1
|
Lemmer Y, Chapman R, Abolnik C, Smith T, Schäfer G, Hermanus T, du Preez I, Goosen K, Sepotokele KM, Gers S, Suliman T, Preiser W, Shaw ML, Roth R, Truyts A, Chipangura J, Magwaza M, Mahanjana O, Moore PL, O'Kennedy MM. Protective efficacy of a plant-produced beta variant rSARS-CoV-2 VLP vaccine in golden Syrian hamsters. Vaccine 2024; 42:738-744. [PMID: 38238112 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.01.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
In the quest for heightened protection against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants, we engineered a prototype vaccine utilizing the plant expression system of Nicotiana benthamiana, to produce a recombinant SARS-CoV-2 virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine presenting the S-protein from the Beta (B.1.351) variant of concern (VOC). This innovative vaccine, formulated with either a squalene oil-in-water emulsion or a synthetic CpG oligodeoxynucleotide adjuvant, demonstrated efficacy in a golden Syrian Hamster challenge model. The Beta VLP vaccine induced a robust humoral immune response, with serum exhibiting neutralization not only against SARS-CoV-2 Beta but also cross-neutralizing Delta and Omicron pseudoviruses. Protective efficacy was demonstrated, evidenced by reduced viral RNA copies and mitigated weight loss and lung damage compared to controls. This compelling data instills confidence in the creation of a versatile platform for the local manufacturing of potential pan-sarbecovirus vaccines, against evolving viral threats.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yolandy Lemmer
- Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Next Generation Health, Pretoria, South Africa; Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, South Africa.
| | - Ros Chapman
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa; Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Celia Abolnik
- Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria (UP), South Africa
| | - Tanja Smith
- Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Next Generation Health, Pretoria, South Africa; Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria (UP), South Africa
| | - Georgia Schäfer
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa; International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa; Wellcome Trust Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Africa, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Tandile Hermanus
- SA MRC Antibody Immunity Research Unit, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Ilse du Preez
- Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Next Generation Health, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Kruger Goosen
- La-Bio Research Animal Laboratory (a Division of Disease Control Africa), 33 Eland Street, Koedoespoort Industrial, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Kamogelo M Sepotokele
- Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Next Generation Health, Pretoria, South Africa; Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria (UP), South Africa
| | | | - Tasnim Suliman
- Department of Medical Biosciences, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Wolfgang Preiser
- Division of Medical Virology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University Tygerberg Campus, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Megan L Shaw
- Department of Medical Biosciences, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa; Division of Medical Virology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University Tygerberg Campus, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Robyn Roth
- Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Next Generation Health, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Alma Truyts
- Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Next Generation Health, Pretoria, South Africa; Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, South Africa
| | - John Chipangura
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Martin Magwaza
- Tautomer Pty Ltd., Woodmead North Office, 54 Maxwell Drive, Block B, Ground Floor Woodmead, 2191 Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Osborn Mahanjana
- 3Sixty Biopharmaceuticals Pty Ltd., 23 Impala Road, Block B, Chislehurston, Sandton, Gauteng 2196, South Africa
| | - Penny L Moore
- SA MRC Antibody Immunity Research Unit, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Martha M O'Kennedy
- Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Next Generation Health, Pretoria, South Africa; Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria (UP), South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lambarey H, Blumenthal MJ, Chetram A, Joyimbana W, Jennings L, Orrell C, Schäfer G. Reactivation of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) by SARS-CoV-2 in non-hospitalised HIV-infected patients. EBioMedicine 2024; 100:104986. [PMID: 38306893 PMCID: PMC10850403 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2024.104986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND While acute SARS-CoV-2 infection and associated inflammation resulted in substantial morbidity and mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in unvaccinated patients, long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 exposure for reactivation of latent oncogenic herpesviruses, such as KSHV, is unknown. METHODS We performed a longitudinal observational cross-sectional study on 407 non-hospitalised adult HIV-infected (CD4 count <350 cells/μL) patients attending antiretroviral therapy services in Gugulethu, South Africa, from October 2020 to April 2023. FINDINGS KSHV seroprevalence was 53.5%; the quarterly SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence increased from 76.2% (before roll-out of COVID-19 vaccinations) to 94.9%, with 32.2% being self-reportedly vaccinated against COVID-19. Over the course of recruitment, the quarterly percentage of patients with detectable KSHV viral load (VL) in the peripheral blood increased from 3.3% to 69.2%. The presence of KSHV VL was significantly associated with SARS-CoV-2 RBD antibody titers in unvaccinated (median RBD IgG OD 1.24 [IQR 0.82-2.42] in non-reactivated versus 2.83 [IQR 1.08-4.72] in reactivated patients, p = 0.0030) but not in vaccinated patients (median RBD IgG OD 5.13 [IQR 4.11-6.36] in non-reactivated versus 4.53 [IQR 2.90-5.92] in reactivated patients, p = 0.086). Further logistic regression revealed significantly higher odds of KSHV reactivation in unvaccinated, previously SARS-CoV-2 exposed patients (p = 0.015, adjusted OR 1.28 [95% CI: 1.05-1.55]), but not vaccinated patients (p = 0.080, adjusted OR 0.83 [95% CI: 0.67-1.02]). Interestingly, detectable KSHV VL was not associated with increased inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein and interleukin-6. INTERPRETATION High, and most likely repeated, exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in unvaccinated individuals may have long-term consequences for reactivation of KSHV infection as shown here in the context of HIV-infected patients with impaired immune functions. Post-pandemic prevention and/or monitoring strategies of potential KSHV-associated pathologies in high-risk patients with immunodeficiencies are therefore highly recommended. FUNDING This research was funded by the EDCTP2 programme (Training and Mobility Action TMA2018SF-2446).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Humaira Lambarey
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town, South Africa; Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa; Division of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Melissa J Blumenthal
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town, South Africa; Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa; Division of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Abeen Chetram
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | | | - Catherine Orrell
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa; Desmond Tutu Health Foundation, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Georgia Schäfer
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town, South Africa; Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa; Division of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa; Wellcome Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Africa, University of Cape Town, South Africa.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Tibenderana RM, Blumenthal MJ, Bukajumbe E, Schäfer G, Mohamed Z. Clinical Significance of Elevated KSHV Viral Load in HIV-Related Kaposi's Sarcoma Patients in South Africa. Viruses 2024; 16:189. [PMID: 38399965 PMCID: PMC10893554 DOI: 10.3390/v16020189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is an AIDS-defining illness caused by Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) predominantly in the context of HIV-related immune suppression. We aimed to explore the usefulness of KSHV DNA viral load (VL) measurement in predicting the severity, response to treatment and outcome of KS. We retrospectively assessed a cohort of KS patients (n = 94) receiving treatment at Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa. Demographic and clinical data, KS staging and response to treatment were extracted from patient files, while long-term survival was ascertained from hospital records. KSHV serology and VL and hIL-6 were determined empirically from patients' blood. All patients were HIV-positive adults, the majority of whom were on HAART at the time of recruitment. KSHV VL was detectable in 65 patients' blood (median: 280.5/106 cells (IQR: 69.7-1727.3)) and was highest in patients with S1 HIV-related systemic disease (median 1066.9/106 cells, IQR: 70.5-11,269.6). KSHV VL was associated with the S1 stage in a binomial regression controlling for confounders (adjusted odds ratio 5.55, 95% CI: 1.28-24.14, p = 0.022). A subset of six patients identified to have extremely high KSHV VLs was predominantly T1 stage with pulmonary KS, and most had died at follow-up. In our cohort, elevated KSHV VL is associated with systemic HIV-related illness in KS disease. Extremely high KSHV VLs warrant further investigation for patients potentially requiring intensive treatment and investigation for progression or diagnosis of concurrent KSHV lytic syndromes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Melissa Jayne Blumenthal
- Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa;
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Emmanuel Bukajumbe
- Aberdeen Surgery, Aberdeen, NSW 2336, Australia;
- Hatchile Consult Ltd., Kampala 759125, Uganda
| | - Georgia Schäfer
- Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa;
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Zainab Mohamed
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa;
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Jahajeeah D, Ranghoo-Sanmukhiya M, Schäfer G. Metabolic Profiling, Antiviral Activity and the Microbiome of Some Mauritian Soft Corals. Mar Drugs 2023; 21:574. [PMID: 37999398 PMCID: PMC10672535 DOI: 10.3390/md21110574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Soft corals, recognized as sessile marine invertebrates, rely mainly on chemical, rather than physical defense, by secreting intricate secondary metabolites with plausible pharmaceutical implication. Their ecological niche encompasses a diverse community of symbiotic microorganisms which potentially contribute to the biosynthesis of these bioactive metabolites. The emergence of new viruses and heightened viral resistance underscores the urgency to explore novel pharmacological reservoirs. Thus, marine organisms, notably soft corals and their symbionts, have drawn substantial attention. In this study, the chemical composition of four Mauritian soft corals: Sinularia polydactya, Cespitularia simplex, Lobophytum patulum, and Lobophytum crassum was investigated using LC-MS techniques. Concurrently, Illumina 16S metagenomic sequencing was used to identify the associated bacterial communities in the named soft corals. The presence of unique biologically important compounds and vast microbial communities found therein was further followed up to assess their antiviral effects against SARS-CoV-2 and HPV pseudovirus infection. Strikingly, among the studied soft corals, L. patulum displayed an expansive repertoire of unique metabolites alongside a heightened bacterial consort. Moreover, L. patulum extracts exerted some promising antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 and HPV pseudovirus infection, and our findings suggest that L. patulum may have the potential to serve as a therapeutic agent in the prevention of infectious diseases, thereby warranting further investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Deeya Jahajeeah
- Department of Agricultural & Food Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Mauritius, Reduit 80837, Mauritius;
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Cape Town 7925, South Africa;
| | - Mala Ranghoo-Sanmukhiya
- Department of Agricultural & Food Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Mauritius, Reduit 80837, Mauritius;
| | - Georgia Schäfer
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Cape Town 7925, South Africa;
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Chinna P, Bratl K, Lambarey H, Blumenthal MJ, Schäfer G. The Impact of Co-Infections for Human Gammaherpesvirus Infection and Associated Pathologies. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13066. [PMID: 37685871 PMCID: PMC10487760 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The two oncogenic human gammaherpesviruses Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) cause significant disease burden, particularly in immunosuppressed individuals. Both viruses display latent and lytic phases of their life cycle with different outcomes for their associated pathologies. The high prevalence of infectious diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), particularly HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and more recently, COVID-19, as well as their associated inflammatory responses, could potentially impact either virus' infectious course. However, acute or lytically active EBV and/or KSHV infections often present with symptoms mimicking these predominant diseases leading to misdiagnosis or underdiagnosis of oncogenic herpesvirus-associated pathologies. EBV and/or KSHV infections are generally acquired early in life and remain latent until lytic reactivation is triggered by various stimuli. This review summarizes known associations between infectious agents prevalent in SSA and underlying EBV and/or KSHV infection. While presenting an overview of both viruses' biphasic life cycles, this review aims to highlight the importance of co-infections in the correct identification of risk factors for and diagnoses of EBV- and/or KSHV-associated pathologies, particularly in SSA, where both oncogenic herpesviruses as well as other infectious agents are highly pervasive and can lead to substantial morbidity and mortality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Prishanta Chinna
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (P.C.); (K.B.); (H.L.); (M.J.B.)
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
- Division of Medical Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Katrin Bratl
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (P.C.); (K.B.); (H.L.); (M.J.B.)
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
- Division of Medical Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Humaira Lambarey
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (P.C.); (K.B.); (H.L.); (M.J.B.)
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
- Division of Medical Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Melissa J. Blumenthal
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (P.C.); (K.B.); (H.L.); (M.J.B.)
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
- Division of Medical Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Georgia Schäfer
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (P.C.); (K.B.); (H.L.); (M.J.B.)
