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Altina NH, Maranon DG, Anderson JR, Donaldson MK, Elmegerhi S, St Clair LA, Perera R, Geiss BJ, Wilusz J. The leader RNA of SARS-CoV-2 sequesters polypyrimidine tract binding protein (PTBP1) and influences pre-mRNA splicing in infected cells. Virology 2024; 592:109986. [PMID: 38290414 PMCID: PMC10923090 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2024.109986] [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: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
The large amount of viral RNA produced during infections has the potential to interact with and effectively sequester cellular RNA binding proteins, thereby influencing aspects of post-transcriptional gene regulation in the infected cell. Here we demonstrate that the abundant 5' leader RNA region of SARS-CoV-2 viral RNAs can interact with the cellular polypyrimidine tract binding protein (PTBP1). Interestingly, the effect of a knockdown of PTBP1 protein on cellular gene expression is also mimicked during SARS-CoV-2 infection, suggesting that this protein may be functionally sequestered by viral RNAs. Consistent with this model, the alternative splicing of mRNAs that is normally controlled by PTBP1 is dysregulated during SARS-CoV-2 infection. Collectively, these data suggest that the SARS-CoV-2 leader RNA sequesters the cellular PTBP1 protein during infection, resulting in significant impacts on the RNA biology of the host cell. These alterations in post-transcriptional gene regulation may play a role in SARS-CoV-2 mediated molecular pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noelia H Altina
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - David G Maranon
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - John R Anderson
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Meghan K Donaldson
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Suad Elmegerhi
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Laura A St Clair
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Rushika Perera
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Brian J Geiss
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Jeffrey Wilusz
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA.
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St Clair LA, Eldesouki RE, Sachithanandham J, Yin A, Fall A, Morris CP, Norton JM, Abdullah O, Dhakal S, Barranta C, Golding H, Bersoff-Matcha SJ, Pilgrim-Grayson C, Berhane L, Cox AL, Burd I, Pekosz A, Mostafa HH, Klein EY, Klein SL. Reduced control of SARS-CoV-2 infection associates with lower mucosal antibody responses in pregnancy. mSphere 2024; 9:e0081223. [PMID: 38426787 PMCID: PMC10964408 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00812-23] [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: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Pregnant patients are at greater risk of hospitalization with severe COVID-19 than non-pregnant people. This was a retrospective observational cohort study of remnant clinical specimens from patients who visited acute care hospitals within the Johns Hopkins Health System in the Baltimore, MD-Washington DC, area between October 2020 and May 2022. Participants included confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-infected pregnant people and matched non-pregnant people (the matching criteria included age, race/ethnicity, area deprivation index, insurance status, and vaccination status to ensure matched demographics). The primary dependent measures were clinical COVID-19 outcomes, infectious virus recovery, viral RNA levels, and mucosal anti-spike (S) IgG titers from upper respiratory tract samples. A total of 452 individuals (117 pregnant and 335 non-pregnant) were included in the study, with both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals represented. Pregnant patients were at increased risk of hospitalization (odds ratio [OR] = 4.2; confidence interval [CI] = 2.0-8.6), intensive care unit admittance (OR = 4.5; CI = 1.2-14.2), and being placed on supplemental oxygen therapy (OR = 3.1; CI = 1.3-6.9). Individuals infected during their third trimester had higher mucosal anti-S IgG titers and lower viral RNA levels (P < 0.05) than those infected during their first or second trimesters. Pregnant individuals experiencing breakthrough infections due to the Omicron variant had reduced anti-S IgG compared to non-pregnant patients (P < 0.05). The observed increased severity of COVID-19 and reduced mucosal antibody responses particularly among pregnant participants infected with the Omicron variant suggest that maintaining high levels of SARS-CoV-2 immunity through booster vaccines may be important for the protection of this at-risk population.IMPORTANCEIn this retrospective observational cohort study, we analyzed remnant clinical samples from non-pregnant and pregnant individuals with confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections who visited the Johns Hopkins Hospital System between October 2020 and May 2022. Disease severity, including intensive care unit admission, was greater among pregnant than non-pregnant patients. Vaccination reduced recovery of infectious virus and viral RNA levels in non-pregnant patients, but not in pregnant patients. In pregnant patients, increased nasopharyngeal viral RNA levels and recovery of infectious virus were associated with reduced mucosal IgG antibody responses, especially among women in their first trimester of pregnancy or experiencing breakthrough infections from Omicron variants. Taken together, this study provides insights into how pregnant patients are at greater risk of severe COVID-19. The novelty of this study is that it focuses on the relationship between the mucosal antibody response and its association with virus load and disease outcomes in pregnant people, whereas previous studies have focused on serological immunity. Vaccination status, gestational age, and SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant impact mucosal antibody responses and recovery of infectious virus from pregnant patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura A. St Clair
