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Antisense RNA sequences targeting the 5' leader packaging signal region of human immunodeficiency virus type-1 inhibits viral replication at post-transcriptional stages of the life cycle.

Antisense RNA has proven a potent inhibitor of gene expression and has the potential to inhibit retroviral replication at a number of stages in the virus life cycle by targeting both viral and cellular RNA sequences. Antisense RNA complementary to three target regions in the 5' leader/LTR of human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1), the TAR region, the primer binding site and the splice donor (SD)-packaging signal (psi) region were stably expressed from the CMV IE promoter in Jurkat cells, and expression confirmed by RT-PCR. When challenged with HIV-1, cell lines expressing antisense RNA targeting the SD/psi region showed significant inhibition of replication (at up to 10(6) TCID 50/ml). These sequences were also expressed in lymphocytes after transduction using recombinant retroviruses and one sequence complementary to the SD/psi region inhibited replication of HIV-1. A co-transfection assay using COS-1 cells was also developed both to confirm the antiviral potential of these sequences, and to determine the predominant site of action of these molecules. Antisense RNAs targeting the psi region and one sequence complementary to the TAR region inhibited expression of viral protein; furthermore, analyses of relative levels of cellular and virion RNA from these assays suggest each of these antisense molecules exerts its effect at an early stage in the transcription-translation pathway, while the longer of the sequences also inhibited packaging of virion RNA. These results suggest that the packaging signal (psi) of HIV-1 represents an attractive target for antisense RNA-based gene therapy, although the main mode of action of such molecules may well be through antisense effects at an earlier stage of replication than packaging.

3T3 Cells↗

Immune stimulation and HIV-1 viral replication.

A biphasic early and late viremia is characteristic of HIV-1 infection. The first increase in circulating viral burden occurs within weeks after infection, before a host immune response, and the second, later peak emerges during the inevitable HIV-1 devastation of immune function. Recently, intermittent bouts of viremia have also been identified in HIV-1-infected individuals and found to be associated with episodes of immune challenge. Vaccinations, exposure to antigens, and infections often induce reversible increases in circulating viral levels, dependent on CD4+ T lymphocyte numbers. However, even with marked losses in CD4+ T cell counts, opportunistic infections appear to trigger a viremic response. In searching for the source of this virus, macrophages in tissues co-infected with opportunistic pathogens have been identified as prodigious producers of HIV-1. Thus, the fountain from which HIV-1 emerges may shift from CD4+ T lymphocytes in early HIV-1 infection to tissue macrophages later in the natural evolution of the disease, as the CD4+ T cells are depleted. Defining the mechanisms of this transitional event in HIV-1 infection may facilitate regulation and therapeutic control of both opportunistic infections and HIV-1.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

The large delta antigen of hepatitis delta virus potently inhibits genomic but not antigenomic RNA synthesis: a mechanism enabling initiation of viral replication.

Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) contains two types of hepatitis delta antigens (HDAg) in the virion. The small form (S-HDAg) is required for HDV RNA replication, whereas the large form (L-HDAg) potently inhibits it by a dominant-negative inhibitory mechanism. The sequential appearance of these two forms in the infected cells regulates HDV RNA synthesis during the viral life cycle. However, the presence of almost equal amounts of S-HDAg and L-HDAg in the virion raised a puzzling question concerning how HDV can escape the inhibitory effects of L-HDAg and initiate RNA replication after infection. In this study, we examined the inhibitory effects of L-HDAg on the synthesis of various HDV RNA species. Using an HDV RNA-based transfection approach devoid of any artificial DNA intermediates, we showed that a small amount of L-HDAg is sufficient to inhibit HDV genomic RNA synthesis from the antigenomic RNA template. However, the synthesis of antigenomic RNA, including both the 1.7-kb HDV RNA and the 0.8-kb HDAg mRNA, from the genomic-sense RNA was surprisingly resistant to inhibition by L-HDAg. The synthesis of these RNAs was inhibited only when L-HDAg was in vast excess over S-HDAg. These results explain why HDV genomic RNA can initiate replication after infection even though the incoming viral genome is complexed with equal amounts of L-HDAg and S-HDAg. These results also suggest that the mechanisms of synthesis of genomic versus antigenomic RNA are different. This study thus resolves a puzzling question about the early events of the HDV life cycle.

Blotting, Northern↗

Influenza virus infection increases p53 activity: role of p53 in cell death and viral replication.