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
- Division of Medical Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
de Moor WRJ, Williamson AL, Schäfer G, Douglass N, Gers S, Sutherland AD, Blumenthal MJ, Margolin E, Shaw ML, Preiser W, Chapman R. LSDV-Vectored SARS-CoV-2 S and N Vaccine Protects against Severe Clinical Disease in Hamsters. Viruses 2023; 15:1409. [PMID: 37515096 PMCID: PMC10383203 DOI: 10.3390/v15071409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic demonstrated the need for potent and broad-spectrum vaccines. This study reports the development and testing of a lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV)-vectored vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, utilizing stabilized spike and conserved nucleocapsid proteins as antigens to develop robust immunogenicity. Construction of the vaccine (LSDV-SARS2-S,N) was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and sequencing. In vitro characterization confirmed that cells infected with LSDV-SARS2-S,N expressed SARS-CoV-2 spike and nucleocapsid protein. In BALB/c mice, the vaccine elicited high magnitude IFN-γ ELISpot responses (spike: 2808 SFU/106 splenocytes) and neutralizing antibodies (ID50 = 6552). Testing in hamsters, which emulate human COVID-19 disease progression, showed the development of high titers of neutralizing antibodies against the Wuhan and Delta SARS-CoV-2 variants (Wuhan ID50 = 2905; Delta ID50 = 4648). Additionally, hamsters vaccinated with LSDV-SARS2-S,N displayed significantly less weight loss, lung damage, and reduced viral RNA copies following SARS-CoV-2 infection with the Delta variant as compared to controls, demonstrating protection against disease. These data demonstrate that LSDV-vectored vaccines display promise as an effective SARS-CoV-2 vaccine and as a potential vaccine platform for communicable diseases in humans and animals. Further efficacy testing and immune response analysis, particularly in non-human primates, are warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Warren R J de Moor
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Anna-Lise Williamson
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Georgia Schäfer
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Africa, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Nicola Douglass
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | | | - Andrew D Sutherland
- Division of Medical Virology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University Tygerberg Campus, Cape Town 7505, South Africa
| | - Melissa J Blumenthal
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Emmanuel Margolin
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Africa, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
| | - Megan L Shaw
- Division of Medical Virology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University Tygerberg Campus, Cape Town 7505, South Africa
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, Cape Town 7535, South Africa
| | - Wolfgang Preiser
- Division of Medical Virology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University Tygerberg Campus, Cape Town 7505, South Africa
| | - Rosamund Chapman
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Margolin E, Schäfer G, Allen JD, Gers S, Woodward J, Sutherland AD, Blumenthal M, Meyers A, Shaw ML, Preiser W, Strasser R, Crispin M, Williamson AL, Rybicki EP, Chapman R. A plant-produced SARS-CoV-2 spike protein elicits heterologous immunity in hamsters. Front Plant Sci 2023; 14:1146234. [PMID: 36959936 PMCID: PMC10028082 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1146234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Molecular farming of vaccines has been heralded as a cheap, safe and scalable production platform. In reality, however, differences in the plant biosynthetic machinery, compared to mammalian cells, can complicate the production of viral glycoproteins. Remodelling the secretory pathway presents an opportunity to support key post-translational modifications, and to tailor aspects of glycosylation and glycosylation-directed folding. In this study, we applied an integrated host and glyco-engineering approach, NXS/T Generation™, to produce a SARS-CoV-2 prefusion spike trimer in Nicotiana benthamiana as a model antigen from an emerging virus. The size exclusion-purified protein exhibited a characteristic prefusion structure when viewed by transmission electron microscopy, and this was indistinguishable from the equivalent mammalian cell-produced antigen. The plant-produced protein was decorated with under-processed oligomannose N-glycans and exhibited a site occupancy that was comparable to the equivalent protein produced in mammalian cell culture. Complex-type glycans were almost entirely absent from the plant-derived material, which contrasted against the predominantly mature, complex glycans that were observed on the mammalian cell culture-derived protein. The plant-derived antigen elicited neutralizing antibodies against both the matched Wuhan and heterologous Delta SARS-CoV-2 variants in immunized hamsters, although titres were lower than those induced by the comparator mammalian antigen. Animals vaccinated with the plant-derived antigen exhibited reduced viral loads following challenge, as well as significant protection from SARS-CoV-2 disease as evidenced by reduced lung pathology, lower viral loads and protection from weight loss. Nonetheless, animals immunized with the mammalian cell-culture-derived protein were better protected in this challenge model suggesting that more faithfully reproducing the native glycoprotein structure and associated glycosylation of the antigen may be desirable.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Margolin
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Africa, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Georgia Schäfer
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Africa, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Observatory, Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Joel D Allen
- School of Biological Sciences and Institute of Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | | | - Jeremy Woodward
- Electron Microscope Unit, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Andrew D Sutherland
- Division of Medical Virology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University Tygerberg Campus, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Melissa Blumenthal
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Observatory, Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Ann Meyers
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Megan L Shaw
- Department of Medical Biosciences, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Wolfgang Preiser
- Division of Medical Virology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University Tygerberg Campus, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Richard Strasser
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Max Crispin
- School of Biological Sciences and Institute of Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Anna-Lise Williamson
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Edward P Rybicki
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Ros Chapman
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Lesmes-Rodríguez LC, Lambarey H, Chetram A, Riou C, Wilkinson RJ, Joyimbana W, Jennings L, Orrell C, Jaramillo-Hernández DA, Schäfer G. Previous exposure to common coronavirus HCoV-NL63 is associated with reduced COVID-19 severity in patients from Cape Town, South Africa. Front Virol 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fviro.2023.1125448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
BackgroundGlobally, the most significant risk factors for adverse COVID-19 outcome are increasing age and cardiometabolic comorbidities. However, underlying coinfections may modulate COVID-19 morbidity and mortality, particularly in regions with high prevalence of infectious diseases.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed serum samples for IgG antibodies against the common circulating coronaviruses HCoV-NL63, HCoV-229E, HCoV-OC43 and HCoV-HKU1 from non-hospitalized and hospitalized confirmed COVID-19 patients recruited during the first (June-August 2020) and second (October 2020-June 2021) COVID-19 wave in Cape Town, South Africa. Patients were grouped according to COVID-19 disease severity: Group 1: previously SARS-CoV-2 infected with positive serology and no symptoms (n=94); Group 2: acutely SARS-CoV-2 infected, hospitalized for COVID-19 and severe symptoms (n=92).ResultsThe overall anti-HCoV IgG seroprevalence in the entire patient cohort was 60.8% (95% CI: 53.7 – 67.8), with 37.1% HCoV-NL63 (95% CI: 30 – 44), 30.6% HCoV-229E (95% CI: 24 – 37.3), 22.6% HCoV-HKU1 (95% CI: 16.6 – 28.6), and 21.0% HCoV-OC43 (95% CI: 15.1 – 26.8). We observed a significantly higher overall HCoV presence (72.3% versus 48.9%) and coinfection frequency (43.6% versus 19.6%) in group 1 compared to group 2 patients with significantly higher presentation of HCoV-NL63 (67.0% versus 6.6%) and HCoV-HKU1 (31.1% versus 14.1%). However, only antibody titers for HCoV-NL63 were significantly higher in group 1 compared to group 2 patients (p< 0.0001, 1.90 [95% CI: 0.62 – 2.45] versus 1.32 [95% CI: 0.30 – 2.01]) which was independent of the participants’ HIV status. Logistic regression analysis revealed significantly protective effects by previous exposure to HCoV-NL63 [p< 0.001, adjusted OR = 0.0176 (95% CI: 0.0039 – 0.0786)], while previous HCoV-229E exposure was associated with increased COVID-19 severity [p = 0.0051, adjusted OR = 7.3239 (95% CI: 1.8195–29.4800)].ConclusionWe conclude that previous exposure to multiple common coronaviruses, and particularly HCoV-NL63, might protect against severe COVID-19, while no previous HCoV exposure or single infection with HCoV-229E might enhance the risk for severe COVID-19. To our knowledge, this is the first report on HCoV seroprevalence in South Africa and its possible association with cross-protection against COVID-19 severity.
Collapse
|
9
|
Khan SF, Burmeister CA, Scott DJ, Sinkala M, Ramburan A, Wu HT, Schäfer G, Katz AA, Prince S. TBX3 promotes cervical cancer proliferation and migration via HPV E6 and E7 signaling. Mol Cancer Res 2023; 21:345-358. [PMID: 36622795 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-22-0598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Cervical cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women globally and 99% of cases are caused by persistent infection with high-risk strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV). The HPV oncoproteins E6 and E7 establish the cancer phenotype by co-operating with host proteins and identifying them may have important therapeutic benefits. T-box transcription factor 3 (TBX3) is a critical developmental regulator and when it is overexpressed postnatally it contributes to several cancers, but little is known about its expression and role in cervical cancer. The present study shows that TBX3 is upregulated in cervical cancer cell lines as well as precancerous and cervical cancer patient tissue and is associated with larger and more invasive tumors. Knockdown and overexpression cell culture models show that TBX3 promotes HPV-positive cell proliferation, migration, and spheroid growth, however, TBX3 inhibits these processes in HPV-negative cells. Importantly, we show that the tumor promoting activity of TBX3 in cervical cancer is dependent on E6/E7. Implications: In summary, our study highlights the importance of TBX3 as a co-operating partner of E6/E7 in HPV-positive cervical cancer and identifies TBX3 as a potential therapeutic target to treat this neoplasm.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saif F Khan
- Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Carly A Burmeister
- Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - David J Scott
- Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Musalula Sinkala
- Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Amsha Ramburan
- Division of Anatomical Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town and National Health Laboratory Service, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Hue-Tsi Wu
- Division of Anatomical Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town and National Health Laboratory Service, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Georgia Schäfer
- Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Arieh A Katz
- Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
- SA-MRC-UCT Gynaecological Cancer Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Sharon Prince
- Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Kusza DA, Hunter R, Schäfer G, Smith M, Katz AA, Kaschula CH. Activity-Based Proteomic Identification of the S-Thiolation Targets of Ajoene in MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cells. J Agric Food Chem 2022; 70:14679-14692. [PMID: 36351177 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.2c04972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Garlic is a medicinal plant and spice that has been used for millennia for its health-promoting effects. These medicinal properties are associated with low molecular weight organosulfur compounds, produced following the crushing of garlic cloves. One of these compounds, ajoene, is proposed to act by S-thioallylating cysteine residues on target proteins whose identification in cancer cells holds great promise for understanding mechanistic aspects of ajoene's cancer cell cytotoxicity. To this end, an ajoene analogue (called biotin-ajoene, BA), containing a biotin affinity tag, was designed as an activity-based probe specific for the protein targets of ajoene in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. BA was synthesized via a convergent "click" strategy and found to retain its cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231 cells compared to ajoene. Widespread biotinylation of proteins was found to occur via disulfide bond formation in a dose-dependent manner, and the biotin-ajoene probe was found to share the same protein targets as its parent compound, ajoene. The biotinylated proteins were affinity-purified from the treated MDA-MB-231 cell lysate using streptavidin-coated magnetic beads followed by an on-bead reduction, alkylation, and digestion to liberate the peptide fragments, which were analyzed by liquid chromatography tandem mass chromatography. A total of 600 protein targets were identified, among which 91% overlapped with proteins with known protein cysteine modification (PCM) sites. The specific sites were enriched for those susceptible to S-glutathionylation (-SSG) (16%), S-sulfhydration (-SSH) (20%), S-sulfenylation (-SOH) (22%), and S-nitrosylation (-SNO) (31%). As target validation, both ajoene and a dansylated ajoene (DP) were found to S-thiolate the pure recombinant forms of glutathione S-transferase pi 1 (GSTP1) and protein disulfide isomerase (PDI), and the ajoene analogue DP was found to be a more potent inhibitor than 5,5-dithio-bis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB). Pathway analysis elucidated that ajoene targets functional and signaling pathways that are implicated in cancer cell survival, specifically cellular processes, metabolism, and genetic information processing pathways. The results of this study provide mechanistic insights into the character of the anti-cancer activity of the natural dietary compound ajoene.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel A Kusza
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7700, South Africa
| | - Roger Hunter
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7700, South Africa
| | - Georgia Schäfer
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
- Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Muneerah Smith
- Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Arieh A Katz
- Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
- SA-MRC-UCT Gynaecological Cancer Research Centre, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Catherine H Kaschula
- Department of Chemistry and Polymer Science, Stellenbosch University, Matieland 7600, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Handle F, Puhr M, Gruber M, Schäfer G, De Wulf P, Culig Z. Biochemical inhibition of the MYC down-stream target RIOK1 induces apoptosis in prostate cancer cells. EUR UROL SUPPL 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/s2666-1683(22)01958-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
|
12
|
Lambarey H, Blumenthal MJ, Chetram A, Joyimbana W, Jennings L, Tincho MB, Burgers WA, Orrell C, Schäfer G. SARS-CoV-2 Infection Is Associated with Uncontrolled HIV Viral Load in Non-Hospitalized HIV-Infected Patients from Gugulethu, South Africa. Viruses 2022; 14:v14061222. [PMID: 35746693 PMCID: PMC9229655 DOI: 10.3390/v14061222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
In South Africa, high exposure to SARS-CoV-2 occurs primarily in densely populated, low-income communities, which are additionally burdened by highly prevalent Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). With the aim to assess SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and its association with HIV-related clinical parameters in non-hospitalized patients likely to be highly exposed to SARS-CoV-2, this observational cross-sectional study was conducted at the Gugulethu Community Health Centre Antiretroviral clinic between October 2020 and June 2021, after the first COVID-19 wave in South Africa and during the second and beginning of the third wave. A total of 150 adult (median age 39 years [range 20−65 years]) HIV-infected patients (69% female; 31% male) were recruited. 95.3% of the cohort was on antiretroviral therapy (ART), had a median CD4 count of 220 cells/µL (range 17−604 cells/µL) and a median HIV viral load (VL) of 49 copies/mL (range 1−1,050,867 copies/mL). Furthermore, 106 patients (70.7%) were SARS-CoV-2 seropositive, and 0% were vaccinated. When stratified for HIV VL, patients with uncontrolled HIV viremia (HIV VL > 1000 copies/mL) had significantly higher odds of SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity than patients with HIV VL < 1000 copies/mL, after adjusting for age, sex and ART status (p = 0.035, adjusted OR 2.961 [95% CI: 1.078−8.133]). Although the cause−effect relationship could not be determined due to the cross-sectional study design, these results point towards a higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility among viremic HIV patients, or impaired HIV viral control due to previous co-infection with SARS-CoV-2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Humaira Lambarey
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (H.L.); (M.J.B.); (A.C.)