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Raghda E. Eldesouki
- Department of Pathology, Division of Medical Microbiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Medical Genetics Unit, School of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Jaiprasath Sachithanandham
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Anna Yin
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Amary Fall
- Department of Pathology, Division of Medical Microbiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - C. Paul Morris
- Department of Pathology, Division of Medical Microbiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Julie M. Norton
- Department of Pathology, Division of Medical Microbiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Omar Abdullah
- Department of Pathology, Division of Medical Microbiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Santosh Dhakal
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Caelan Barranta
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Hana Golding
- Division of Viral Products, Center of Biologics Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Catherine Pilgrim-Grayson
- Division of Urology, Obstetrics, and Gynecology, Office of Rare Diseases, Pediatrics, Urologic and Reproductive Medicine and Office of New Drugs, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Leah Berhane
- Division of Urology, Obstetrics, and Gynecology, Office of Rare Diseases, Pediatrics, Urologic and Reproductive Medicine and Office of New Drugs, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Andrea L. Cox
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Bloomberg Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Irina Burd
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Andrew Pekosz
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Heba H. Mostafa
- Department of Pathology, Division of Medical Microbiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Eili Y. Klein
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy, United Nations Office for Disease Risk Reduction, Washington DC, USA
| | - Sabra L. Klein
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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St Clair LA, Chan LLY, Boretsky A, Lin B, Spedding M, Perera R. High-Throughput SARS-CoV-2 Antiviral Testing Method Using the Celigo Image Cytometer. J Fluoresc 2024; 34:561-570. [PMID: 37310590 PMCID: PMC10261830 DOI: 10.1007/s10895-023-03289-x] [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: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has created a worldwide public health crisis that has since resulted in 6.8 million reported deaths. The pandemic prompted the immediate response of researchers around the world to engage in rapid vaccine development, surveillance programs, and antiviral testing, which resulted in the delivery of multiple vaccines and repurposed antiviral drug candidates. However, the emergence of new highly transmissible SARS-CoV-2 variants has renewed the desire for discovering new antiviral drug candidates with high efficacy against the emerging variants of concern. Traditional antiviral testing methods employ the plaque-reduction neutralization tests (PRNTs), plaque assays, or RT-PCR analysis, but each assay can be tedious and time-consuming, requiring 2-3 days to complete the initial antiviral assay in biologically relevant cells, and then 3-4 days to visualize and count plaques in Vero cells, or to complete cell extractions and PCR analysis. In recent years, plate-based image cytometers have demonstrated high-throughput vaccine screening methods, which can be adopted for screening potential antiviral drug candidates. In this work, we developed a high-throughput antiviral testing method employing the Celigo Image Cytometer to investigate the efficacy of antiviral drug candidates on SARS-CoV-2 infectivity using a fluorescent reporter virus and their safety by measuring the cytotoxicity effects on the healthy host cell line using fluorescent viability stains. Compared to traditional methods, the assays defined here eliminated on average 3-4 days from our standard processing time for antiviral testing. Moreover, we were able to utilize human cell lines directly that are not typically amenable to PRNT or plaque assays. The Celigo Image Cytometer can provide an efficient and robust method to rapidly identify potential antiviral drugs to effectively combat the rapidly spreading SARS-CoV-2 virus and its variants during the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura A St Clair
- Center for Vector-borne Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, CO, 80523, Fort Collins, USA
- Center for Metabolism of Infectious Diseases (C4MInD), Colorado State University, 3185 Rampart Rd, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Leo Li-Ying Chan
- Department of Advanced Technology R&D, Revvity, 360 Merrimack St. Suite 200, Lawrence, MA, 01843, USA.
