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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Mechanism of antiviral action of quercetin against cardiovirus infection in mice.

Oral treatment with quercetin protected ABD2F1/Jena mice significantly against intraperitoneal encephalomyocarditis, Col, SK, MM, Mengo M,L and MengoM virus infections, but not against intracerebral challenge with MengoM virus. Enhanced resistance to MengoM virus were induced in the genetically different DBA 2/Jena, C57BL/Jena, C57BL/Lati and ABC2F1/Jena mice, C57BL6/Jena nu/nu mice were also protected, indicating that the thymus was non-essential to the protective effects of quercetin. In AB/Jena and Lati:CFLP mice the drug failed to be effective. Quercetin was not virucidal and did not interfere with Mengo virus replication in L cells. Interferon was not detected (less than 1 : 8) in sera of ABD2F1/Jena mice 1-48 h after oral administration of the drug. The virus spread from the site of injection to the lymph nodes and other target organs were impaired. Silica treatment, to suppress macrophage function, did not evidently increase the susceptibility of ABC2F1/Jena mice to Mengo virus. However, this treatment abolished the antiviral activity of quercetin, indicating the requirement for macrophages for quercetin to be effective. Virus replication could not be demonstrated in cultures of adherent peritoneal macrophages from either untreated or quercetin-treated ABD2F1/Jena mice.

Animals↗

Adenovirus infection inactivates the translational inhibitors 4E-BP1 and 4E-BP2.

Infection with many viruses results in the selective shutoff of host protein synthesis. A common target for virus interference with host protein synthesis is the cap-binding protein complex, eIF4F. The large subunit of the complex, eIF4G, is cleaved upon picornavirus (except cardiovirus) infection. Infection with adenovirus and influenza virus causes dephosphorylation of the cap-binding subunit, eIF4E. Recently, it has been shown that infection with poliovirus or encephalomyocarditis virus activates 4E-BP1, which is a specific inhibitor of eIF4E. Here we show that early in adenovirus infection, 4E-BP1 and its related protein 4E-BP2 are phosphorylated and hence inactivated. This is not consistent with a role of 4E-BPs in adenovirus-induced shutoff, but could explain the increase in protein synthesis reported early in infection. Phosphorylation of 4E-BP1 and 4E-BP2 is consistent with earlier findings in adenovirus-infected cells on the activation of the protein kinase p70(S6k), whose phosphorylation lies on the same pathway as 4E-BPs, by E1A. Findings similar to those described here were reported for 4E-BP1 by D. Feigenblum and R. J. Schneider (1996, Mol. Cell. Biol. 16, 5450-5457).

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Quantification of endogenous viral polymerase, 3D(pol), in preparations of Mengo and encephalomyocarditis viruses.

Measurement of an antigenic response to the aphthovirus infection-associated antigen (VIA), the viral RNA polymerase 3D(pol), is frequently used as a discriminating assay for the extent of viral replication in animals. In practice, animals seropositive for VIA are assumed to have been exposed to live virus, although in fact it is suspected that endogenous 3D(pol) in commercial inactivated vaccines may occasionally stimulate analogous responses and result in false-positive tests for virus exposure. Cardiovirus infections in mice produce similar anti-VIA antibodies, and in view of recently developed attenuated Mengo vaccines and live Mengo vectors, these VIA responses are also under investigation as potential correlates of vaccine efficacy. We have purified recombinant Mengo 3D(pol), developed monoclonal antibodies to the protein, and used these reagents in highly sensitive Western blot assays to quantify the levels of endogenous 3D(pol) in Mengo and encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) preparations. The presence of 3D(pol) was detected at all stages of standard vaccine purification procedures, including materials purified by CsCl. Clarified suspensions of Mengo- or encephalomyocarditis virus-infected HeLa cells were found to contain very high quantities of 3D(pol), averaging approximately 1.2-1.5 micrograms of protein/micrograms of virus. Pelleting through 30% sucrose or purification by CsCl removed much of this material, but even these samples retained approximately 0.2-0.4 ng of 3D(pol)/micrograms virus. These ratios represent approximately 1 3D(pol) molecule/20 virus particles in the most highly purified materials and probably indicate that 3D(pol) is a contaminant on the particle surface rather than an intrinsically packaged molecule. In clarified cell lysates, which are commonly used as vaccine inocula, the protein to virus ratio was approximately 210:1, a level that could represent serious contamination problems for future VIA detection if such inocula are used without further purification.

