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S Perlman

Publications and source records attributed to S Perlman.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

MHV S peplomer protein expressed by a recombinant vaccinia virus vector exhibits IgG Fc-receptor activity.

We have previously shown that cells infected with mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) bind rabbit, mouse, and rat IgG by the Fc portion of the IgG molecule. This Fc-binding activity appeared to be mediated by the MHV S protein. S protein could also be precipitated from MHV-infected cells by a monoclonal antibody directed against the murine Fc gamma receptor (Fc gamma R). To prove definitively that the S protein mediates Fc-binding activity, we have expressed the MHV S protein utilizing recombinant vaccinia viruses. The anti-Fc gamma R monoclonal antibody, 2.4G2, precipitated recombinant S protein in cells of murine, human, and rabbit origin. Since the anti-Fc receptor monoclonal antibody does not react with human and rabbit Fc receptors these results demonstrate that the epitope recognized by this antibody is carried on the MHV S protein and is not murine in origin. Examination of various MHV isolates and escape mutants failed to identify the precise sequences in S responsible for the molecular mimicry of the murine Fc gamma R. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that a previously identified region of similarity between the S protein and the Fc gamma R mediates this activity. The Fc binding activity of S was expressed on the cell surface, since MHV-JHM-infected cells, but not uninfected cells, formed rosettes with anti-sheep red blood cell (SRBC) antibody-coated SRBC. The anti-Fc gamma R monoclonal antibody neutralized MHV-JHM and inhibited syncytium formation induced by the MHV S protein.

Animals

Cell receptor-independent infection by a neurotropic murine coronavirus.

The cellular receptors for a coronavirus, mouse hepatitis virus (MHV), have been recently identified as one or more members of the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) family. The neurotropic JHM strain of MHV (MHV-JHM) possesses a highly fusogenic surface (S) glycoprotein. This protein is now shown to promote the spread of MHV into cells lacking the specific CEA-related MHV receptor. Resistant cells are recruited into MHV-induced syncytium with consequent production of progeny virus. Cell-to-cell spread of virus via membrane fusion without the requirement for specific cell surface receptor offers a novel way for virus to spread within infected hosts.

Animals

Immune response to a murine coronavirus: identification of a homing receptor-negative CD4+ T cell subset that responds to viral glycoproteins.

The lymphocyte proliferative response to mouse hepatitis virus, strain JHM (MHV-JHM), a well-described cause of chronic and acute neurological infections, has been studied using vaccinia virus recombinants expressing individual MHV proteins. The surface (S) and transmembrane (M) glycoproteins were the most active proteins in causing proliferation of lymphocytes isolated from immunized adult mice, whereas lymphocytes from persistently infected mice proliferated only in response to the S protein. The cells from immunized mice which proliferated most actively in response to MHV were positive for the CD4 antigen and secreted interferon-gamma. In addition, the most responsive subset of cells did not express gp90MEL-14, the lymph node-specific homing receptor. The results identify a subpopulation of CD4+ T cells that may be an important component of the cell-mediated immune response to this virus. The data also suggest that response to the M protein is important in preventing disease progression in C57BL/6 mice since cells which recognize this protein are absent from persistently infected mice.

Animals

Intracellular processing of the N-terminal ORF 1a proteins of the coronavirus MHV-A59 requires multiple proteolytic events.

Several polypeptide products of MHV-A59 ORF 1a were characterized in MHV-A59 infected DBT cells, using antisera directed against fusion proteins encoded in the first 6.5 kb of ORF1a. These included the previously identified N-terminal ORF 1a product, p28, as well as 290-, 240-, and 50-kDa polypeptides. P28 was always detected as a discrete band without larger precursors, suggesting rapid cleavage of p28 immediately after its synthesis. Once p28 was cleaved there was little degradation of the protein over a 2-hr period. The intracellular cleavage of p28 was not inhibited by the protease inhibitor leupeptin, in contrast to results obtained during in vitro translation of genome RNA (Denison and Perlman, 1986). These data suggest that different protease activities may be responsible for the cleavage of p28 in vitro and in vivo. The 290-kDa protein was an intermediate cleavage product derived from a precursor of greater than 400 kDa. The 290-kDa product was subsequently cleaved into secondary products of 50 and 240 kDa. The intracellular cleavage of the 290-kDa polypeptide was inhibited by leupeptin at concentrations which did not inhibit the early cleavage of p28 or the cleavage of the 290-kDa product from its larger polyprotein precursor. In the presence of zinc chloride, a product of greater than 320 kDa was detected, which appears to incorporate p28 at its amino terminus. This suggests that at least two protease activities may be necessary for processing of ORF1a proteins, one of which cleaves p28 and is sensitive to zinc chloride but resistant to leupeptin, and the other which cleaves the 290-kDa precursor and is sensitive to both inhibitors. Both the 290- and 240-kDa proteins should contain sequences predicted to encode two papain-like protease activities.