| | - Adam Boretsky
- Department of Advanced Technology R&D, Revvity, 360 Merrimack St. Suite 200, Lawrence, MA, 01843, USA
| | - Bo Lin
- Department of Advanced Technology R&D, Revvity, 360 Merrimack St. Suite 200, Lawrence, MA, 01843, USA
| | | | - Rushika Perera
- Center for Vector-borne Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, CO, 80523, Fort Collins, USA.
- Center for Metabolism of Infectious Diseases (C4MInD), Colorado State University, 3185 Rampart Rd, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA.
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St Clair LA, Eldesouki RE, Sachithanandham J, Yin A, Fall A, Morris CP, Norton JM, Forman M, Abdullah O, Dhakal S, Barranta C, Golding H, Bersoff-Matcha SJ, Pilgrim-Grayson C, Berhane L, Cox AL, Burd I, Pekosz A, Mostafa HH, Klein EY, Klein SL. Reduced control of SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with lower mucosal antibody responses in pregnant women. medRxiv 2023:2023.03.19.23287456. [PMID: 36993216 PMCID: PMC10055594 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.19.23287456] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
Importance Pregnant women are at increased risk of severe COVID-19, but the contribution of viral RNA load, the presence of infectious virus, and mucosal antibody responses remain understudied. Objective To evaluate the association of COVID-19 outcomes following confirmed infection with vaccination status, mucosal antibody responses, infectious virus recovery and viral RNA levels in pregnant compared with non-pregnant women. Design A retrospective observational cohort study of remnant clinical specimens from SARS-CoV-2 infected patients between October 2020-May 2022. Setting Five acute care hospitals within the Johns Hopkins Health System (JHHS) in the Baltimore, MD-Washington, DC area. Participants Participants included confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infected pregnant women and matched non-pregnant women (matching criteria included age, race/ethnicity, and vaccination status). Exposure SARS-CoV-2 infection, with documentation of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination. Main Outcomes The primary dependent measures were clinical COVID-19 outcomes, infectious virus recovery, viral RNA levels, and mucosal anti-spike (S) IgG titers from upper respiratory tract samples. Clinical outcomes were compared using odds ratios (OR), and measures of virus and antibody were compared using either Fisher's exact test, two-way ANOVA, or regression analyses. Results were stratified according to pregnancy, vaccination status, maternal age, trimester of pregnancy, and infecting SARS-CoV-2 variant. Resultss A total of 452 individuals (117 pregnant and 335 non-pregnant) were included in the study, with both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals represented. Pregnant women were at increased risk of hospitalization (OR = 4.2; CI = 2.0-8.6), ICU admittance, (OR = 4.5; CI = 1.2-14.2), and of being placed on supplemental oxygen therapy (OR = 3.1; CI =13-6.9). An age-associated decrease in anti-S IgG titer and corresponding increase in viral RNA levels (P< 0.001) was observed in vaccinated pregnant, but not non-pregnant, women. Individuals in their 3rd trimester had higher anti-S IgG titers and lower viral RNA levels (P< 0.05) than those in their 1st or 2nd trimesters. Pregnant individuals experiencing breakthrough infections due to the omicron variant had reduced anti-S IgG compared to non-pregnant women (P< 0.05). Conclusions and Relevance In this cohort study, vaccination status, maternal age, trimester of pregnancy, and infecting SARS-CoV-2 variant were each identified as drivers of differences in mucosal anti-S IgG responses in pregnant compared with non-pregnant women. Observed increased severity of COVID-19 and reduced mucosal antibody responses particularly among pregnant participants infected with the Omicron variant suggest that maintaining high levels of SARS-CoV-2 immunity may be important for protection of this at-risk population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura A St Clair
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Raghda E Eldesouki
- Department of Pathology, Division of Medical Microbiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Medical Genetics Unit, Histology Department, School of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Egypt
| | - Jaiprasath Sachithanandham
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Anna Yin
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Amary Fall
- Department of Pathology, Division of Medical Microbiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - C Paul Morris