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (M.B.T.); (W.A.B.); (C.O.)
- Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Division of Medical Biochemistry, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Melissa J. Blumenthal
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (H.L.); (M.J.B.); (A.C.)
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (M.B.T.); (W.A.B.); (C.O.)
- Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Division of Medical Biochemistry, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Abeen Chetram
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (H.L.); (M.J.B.); (A.C.)
| | - Wendy Joyimbana
- Desmond Tutu Health Foundation, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (W.J.); (L.J.)
| | - Lauren Jennings
- Desmond Tutu Health Foundation, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (W.J.); (L.J.)
| | - Marius B. Tincho
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (M.B.T.); (W.A.B.); (C.O.)
- Department of Pathology, Division of Medical Virology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Wendy A. Burgers
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (M.B.T.); (W.A.B.); (C.O.)
- Department of Pathology, Division of Medical Virology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
- Wellcome Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Africa, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Catherine Orrell
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (M.B.T.); (W.A.B.); (C.O.)
- Desmond Tutu Health Foundation, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (W.J.); (L.J.)
| | - Georgia Schäfer
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (H.L.); (M.J.B.); (A.C.)
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (M.B.T.); (W.A.B.); (C.O.)
- Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Division of Medical Biochemistry, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
- Wellcome Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Africa, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +27-21-404-7688
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Burmeister CA, Khan SF, Schäfer G, Mbatani N, Adams T, Moodley J, Prince S. Cervical cancer therapies: current challenges and future perspectives. Tumour Virus Res 2022; 13:200238. [PMID: 35460940 PMCID: PMC9062473 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvr.2022.200238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common female cancer worldwide and results in over 300 000 deaths globally. The causative agent of cervical cancer is persistent infection with high-risk subtypes of the human papillomavirus and the E5, E6 and E7 viral oncoproteins cooperate with host factors to induce and maintain the malignant phenotype. Cervical cancer is a largely preventable disease and early-stage detection is associated with significantly improved survival rates. Indeed, in high-income countries with established vaccination and screening programs it is a rare disease. However, the disease is a killer for women in low- and middle-income countries who, due to limited resources, often present with advanced and untreatable disease. Treatment options include surgical interventions, chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy either alone or in combination. This review describes the initiation and progression of cervical cancer and discusses in depth the advantages and challenges faced by current cervical cancer therapies, followed by a discussion of promising and efficacious new therapies to treat cervical cancer including immunotherapies, targeted therapies, combination therapies, and genetic treatment approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carly A Burmeister
- Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, 7925, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Saif F Khan
- Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, 7925, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Georgia Schäfer
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) Cape Town, Observatory, 7925, Cape Town, South Africa; Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory 7925, South Africa; Division of Medical Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory 7925, South Africa
| | - Nomonde Mbatani
- South African Medical Research Council Gynaecology Cancer Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Faculty of Health Sciences. University of Cape Town,Observatory. Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Tracey Adams
- South African Medical Research Council Gynaecology Cancer Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Faculty of Health Sciences. University of Cape Town,Observatory. Cape Town, South Africa; UCT Global Surgery, Department of Surgery, Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jennifer Moodley
- Women's Health Research Unit, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town; Observatory, Cape, Town, South Africa; Cancer Research Initiative, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town; Observatory, Cape, Town, South Africa; South African Medical Research Council Gynaecology Cancer Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Sharon Prince
- Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, 7925, Cape Town, South Africa.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Blumenthal MJ, Lambarey H, Chetram A, Riou C, Wilkinson RJ, Schäfer G. Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus, but Not Epstein-Barr Virus, Co-infection Associates With Coronavirus Disease 2019 Severity and Outcome in South African Patients. Front Microbiol 2022; 12:795555. [PMID: 35069495 PMCID: PMC8770866 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.795555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In South Africa, the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is occurring against the backdrop of high Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), tuberculosis and non-communicable disease burdens as well as prevalent herpesviruses infections such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV). As part of an observational study of adults admitted to Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa during the period June–August 2020 and assessed for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, we measured KSHV serology and KSHV and EBV viral load (VL) in peripheral blood in relation to COVID-19 severity and outcome. A total of 104 patients with PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were included in this study. 61% were men and 39% women with a median age of 53 years (range 21–86). 29.8% (95% CI: 21.7–39.1%) of the cohort was HIV positive and 41.1% (95% CI: 31.6–51.1%) were KSHV seropositive. EBV VL was detectable in 84.4% (95% CI: 76.1–84.4%) of the cohort while KSHV DNA was detected in 20.6% (95% CI: 13.6–29.2%), with dual EBV/KSHV infection in 17.7% (95% CI: 11.1–26.2%). On enrollment, 48 [46.2% (95% CI: 36.8–55.7%)] COVID-19 patients were classified as severe on the WHO ordinal scale reflecting oxygen therapy and supportive care requirements and 30 of these patients [28.8% (95% CI: 20.8–38.0%)] later died. In COVID-19 patients, detectable KSHV VL was associated with death after adjusting for age, sex, HIV status and detectable EBV VL [p = 0.036, adjusted OR = 3.17 (95% CI: 1.08–9.32)]. Furthermore, in HIV negative COVID-19 patients, there was a trend indicating that KSHV VL may be related to COVID-19 disease severity [p = 0.054, unstandardized co-efficient 0.86 (95% CI: –0.015–1.74)] in addition to death [p = 0.008, adjusted OR = 7.34 (95% CI: 1.69–31.49)]. While the design of our study cannot distinguish if disease synergy exists between COVID-19 and KSHV nor if either viral infection is indeed fueling the other, these data point to a potential contribution of KSHV infection to COVID-19 outcome, or SARS-CoV-2 infection to KSHV reactivation, particularly in the South African context of high disease burden, that warrants further investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melissa J Blumenthal
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town, South Africa.,Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Humaira Lambarey
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town, South Africa.,Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Abeen Chetram
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Catherine Riou
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Wellcome Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Africa, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Robert J Wilkinson
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Wellcome Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Africa, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.,The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Georgia Schäfer
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town, South Africa.,Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Wellcome Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Africa, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Riou C, Schäfer G, du Bruyn E, Goliath RT, Stek C, Mou H, Hung D, Wilkinson KA, Wilkinson RJ. Rapid, simplified whole blood-based multiparameter assay to quantify and phenotype SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cells. Eur Respir J 2022; 59:2100285. [PMID: 34140294 PMCID: PMC8215505 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.00285-2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rapid tests to evaluate severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-specific T-cell responses are urgently needed to decipher protective immunity and aid monitoring vaccine-induced immunity. METHODS Using a rapid whole blood assay requiring a minimal amount of blood, we measured qualitatively and quantitatively SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4 T-cell responses in 31 healthcare workers using flow cytometry. RESULTS 100% of COVID-19 convalescent participants displayed a detectable SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4 T-cell response. SARS-CoV-2-responding cells were also detected in 40.9% of participants with no COVID-19-associated symptoms or who tested PCR-negative. Phenotypic assessment indicated that, in COVID-19 convalescent participants, SARS-CoV-2 CD4 responses displayed an early differentiated memory phenotype with limited capacity to produce interferon (IFN)-γ. Conversely, in participants with no reported symptoms, SARS-CoV-2 CD4 responses were enriched in late differentiated cells, coexpressing IFN-γ and tumour necrosis factor-α and also Granzyme B. CONCLUSIONS This proof-of-concept study presents a scalable alternative to peripheral blood mononuclear cell-based assays to enumerate and phenotype SARS-CoV-2-responding T-cells, thus representing a practical tool to monitor adaptive immunity due to natural infection or vaccine trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Riou
- Wellcome Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Africa and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
- Division of Medical Virology, Dept of Pathology, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
| | - Georgia Schäfer
- Wellcome Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Africa and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
- Division of Medical Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Dept of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
| | - Elsa du Bruyn
- Wellcome Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Africa and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
- Dept of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
| | - Rene T Goliath
- Wellcome Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Africa and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
| | - Cari Stek
- Wellcome Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Africa and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
- Dept of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
- Dept of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Huihui Mou
- Dept of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Deli Hung
- Dept of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Katalin A Wilkinson
- Wellcome Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Africa and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
- Dept of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Robert J Wilkinson
- Wellcome Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Africa and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
- Dept of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
- Dept of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London, London, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Carse S, Lang D, Katz AA, Schäfer G. Exogenous Vimentin Supplementation Transiently Affects Early Steps during HPV16 Pseudovirus Infection. Viruses 2021; 13:v13122471. [PMID: 34960740 PMCID: PMC8703489 DOI: 10.3390/v13122471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding and modulating the early steps in oncogenic Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection has great cancer-preventative potential, as this virus is the etiological agent of virtually all cervical cancer cases and is associated with many other anogenital and oropharyngeal cancers. Previous work from our laboratory has identified cell-surface-expressed vimentin as a novel HPV16 pseudovirus (HPV16-PsVs)-binding molecule modulating its infectious potential. To further explore its mode of inhibiting HPV16-PsVs internalisation, we supplemented it with exogenous recombinant human vimentin and show that only the globular form of the molecule (as opposed to the filamentous form) inhibited HPV16-PsVs internalisation in vitro. Further, this inhibitory effect was only transient and not sustained over prolonged incubation times, as demonstrated in vitro and in vivo, possibly due to full-entry molecule engagement by the virions once saturation levels have been reached. The vimentin-mediated delay of HPV16-PsVs internalisation could be narrowed down to affecting multiple steps during the virus’ interaction with the host cell and was found to affect both heparan sulphate proteoglycan (HSPG) binding as well as the subsequent entry receptor complex engagement. Interestingly, decreased pseudovirus internalisation (but not infection) in the presence of vimentin was also demonstrated for oncogenic HPV types 18, 31 and 45. Together, these data demonstrate the potential of vimentin as a modulator of HPV infection which can be used as a tool to study early mechanisms in infectious internalisation. However, further refinement is needed with regard to vimentin’s stabilisation and formulation before its development as an alternative prophylactic means.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sinead Carse
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town 7925, South Africa;
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa;
- Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Division of Medical Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Dirk Lang
- Department of Human Biology, Division of Cell Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa;
| | - Arieh A. Katz
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa;
- Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Division of Medical Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
- SA-MRC-UCT Gynaecological Cancer Research Centre, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Georgia Schäfer
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town 7925, South Africa;
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa;
- Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Division of Medical Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +27-21-404-7688
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Chahoud-Schriefer T, Wiech T, Schäfer G, Harendza S. [Subacute kidney injury in a 40-year-old female Northern African patient]. Internist (Berl) 2021; 62:772-776. [PMID: 33616674 PMCID: PMC8260522 DOI: 10.1007/s00108-021-00964-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Eine 40-jährige Patientin aus Eritrea stellte sich zur Abklärung einer unklaren progredienten Niereninsuffizienz vor. Die konservative Diagnostik war nicht wegweisend. Die Nierenbiopsie zeigte eine interstitielle Nephritis, deren Genese sich aufgrund einer leeren Medikamentenanamnese nicht zuordnen ließ. Im Rahmen der Abklärung ergab sich ein Rezidiv der bereits 2015 therapierten Urogenitaltuberkulose. Bei Vorliegen einer interstitiellen Nephritis sollte neben einer Medikamentenanamnese auch an eine Genese im Rahmen von systemischen Infektionen oder Systemerkrankungen gedacht werden.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- T Chahoud-Schriefer
- III. Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Deutschland.