Leupeptins

Renal nerves modulate kidney renin gene expression during the transition from fetal to newborn life.

The role of renal nerves in regulating changes in plasma renin activity (PRA) and renal renin gene expression was studied in intact (n = 6) and denervated (n = 6) fetal sheep before birth and during the first 24 h after delivery. Renal denervation completely blunted the rise in PRA observed 24 h after delivery in newborn lambs; in lambs with intact kidneys, PRA increased significantly (P less than 0.05) from 3.26 +/- 0.60 (predelivery) to 6.34 +/- 1.85 ng angiotensin I (ANG I).ml-1.h-1 (24 h postdelivery), while in lambs with denervated kidneys, predelivery and post-delivery values were 2.84 +/- 0.19 and 2.49 +/- 0.45 ng ANG I.ml-1.h-1, respectively. Renin mRNA levels were significantly lower (P less than 0.001) in denervated than in intact kidneys 24 h after birth. A close analysis of these results also revealed that renin mRNA levels were significantly higher (P less than 0.001) in intact kidneys of newborn lambs delivered vaginally (n = 3) than in newborn lambs delivered by cesarean section (n = 3). These results suggest that renal nerves play an important role in regulating renin gene expression and PRA during the transition from fetal to newborn life.

Aging

Negative regulation of angiotensinogen gene expression by glucocorticoids in fetal sheep liver.

The effect of glucocorticoids in regulating liver angiotensinogen gene expression was studied in chronically instrumented fetal sheep during the last trimester of gestation and was compared with the expression of other hepatic genes (prothrombin, factor IX, and albumin). Four sets of twins were studied at 118 d of gestation, and three sets were studied at 138 d of gestation (term, 145 d). One of each set of twins was infused intraperitoneally with cortisol (5 mumol.mL-1.h-1) for 48 h, whereas the other twin received the same volume (1 mL/h) of normal saline. Plasma cortisol concentration increased from 0.32 +/- 0.12 and 2.7 +/- 0.12 nmol/100 mL to 44.2 +/- 20.0 and 37.7 +/- 8.2 nmol/100 mL in 118- and 138-d fetuses, respectively, during the cortisol infusion; no changes were observed in fetuses infused with saline alone. At the end of the infusion period, the animals were anesthetized, the fetal liver was removed, and total cellular RNA was isolated and probed for angiotensinogen, prothrombin, factor IX, and albumin. The results demonstrated that cortisol infusion decreased angiotensinogen mRNA by 61% in 138-d fetuses and albumin mRNA expression by 2.4-fold in 118-d fetuses and by 3.4-fold in 138-d fetuses. On the other hand, cortisol had no effect on fetal factor IX gene expression but increased prothrombin mRNA levels by 65% in 118-d fetuses and 62% in 138-d fetuses. Taken together, our results suggest that, during fetal life, angiotensinogen gene expression is negatively regulated by glucocorticoids. This effect is not universal because cortisol increases fetal prothrombin gene expression.

Angiotensinogen

Effect of olfactory bulb ablation on spread of a neurotropic coronavirus into the mouse brain.

Previous results suggested that, after intranasal inoculation, mouse hepatitis virus (MHV), a neurotropic coronavirus, entered the central nervous system (CNS) via the olfactory and trigeminal nerves. To prove this hypothesis, the effect of interruption of the olfactory pathway on spread of the virus was studied using in situ hybridization. Unilateral surgical ablation of this pathway prevented spread of the virus via the olfactory tract on the side of the lesion. MHV RNA could be detected, however, at distal sites on the operated side, indicating that the virus spread via well-described circuits involving the anterior commissure from the control (intact) side of the brain. Viral transport via the trigeminal nerve was not affected by removal of the olfactory bulb, showing that the surgical procedure was specific for the olfactory pathway. These results prove conclusively that MHV gains entry to the CNS via a transneuronal route, and spreads to additional sites in the brain via known neuroanatomic pathways.

Animals

Localization of virus and antibody response in mice infected persistently with MHV-JHM.

Suckling mice infected intranasally with MHV-JHM and nursed by immunized dams develop a late onset demyelinating encephalomyelitis. Analysis by in situ hybridization revealed that MHV-JHM entered the central nervous system (CNS) via the olfactory and trigeminal nerves and spread over the next two weeks to the spinal cord, prior to amplification at this site. Serial measurements of neutralizing antibody titers showed that the late onset disease developed in some mice at levels of antibody which protected mice from the fatal, acute encephalitis, supporting the notion that cell-mediated and not humoral immunity is important in protecting mice from MHV-JHM persistence.

