directed against hMPV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlies Ballegeer
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium;
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Xavier Saelens
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium;
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Correspondence:
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Cell-Mediated Responses to Human Metapneumovirus Infection. Viruses 2020; 12:542. [PMID: 32423043 PMCID: PMC7290942 DOI: 10.3390/v12050542&set/a 882111696+808152660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Viruses are the most common cause of acute respiratory tract infections (ARTI). Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) frequently causes viral pneumonia which can become life-threatening if the virus spreads to the lungs. Even though hMPV was only isolated in 2001, this negative-stranded RNA virus has probably been circulating in the human population for many decades. Interestingly, almost all adults have serologic evidence of hMPV infection. A well-established host immune response is evoked when hMPV infection occurs. However, the virus has evolved to circumvent and even exploit the host immune response. Further, infection with hMPV induces a weak memory response, and re-infections during life are common. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the different cell types involved in the immune response in order to better understand the immunopathology induced by hMPV. Such knowledge may contribute to the development of vaccines and therapeutics directed against hMPV.
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Cell-Mediated Responses to Human Metapneumovirus Infection. Viruses 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/v12050542
expr 836379838 + 819716165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Viruses are the most common cause of acute respiratory tract infections (ARTI). Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) frequently causes viral pneumonia which can become life-threatening if the virus spreads to the lungs. Even though hMPV was only isolated in 2001, this negative-stranded RNA virus has probably been circulating in the human population for many decades. Interestingly, almost all adults have serologic evidence of hMPV infection. A well-established host immune response is evoked when hMPV infection occurs. However, the virus has evolved to circumvent and even exploit the host immune response. Further, infection with hMPV induces a weak memory response, and re-infections during life are common. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the different cell types involved in the immune response in order to better understand the immunopathology induced by hMPV. Such knowledge may contribute to the development of vaccines and therapeutics directed against hMPV.
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Liu S, Chen Y, Ren Y, Zhou J, Ren J, Lee I, Bao X. A tRNA-derived RNA Fragment Plays an Important Role in the Mechanism of Arsenite -induced Cellular Responses. Sci Rep 2018; 8:16838. [PMID: 30442959 PMCID: PMC6237853 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-34899-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic exposure to environmental heavy metals is a worldwide health concern. It is acknowledged to be an important cause of lower respiratory tract damage in children. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the heavy metal-induced cellular stress/toxicity are not completely understood. Small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs), such as microRNAs (miRNA) and more recently identified tRNA-derived RNA fragments (tRFs), are critical to the posttranscriptional control of genes. We used deep sequencing to investigate whether cellular sncRNA profiles are changed by environmental heavy metals. We found that the treatment of arsenite, an important groundwater heavy metal, leads to abundant production of tRFs, that are ~30 nucleotides (nts) long and most of which correspond to the 5'-end of mature tRNAs. It is unlikely for these tRFs to be random degradation by-products, as the type of induced tRFs is heavy metal-dependent. Three most inducible tRFs and their roles in arsenite-induced cellular responses were then investigated. We identified that p65, an important transcription factor belonging to NF-κB family and also a key factor controlling inflammatory gene expression, is a regulated target of a tRF derived from 5'-end of mature tRNA encoding AlaCGC (tRF5-AlaCGC). tRF5-AlaCGC activates p65, subsequently leading to enhanced secretion of IL-8 in arsenite response. In this study, we also identified that endonuclease Dicer and angiogenin temporally control the induction of tRF5-AlaCGC, providing an insight into the control of tRF biogenesis and subsequently the prevention of cellular damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengxuan Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, TongJi Hospital, TongJi Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Huazhong, China
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Yu Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, TongJi Hospital, TongJi Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Huazhong, China
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Yuping Ren
- Department of Pediatrics, TongJi Hospital, TongJi Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Huazhong, China
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Jiehua Zhou
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Junping Ren
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | | | - Xiaoyong Bao
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
- Sealy Center for Environmental Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
- Sealy Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
- Institute for Translational Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
- Institute for Human Infections & Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
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