| | - T Wiech
- Sektion Nephropathologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Deutschland
| | - G Schäfer
- MVZ Infektiologie, Ambulanzzentrum des UKE, Hamburg, Deutschland
| | - S Harendza
- III. Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Deutschland
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Carse S, Bergant M, Schäfer G. Advances in Targeting HPV Infection as Potential Alternative Prophylactic Means. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:2201. [PMID: 33672181 PMCID: PMC7926419 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22042201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Infection by oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) is the primary cause of cervical cancer and other anogenital cancers. The majority of cervical cancer cases occur in low- and middle- income countries (LMIC). Concurrent infection with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) further increases the risk of HPV infection and exacerbates disease onset and progression. Highly effective prophylactic vaccines do exist to combat HPV infection with the most common oncogenic types, but the accessibility to these in LMIC is severely limited due to cost, difficulties in accessing the target population, cultural issues, and maintenance of a cold chain. Alternative preventive measures against HPV infection that are more accessible and affordable are therefore also needed to control cervical cancer risk. There are several efforts in identifying such alternative prophylactics which target key molecules involved in early HPV infection events. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the initial steps in HPV infection, from host cell-surface engagement to cellular trafficking of the viral genome before arrival in the nucleus. The key molecules that can be potentially targeted are highlighted, and a discussion on their applicability as alternative preventive means against HPV infection, with a focus on LMIC, is presented.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sinead Carse
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) Cape Town, Observatory 7925, South Africa;
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory 7925, South Africa
- Division of Medical Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory 7925, South Africa
| | - Martina Bergant
- Laboratory for Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Nova Gorica, Vipavska 13, 5000 Nova Gorica, Slovenia;
| | - Georgia Schäfer
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) Cape Town, Observatory 7925, South Africa;
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory 7925, South Africa
- Division of Medical Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory 7925, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Anderton M, van der Meulen E, Blumenthal MJ, Schäfer G. The Role of the Eph Receptor Family in Tumorigenesis. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13020206. [PMID: 33430066 PMCID: PMC7826860 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13020206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The Eph receptor family is implicated in both tumour promotion and suppression, depending on the tissue-specific context of available receptor interactions with ligands, adaptor proteins and triggered downstream signalling pathways. This complex interplay has not only consequences for tumorigenesis but also offers a basis from which new cancer-targeting strategies can be developed. This review comprehensively summarises the current knowledge of Eph receptor implications in oncogenesis in a tissue- and receptor-specific manner, with the aim to develop a better understanding of Eph signalling pathways for potential targeting in novel cancer therapies. Abstract The Eph receptor tyrosine kinase family, activated by binding to their cognate ephrin ligands, are important components of signalling pathways involved in animal development. More recently, they have received significant interest due to their involvement in oncogenesis. In most cases, their expression is altered, affecting the likes of cell proliferation and migration. Depending on the context, Eph receptors have the potential to act as both tumour promoters and suppressors in a number of cancers, such as breast cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, brain cancer and Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS), the latter being intrinsically linked to EphA2 as this is the receptor used for endothelial cell entry by the Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV). In addition, EphA2 deregulation is associated with KS, indicating that it has a dual role in this case. Associations between EphA2 sequence variation and KSHV infection/KS progression have been detected, but further work is required to formally establish the links between EphA2 signalling and KS oncogenesis. This review consolidates the available literature of the role of the Eph receptor family, and particularly EphA2, in tumorigenesis, with the aim to develop a better understanding of Eph signalling pathways for potential targeting in novel cancer therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meg Anderton
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (M.A.); (E.v.d.M.)
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Emma van der Meulen
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (M.A.); (E.v.d.M.)
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Melissa J. Blumenthal
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (M.A.); (E.v.d.M.)
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
- Division of Medical Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
- Correspondence: (M.J.B.); (G.S.); Tel.: +27-21-4047630 (M.J.B.)
| | - Georgia Schäfer
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (M.A.); (E.v.d.M.)
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
- Division of Medical Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
- Correspondence: (M.J.B.); (G.S.); Tel.: +27-21-4047630 (M.J.B.)
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Margolin E, Verbeek M, de Moor W, Chapman R, Meyers A, Schäfer G, Williamson AL, Rybicki E. Investigating Constraints Along the Plant Secretory Pathway to Improve Production of a SARS-CoV-2 Spike Vaccine Candidate. Front Plant Sci 2021; 12:798822. [PMID: 35058959 PMCID: PMC8764404 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.798822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Given the complex maturation requirements of viral glycoproteins and the challenge they often pose for expression in plants, the identification of host constraints precluding their efficient production is a priority for the molecular farming of vaccines. Building on previous work to improve viral glycoprotein production in plants, we investigated the production of a soluble SARS-CoV-2 spike comprising the ectopic portion of the glycoprotein. This was successfully transiently expressed in N. benthamiana by co-expressing the human lectin-binding chaperone calreticulin, which substantially increased the accumulation of the glycoprotein. The spike was mostly unprocessed unless the protease furin was co-expressed which resulted in highly efficient processing of the glycoprotein. Co-expression of several broad-spectrum protease inhibitors did not improve accumulation of the protein any further. The protein was successfully purified by affinity chromatography and gel filtration, although the purified product was heterogenous and the yields were low. Immunogenicity of the antigen was tested in BALB/c mice, and cellular and antibody responses were elicited after low dose inoculation with the adjuvanted protein. This work constitutes an important proof-of-concept for host plant engineering in the context of rapid vaccine development for SARS-CoV-2 and other emerging viruses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Margolin
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Africa, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- *Correspondence: Emmanuel Margolin,
| | - Matthew Verbeek
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Warren de Moor
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Ros Chapman
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Ann Meyers
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Georgia Schäfer
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Africa, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Anna-Lise Williamson
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Africa, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Edward Rybicki
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Hitchcock JK, Mkwanazi N, Barnett C, Graham LM, Katz AA, Hunter R, Schäfer G, Kaschula CH. The Garlic Compound Z-Ajoene, S-Thiolates COX2 and STAT3 and Dampens the Inflammatory Response in RAW264.7 Macrophages. Mol Nutr Food Res 2020; 65:e2000854. [PMID: 33274836 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.202000854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
SCOPE Garlic (Allium sativum) has been used for centuries as a prophylactic and therapeutic medicinal agent to control inflammation-associated pathologies. To investigate the underlying mechanisms, an in vitro inflammatory model is established using RAW264.7 murine macrophages exposed to low-doses of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the presence of garlic compounds allicin and Z-ajoene (ZA), mimicking regular garlic consumption. METHODS AND RESULTS Both allicin and Z-ajoene dampen both transcript and protein expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL1β, IL6, and IL12β, and upregulate the expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL10. Protein arrays of selected secreted inflammatory mediators confirm that Z-ajoene has a pronounced down-regulatory effect on LPS-induced inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Many of these proteins are known targets of the transcription factor signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3); and indeed, Z-ajoene or its analogue dansyl-ajoene is found to decrease phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of STAT3, and to covalently modify the protein by S-thiolation at Cys108, Cys367, and Cys687. Z-Ajoene dose-dependently and non-competitively inhibit the activity of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2), possibly attributed to S-thiolation at Cys9 and Cys299. CONCLUSION The characterization of Z-ajoene's activity of targeting and covalently modifying STAT3 and COX2, both important regulators of inflammation, may contribute to the health benefits of regular dietary garlic consumption.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica K Hitchcock
- Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa
| | - Nonkululeko Mkwanazi
- Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa
| | - Christopher Barnett
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town, 7700, South Africa
| | - Lisa M Graham
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Bellville, 7530, South Africa
| | - Arieh A Katz
- Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa
| | - Roger Hunter
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town, 7700, South Africa
| | - Georgia Schäfer
- Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa
| | - Catherine H Kaschula
- Department of Chemistry and Polymer Science, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, 7600, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Riou C, Schäfer G, du Bruyn E, Goliath RT, Stek C, Mou H, Hung D, Wilkinson KA, Wilkinson RJ. Rapid, simplified whole blood-based multiparameter assay to quantify and phenotype SARS-CoV-2 specific T cells. medRxiv 2020. [PMID: 33173918 DOI: 10.1101/2020.10.30.20223099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Rapid tests to evaluate SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell responses are urgently needed to decipher protective immunity and aid monitoring vaccine-induced immunity. Using a rapid whole blood assay requiring minimal amount of blood, we measured qualitatively and quantitatively SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4 T cell responses in 31 healthcare workers, using flow cytometry. 100% of COVID-19 convalescent participants displayed a detectable SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4 T cell response. SARS-CoV-2-responding cells were also detected in 40.9% of participants with no COVID-19-associated symptoms or who tested PCR negative. Phenotypic assessment indicated that, in COVID-19 convalescent participants, SARS-CoV-2 CD4 responses displayed an early differentiated memory phenotype with limited capacity to produce IFNγ. Conversely, in participants with no reported symptoms, SARS-CoV-2 CD4 responses were enriched in late differentiated cells, co-expressing IFNγ and TNFα and also Granzyme B. This proof of concept study presents a scalable alternative to PBMC-based assays to enumerate and phenotype SARS-CoV-2-responding T cells, thus representing a practical tool to monitor adaptive immunity in vaccine trials. Summary In this proof of concept study, we show that SARS-CoV-2 T cell responses are easily detectable using a rapid whole blood assay requiring minimal blood volume. Such assay could represent a suitable tool to monitor adaptive immunity in vaccine trials.