Animals↗

Dipyridamole reversibly inhibits mengovirus RNA replication.

Dipyridamole is an effective inhibitor of cardiovirus growth in cell culture. The effects of dipyridamole on mengovirus replication in vivo and in vitro were examined in the hope the drug could be used as an experimental analog of the poliovirus inhibitor guanidine. Guanidine selectively inhibits poliovirus RNA synthesis but not RNA translation, and as such, has been a valuable research tool. Although guanidine does not inhibit cardiovirus infection, a compound with similar discriminatory characteristics would be experimentally useful for parallel work with these viruses. We found that mengovirus plaque formation in HeLa or L cells was inhibited nearly 100% by the presence of 80 muM dipyridamole. The inhibitory effect was reversible and targeted an early step in the replication cycle. Studies with luciferase-expressing mengovirus replicons showed that viral protein synthesis was unaffected by dipyridamole, and rather, RNA synthesis was the step targeted by the drug. This assessment was confirmed by direct analyses of viral translation and RNA synthesis activities in a Krebs-2-derived in vitro system that supported complete, infectious cardiovirus replication. In Krebs extracts, dipyridamole specifically inhibited viral RNA synthesis to more than 95%, with no concomitant effect on viral protein translation or polyprotein processing. The observed inhibition reversibly affected an early step in both minus-strand and plus-strand RNA synthesis, although inhibition of plus-strand synthesis was more profound than that of minus-strand synthesis. We conclude that dipyridamole is a potent experimental tool that readily distinguishes between cardiovirus translation and RNA replication functions.

Animals↗

Immunological defects in mice with a targeted disruption in Bcl-3.

The proto-oncogene bcl-3 is a member of the IkappaB family. The Bcl-3 protein is known to interact specifically with the p50 and p52 subunits of NFkappaB. However, the function of this interaction is not well understood. To determine the in vivo role of Bcl-3, mice were generated that lack the bcl-3 gene, Bcl 3(-/-). Here we report that Bcl 3(-/-) mice appear developmentally normal, but exhibit severe defects in humoral immune responses and protection from in vivo pathogenic challenges. Relative to wild-type mice, Bcl 3(-/-) mice are unable to clear L. monocytogenes and are more susceptible to infection with S. pneumoniae. This phenotype is similar to that observed in the p50(-/-) mice and the cross between the Bcl-3(-/-) and p50(-/-) mice generates animals with an enhanced phenotype. In accordance with the observed defects in their immune response, the Bcl 3(-/-) mice have normal immunoglobulin levels before and after immunization, but fail to produce antigen-specific antibodies. Additionally, spleens from Bcl-3(-/-) mice are abnormal and void of germinal centers. In contrast, the p50(-/-) mice have normal germinal centers. We propose that in in vivo, Bcl-3 can function independently of p50.

Animals↗

Cloning and synthesis of infectious cardiovirus RNAs containing short, discrete poly(C) tracts.

Mengovirus RNA transcripts with 5' noncoding poly(C) tracts of C8, C12, and C13UC10 have been synthesized in vitro from cDNA clones and shown to be infectious to HeLa cells. A chimeric clone has also been constructed which links the 5' end from one mengovirus clone (299 nucleotides, containing C13UC10) to a 7,424-base fragment derived from the 3' end of encephalomyocarditis (EMC) virus. Progeny virus isolated after transfection with the clone-derived RNAs had the same poly(C) tracts, mengovirus-specific sequences, or EMC virus-specific sequences as the transcript from which it was derived. Although the cloned poly(C) tracts were considerably shorter than those found in viral RNA from mengovirus (C50UC10) or EMC virus (C115UCUC3UC10), the growth characteristics of the progeny viruses in HeLa cells were indistinguishable from those of the parental viruses, indicating the length of this tract does not play a significant restrictive role for cardiovirus infectivity in tissue culture.

Cloning, Molecular↗

Lambda interferon (IFN-lambda), a type III IFN, is induced by viruses and IFNs and displays potent antiviral activity against select virus infections in vivo.