- Department of Pathology, Division of Medical Microbiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Julie M Norton
- Department of Pathology, Division of Medical Microbiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Michael Forman
- Department of Pathology, Division of Medical Microbiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Omar Abdullah
- Department of Pathology, Division of Medical Microbiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Santosh Dhakal
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Caelan Barranta
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hana Golding
- Division of Viral Products, Center of Biologics Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | | | - Catherine Pilgrim-Grayson
- Division of Urology, Obstetrics, and Gynecology; Office of Rare Diseases, Pediatrics, Urologic and Reproductive Medicine; Office of New Drugs; Center for Drug Evaluation and Research; U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Leah Berhane
- Division of Urology, Obstetrics, and Gynecology; Office of Rare Diseases, Pediatrics, Urologic and Reproductive Medicine; Office of New Drugs; Center for Drug Evaluation and Research; U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Andrea L Cox
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Bloomberg Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Irina Burd
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Andrew Pekosz
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Heba H Mostafa
- Department of Pathology, Division of Medical Microbiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Eili Y Klein
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy, Washington DC, USA
| | - Sabra L Klein
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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St Clair LA, Chaulagain S, Klein SL, Benn CS, Flanagan KL. Sex-Differential and Non-specific Effects of Vaccines Over the Life Course. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2023; 441:225-251. [PMID: 37695431 PMCID: PMC10917449 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-35139-6_9] [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] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Biological sex and age have profound effects on immune responses throughout the lifespan and impact vaccine acceptance, responses, and outcomes. Mounting evidence from epidemiological, clinical, and animal model studies show that males and females respond differentially to vaccination throughout the lifespan. Within age groups, females tend to produce greater vaccine-induced immune responses than males, with sex differences apparent across all age groups, but are most pronounced among reproductive aged individuals. Females report more adverse effects following vaccination than males. Females, especially among children under 5 years of age, also experience more non-specific effects of vaccination. Despite these known sex- and age-specific differences in vaccine-induced immune responses and outcomes, sex and age are often ignored in vaccine research. Herein, we review the known sex differences in the immunogenicity, effectiveness, reactogenicity, and non-specific effects of vaccination over the lifespan. Ways in which these data can be leveraged to improve vaccine research are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura A St Clair
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sabal Chaulagain
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sabra L Klein
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Christine Stabell Benn
- Institute of Clinical Research and Danish Institute for Advanced Study, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Katie L Flanagan
- Tasmanian Vaccine Trial Centre, Clifford Craig Foundation, Launceston General Hospital, Launceston, TAS, Australia.
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St Clair LA, Chaulagain S, Klein SL, Benn CS, Flanagan KL. Correction to: Sex-Differential and Non-specific Effects of Vaccines Over the Life Course. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2023; 441:C1. [PMID: 37804350 PMCID: PMC11000772 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-35139-6_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Laura A St Clair
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sabal Chaulagain
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sabra L Klein
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Christine Stabell Benn
- Institute of Clinical Research and Danish Institute for Advanced Study, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Katie L Flanagan
- Tasmanian Vaccine Trial Centre, Clifford Craig Foundation, Launceston General Hospital, Launceston, TAS, Australia.