Collapse
|
23
|
Blumenthal MJ, Cornejo Castro EM, Whitby D, Katz AA, Schäfer G. Evidence for altered host genetic factors in KSHV infection and KSHV-related disease development. Rev Med Virol 2020; 31:e2160. [PMID: 33043529 PMCID: PMC8047912 DOI: 10.1002/rmv.2160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is the etiological agent of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), the most common AIDS-related malignancy. It also causes other rare, but certainly underreported, KSHV-associated pathologies, namely primary effusion lymphoma, multicentric Castleman disease and KSHV inflammatory cytokine syndrome. Epidemiology and pathogenicity studies point to the potential for host genetic predisposition to KSHV infection and/or the subsequent development of KSHV-associated pathologies partly explaining the peculiar geographic and population-specific incidence of KSHV and associated pathologies and discrepancies in KSHV exposure and infection and KSHV infection and disease development. This review consolidates the current knowledge of host genetic factors involved in the KSHV-driven pathogenesis. Studies reviewed here indicate a plausible connection between KSHV susceptibility and host genetic factors that affect either viral access to host cells via entry mechanisms or host innate immunity to viral infection. Subsequent to infection, KSHV-associated pathogenesis, reviewed here primarily in the context of KS, is likely influenced by an orchestrated concert of innate immune system interactions, downstream inflammatory pathways and oncogenic mechanisms. The association studies reviewed here point to interesting candidate genes that may prove important in achieving a more nuanced understanding of the pathogenesis and therapeutic targeting of KSHV and associated diseases. Recent studies on host genetic factors suggest numerous candidate genes strongly associated with KSHV infection or subsequent disease development, particularly innate immune system mediators. Taken together, these contribute toward our understanding of the geographic prevalence and population susceptibility to KSHV and KSHV-associated diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melissa J Blumenthal
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Cape Town, South Africa.,Division of Medical Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Elena Maria Cornejo Castro
- Viral Oncology Section, AIDS and Cancer Virus Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Denise Whitby
- Viral Oncology Section, AIDS and Cancer Virus Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Arieh A Katz
- Division of Medical Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Georgia Schäfer
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Cape Town, South Africa.,Division of Medical Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Pichler R, Lindner A, Compérat E, Obrist P, Schäfer G, Todenhöfer T, Horninger W, Zoran C, Untergasser G. Amplification of 7p12 is associated with pathologic non-response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in muscle-invasive bladder cancer. EUR UROL SUPPL 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/s2666-1683(20)32684-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
|
25
|
Blumenthal MJ, Schutz C, Barr D, Locketz M, Marshall V, Whitby D, Katz AA, Uldrick T, Meintjes G, Schäfer G. The Contribution of Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus to Mortality in Hospitalized Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Patients Being Investigated for Tuberculosis in South Africa. J Infect Dis 2019; 220:841-851. [PMID: 31004430 PMCID: PMC6667800 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiz180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite increasing numbers of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected South Africans receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART), tuberculosis (TB) remains the leading cause of mortality. Approximately 25% of patients treated for TB have microbiologically unconfirmed diagnoses. We assessed whether elevated Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) viral load (VL) contributes to mortality in hospitalized HIV-infected patients investigated for TB. METHODS Six hundred eighty-two HIV-infected patients admitted to Khayelitsha Hospital, South Africa, were recruited, investigated for TB, and followed for 12 weeks. KSHV serostatus, peripheral blood KSHV-VL, and KSHV-associated clinical correlates were evaluated. RESULTS Median CD4 count was 62 (range, 0-526) cells/μL; KSHV seropositivity was 30.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 27%-34%); 5.8% had detectable KSHV-VL (median, 199.1 [range, 13.4-2.2 × 106] copies/106 cells); 22% died. Elevated KSHV-VL was associated with mortality (adjusted odds ratio, 6.5 [95% CI, 1.3-32.4]) in patients without TB or other microbiologically confirmed coinfections (n = 159). Six patients had "possible KSHV-inflammatory cytokine syndrome" (KICS): 5 died, representing significantly worse survival (P < .0001), and 1 patient was diagnosed with KSHV-associated multicentric Castleman disease at autopsy. CONCLUSIONS Given the association of mortality with elevated KSHV-VL in critically ill HIV-infected patients with suspected but not microbiologically confirmed TB, KSHV-VL and KICS criteria may guide diagnostic and therapeutic evaluation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melissa J Blumenthal
- Division of Medical Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Charlotte Schutz
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa
- Wellcome Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Africa, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - David Barr
- Wellcome Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Africa, University of Cape Town, South Africa
- Wellcome Trust Liverpool Glasgow Centre for Global Health Research, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Locketz
- Division of Anatomical Pathology, National Health Laboratory Service, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Vickie Marshall
- Viral Oncology Section, AIDS and Cancer Virus Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, National Institutes of Health, Maryland
| | - Denise Whitby
- Viral Oncology Section, AIDS and Cancer Virus Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, National Institutes of Health, Maryland
| | - Arieh A Katz
- Division of Medical Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Thomas Uldrick
- Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Graeme Meintjes
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa
- Wellcome Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Africa, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Georgia Schäfer
- Division of Medical Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Atteia O, Palmier C, Schäfer G. On the influence of groundwater table fluctuations on oil thickness in a well related to an LNAPL contaminated aquifer. J Contam Hydrol 2019; 223:103476. [PMID: 30981452 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconhyd.2019.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2019] [Revised: 03/29/2019] [Accepted: 03/31/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
This paper presents a new modelling approach to describe and explain the temporal variation of oil thickness in well due to groundwater table fluctuations. This new model, which intends to be simple and easy to implement, was compared to field data obtained by continuous measurements of vertical LNAPL position in wells. Two scenarios have been studied: a pumping well where the oil layer is unconfined, and one where the oil layer is present in a confined porous media. This study shows that the time-depend fluctuation of the oil thickness observed in the wells could not be reproduced only with the differences between the residual oil saturations (Sorw and Sora) as suggested by Kemblowski and Chiang (1990). It should consider the transient mass exchange between the well and the porous media. Also, the proposed model shows that making the assumption of equilibrium conditions as suggested by Lenhard et al. (2017) for calculating the volume exchanges between the wells and its surrounding introduced errors. Considering transient transfers of oil better reflects the field observations. This observation is a key outcome for improving field data interpretation (e.g.: bail-down test data) and the remedial approach at site polluted by mineral oils.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- O Atteia
- EA4592, Bordeaux-INP, 1 Allée Daguin, 33607 Pessac, France
| | - C Palmier
- Ford Europe, 10 Rue Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, 33290 Blanquefort, France.
| | - G Schäfer
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, LHyGeS UMR, 7517 Strasbourg, France
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Kaschula CH, Tuveri R, Ngarande E, Dzobo K, Barnett C, Kusza DA, Graham LM, Katz AA, Rafudeen MS, Parker MI, Hunter R, Schäfer G. The garlic compound ajoene covalently binds vimentin, disrupts the vimentin network and exerts anti-metastatic activity in cancer cells. BMC Cancer 2019; 19:248. [PMID: 30894168 PMCID: PMC6425727 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-019-5388-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Garlic has been used for centuries for its flavour and health promoting properties that include protection against cancer. The vinyl disulfide-sulfoxide ajoene is one of the phytochemicals found in crushed cloves, hypothesised to act by S-thiolating reactive cysteines in target proteins. METHODS Using our fluorescently labelled ajoene analogue called dansyl-ajoene, ajoene's protein targets in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells were tagged and separated by 2D electrophoresis. A predominant band was identified by MALDI-TOF MS/MS to be vimentin. Target validation experiments were performed using pure recombinant vimentin protein. Computational modelling of vimentin bound to ajoene was performed using Schrödinger and pKa calculations by Epik software. Cytotoxicity of ajoene in MDA-MB-231 and HeLa cells was measured by the MTT assay. The vimentin filament network was visualised in ajoene-treated and non-treated cells by immunofluorescence and vimentin protein expression was determined by immunoblot. The invasion and migration activity was measured by wound healing and transwell assays using wildtype cells and cells in which the vimentin protein had been transiently knocked down by siRNA or overexpressed. RESULTS The dominant protein tagged by dansyl-ajoene was identified to be the 57 kDa protein vimentin. The vimentin target was validated to reveal that ajoene and dansyl-ajoene covalently bind to recombinant vimentin via a disulfide linkage at Cys-328. Computational modelling showed Cys-328 to be exposed at the termini of the vimentin tetramer. Treatment of MDA-MB-231 or HeLa cells with a non-cytotoxic concentration of ajoene caused the vimentin filament network to condense; and to increase vimentin protein expression. Ajoene inhibited the invasion and migration of both cancer cell lines which was found to be dependent on the presence of vimentin. Vimentin overexpression caused cells to become more migratory, an effect that was completely rescued by ajoene. CONCLUSIONS The garlic-derived phytochemical ajoene targets and covalently modifies vimentin in cancer cells by S-thiolating Cys-328. This interaction results in the disruption of the vimentin filament network and contributes to the anti-metastatic activity of ajoene in cancer cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Catherine H. Kaschula
- Department of Chemistry and Polymer Science, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, 7600 South Africa
| | - Rosanna Tuveri
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Ellen Ngarande
- Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925 South Africa
| | - Kevin Dzobo
- Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925 South Africa
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), UCT Medical Campus, Anzio Rd, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925 South Africa
| | - Christopher Barnett
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town, 7700 South Africa
| | - Daniel A. Kusza
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town, 7700 South Africa
| | - Lisa M. Graham
- Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925 South Africa
| | - Arieh A. Katz
- Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925 South Africa
| | - Mohamed Suhail Rafudeen
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town, 7700 South Africa
| | - M. Iqbal Parker
- Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925 South Africa
| | - Roger Hunter
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town, 7700 South Africa
| | - Georgia Schäfer
- Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925 South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Blumenthal MJ, Schutz C, Meintjes G, Mohamed Z, Mendelson M, Ambler JM, Whitby D, Mackelprang RD, Carse S, Katz AA, Schäfer G. EPHA2 sequence variants are associated with susceptibility to Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus infection and Kaposi's sarcoma prevalence in HIV-infected patients. Cancer Epidemiol 2018; 56:133-139. [PMID: 30176543 PMCID: PMC6206435 DOI: 10.1016/j.canep.2018.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2018] [Revised: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To determine if variations exist in the KSHV host receptor EPHA2's coding region that affect KSHV infectivity and/or KS prevalence among South African HIV-infected patients. METHODS A retrospective candidate gene association study was performed on 150 patients which were randomly selected from a total of 756 HIV-infected patients and grouped according to their KS status and KSHV serodiagnosis; namely group 1: KS+/KSHV+; group 2: KS-/KSHV+; group 3: KS-/KSHV-. Peripheral blood DNA was used to extract DNA and PCR amplify and sequence the entire EPHA2 coding region, which was compared to the NCBI reference through multiple alignment. RESULTS 100% (95% CI 92.9-100%) of the KS positive patients, and 31.6% (95% CI 28.3-35.1%) of the KS negative patients were found to be KSHV seropositive. Aggregate variation across the entire EPHA2 coding region identified an association with KS (OR = 6.6 (95% CI 2.8, 15.9), p = 2.2 × 10-5). This was primarily driven by variation in the functionally important protein tyrosine kinase domain (Pkinase-Tyr; OR = 4.9 (95% CI 1.9, 12.4), p = 0.001) and the sterile-α-motif (SAM; OR = 13.8 (95% CI 1.7, 111.6), p = 0.014). Mutation analysis revealed two novel, non-synonymous heterozygous variants (c.2254 T > C: OR undefined, adj. p = 0.02; and c.2990 G > T: OR undefined, adj. p = 0.04) in Pkinase-Tyr and SAM, respectively, to be statistically associated with KS; and a novel heterozygous transition (c.2727C > T: OR = 6.4 (95% CI 1.4, 28.4), adj. p = 0.03) in Pkinase-Tyr to be statistically associated with KSHV. CONCLUSIONS Variations in the KSHV entry receptor gene EPHA2 affected susceptibility to KSHV infection and KS development in a South African HIV-infected patient cohort.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melissa J Blumenthal