The induction of apoptotic cell death is a hallmark of influenza virus infection. Although a variety of cellular and viral proteins have been implicated in this process, to date no conserved cellular pathway has been identified. In this study, we report that the tumor suppressor protein p53 is essential for the induction of cell death in influenza virus-infected cells. In primary human lung cells, influenza virus increased p53 protein levels. This was also noted in the human lung cell line A549, along with the up-regulation of p53-dependent gene transcription. Reduction of p53 activity in A549 cells inhibited influenza virus-induced cell death as measured by trypan blue exclusion and caspase activity. These findings were not cell type specific. Influenza virus-induced cell death was absent in mouse embryo fibroblasts isolated from p53 knockout mice, which was not the case in wild-type mouse embryo fibroblasts, suggesting that p53 is a common cellular pathway leading to influenza virus-induced cell death. Surprisingly, inhibiting p53 activity led to elevated virus replication. Mechanistically, this may be due to the decrease in interferon signaling in p53-deficient cells, suggesting that functional p53 is involved in the interferon response to influenza infection. To our knowledge, these are the first studies demonstrating that p53 is involved in influenza virus-induced cell death and that inhibiting p53 leads to increased viral titers, potentially through modulation of the interferon response.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

The cauliflower mosaic virus virion-associated protein is dispensable for viral replication in single cells.

Cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) open reading frame III (ORF III) codes for a virion-associated protein (Vap), which is one of two viral proteins essential for aphid transmission. However, unlike the aphid transmission factor encoded by CaMV ORF II, Vap is also essential for systemic infection, suggesting that it is a multifunctional protein. To elucidate the additional function or functions of Vap, we tested the replication of noninfectious ORF III-defective mutants in transfected turnip protoplasts. PCR and Western blot analyses revealed that CaMV replication had occurred with an efficiency similar to that of wild-type virus and without leading to reversions. Electron microscopic examination revealed that an ORF III frameshift mutant formed normally structured virions. These results demonstrate that Vap is dispensable for replication in single cells and is not essential for virion morphogenesis. Analysis of inoculated turnip leaves showed that the ORF III frameshift mutant does not cause any detectable local infection. These results are strongly indicative of a role for Vap in virus movement.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[Study of expression of hepatitis C virus antigens and viral replication in extrahepatic tissues].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the state of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and replication in extrahepatic tissues and its significance in hepatitis C patients. METHODS: Immunohistochemical assay and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used respectively to detect HCV antigens (NS3, NS5 and CP10) and HCV RNA positive-and negative-strand in kidney, heart, pancreas, and intestine from 9 hepatitis C patients. RESULTS: Positive staining for HCV NS3, NS5 and CP10 in extrahepatic tissues was found in 6 of the 9 (66.7%) patients. The expression of HCV antigens was observed only in plasma of cells. The amount of positive-staining cells was less and there were a few differences between the kind, amounts and distribution of HCV antigen-positive-staining cells in different extrahepatic tissues. HCV RNA was detected in extrahepatic tissues from all the patients by RT-PCR. The detection rates of HCV RNA positive-and negative-strand were 64.5% and 35.5% in 31 extrahepatic tissues specimens, respectively. The positive of HCV RNA positive-and negative-strand detection was coincident with that of HCV antigens detection in these tissues (Kappa>0.40). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest a possible presence of HCV infection and replication in extrahepatic tissues. Low-level of HCV extrahepatic infection and replication is possibly a major cause of a low positive rate and inconsistent results of HCV detection in extrahepatic tissues.

Adult↗

Human cytomegalovirus tegument protein ppUL35 is important for viral replication and particle formation.

The tegument proteins ppUL35 and ppUL82 (pp71) of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) physically interact and cooperatively activate the major immediate-early transcription. While an HCMV mutant lacking UL82 displayed a multiplicity of infection (MOI)-dependent growth, the biological significance of ppUL35 has not been addressed so far. We generated a mutant virus with a deletion of the UL35 gene. Using an MOI of 0.1, the progeny virus yield of this mutant was reduced by a factor of 1,000; however, when infected at a low MOI (0.01), the gene was essential. Characterization of the replication cycle showed that the mutant virus had two defects: when virus inoculum was standardized by the amount of viral DNA, a reduced immediate-early gene expression was observed, leading to a strongly delayed expression of lytic genes. A second defect was apparent in the virus assembly, as fewer enveloped particles and no dense bodies were present in cells infected with the mutant virus. However, the particles produced by wild-type and mutant viruses did not show significant ultrastructural differences. These results suggest an important role for ppUL35 in immediate-early gene expression and virus assembly.

Base Sequence↗

Human cytomegalovirus immediate-early 1 protein facilitates viral replication by antagonizing histone deacetylation.