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Burke JM, Ripin N, Ferretti MB, St Clair LA, Worden-Sapper ER, Salgado F, Sawyer SL, Perera R, Lynch KW, Parker R. RNase L activation in the cytoplasm induces aberrant processing of mRNAs in the nucleus. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010930. [PMID: 36318584 PMCID: PMC9651596 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The antiviral endoribonuclease, RNase L, is activated by the mammalian innate immune response to destroy host and viral RNA to ultimately reduce viral gene expression. Herein, we show that RNase L and RNase L-mediated mRNA decay are primarily localized to the cytoplasm. Consequently, RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) translocate from the cytoplasm to the nucleus upon RNase L activation due to the presence of intact nuclear RNA. The re-localization of RBPs to the nucleus coincides with global alterations to RNA processing in the nucleus. While affecting many host mRNAs, these alterations are pronounced in mRNAs encoding type I and type III interferons and correlate with their retention in the nucleus and reduction in interferon protein production. Similar RNA processing defects also occur during infection with either dengue virus or SARS-CoV-2 when RNase L is activated. These findings reveal that the distribution of RBPs between the nucleus and cytosol is dictated by the availability of RNA in each compartment. Thus, viral infections that trigger RNase L-mediated cytoplasmic RNA in the cytoplasm also alter RNA processing in the nucleus, resulting in an ingenious multi-step immune block to protein biogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- James M. Burke
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Florida Scripps Biomedical Research, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
| | - Nina Ripin
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Max B. Ferretti
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Laura A. St Clair
- Center for Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
- Center for Metabolism of Infectious Diseases, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Emma R. Worden-Sapper
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Fernando Salgado
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Florida Scripps Biomedical Research, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
| | - Sara L. Sawyer
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Rushika Perera
- Center for Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
- Center for Metabolism of Infectious Diseases, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Kristen W. Lynch
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Roy Parker
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
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Trammell CE, Ramirez G, Sanchez-Vargas I, St Clair LA, Ratnayake OC, Luckhart S, Perera R, Goodman AG. Coupled small molecules target RNA interference and JAK/STAT signaling to reduce Zika virus infection in Aedes aegypti. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010411. [PMID: 35377915 PMCID: PMC9017935 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010411] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The recent global Zika epidemics have revealed the significant threat that mosquito-borne viruses pose. There are currently no effective vaccines or prophylactics to prevent Zika virus (ZIKV) infection. Limiting exposure to infected mosquitoes is the best way to reduce disease incidence. Recent studies have focused on targeting mosquito reproduction and immune responses to reduce transmission. Previous work has evaluated the effect of insulin signaling on antiviral JAK/STAT and RNAi in vector mosquitoes. Specifically, insulin-fed mosquitoes resulted in reduced virus replication in an RNAi-independent, ERK-mediated JAK/STAT-dependent mechanism. In this work, we demonstrate that targeting insulin signaling through the repurposing of small molecule drugs results in the activation of both RNAi and JAK/STAT antiviral pathways. ZIKV-infected Aedes aegypti were fed blood containing demethylasterriquinone B1 (DMAQ-B1), a potent insulin mimetic, in combination with AKT inhibitor VIII. Activation of this coordinated response additively reduced ZIKV levels in Aedes aegypti. This effect included a quantitatively greater reduction in salivary gland ZIKV levels up to 11 d post-bloodmeal ingestion, relative to single pathway activation. Together, our study indicates the potential for field delivery of these small molecules to substantially reduce virus transmission from mosquito to human. As infections like Zika virus are becoming more burdensome and prevalent, understanding how to control this family of viruses in the insect vector is an important issue in public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chasity E. Trammell
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
| | - Gabriela Ramirez
- Center for Vector-borne Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Irma Sanchez-Vargas