- Division of Medical Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa; Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Charlotte Schutz
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa; Wellcome Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Africa, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Graeme Meintjes
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa; Wellcome Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Africa, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Zainab Mohamed
- Division of Radiation Oncology, Department of Radiation Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Marc Mendelson
- Division of Infectious Diseases & HIV Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jon M Ambler
- Computational Biology Group, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Denise Whitby
- Viral Oncology Section, AIDS and Cancer Virus Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, NIH, USA
| | | | - Sinead Carse
- Division of Medical Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa; Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Arieh A Katz
- Division of Medical Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa; Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Georgia Schäfer
- Division of Medical Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa; Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Gamerith G, Hackl H, Wallinger P, Fandel L, Kern J, Augustin F, Lorenz E, Hoflehner E, Mildner F, Moser P, Sprung S, Zelger B, Köck S, Amann A, Schäfer G, Öfner D, Maier H, Trajanoski Z, Zwierzina H, Sopper S. Soluble immune checkpoints CD27, Lag3, PD-L2 and Tim3 in early stage NSCLC patients. Eur J Cancer 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2018.01.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
|
30
|
Blumenthal MJ, Ujma S, Katz AA, Schäfer G. The Role of Type 2 Diabetes for the Development of Pathogen-Associated Cancers in the Face of the HIV/AIDS Epidemic. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:2368. [PMID: 29238337 PMCID: PMC5712558 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.02368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2017] [Accepted: 11/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The contribution of HIV to the development of pathogen-associated cancers has long been recognized, as has the contribution of type 2 diabetes for the development of several types of cancer. While HIV/AIDS-associated immunosuppression reduces immunosurveillance and indirectly contributes favorably to cancerogenesis, diabetes directly increases cancer development due to chronic low-grade inflammation, dysregulated glucose metabolism, hyperactivation of insulin-responsive pathways, and anti-apoptotic signaling. Pathogen-associated cancers contribute significantly to the cancer burden particularly in low- and middle-income countries. In those countries, the incidence of type 2 diabetes has increased alarmingly over the last decades, in part due to rapid changes in diet, lifestyle, and urbanization. It is likely that the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the steadily increasing rate of type 2 diabetes display synergistic effects on oncogenesis. Although this possible link has not been extensively investigated, it might become more important in the years to come not least due to the stimulating effects of antiretroviral therapy on the development of type 2 diabetes. This review provides an overview of the current understanding of pathogen- and diabetes- associated cancers with focus on geographical regions additionally burdened by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. As both HIV and carcinogenic infections as well as the onset of type 2 diabetes involve environmental factors that can be avoided to a certain extent, this review will support the hypothesis that certain malignancies are potentially preventable. Deploying effective infection control strategies together with educational policies on diet and lifestyle may in the long term reduce the burden of preventable cancers which is of particular relevance in low-resource settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melissa J Blumenthal
- Receptor Biology Research Unit, Division of Medical Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, SA-MRC Gynecology Cancer Research Centre, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Sylvia Ujma
- Receptor Biology Research Unit, Division of Medical Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, SA-MRC Gynecology Cancer Research Centre, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Arieh A Katz
- Receptor Biology Research Unit, Division of Medical Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, SA-MRC Gynecology Cancer Research Centre, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Georgia Schäfer
- Receptor Biology Research Unit, Division of Medical Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, SA-MRC Gynecology Cancer Research Centre, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Schäfer G, Graham LM, Lang DM, Blumenthal MJ, Bergant Marušič M, Katz AA. Vimentin Modulates Infectious Internalization of Human Papillomavirus 16 Pseudovirions. J Virol 2017; 91:e00307-17. [PMID: 28566373 PMCID: PMC5533935 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00307-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2017] [Accepted: 05/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the most common viral infection of the reproductive tract, with virtually all cases of cervical cancer being attributable to infection by oncogenic HPVs. However, the exact mechanism and receptors used by HPV to infect epithelial cells are controversial. The current entry model suggests that HPV initially attaches to heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) at the cell surface, followed by conformational changes, cleavage by furin convertase, and subsequent transfer of the virus to an as-yet-unidentified high-affinity receptor. In line with this model, we established an in vitro infection system using the HSPG-deficient cell line pgsD677 together with HPV16 pseudovirions (HPV16-PsVs). While pgsD677 cells were nonpermissive for untreated HPV16-PsVs, furin cleavage of the particles led to a substantial increase in infection. Biochemical pulldown assays followed by mass spectrometry analysis showed that furin-precleaved HPV16-PsVs specifically interacted with surface-expressed vimentin on pgsD677 cells. We further demonstrated that both furin-precleaved and uncleaved HPV16-PsVs colocalized with surface-expressed vimentin on pgsD677, HeLa, HaCaT, and NIKS cells, while binding of incoming viral particles to soluble vimentin protein before infection led to a substantial decrease in viral uptake. Interestingly, decreasing cell surface vimentin by small interfering RNA (siRNA) knockdown in HeLa and NIKS cells significantly increased HPV16-PsV infectious internalization, while overexpression of vimentin had the opposite effect. The identification of vimentin as an HPV restriction factor enhances our understanding of the initial steps of HPV-host interaction and may lay the basis for the design of novel antiviral drugs preventing HPV internalization into epithelial cells.IMPORTANCE Despite HPV being a highly prevalent sexually transmitted virus causing significant disease burden worldwide, particularly cancer of the cervix, cell surface events preceding oncogenic HPV internalization are poorly understood. We herein describe the identification of surface-expressed vimentin as a novel molecule not previously implicated in the infectious internalization of HPV16. Contrary to our expectations, vimentin was found to act not as a receptor but rather as a restriction factor dampening the initial steps of HPV16 infection. These results importantly contribute to our current understanding of the molecular events during the infectious internalization of HPV16 and open a new direction in the development of alternative drugs to prevent HPV infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Georgia Schäfer
- Division of Medical Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- UCT Receptor Biology Research Unit, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- SA-MRC Gynecology Cancer Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Lisa M Graham
- Division of Medical Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- UCT Receptor Biology Research Unit, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- SA-MRC Gynecology Cancer Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Dirk M Lang
- Division of Physiological Sciences, Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Melissa J Blumenthal
- Division of Medical Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- UCT Receptor Biology Research Unit, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- SA-MRC Gynecology Cancer Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Martina Bergant Marušič
- Laboratory for Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Nova Gorica, Nova Gorica, Slovenia
| | - Arieh A Katz
- Division of Medical Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- UCT Receptor Biology Research Unit, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- SA-MRC Gynecology Cancer Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Li C, Krauß N, Schäfer G, Ebner L, Kliebisch O, Schmidt J, Winnerl S, Hettich M, Dekorsy T. High-speed asynchronous optical sampling based on GHz Yb:KYW oscillators. Opt Express 2017; 25:9204-9212. [PMID: 28437994 DOI: 10.1364/oe.25.009204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
A low-cost scheme of high-speed asynchronous optical sampling based on Yb:KYW oscillators is reported. Two GHz diode-pumped oscillators with a slight pulse repetition rate offset serve as pump and probe source, respectively. The temporal resolution of this system is limited to 500 fs mainly by the pulse duration of the oscillators and also by relative timing jitter between the oscillators. A near-shot-noise noise floor around 10-6 (∆R/R) is obtained within a data acquisition time of a few seconds. The performance of the system is demonstrated by measurements of coherent acoustic phonons in a semiconductor sample that resembles a semiconductor saturable absorber mirror or an optically pumped semiconductor chip.
Collapse
|
33
|
Ženka J, Caisová V, Uher O, Nedbalová P, Kvardová K, Masáková K, Krejčová G, Paďouková L, Jochmanová I, Wolf KI, Chmelař J, Kopecký J, Loumagne L, Mestadier J, D’agostino S, Rohaut A, Ruffin Y, Croize V, Lemaître O, Sidhu SS, Althammer S, Steele K, Rebelatto M, Tan T, Wiestler T, Spitzmueller A, Korn R, Schmidt G, Higgs B, Li X, Shi L, Jin X, Ranade K, Koeck S, Amann A, Gamerith G, Zwierzina M, Lorenz E, Zwierzina H, Kern J, Riva M, Baert T, Coosemans A, Giovannoni R, Radaelli E, Gsell W, Himmelreich U, Van Ranst M, Xing F, Qian W, Dong C, Xu X, Guo S, Shi Q, Quandt D, Seliger B, Plett C, Amberger DC, Rabe A, Deen D, Stankova Z, Hirn A, Vokac Y, Werner J, Krämer D, Rank A, Schmid C, Schmetzer H, Guerin M, Weiss JM, Regnier F, Renault G, Vimeux L, Peranzoni E, Feuillet V, Thoreau M, Guilbert T, Trautmann A, Bercovici N, Amberger DC, Doraneh-Gard F, Boeck CL, Plett C, Gunsilius C, Kugler C, Werner J, Schmohl J, Kraemer D, Ismann B, Rank A, Schmid C, Schmetzer HM, Markota A, Ochs C, May P, Gottschlich A, Gosálvez JS, Karches C, Wenk D, Endres S, Kobold S, Hilmenyuk T, Klar R, Jaschinski F, Gamerith G, Augustin F, Lorenz E, Manzl C, Hoflehner E, Moser P, Zelger B, Köck S, Amann A, Kern J, Schäfer G, Öfner D, Maier H, Zwierzina H, Sopper S, Prado-Garcia H, Romero-Garcia S, Sandoval-Martínez R, Puerto-Aquino A, Lopez-Gonzalez J, Rumbo-Nava U, Klar R, Hilmenyuk T, Jaschinski F, Coosemans A, Baert T, Van Hoylandt A, Busschaert P, Vergote I, Baert T, Van Hoylandt A, Busschaert P, Vergote I, Coosemans A, Laengle J, Pilatova K, Budinska E, Bencsikova B, Sefr R, Nenutil R, Brychtova V, Fedorova L, Hanakova B, Zdrazilova-Dubska L, Allen C, Ku YC, Tom W, Sun Y, Pankov A, Looney T, Hyland F, Au-Young J, Mongan A, Becker A, Tan JBL, Chen A, Lawson K, Lindsey E, Powers JP, Walters M, Schindler U, Young S, Jaen JC, Yin S, Chen Y, Gullo I, Gonçalves G, Pinto ML, Athelogou M, Almeida G, Huss R, Oliveira C, Carneiro F, Merz C, Sykora J, Hermann K, Hussong R, Richards DM, Fricke H, Hill O, Gieffers C, Pinho MP, Barbuto JAM, McArdle SE, Foulds G, Vadakekolathu JN, Abdel-Fatah TMA, Johnson C, Hood S, Moseley P, Rees RC, Chan SYT, Pockley AG, Rutella S, Geppert C, Hartmann A, Kumar KS, Gokilavani M, Wang S, Merz C, Richards DM, Sykora J, Redondo-Müller M, Heinonen K, Marschall V, Thiemann M, Fricke H, Gieffers C, Hill O, Zhang L, Mao B, Jin Y, Zhai G, Li Z, Wang Z, Qian W, An X, Qiao M, Zhang J, Shi Q, Weber J, Kluger H, Halaban R, Sznol M, Roder H, Roder J, Grigorieva J, Asmellash S, Oliveira C, Meyer K, Steingrimsson A, Blackmon S, Sullivan R, Boeck CL, Amberger DC, Doraneh-Gard F, Sutanto W, Guenther T, Schmohl J, Schuster F, Salih H, Babor F, Borkhardt A, Schmetzer H, Kim Y, Oh I, Park C, Ahn S, Na K, Song S, Choi Y, Fedorova L, Poprach A, Lakomy R, Selingerova I, Demlova R, Pilatova K, Kozakova S, Valik D, Petrakova K, Vyzula R, Zdrazilova-Dubska L, Aguilar-Cazares D, Galicia-Velasco M, Camacho-Mendoza C, Islas-Vazquez L, Chavez-Dominguez R, Gonzalez-Gonzalez C, Prado-Garcia H, Lopez-Gonzalez JS, Yang S, Moynihan KD, Noh M, Bekdemir A, Stellacci F, Irvine DJ, Volz B, Kapp K, Oswald D, Wittig B, Schmidt M, Chavez-Dominguez R, Aguilar-Cazares D, Prado-Garcia H, Islas-Vazquez L, Lopez-Gonzalez JS, Kleef R, Bohdjalian A, McKee D, Moss RW, Saeed M, Zalba S, Debets R, ten Hagen TLM, Javed S, Becher J, Koch-Nolte F, Haag F, Gordon EM, Sankhala KK, Stumpf N, Tseng W, Chawla SP, Suárez NG, Báez GB, Rodríguez MC, Pérez AG, García LC, Fernández DH, Pous JR, Ramírez BS, Jacoberger-Foissac C, Saliba H, Seguin C, Brion A, Frisch B, Fournel S, Heurtault B, Otterhaug T, Håkerud M, Nedberg A, Edwards V, Selbo P, Høgset A, Jaitly T, Dörrie J, Schaft N, Gross S, Schuler-Thurner B, Gupta S, Taher L, Schuler G, Vera J, Rataj F, Kraus F, Grassmann S, Chaloupka M, Lesch S, Heise C, Endres S, Kobold S, Cadilha BML, Dorman K, Heise C, Rataj F, Endres S, Kobold S. Abstracts from the 4th ImmunoTherapy of Cancer Conference. J Immunother Cancer 2017. [PMCID: PMC5374589 DOI: 10.1186/s40425-017-0219-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
|
34
|