Animals

Identification of the spinal cord as a major site of persistence during chronic infection with a murine coronavirus.

After intranasal inoculation, mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) gains entry into the central nervous system (CNS) via the olfactory and trigeminal nerves. Under the appropriate conditions, some mice develop clinically apparent demyelinating encephalomyelitis several weeks later, with virus always present in the spinal cord. To determine the pathway by which virus reaches the cord, brains and spinal cords of infected, asymptomatic mice were analyzed by in situ hybridization. Viral RNA was always detected in the anterior part of the upper spinal cord. A similar analysis of mice with the recent onset of hindlimb weakness showed that viral RNA was detected in the same location. The results suggest that MHV is transported to the spinal cord via well-defined neuroanatomic pathways and that viral amplification with resultant clinical disease occurs from this site of persistence in the anterior spinal cord. This process of viral amplification may involve the generation of viral variants as has been described for MHV-infected rats. No major changes in viral RNA or protein could be detected when MHV isolated from mice with hindlimb paralysis was analyzed. The data suggest that the generation of viral variants is not important in the pathogenesis of the late onset of neurological disease induced by MHV in mice.

Animals

The pathogenesis of murine cytomegalovirus ocular infection. Anterior chamber inoculation.

To investigate the pathogenesis of ocular cytomegalovirus infections, 3-week-old BALB/c mice were inoculated with 10(4) plaque-forming units of murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) by the right anterior chamber and studied sequentially with the use of virus assays and in situ nucleic acid hybridization methods. During acute infection, MCMV was recovered from the right vitreous, lens, cornea, retina/choroid, and optic nerve. Titers of MCMV exceeded 10(3) per ml of homogenate on days 4 and 7 after inoculation. With the use of biotinylated MCMV DNA probes, MCMV nucleic acids were detected in and adjacent to cells of the iris and ciliary body and occasionally within inflammatory lesions of the cornea. During chronic infection, MCMV was recovered, with the use of co-cultivation or explant methods, from ocular tissues of occasional mice inoculated with MCMV 1 yr earlier. Infectious MCMV was also recovered from the ocular homogenates of a group of mice immunosuppressed with antilymphocyte serum and cortisone. These studies indicate that cells of the uveal tract are permissive for MCMV and suggest that intrinsic persistence or latency of cytomegalovirus in ocular tissues could contribute to the pathogenesis of ocular infections in immunosuppressed hosts.

Acute Disease

A study of foldback DNA.

Nuclear DNA from eucaryotes contains a significant fraction which forms duplexes very rapidly and also independently of the DNA concentration. This fraction can be isolated by adsorption to hydroxylapatite and has been called foldback DNA (Britten and Smith, 1970). Here we extend previous studies to show that the foldback fraction is due to the existence of a finite number of foldback foci in each genome equivalent of DNA, approximately 10(5) in the case of Xenopus laevis. More significantly, we have isolated the foldback fraction in quantity from DNA of such a size (in one case broken randomly and in another digested with a restriction endonuclease) that only about 10% of the total DNA has foldback properties. If the foldback foci were located in precisely the same positions in all sets of the Xenopus laevis genome, the prediction would be that these foldback fractions would contain sequences representing 20% (random shear) and 10% (restriction endonuclease) of the total genome. In contrast, our results show that in both cases the foldback fraction contains the entire Xenopus laevis DNA sequence. One possible explanation of these observations is that as in procaryotes, eucaryotic DNA is randomly cross-linked. We show that cross-linkage of Xenopus laevis DNA is not sufficient to explain our observations. In consequence, we have adopted the hypothesis that the formation of foldback DNA is mainly an intrastrand phenomenon, but nevertheless occurs at different sites in different sets of the Xenopus laevis genome.

Animals

DNA-RNA hybridization.

Interest in nucleic acid hybridization stems mainly from its great power as a tool in biological research. It is used in several quite distinct ways. Because of the high degree of specificity that they show, hybridization techniques can be used to measure the amount of one specific sequence within a very heterogeneous mixture of sequences. Measurements of 1/10(6)-10(7) have been recorded. In extension of this, various properties of a specific sequence can often be studied. Secondly, because the kinetics of nucleic acid hybridization are quite well understood, it can be used to characterize both a pure sequence and a very complex mixture of sequences, like the genome of a vertebrate. Thirdly, again because of its specificity, it can be used to measure homologies between different populations of nucleic acids. Lastly, in conjunction with other techniques, it can be used as a basis for the fractionation of nucleic acid populations and the purification of specific sequences. Specific examples of these applications are given, with special reference to the organization of the genome in higher eukaryotes.

Animals