- Center for Vector-borne Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Laura A. St Clair
- Center for Vector-borne Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Oshani C. Ratnayake
- Center for Vector-borne Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Shirley Luckhart
- Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology, and Nematology, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, United States of America
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, United States of America
| | - Rushika Perera
- Center for Vector-borne Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
- * E-mail: (RP); (AGG)
| | - Alan G. Goodman
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
- Paul G. Allen School for Global Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
- * E-mail: (RP); (AGG)
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9
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St Clair LA, Mills SA, Lian E, Soma PS, Nag A, Montgomery C, Ramirez G, Chotiwan N, Gullberg RC, Perera R. Acyl-Coa Thioesterases: A Rheostat That Controls Activated Fatty Acids Modulates Dengue Virus Serotype 2 Replication. Viruses 2022; 14:v14020240. [PMID: 35215835 PMCID: PMC8875275 DOI: 10.3390/v14020240] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
During infection with dengue viruses (DENVs), the lipid landscape within host cells is significantly altered to assemble membrane platforms that support viral replication and particle assembly. Fatty acyl-CoAs are key intermediates in the biosynthesis of complex lipids that form these membranes. They also function as key signaling lipids in the cell. Here, we carried out loss of function studies on acyl-CoA thioesterases (ACOTs), a family of enzymes that hydrolyze fatty acyl-CoAs to free fatty acids and coenzyme A, to understand their influence on the lifecycle of DENVs. The loss of function of the type I ACOTs 1 (cytoplasmic) and 2 (mitochondrial) together significantly increased DENV serotype 2 (DENV2) viral replication and infectious particle release. However, isolated knockdown of mitochondrial ACOT2 significantly decreased DENV2 protein translation, genome replication, and infectious virus release. Furthermore, loss of ACOT7 function, a mitochondrial type II ACOT, similarly suppressed DENV2. As ACOT1 and ACOT2 are splice variants, these data suggest that functional differences and substrate specificities due to the location (cytosol and mitochondria, respectively) of these proteins may account for the differences in DENV2 infection phenotype. Additionally, loss of mitochondrial ACOT2 and ACOT7 expression also altered the expression of several ACOTs located in multiple organelle compartments within the cell, highlighting a complex relationship between ACOTs in the DENV2 virus lifecycle.
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10
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Burke JM, St Clair LA, Perera R, Parker R. SARS-CoV-2 infection triggers widespread host mRNA decay leading to an mRNA export block. RNA 2021; 27:1318-1329. [PMID: 34315815 PMCID: PMC8522697 DOI: 10.1261/rna.078923.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
The transcriptional induction of interferon (IFN) genes is a key feature of the mammalian antiviral response that limits viral replication and dissemination. A hallmark of severe COVID-19 disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 is the low presence of IFN proteins in patient serum despite elevated levels of IFN-encoding mRNAs, indicative of post-transcriptional inhibition of IFN protein production. Here, we performed single-molecule RNA visualization to examine the expression and localization of host mRNAs during SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our data show that the biogenesis of type I and type III IFN mRNAs is inhibited at multiple steps during SARS-CoV-2 infection. First, translocation of the interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) transcription factor to the nucleus is limited in response to SARS-CoV-2, indicating that SARS-CoV-2 inhibits RLR-MAVS signaling and thus weakens transcriptional induction of IFN genes. Second, we observed that IFN mRNAs primarily localize to the site of transcription in most SARS-CoV-2 infected cells, suggesting that SARS-CoV-2 either inhibits the release of IFN mRNAs from their sites of transcription and/or triggers decay of IFN mRNAs in the nucleus upon exiting the site of transcription. Lastly, nuclear-cytoplasmic transport of IFN mRNAs is inhibited during SARS-CoV-2 infection, which we propose is a consequence of widespread degradation of host cytoplasmic basal mRNAs in the early stages of SARS-CoV-2 replication by the SARS-CoV-2 Nsp1 protein, as well as the host antiviral endoribonuclease, RNase L. Importantly, IFN mRNAs can escape SARS-CoV-2-mediated degradation if they reach the cytoplasm, making rescue of mRNA export a viable means for promoting the immune response to SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- James M Burke
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80303, USA
