PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “viral persistence”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Immune response to B19 parvovirus and an antibody defect in persistent viral infection.

B19 parvovirus has been shown to persist in some immunocompromised patients, and treatment with specific antibodies can lead to decreased quantities of circulating virus and hematologic improvement. A defective immune response to B19 parvovirus in these patients was shown by comparison of results using a capture RIA and immunoblotting. In normal individuals, examination of paired sera showed that the dominant humoral immune response during early convalescence was to the virus major capsid protein (58 kD) and during late convalescence to the minor capsid species (83 kD). In patients with persistent parvovirus infection, variable titers against intact particles were detected by RIA, but the sera from these patients had minimal or no IgG to capsid proteins determined by Western analysis. Competition experiments suggested that this discrepancy was not explicable on the basis of immune complex formation alone and that these patients may have a qualitative abnormality in antibody binding to virus. In neutralization experiments, in which erythroid colony formation in vitro was used as an assay of parvovirus activity, sera from patients with poor reactivity on immunoblotting were also inadequate in inhibiting viral infectivity. A cellular response to purified B19 parvovirus could not be demonstrated using proliferation assays and PBMC from individuals with serologic evidence of exposure to virus. These results suggest that production of neutralizing antibody to capsid protein plays a major role in limiting parvovirus infection in man.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Chronic ethanol effects on cellular immune responses to hepatitis B virus envelope protein: an immunologic mechanism for induction of persistent viral infection in alcoholics.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is common in alcoholics and may result in chronic infection. Persistence of HBV infection could be partially caused by the effects of ethanol on the cellular and humoral immune response to viral structural proteins. The DNA-based immunization approach was used to experimentally assess the effects of chronic ethanol feeding on immune responses directed against the middle envelope protein (MHBs) of HBV. Mice were fed an ethanol or isocaloric, pair-fed control liquid diet for 8 weeks, followed by immunization with a plasmid construct containing the pre-S2/S gene that encodes for MHBs. Chronic ethanol consumption marginally reduced the levels of the antibody to hepatitis B surface proteins (anti-HBs) generated by the DNA-based immunization approach. Initially, cytotoxic lymphocyte (CTL) activity was higher in ethanol-fed mice but progressively declined following the second and third immunizations as compared with control mice. In addition, CTL and CD4+ T helper (TH) cells responded poorly to increasing concentrations of envelope protein and peptides in vitro with respect to generation of CTL activity and proliferative responses. Finally, proliferating CD4+ T cells derived from ethanol-fed animals had substantial changes in the levels of cytokines secreted into the culture supernatants as compared with control mice. These studies show that chronic ethanol consumption substantially alters the cellular immune responses to a human viral structural protein, and that these effects may contribute to the persistence of viral infection.

Alcoholism↗

[The effect of a persistent viral infection on natural antitumor resistance].

The influence of persistent infection with Tahyna virus on the natural antitumor resistance of the hosts was studied in mature mice. The infection was shown to suppress the host natural antitumor resistance. The development of infection was accompanied by a decrease of natural killer cell cytotoxicity against YAC-1 cell line within 7 days after virus inoculation. In this period, the transplantation dose of tumor cells decreased from 10(1.73) to 10(0.82). This indirectly indicates a potential ability of viruses with immunosuppressive activity to increase the frequency of development of malignant tumors.

Animals↗

Molecular determinants of macrophage tropism and viral persistence: importance of single amino acid changes in the polymerase and glycoprotein of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus.