Ujma S, Horsnell WGC, Katz AA, Clark HW, Schäfer G. Non-Pulmonary Immune Functions of Surfactant Proteins A and D. J Innate Immun 2016; 9:3-11. [PMID: 27794581 DOI: 10.1159/000451026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2016] [Accepted: 09/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Surfactant proteins A (SP-A) and D (SP-D) are established as essential components of our innate immune system for protecting the lung from pathogens and allergens. They essentially exert their protective functions by regulating pulmonary homeostasis. Both proteins are however widely expressed throughout the body, including the female reproductive tract, urinary tract, gastrointestinal tract, the eye, ear, nasal compartment, central nervous system, the coronary artery and the skin. The functions of SP-A and SP-D at these sites are a relatively underinvestigated area, but it is emerging that both SP-A and SP-D contribute significantly to the regulation of inflammation and protection from infection at these sites. This review presents our current understanding of the roles of SP-A and SP-D in non-pulmonary sites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sylvia Ujma
- UCT Receptor Biology Research Unit, Division of Medical Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Schäfer G, Dobos G, Lünnemann L, Blume-Peytavi U, Fischer T, Kottner J. Using ultrasound elastography to monitor human soft tissue behaviour during prolonged loading: A clinical explorative study. J Tissue Viability 2015; 24:165-72. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtv.2015.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2014] [Revised: 06/14/2015] [Accepted: 06/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
|
36
|
Schildkamp W, Schäfer G, Spilker J. The crystal structure of ferroelastic betaine arsenate, (CH3)3NCH2COO · H3AsO4, compared with antiferrodistortive betaine phosphate, (CH3)3NCH2COO · H3PO4. Z KRIST-CRYST MATER 2015. [DOI: 10.1524/zkri.1984.168.14.187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
|
37
|
Schäfer G, Hitchcock JK, Shaw TM, Katz AA, Parker MI. A novel role of annexin A2 in human type I collagen gene expression. J Cell Biochem 2015; 116:408-17. [PMID: 25290763 PMCID: PMC4988497 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.24989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2014] [Accepted: 09/22/2014] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The fibrillar collagen scaffold of the extracellular matrix provides a structural framework for cells in tissues and regulates intercellular communication; its disregulation has been associated with tumour development and progression. Previous work has shown that expression of type I collagen, the most abundant mammalian extracellular matrix protein, is decreased in chemically or virally transformed cells. This negative regulation could be mapped to a proximal COL1A2 promoter element spanning a CME (Collagen Modulating Element) site in SV40‐transformed human fibroblasts (SV‐WI38) that binds an unknown repressing protein. By magnetic bead pull‐down, we observed a multi‐protein complex bound to the CME with preference for single‐stranded over conventional double‐stranded DNA. MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry of the CME‐binding protein complex revealed involvement of nuclear annexin A2 (AnxA2) which was increased in SV40‐transformed cells. Further EMSA analysis demonstrated that AnxA2 did not directly bind to the DNA but stabilised the complex and led to an increase in protein binding to the CME in SV‐WI38 but not untransformed WI38 cells. Knockdown of AnxA2 by siRNA increased type I collagen production in both WI38 and SV‐WI38 cells; however, these effects were not mediated at the transcriptional level. Rather, our data indicate a novel functional role of AnxA2 in the negative post‐transcriptional regulation of type I collagen synthesis in human fibroblasts. In SV40‐transformed cells, AnxA2 is accumulated at the proximal COL1A2 promoter region, suggesting close association with the transcriptional machinery that possibly facilitates binding to the emerging mRNA, eventually contributing to overall repression of type I collagen protein synthesis. J. Cell. Biochem. 116: 408–417, 2015. © 2014 The Authors. Journal of Cellular Biochemistry published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Georgia Schäfer
- Division of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Kaschula CH, Hunter R, Cotton J, Tuveri R, Ngarande E, Dzobo K, Schäfer G, Siyo V, Lang D, Kusza DA, Davies B, Katz AA, Parker MI. The garlic compound ajoene targets protein folding in the endoplasmic reticulum of cancer cells. Mol Carcinog 2015. [DOI: 10.1002/mc.22364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Catherine H. Kaschula
- Department of Chemistry; University of Cape Town; Rondebosch, Cape Town South Africa
| | - Roger Hunter
- Department of Chemistry; University of Cape Town; Rondebosch, Cape Town South Africa
| | - Jonathan Cotton
- Department of Chemistry; University of Cape Town; Rondebosch, Cape Town South Africa
| | - Rossana Tuveri
- Department of Biomedical Science; University of Cagliari; Monserrato (CA) Italy
| | - Ellen Ngarande
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology; Cape Town South Africa
| | - Kevin Dzobo
- Division of Medical Biochemistry; University of Cape Town; Cape Town South Africa
| | - Georgia Schäfer
- Division of Medical Biochemistry; University of Cape Town; Cape Town South Africa
- MRC/UCT Receptor Biology Unit, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine; University of Cape Town; Cape Town South Africa
| | - Vuyolwethu Siyo
- Division of Medical Biochemistry; University of Cape Town; Cape Town South Africa
| | - Dirk Lang
- Department of Human Biology, Division of Physiology; University of Cape Town; Cape Town South Africa
| | - Daniel A. Kusza
- Department of Chemistry; University of Cape Town; Rondebosch, Cape Town South Africa
| | - Bronwen Davies
- Department of Chemistry; University of Cape Town; Rondebosch, Cape Town South Africa
| | - Arieh A. Katz
- Division of Medical Biochemistry; University of Cape Town; Cape Town South Africa
- MRC/UCT Receptor Biology Unit, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine; University of Cape Town; Cape Town South Africa
| | - M. Iqbal Parker
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology; Cape Town South Africa
- Division of Medical Biochemistry; University of Cape Town; Cape Town South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Krauß N, Schäfer G, Flock J, Kliebisch O, Li C, Barros HG, Heinecke DC, Dekorsy T. Two-colour high-speed asynchronous optical sampling based on offset-stabilized Yb:KYW and Ti:sapphire oscillators. Opt Express 2015; 23:18288-18299. [PMID: 26191885 DOI: 10.1364/oe.23.018288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
We present a high-speed asynchronous optical sampling system, based on two different Kerr-lens mode-locked lasers with a GHz repetition rate: An Yb:KYW oscillator and a Ti:sapphire oscillator are synchronized in a master-slave configuration at a repetition rate offset of a few kHz. This system enables two-colour pump-probe measurements with resulting noise floors below 10⁻⁶ at a data aquisition time of 5 seconds. The measured temporal resolution within the 1 ns time window is below 350 fs, including a timing jitter of less than 50 fs. The system is applied to investigate zone-folded coherent acoustic phonons in two different semiconductor superlattices in transmission geometry at a probe wavelength far below the bandgap of the superlattice constituents. The lifetime of the phonon modes with a zero wave vector and frequencies in the range from 100 GHz to 500 GHz are measured at room temperature and compared with previous work.
Collapse
|
40
|
Schäfer G, Brinkmann D, Freericks R, Kart M. [Organization and perception of low threshold services for older migrants in communities. Chances for social participation in the context of voluntary engagement]. Z Gerontol Geriatr 2015; 48:426-33. [PMID: 26033575 DOI: 10.1007/s00391-015-0913-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2015] [Revised: 05/04/2015] [Accepted: 05/07/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is still a problematic situation in Germany for older migrants, who can be characterized by poverty, lack of knowledge of the healthcare system, generation conflicts and social exclusion. AIM The objective of this article is the analysis of the chances for social participation of older migrants from two perspectives. MATERIAL AND METHODS This qualitative study is based on an interdisciplinary research project sponsored by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research entitled "Cultures of social participation in local communities" (KUSTIS) from the promotion program "Social innovations for quality of life in old age " (SILQUA) and presents selected results from two subprojects. The investigation explored the possibilities for social participation by older migrants in two suburbs of Bremen in Germany, Gröpelingen and Vahr, which have higher than average migrant Turkish and Russian populations. The results of the 3-year study are presented. The first subproject looked at how 40 migrants aged 60 years and over perceived the support from migrant low threshold services and focused on their wishes and needs using a qualitative content analysis. The second subproject investigated the voluntary engagement for older migrants in an intercultural context through considering the views of volunteers who worked with older migrants (28 interviews and 4 focus groups). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION Both subprojects complement each other to provide an integrated view of low threshold services for older migrants. The analysis shows the significance of migrant organizations for social participation, the heterogeneity of life circumstances, the motivation of engagement and the need for social acknowledgement.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G Schäfer
- Hochschule Bremen, Neustadtswall 30, 28199, Bremen, Deutschland
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
41
|
Schäfer G, Kaschula CH. The immunomodulation and anti-inflammatory effects of garlic organosulfur compounds in cancer chemoprevention. Anticancer Agents Med Chem 2014; 14:233-40. [PMID: 24237225 PMCID: PMC3915757 DOI: 10.2174/18715206113136660370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2013] [Revised: 04/22/2013] [Accepted: 06/10/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Garlic (Allium sativum) has been used for centuries as a prophylactic and therapeutic medicinal agent. Importantly, garlic has been suggested to have both cancer-preventive potential as well as significant enhancing effects on the immune system. While these observations are supported experimentally both in vitro and in vivo, the impact of garlic in assisting the immune system in the prevention of cancer still lacks experimental confirmation. Studies addressing the immunomodulatory effects of garlic reveal conflicting data as to pro- or anti-inflammatory responses depending on the particular experimental set-ups and the garlic preparation used (i.e. garlic extract versus chemically pure garlic compounds). Here we provide an overview of the chemistry of the major garlic organosulfur compounds, summarize the current understanding and propose a link between the immunomodulating activity of garlic and the prevention of cancer. We hypothesize that garlic rather elicits anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative responses that aid in priming the organism towards eradication of an emerging tumor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Catherine H Kaschula
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Vogelsang M, Paccez JD, Schäfer G, Dzobo K, Zerbini LF, Parker MI. Aberrant methylation of the MSH3 promoter and distal enhancer in esophageal cancer patients exposed to first-hand tobacco smoke. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2014; 140:1825-33. [PMID: 24934723 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-014-1736-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2014] [Accepted: 06/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Polymorphisms in MSH3 gene confer risk of esophageal cancer when in combination with tobacco smoke exposure. The purpose of this study was to investigate the methylation status of MSH3 gene in esophageal cancer patients in order to further elucidate possible role of MSH3 in esophageal tumorigenesis. METHODS We applied nested methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction to investigate the methylation status of the MSH3 promoter in tumors and matching adjacent normal-looking tissues of 84 esophageal cancer patients from a high-risk South African population. The Cancer Genome Atlas data were used to examine DNA methylation profiles at 17 CpG sites located in the MSH3 locus. RESULTS Overall, promoter methylation was detected in 91.9 % of tumors, which was significantly higher compared to 76.0 % in adjacent normal-looking esophageal tissues (P = 0.008). When samples were grouped according to different demographics (including age, gender and ethnicity) and smoking status of patients, methylation frequencies were found to be significantly higher in tumor tissues of Black subjects (P = 0.024), patients of 55-65 years of age (P = 0.032), males (P = 0.037) and tobacco smokers (P = 0.015). Furthermore, methylation of the MSH3 promoter was significantly more frequent in tumor samples from smokers compared to tumor samples from non-smokers [odds ratio (OR) = 31.9, P = 0.031]. The TCGA data confirmed significantly higher DNA methylation level at the MSH3 promoter region in tumors (P = 0.0024). In addition, we found evidence of an aberrantly methylated putative MSH3-associated distal enhancer element. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that methylation of MSH3 together with exposure to tobacco smoke is involved in esophageal carcinogenesis. Due to the active role of the MSH3 protein in modulating chemosensitivity of cells, methylation of MSH3 should further be examined in association with the outcome of esophageal cancer treatment using anticancer drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matjaz Vogelsang
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town Component, UCT Medical Campus, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
Affiliation(s)
- H. Schäfer
- Anorganisch-Chemisches Institut der Universität Heidelberg
| | - G. Schäfer
- Anorganisch-Chemisches Institut der Universität Heidelberg
| | - A. Weiss
- Anorganisch-Chemisches Institut der Universität Heidelberg
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Onur G, Schäfer G, Strotmann H. Synthesis of 2′-/3′-O-Acylated Adenine Nucleotide Analogs and Their Interactions in Photophosphorylation. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1515/znc-1983-1-211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
By mono esterification of 3′(2′)-hydroxyl residues of adenine nucleotides with various carboxylic acids a series of nucleotide analogs is available including fluorescent and photoaffinity labels. Their chemical synthesis is described. The equilibrium between 2′ and 3′ esters is determined by NMR spectroscopy, stability of the esters and their tendency of acyl migration is discussed.