| | - Laura A St Clair
- Center for Vector-Borne and Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA
- Center for Metabolism of Infectious Diseases, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA
| | - Rushika Perera
- Center for Vector-Borne and Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA
- Center for Metabolism of Infectious Diseases, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA
| | - Roy Parker
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80303, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80303, USA
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80303, USA
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11
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Burke JM, St Clair LA, Perera R, Parker R. Rapid decay of host basal mRNAs during SARS-CoV-2 infection perturbs host antiviral mRNA biogenesis and export. bioRxiv 2021:2021.04.19.440452. [PMID: 33907748 PMCID: PMC8077573 DOI: 10.1101/2021.04.19.440452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
A key feature of the mammalian innate immune response to viral infection is the transcriptional induction of interferon (IFN) genes, which encode for secreted proteins that prime the antiviral response and limit viral replication and dissemination. A hallmark of severe COVID-19 disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 is the low presence of IFN proteins in patient serum despite elevated levels of IFN-encoding mRNAs, indicative of post-transcriptional inhibition of IFN protein production. Herein, we show SARS-CoV-2 infection limits type I and type III IFN biogenesis by preventing the release of mRNA from their sites of transcription and/or triggering their nuclear degradation. In addition, SARS-CoV-2 infection inhibits nuclear-cytoplasmic transport of IFN mRNAs as a consequence of widespread cytosolic mRNA degradation mediated by both activation of the host antiviral endoribonuclease, RNase L, and by the SARS-CoV-2 protein, Nsp1. These findings argue that inhibition of host and/or viral Nsp1-mediated mRNA decay, as well as IFN treatments, may reduce viral-associated pathogenesis by promoting the innate immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- James M. Burke
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, 80303
| | - Laura A. St Clair
- Center for Vector-Borne and Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
- Center for Metabolism of Infectious Diseases, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Rushika Perera
- Center for Vector-Borne and Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
- Center for Metabolism of Infectious Diseases, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Roy Parker
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, 80303
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, 80303
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, 80303
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12
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Rovnak J, St Clair LA, McAlister C, Ogbu CP, Smolenske J, Cohrs RJ, Perera R. The 20th Anniversary Meeting of the Rocky Mountain Virology Association. Viruses 2020; 13:v13010038. [PMID: 33383821 PMCID: PMC7824690 DOI: 10.3390/v13010038] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and multiple devastating forest fires, the 2020 meeting of the Rocky Mountain Virology Association was held virtually. The three-day gathering featured talks describing recent advances in virology and prion research. The keynote presentation described the measles virus paradox of immune suppression and life-long immunity. Special invited speakers presented information concerning visualizing antiviral effector cell biology in mucosal tissues, uncovering the T-cell tropism of Epstein-Barr virus type 2, a history and current survey of coronavirus spike proteins, a summary of Zika virus vaccination and immunity, the innate immune response to flavivirus infections, a discussion concerning prion disease as it relates to multiple system atrophy, and clues for discussing virology with the non-virologist. On behalf of the Rocky Mountain Virology Association, this report summarizes selected presentations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel Rovnak
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA;
| | - Laura A. St Clair
- Center for Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA; (L.A.S.C.); (C.M.); (R.P.)
| | - Carley McAlister
- Center for Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA; (L.A.S.C.); (C.M.); (R.P.)
| | - Chinemerem P. Ogbu
- Department of Biochemistry and Nebraska Center for Virology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA;
| | - Jessica Smolenske
- Mountain Campus Program Support, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA;
| | - Randall J. Cohrs
- Departments of Neurology and Immunology/Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Rushika Perera
- Center for Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA; (L.A.S.C.); (C.M.); (R.P.)
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