The human cytomegalovirus 72-kDa immediate-early (IE)1 and 86-kDa IE2 proteins are expressed at the start of infection, and they are believed to exert much of their function through promiscuous transcriptional activation of viral and cellular gene expression. Here, we show that the impaired growth of an IE1-deficient mutant virus in human fibroblasts is efficiently rescued by histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors of three distinct chemical classes. In the absence of IE1 expression, the viral major IE and UL44 early promoters exhibited decreased de novo acetylation of histone H4 during the early phase of infection, and the hypoacetylation correlated with reduced transcription and accumulation of the respective gene products. Consistent with these findings, IE1 interacts specifically with HDAC3 within infected cells. We also demonstrate an interaction between IE2 and HDAC3. We propose that the ability to modify chromatin is fundamental to transcriptional activation by IE1 and, likely, IE2 as well.

Acetylation↗

Herpes simplex virus type 1 mutants for the origin-binding protein induce DNA amplification in the absence of viral replication.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) induces DNA amplification within the host cell genome, which is mediated by a set of six of seven HSV replication genes. The origin-binding protein (UL9) is dispensible. By the use of HSV mutants for the UL9 gene we show here that HSV can induce DNA amplification in the absence of lytic viral growth in contrast to replication-negative mutants for either the UL8 or UL52 gene used as control. The amplification-inducing potential of HSV may be relevant for the pathogenicity of the virus.

Animals↗

Sublethal iridovirus disease of the mosquito Aedes aegypti is due to viral replication not cytotoxicity.

Invertebrate iridescent viruses (Iridoviridae) possess a highly cytotoxic protein. In mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae), invertebrate iridescent virus 6 (IIV-6) usually causes covert (inapparent) infection that reduces fitness. To determine whether sublethal effects of IIV-6 are principally due to cytotoxicity of the viral inoculum (which inhibits macromolecular synthesis in the host), or caused by replication of the virus larvae of the mosquito Aedes aegypti (L) were exposed to untreated IIV-6 virus that had previously been deactivated by heat or ultraviolet light. Control larvae were not exposed to virus. Larval development time was shortest in control larvae and extended in larvae exposed to untreated virus. Covertly infected mosquitoes laid significantly fewer eggs, produced between 20 and 35% fewer progeny and had reduced longevity compared to other treatments. Wing length was shortest in mosquitoes exposed to heat-deactivated virus. Multivariate analysis of the same data identified fecundity and progeny production as the most influential variables in defining differences among treatments. Overall, viral infection resulted in a 34% decrease in the net reproductive rate (R0) of covertly infected mosquitoes, vs. only 5-17% decrease of R0 following treatments with deactivated virus, compared to controls. Sublethal effects of IIV-6 in Ae. aegypti appear to be mainly due to virus replication, rather than cytotoxic effects of the viral inoculum.

Aedes↗

Effect of viral double-stranded RNA on mammalian cells in culture: cytotoxicity under conditions preventing viral replication and protein synthesis.

Noninfectious bovine enterovirus double-stranded RNA induces cytopathic effects when added to mammalian cells in culture. This is demonstrated by (51)Cr release from prelabeled murine lymphoma cells and trypan blue uptake. Also, the induction of cell death by this viral RNA occurs in the presence of inhibitors of protein synthesis (cycloheximide and puromycin). The possible role and mechanism of viral, double-stranded RNA as a cytopathic agent in virally infected cells are discussed.

Animals↗

Local production of tumor necrosis factor encoded by recombinant vaccinia virus is effective in controlling viral replication in vivo.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) has pleiotropic effects on a wide variety of cell types. In vitro studies have demonstrated that TNF has antiviral properties and is induced in response to viral infections. However, a role for TNF in the antiviral immune response of the host has yet to be demonstrated. Here we describe the construction of and studies using a recombinant vaccinia virus that encodes the gene for murine TNF-alpha. By comparing the replication of and immune responses elicited by the TNF-encoding virus to a similarly constructed control virus, we hoped to observe immunobiological effects of TNF in the host. The in vivo experiments with this recombinant virus demonstrate that the localized production of TNF-alpha during a viral infection leads to the rapid and efficient clearance of the virus in normal mice and attenuates the otherwise lethal pathogenicity of the virus in immunodeficient animals. This attenuation occurs early in the infection (by postinfection hour 24) and is not due to the enhancement of cellular or antibody responses by the vaccinia virus-encoded TNF. This evidence suggests that attenuation of the recombinant virus is due to a direct antiviral effect of TNF on cells at the site of infection. Therefore, these results support the suggestion that TNF produced by immune cells may be an important effector mechanism of viral clearance in vivo.