Type III interferons (IFNs) (interleukin-28/29 or lambda interferon [IFN-lambda]) are cytokines with IFN-like activities. Here we show that several classes of viruses induce expression of IFN-lambda1 and -lambda2/3 in similar patterns. The IFN-lambdas were-unlike alpha/beta interferon (IFN-alpha/beta)-induced directly by stimulation with IFN-alpha or -lambda, thus identifying type III IFNs as IFN-stimulated genes. In vitro assays revealed that IFN-lambdas have appreciable antiviral activity against encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) but limited activity against herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), whereas IFN-alpha potently restricted both viruses. Using three murine models for generalized virus infections, we found that while recombinant IFN-alpha reduced the viral load after infection with EMCV, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), and HSV-2, treatment with recombinant IFN-lambda in vivo did not affect viral load after infection with EMCV or LCMV but did reduce the hepatic viral titer of HSV-2. In a model for a localized HSV-2 infection, we further found that IFN-lambda completely blocked virus replication in the vaginal mucosa and totally prevented development of disease, in contrast to IFN-alpha, which had a more modest antiviral activity. Finally, pretreatment with IFN-lambda enhanced the levels of IFN-gamma in serum after HSV-2 infection. Thus, type III IFNs are expressed in response to most viruses and display potent antiviral activity in vivo against select viruses. The discrepancy between the observed antiviral activity in vitro and in vivo may suggest that IFN-lambda exerts a significant portion of its antiviral activity in vivo via stimulation of the immune system rather than through induction of the antiviral state.

Animals↗

Biozzi mice: of mice and human neurological diseases.

In 1972 Guido Biozzi selectively bred mice to study the immunopathological mechanisms underlying polygenic diseases. One line, the Biozzi antibody high (AB/H) mouse (now designated the ABH strain) was later found to be highly susceptible to many experimentally induced diseases such as autoimmune encephalomyelitis, autoimmune neuritis, autoimmune uveitis, as well as virus-induced demyelination and has thus been a key mouse strain to study human inflammatory neurological diseases. In this paper we discuss the background of the Biozzi ABH mouse and review how studies with these mice have shed light on the pathogenic mechanisms operating in chronic neurological disease.

Alphavirus Infections↗

Antiviral profile of Nyctanthes arbortristis L. against encephalitis causing viruses.

The ethanolic extracts, various fractions and two pure compounds isolated from the plant N. arbortris were tested against Encephalomyocarditis Virus (EMCV) and Semliki Forest Virus (SFV). Pronounced in vitro virus inhibitory activity was observed with the ethanolic and n-butanol fractions as well as with the pure compounds arbortristoside A and arbortristoside C. In addition, ethanolic extracts and n-butanol fraction protected EMCV infected mice to the extent of 40 and 60% respectively against SFV at a daily dose of 125 mg/kg body weight.

1-Butanol↗

Phosphorylation state of the cap-binding protein eIF4E during viral infection.

The eukaryotic translation initiation factor eIF4E, the cap-binding protein, seems to play an essential role in the establishment of the host shut-off after viral infection. Infection with adenovirus and influenza virus caused dephosphorylation of eIF4E and an involvement of a viral protein was suggested. In this report, we studied several other viruses for their ability to change the phosphorylation state of eIF4E, and we looked for the mechanism of eIF4E dephosphorylation. First, it was shown that after encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) and poliovirus infection, dephosphorylation of eIF4E occurred. Dephosphorylation of eIF4E was not observed after Semliki Forest virus and reovirus infection. An artificial increase of the level of phosphorylated eIF4E by treating the cells with the phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid changed neither the kinetics of EMCV and poliovirus infection, nor that of host shut-off. Infections with the uv-treated EMCV showed that the virus binding or entry into the cell initiates eIF4E dephosphorylation. Besides this entry-induced eIF4E dephosphorylation, dephosphorylation was also induced by blocking protein synthesis with the initiation inhibitor pactamycin, or with the elongation inhibitor cycloheximide. We conclude that eIF4E is dephosphorylated by entry of EMCV, and the effect is strengthened by the decrease in cap-dependent translation.

Alphavirus Infections↗

Rapid diagnosis of encephalomyocarditis virus infections in pigs using a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.

Encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) is widespread and the economic losses caused by an EMCV outbreak in pig holdings and the similarity between a foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) and an EMCV infection in young piglets stress the need for a rapid, specific and broad diagnostic assay. An alternative to the time-consuming seroneutralisation assay, currently used for the characterisation of EMCV, is described. An EMCV specific reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), using primers located in a conserved region of the 3D gene of the viral genome, was developed and tested on 114 different EMCV isolates. The identity of the respective amplicons was confirmed by sequencing. The potential of this assay for future diagnostic purposes was demonstrated by applying the RT-PCR on tissue samples collected from an experimentally infected piglet.