This study documents that the immunosuppressive lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) variant, clone 13, shows a specific predilection for enhanced infection of macrophages both in vitro and in vivo and that single amino acid changes in the viral polymerase and glycoprotein are responsible for macrophage tropism. The growth difference seen between variant clone 13 and the parental Armstrong strain was specific for macrophages, since both clone 13 and Armstrong grew equally well in fibroblasts and neither isolate infected lymphocytes efficiently. Complete sequencing of the clone 13 genome, along with genetic analysis, showed that a single amino acid change in the polymerase (K-->Q at position 1079) was the major determinant of virus yield in macrophages. This was proven unequivocally by comparing the sequences of parental and reassortant viruses, which were identical at all loci except for the single mutation in the polymerase gene. This finding was further strengthened by showing that reversion at this site back to lysine (Q-->K) resulted in loss of macrophage tropism. In addition, an independently derived macrophage-tropic variant of LCMV, clone 28b, had a K-->N mutation at the same position. Thus, these results show that substitution of the positively charged amino acid K with a neutral amino acid (either Q or N) at residue 1079 of the polymerase resulted in enhanced viral replication in macrophages. In addition to the polymerase change, a mutation in the glycoprotein was also associated with macrophage tropism. This single amino acid change in the glycoprotein (F-->L at position 260) did not affect virus yield per macrophage but was critical in determining the number of macrophages infected. Our previous studies have shown that the same two mutations in the polymerase and glycoprotein are essential for establishing a chronic infection in adult mice. Since the same mutations confer macrophage tropism and ability to persist in vivo, these studies provide compelling evidence that infection of macrophages is a critical determinant of viral persistence and immune suppression.

Animals↗

Coxsackievirus B1-induced murine myositis: no evidence for viral persistence.

The persistence of coxsackievirus B1 in the muscles of mice with coxsackievirus B1-induced chronic myositis was investigated. Neonatal CD1 Swiss mice were inoculated with a myositis-causing variant of coxsackievirus B1 (Tucson strain). Hamstring muscle samples of diseased mice obtained at various times after inoculation were examined for the presence of infectious virus, viral RNA and histological abnormalities. Viral RNA was detected up to 4 weeks after initiation of infection, whereas virus could be isolated from hamstring muscles for up to 2 weeks. Thereafter no sign of infection was demonstrated although histological abnormalities remained present for the entire observation period of 16 weeks. That viral RNA was detectable for only 2 weeks after tissues became negative for infectious virus suggests that the infection slowly waned rather than the viral RNA persisting. Hence, it is concluded that coxsackievirus B1 plays an essential role in the initiation of myositis but not in the maintenance of the chronic phase.

Animals↗

Quantitative analysis of foot-and-mouth disease virus RNA loads in bovine tissues: implications for the site of viral persistence.

To understand better the pathogenesis of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), the levels of viral RNA in various bovine tissues during the acute and persistent stages of FMD virus (FMDV) infection were investigated by using quantitative RT-PCR. The viral RNA levels in the tissues examined had peaked by day 1 post-infection (p.i.) and were markedly different among the tissues examined. The epithelium collected from sites of lesion development, i.e. the interdigital area and coronary band on the feet, and the tongue, contained the highest level of viral RNA, indicating the predominant tissue sites of viral infection and amplification during the acute stage of infection. Clearance of viral RNA from most of the tissues occurred relatively rapidly and the rate of clearance was largely independent of the level of viral RNA. The viral RNA load in most of the tissues declined slower than in serum, in which viral clearance is rapid. Beyond 28 days p.i., a proportion of pharyngeal region tissues (soft palate, pharynx, tonsil and mandibular lymph node) from infected animals still contained a detectable level of viral RNA, while viral RNA in non-pharyngeal region tissues was generally only detectable for variable periods ranging from 4 to 14 days p.i. The presence of viral RNA in dorsal soft palate tissue had a good correlation with the presence of infectious virus in oesophageal-pharyngeal fluid (OP-fluid) samples, a finding indicative of the specific tissue sites of FMDV persistence.

Acute Disease↗

Perturbation of differentiated functions in vivo during persistent viral infection. III. Decreased growth hormone mRNA.

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) persistent infection that results from the inoculation of C3H/St newborn mice causes growth hormone (GH) deficiency and associated disease characterized by both reduced weight and serum glucose levels. Molecular analysis of pituitary nucleic acids shows GH deficient mice have, on average, fivefold reduced levels of GH mRNA although the histopathology of such GH producing cells is normal. Northern blots indicate that the length of GH mRNA is comparable in the GH deficient, virus infected mice and the GH normal, uninfected age-matched controls. Hence, truncated GH mRNA cannot account for hormonal defect. Mice infected congenitally through mating of persistently infected parents have normal growth and blood glucose levels. GH mRNA levels in pituitaries of these mice are equivalent to those of uninfected age-matched controls but significantly greater than those seen in neonatally infected GH deficient mice. Although infectious virus titers in the sera are equivalent in congenitally and neonatally infected age- and sex-matched mice, virus titers are significantly lower in pituitaries and brains of the congenitally infected mice when compared to neonatally inoculated mice. Additionally, the number of GH-producing pituitary cells expressing viral proteins is less in congenitally infected mice relative to those in neonatally inoculated mice. Hence there is a direct association between viral replication in GH-producing cells, lowered GH mRNA, and GH deficiency.