Animals↗

Repression of HMGA2 gene expression by human cytomegalovirus involves the IE2 86-kilodalton protein and is necessary for efficient viral replication and inhibition of cyclin A transcription.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection results in dysregulation of several cell cycle genes, including inhibition of cyclin A transcription. In this work, we examine the effect of the HCMV infection on expression of the high-mobility group A2 (HMGA2) gene, which encodes an architectural transcription factor that is involved in cyclin A promoter activation. We find that expression of HMGA2 RNA is repressed in infected cells. To determine whether repression of HMGA2 is directly related to the inhibition of cyclin A expression and impacts on the progression of the infection, we constructed an HCMV recombinant that expressed HMGA2. In cells infected with the recombinant virus, cyclin A mRNA and protein are induced, and there is a significant delay in viral early gene expression and DNA replication. To determine the mechanism of HMGA2 repression, we used recombinant viruses that expressed either no IE1 72-kDa protein (CR208) or greatly reduced levels of IE2 86-kDa (IE2 86) protein (IE2 86DeltaSX-EGFP). At a high multiplicity of infection, the IE1 deletion mutant is comparable to the wild type with respect to inhibition of HMGA2. In contrast, the IE2 86DeltaSX-EGFP mutant does not significantly repress HMGA2 expression, suggesting that IE2 86 is involved in the regulation of this gene. Cyclin A expression is also induced in cells infected with this mutant virus. Since HMGA2 is important for cell proliferation and differentiation, particularly during embryogenesis, it is possible that the repression of HMGA2 expression during fetal development could contribute to the specific birth defects in HCMV-infected neonates.

Cells, Cultured↗

Inhibition of hepatitis viral replication by siRNA.

Small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated sequence-specific gene silencing is a powerful tool to inhibit endogenous and exogenous gene expression, and it holds great potential to prevent and eradicate viral infection, for which existing therapy is inadequate, such as HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). A number of studies have documented the effectiveness of siRNA against HBV or HCV at various regions of the viral genome in infected human hepatoma cell lines. Selected siRNA may reduce the production of viral replicons, as well as structural or non-structural proteins by > 90%. Only a few in vivo studies that demonstrated the efficacy of siRNA in the suppression of HBV replication in mice are available. Thus, reliable models of HBV and HCV infection in small animals or non-human primates are needed to evaluate the delivery and efficacy of siRNA as a therapeutic modality for viral hepatitis.

Animals↗

Induction of innate immune response genes by Sin Nombre hantavirus does not require viral replication.

Maladaptive immune responses are considered to be important factors in the pathogenesis of the two diseases caused by hantaviruses, hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome and hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS). While the intensity of adaptive antiviral T-cell responses seems to correlate with the severity of HCPS, there is increasing evidence that innate antiviral responses by endothelial cells, the native targets for hantavirus infection in vivo, are induced within hours of exposure to infectious hantaviruses. To investigate early events in the innate response to Sin Nombre virus (SNV), the principal etiologic agent of HCPS in North America, we treated human endothelial cells with live virus, or virus subjected to inactivation by UV irradiation at minimal doses required to inhibit replication, and assayed host expression of interferon-stimulated genes (ISG) by microarray and reverse transcription-PCR. We show herein that a variety of ISG are induced between 4 and 24 h after exposure to both live and killed virus. The levels of such induction at early time points (before 24 h) were generally higher in cells treated with SNV particles that had been killed by exposure to UV irradiation. Additionally, SNV exposed to increasing doses of UV irradiation induced ISG better than live virus despite increased disruption of viral RNA integrity. However, SNV replication was required for continued ISG overexpression by 3 days posttreatment. These results suggest that hantavirus particles may themselves be capable of early induction of ISG and that ongoing production of viral particles during infection could contribute to the pathogenic process.

Cell Line↗

Age-dependent resistance of mice to sindbis virus infection: viral replication as a function of host age.

The development of resistance of outbred white mice to two plaque size variants of Sindbis virus was studied as a function of host age. A sudden drop in mortality occurred over a 3-day period. As little as 1 plaque-forming unit (PFU) per mouse was lethal in 1-day-old animals, whereas inocula of 10(9) PFU per mouse failed to produce high mortality in weanlings. A comparison of viral growth kinetics shows that early replication was similar in newborns and weanlings but that after 6 to 8 hr the production rate and, therefore, the maximal viral titer were suppressed in weanlings. The data demonstrate a lethal viral threshold. Titers in excess of this level lead to mortality, whereas those below it allow survival.

Journal Article↗