The interaction of the ADP derivatives with the chloroplast ATP synthesizing system is investigated. Actually, the analogs are typical energy transfer inhibitors, strongly inhibiting photophosphorylation and concomitant coupled electron transport (ci50 values ranging from 0.3 to 85 hm). On the basis of inhibitory activities of analogs bearing varying 3′-(2′)-substituents, structure-activity relationships are discussed.
The inhibitory properties of the employed ADP analogs are based on their specific interaction with the catalytic ADP binding site of CF, and their extremely slow phosphorylation on the enzyme (rate 0.25% or less compared to ADP phosphorylation). Inhibition is competitive to ADP but non-competitive with regard to Pi. It is specific for the ADP derivatives, whereas the corresponding ATP analogs are only weak inhibitors in phosphorylation and the AMP derivatives are completely inactive. In light-triggered ATP hydrolysis, however, the ATP analogs exhibit an even stronger competitive inhibition than the ADP derivatives. The results suggest that a conformational change of ATPase takes place when the chloroplasts are transferred from energized to de-energized conditions which greatly affects the properties of the active site with respect to nucleotide binding.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G. Onur
- Botanisches Institut (Lehrstuhl II, Biochemische Pflanzenphysiologie) der Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstraße 1, D-4000 Düsseldorf
| | - G. Schäfer
- Institut für Biochemie, Medizinische Hochschule Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, D-2400 Lübeck, Bundesrepublik Deutschland
| | - H. Strotmann
- Botanisches Institut (Lehrstuhl II, Biochemische Pflanzenphysiologie) der Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstraße 1, D-4000 Düsseldorf
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Büchel KH, Schäfer G. 2-Anilinothiophene als Entkoppler der oxydativen Phosphorylierung in Mitochondrien / 2-Anilinothiophenes, Uncouplers of Oxidative Phosphorylation in Mitochondria. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1515/znb-1970-1232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
A series of NH-acidic 2-anilino-3,5-dinitro-thiophenes (II), 2-anilino-3,4-dinitro-5-halo-thiophenes (VI), and some 3,5-dinitro-thienole-derivatives (IX, X) were synthesized. Compounds II and VI are potent uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation in rat liver mitochondria. The most active comcounds yielded a 50% uncoupling at a concentration of 10-7 ᴍ.
With some of the 2-anilino-3,5-dinitro-5-halo-thiophenes (BDCT or DDCT), added to respiring liver mitochondria, a transitory uncoupling of energy-linked reactions could be observed which is comparable to the phosphorylating cycles produced by ADP. The mechanism of this effect is discussed
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- K. H. Büchel
- Chemisch-wissenschaftliches Laboratorium für Pflanzenschutz, Bayer-Forschungszentrum, Wuppertal-Elberfeld
| | - G. Schäfer
- Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Department Biochemie
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Affiliation(s)
| | - G. Schäfer
- Anorganisch-chemisches Institut der Universität München
| | - Armin Weiss
- Anorganisch-chemisches Institut der Universität München
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Schäfer G, Narasimha M, Vogelsang E, Leptin M. Cadherin switching during the formation and differentiation of the Drosophila mesoderm – implications for epithelial-to-mesenchymal transitions. Development 2014. [DOI: 10.1242/dev.110882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
|
48
|
Wang Y, Vogelsang M, Schäfer G, Matejcic M, Parker MI. MicroRNA polymorphisms and environmental smoke exposure as risk factors for oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma. PLoS One 2013; 8:e78520. [PMID: 24205249 PMCID: PMC3804537 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0078520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2013] [Accepted: 09/14/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and related polymorphisms have been implicated in the susceptibility to oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). In our study, three miRNA-related SNPs: rs6505162 A>C (pre-miRNA of miR-423), rs213210 A>G (3'UTR of miR-219-1) and rs7372209 C>T (5'UTR of miR-26a-1) were investigated in the Black and Mixed Ancestry population groups in South Africa. The potential cumulative effects of these SNPs, as well as gene-environment interactions were also analysed. In Blacks, rs6505162 A>C was associated with OSCC under dominant, additive and recessive models with odds ratios (ORs) 1.353, 1.404, and 2.858, respectively. This locus showed very strong interactions with smoke inhalation from burning wood or charcoal used for heating and cooking in very poorly ventilated areas (OR(GE)=7.855, P(GE)=9.17*10(-10) in the Black group). Furthermore, the miR-423-3p level was 1.39 fold up-regulated in tumour tissues compared to the adjacent normal tissue (paired t-test P value 0.0087). SNP-SNP interaction between rs2132210 and rs7372209 was found in both Black and Mixed Ancestry subjects. The AArs213210-CTrs7372209 genotype had a protective effect on OSCC risk (in the Black, OR=0.229, P=0.012; and the Mixed Ancestry groups, OR=0.230, P=0.00014). This study is the first to link SNPs in miR-423 together with environmental smoke exposure to risk for developing OSCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yabing Wang
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Cape Town, South Africa Component, UCT Campus, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
- IIDMM and Division of Medical Biochemistry, UCT Faculty of Health Sciences, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Matjaz Vogelsang
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Cape Town, South Africa Component, UCT Campus, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
- National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Georgia Schäfer
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Cape Town, South Africa Component, UCT Campus, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
- IIDMM and Division of Medical Biochemistry, UCT Faculty of Health Sciences, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Marco Matejcic
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Cape Town, South Africa Component, UCT Campus, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
- IIDMM and Division of Medical Biochemistry, UCT Faculty of Health Sciences, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - M. Iqbal Parker
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Cape Town, South Africa Component, UCT Campus, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
- IIDMM and Division of Medical Biochemistry, UCT Faculty of Health Sciences, Cape Town, South Africa
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
van Rooyen BA, Schäfer G, Leaner VD, Parker MI. Tumour cells down-regulate CCN2 gene expression in co-cultured fibroblasts in a Smad7- and ERK-dependent manner. Cell Commun Signal 2013; 11:75. [PMID: 24090133 PMCID: PMC3850759 DOI: 10.1186/1478-811x-11-75] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2013] [Accepted: 09/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Recent studies have revealed that interactions between tumour cells and the surrounding stroma play an important role in facilitating tumour growth and invasion. Stromal fibroblasts produce most of the extracellular matrix components found in the stroma. The aim of this study was to investigate mechanisms involved in tumour cell-mediated regulation of extracellular matrix and adhesion molecules in co-cultured fibroblasts. To this end, microarray analysis was performed on CCD-1068SK human fibroblast cells after direct co-culture with MDA-MB-231 human breast tumour cells. Results We found that the expression of both connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) and type I collagen was negatively regulated in CCD-1068SK fibroblast cells under direct co-culture conditions. Further analysis revealed that Smad7, a known negative regulator of the Smad signalling pathway involved in CCN2 promoter regulation, was increased in directly co-cultured fibroblasts. Inhibition of Smad7 expression in CCD-1068SK fibroblasts resulted in increased CCN2 expression, while Smad7 overexpression had the opposite effect. Silencing CCN2 gene expression in fibroblasts led, in turn, to a decrease in type I collagen mRNA and protein levels. ERK signalling was also shown to be impaired in CCD-1068SK fibroblasts after direct co-culture with MDA-MB-231 tumour cells, with Smad7 overexpression in fibroblasts leading to a similar decrease in ERK activity. These effects were not, however, seen in fibroblasts that were indirectly co-cultured with tumour cells. Conclusion We therefore conclude that breast cancer cells require close contact with fibroblasts in order to upregulate Smad7 which, in turn, leads to decreased ERK signalling resulting in diminished expression of the stromal proteins CCN2 and type I collagen.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beverley A van Rooyen
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Anzio Rd Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Schäfer G, Kabanda S, van Rooyen B, Marušič MB, Banks L, Parker MI. The role of inflammation in HPV infection of the Oesophagus. BMC Cancer 2013; 13:185. [PMID: 23570247 PMCID: PMC3623831 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-13-185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2012] [Accepted: 03/25/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several human cancers are known to be associated with inflammation and/or viral infections. However, the influence of tumour-related inflammation on viral uptake is largely unknown. In this study we used oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) as a model system since this type of cancer is associated with chronic irritation, inflammation and viral infections. Although still debated, the most important viral infection seems to be with Human Papillomavirus (HPV). The present study focused on a possible correlation between inflammation, OSCC development and the influence of HPV infection. METHODS A total of 114 OSCC biopsies and corresponding normal tissue were collected at Groote Schuur Hospital and Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town (South Africa), that were subjected to RNA and DNA isolation. RNA samples were analysed by quantitative Light Cycler RT-PCR for the expression of selected genes involved in inflammation and infection, while conventional PCR was performed on the DNA samples to assess the presence of integrated viral DNA. Further, an in vitro infection assay using HPV pseudovirions was established to study the influence of inflammation on viral infectivity using selected cell lines. RESULTS HPV DNA was found in about 9% of OSCC patients, comprising predominantly the oncogenic type HPV18. The inflammatory markers IL6 and IL8 as well as the potential HPV receptor ITGA6 were significantly elevated while IL12A was downregulated in the tumour tissues. However, none of these genes were expressed in a virus-dependent manner. When inflammation was mimicked with various inflammatory stimulants such as benzo-α-pyrene, lipopolysaccharide and peptidoglycan in oesophageal epithelial cell lines in vitro, HPV18 pseudovirion uptake was enhanced only in the benzo-α-pyrene treated cells. Interestingly, HPV pseudovirion infectivity was independent of the presence of the ITGA6 receptor on the surface of the tested cells. CONCLUSION This study showed that although the carcinogen benzo-α-pyrene facilitated HPV pseudovirion uptake into cells in culture, HPV infectivity was independent of inflammation and seems to play only a minor role in oesophageal cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Georgia Schäfer
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|