Animals↗

Suppression of synthesis of an IgG subclass in a persistent viral infection.

Comparison of immunoglobulin levels of nine horses before and after infection with equine infectious anaemia (EIA) virus demonstrated a significant depression of serum IgG(T) at 2 months (P less than 0-001) and at 1 year (P less than 0-01) after infection. In contrast, the levels of IgGa were significantly increased at both times after infection. Another sixteen horses with EIA for 1-4 months were examined and there was also significant depression (P less than 0-001) of IgG(T) when compared to pre-infection levels. No significant changes in IgG(T), IgGa and IgM were noted in fourteen normal horses housed for 2-7 months in the same manner as infected horses. Following DNP immunization there was a significant (P less than 0-02) decrease in the amount of IgG(T) antibody produced in five horses with EIA when compared to five normal horses. Metabolism studies with iodinated IgG(T) showed a significant (P less than 0-001) decrease in synthesis of this immunoglobulin in EIA-infected horses when compared to normal horses. Amounts of IgGa synthesized were similar in the two groups. Thus, persistent EIA viral infection suppresses the synthesis of IgG(T), an IgG subclass, without suppressing IgGa.

Animals↗

Viral persistence in neurons alters synaptic plasticity and cognitive functions without destruction of brain cells.

Neurons have a restricted expression of MHC heavy chain molecules which prevents presentation of antigens of infecting viruses. As a result, such infected cells escape immune surveillance and allow the establishment of noncytolytic persistent infection. Here we show that a chronic noncytolytic viral infection both in vitro and in vivo selectively perturbed the expression of GAP-43, a protein that plays a central role in neuronal plasticity processes accompanying learning and memory. GAP-43 expression was greatly decreased in the hippocampus, an area of heightened viral replication, while synaptic density was preserved. Concurrently, the ability to learn tasks was significantly impaired in these persistently infected mice. Yet, infected neurons remained free from structural injury.

Animals↗

Viral persistence in vivo through selection of neutralizing antibody-escape variants.

Despite initial virus control by CD8(+) cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), noncytopathic or variably cytopathic viruses (e.g., hepatitis B and C viruses, HIV) are able to establish persistent infections. The role of neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) in controlling disease progression is unclear. Therefore, the phenomenon of viral evasion from the nAb response and its implications for virus persistence remain controversial. Here we demonstrate nAb-mediated viral clearance in CTL-deficient mice infected with the prototypic noncytopathic lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (strain WE). During prolonged CTL absence, neutralization-resistant virus mutants were selected in individual mice within 70-90 days. In naive animals infected with these virus variants only low nAb responses were induced, resulting in an increased tendency of virus to persist.

Animals↗

A circadian model for viral persistence.

Persistently infecting DNA viruses depend heavily on host cell DNA synthesis machinery. Replication of cellular and viral DNA is inhibited by mutagenic stress. It is hypothesized that diurnal regulation of viral DNA replication may occur at the level of cell cycle checkpoints and DNA repair, to protect DNA from exposure to UV light or other mutagens. This highly conserved mechanism is traced back to viruses that persist in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Inhibition of viral DNA replication and the cell cycle in response to UV light may represent a functional building block in the evolution of circadian-gated DNA replication. Viral DNA replication appears to be closely linked to the circadian clock by interaction of viral promoters, early viral proteins and transcription factors. It is proposed here that under certain conditions viral oncogene expression is phase-shifted relative to that of tumor suppressor and DNA repair genes. The resulting desynchrony of checkpoint controls and DNA repair from diurnal genotoxic exposure produces cyclic periods of suboptimal response to DNA damage. This temporal vulnerability to genotoxic stress produces a "mutator phenotype" with inherent genome instability. The proposed model delineates areas of research with implications for viral pathogenesis and therapeutics.

Cell Cycle↗

Persistent viral infections in human carcinogenesis.

Several taxonomically distinct human pathogenic viruses capable of upholding persistent infections have been recognized as important carcinogens. Jointly they are characterized by going into decade-long interactions with host cells and/or tissues. Tumours arise after a long latent period in a few infected individuals. The cellular changes necessary for malignancy are only in part directly or indirectly caused by virus-cell interactions. Cofactors are assumed to be involved. The different routes to malignancy reflect the distinct strategies of each virus in its interaction with the host, which for the upkeep of chronic infections requires a tight control of both virus and cell multiplication and the extent to which an immune response is provoked. The size of the virus-cancer problem and the possibility of prevention makes virology one of the most promising areas of cancer prevention on a global scale. A much wider use of the vaccination against hepatitis B, especially in children, is warranted in developed countries.

Chronic Disease↗

Bunyamwera virus replication in cultured Aedes albopictus (mosquito) cells: establishment of a persistent viral infection.

Bunyamwera virus replication was examined in Aedes albopictus (mosquito) cell cultures in which a persistent infection is established and in cytopathically infected BHK cells. During primary infection of A. albopictus cells, Bunyamwera virus reached relatively high titers ( approximately 10(7) PFU/ml), and autointerference was not observed. Three virus-specific RNAs (L, M, and S) and two virion proteins (N and G1) were detected in infected cells. Maximum rates of viral RNA synthesis and viral protein synthesis were extremely low, corresponding to <2% of the synthetic capacities of uninfected control cells. Viral protein synthesis was maximal at 12 h postinfection and was shut down to barely detectable levels at 24 h postinfection. Virus-specific RNA and nucleocapsid syntheses showed similar patterns of change, but later in infection. The proportions of cells able to release a single PFU at 3, 6, and 54 days postinfection were 100, 50, and 1.5%, respectively. Titers fell to 10(3) to 10(5) PFU/ml in carrier cultures. Persistently infected cultures were resistant to superinfection with homologous virus but not with heterologous virus. No changes in host cell protein synthesis or other cytopathic effects were observed at any stage of infection. Small-plaque variants of Bunyamwera virus appeared at approximately 7 days postinfection and increased gradually until they were 75 to 95% of the total infectious virus at 66 days postinfection. Temperature-sensitive mutants appeared between 23 and 49 days postinfection. No antiviral activity similar to that reported in A. albopictus cell cultures persistently infected with Sindbis virus (R. Riedel and D. T. Brown, J. Virol. 29: 51-60, 1979) was detected in culture fluids by 3 months after infection. Bunyamwera virus replicated more rapidly in BHK cells than in mosquito cells but reached lower titers. Autointerference occurred at multiplicities of infection of approximately 10. Virus-specific RNA and protein syntheses were at least 20% of the levels in uninfected control cells. Host cell protein synthesis was completely shut down, and nucleocapsid protein accumulated until it was 4% of the total cell protein. We discuss these results in relation to possible mechanisms involved in determining the outcome of arbovirus infection of vertebrate and mosquito cells.

Aedes↗

Transmission of viral persistence by transfection of human cultured cells with RNA of a persistent strain of echovirus 6.

A cloned line of persistently infected (PI) human cells has been established with a strain of the normally lytic, echovirus 6. All of the cells contained non-lytic viral RNA and synthesized defective viral particles. The present study was undertaken to determine whether replication of non-lytic viral RNA occurred after transfection. Uninfected human WISH cells were transfected with viral RNA recovered either directly from persistently infected PI cells or from virus particles produced by PI cells. Cytoplasmic extracts were prepared at various times after transfection and examined for presence of viral RNA and protein. The viral RNA was detected by hybridization of Northern blots of cellular RNA extracts with a cDNA clone of wild-type, lytic echovirus 6. Viral proteins were isolated by immunoprecipitation with specific anti-viral serum and analysed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Increased concentrations of viral RNA were detectable in cellular extracts at 48 h after transfection. Replicate transfected cultures retained viral RNA and produced viral proteins after cultivation for 287 days. RNA extracts from the transfected cells did not produce cytopathology or lytic virus. Thus, conversion of uninfected cells into a persistently infected cell line was accomplished by transfection with the non-lytic genome of echovirus 6.

Blotting, Northern↗