Animals↗

Protection of murine gestational tissues from picornavirus infection in the preimplantation period.

Mice were inoculated with Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) on gestational days 1-3 (pre-implantation) or days 4-5 (peri- or post-implantation) or with control cell lysate (days 1-5). Dams were subsequently sacrificed between days 11-14 of gestation, and placentae and fetuses were harvested. Few placentae from dams inoculated with virus on days 1-3 were positive by virus culture (2 per cent) or in situ hybridization (6 per cent), and no fetuses were positive by either technique. In contrast, most placentae from dams inoculated with virus on days 4-5 were virus-positive by culture (96 per cent) or in situ hybridization (100 per cent), and a moderate number of fetuses were also positive (30 per cent by culture, 19 per cent by in situ hybridization). Necrosis was present more frequently in placentae from mice inoculated with virus on days 4-5 (55 per cent) than in placentae from dams inoculated with virus on days 1-3 (19 per cent) or with control cell lysate (18 per cent). Viral infection, mononuclear inflammation and cell necrosis were identified in the heart and great vessels of TMEV-infected fetuses. These results indicate that gestational tissues are largely protected from viral infection before implantation. After implantation, gestational tissues are more readily infected and damaged by maternal picornavirus infection.

Animals↗

Picornavirus infection in early murine gestation: significance of maternal illness.

To evaluate whether maternal illness following picornavirus infection during pregnancy adversely affects placental and fetal health, mice were inoculated with the GDVII strain of Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus or control cell lysate during days 4-7 of gestation. Gross appearance, histopathology and viral culture, and in situ hybridization positivity of placentae and fetuses from ill GDVII-infected, healthy GDVII-infected and control mice were compared. Twenty of 34 (59 per cent) GDVII-infected dams became clinically ill. More placenta-fetus pairs from ill mice were grossly abnormal (68 per cent) than from well GDVII-infected (51 per cent;P< 0.01) or control mice (9 per cent;P< 0.001). Virus was detected by in situ hybridization in 73 per cent of placentae and 29 per cent of fetuses from sick GDVII-infected dams, and in 85 per cent of placentae and 19 per cent of fetuses from healthy GDVII-infected mice (differences not significant). Histological abnormalities consisting of necrosis or an increase in hyaline tissue in the vascular labyrinth layer were similarly frequent in placentae from ill and well GDVII-infected mice (58 per cent versus 67 per cent, P=0.5). Viral RNA, inflammation and necrosis were evident in the heart, great vessels, brain and spinal cord of GDVII-infected fetuses. Infection with GDVII in early pregnancy produces a high rate of gross placental and fetal abnormalities. The rate of gross abnormalities exceeds the incidence of fetal infection and more closely parallels the rates of infection and histopathology in the placenta, suggesting that much of the damage to placenta-fetus pairs is a consequence of placental infection. In addition, the occurrence of viral-induced maternal illness is associated with additive risk to placental and fetal health not explained by an increased rate of placental or fetal infection.

Animals↗

Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus infection induces early expression of c-fos in astrocytes.

We have determined whether Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV), a picornavirus that produces demyelination in genetically susceptible strains of mice, induces c-fos in pure quiescent cultures of mouse brain astrocytes. As observed in Northern blots, the expression of this immediate early gene increases in a dose-dependent manner, with its expression peaking at a multiplicity of infection of 100. The expression of c-fos is transient, peaking after 30 min and disappearing 2 h after infection. The virus is quickly internalized at 37 degrees C upon binding to its specific receptor located at the cell surface and is actively replicated in the cytoplasm of the astrocytes, as demonstrated by FACS flow cytometry. Using the same technique, nuclear translation of c-fos mRNA is also shown. The specificity of viral induction is demonstrated by its neutralization with TMEV-specific antibodies and by the fact that only viral particles and not purified protein components VP1, VP2, and VP3 induced proto-oncogene expression. This rapid induction of c-fos in astrocytes could be the first stage in the infection of these central nervous system cell populations by TMEV. The biological relevance of these findings is assessed by the demonstration of c-fos activation after viral infection in vivo.

Animals↗

Involvement of macrophages in the development of encephalomyocarditis (EMC) virus-induced diabetes in mice.

The role of macrophages in the development of diabetes following infection with encephalomyocarditis (EMC) virus was examined in 3 strains of mice (DBA/2 and BALB/c: susceptible, C57BL/6: resistant). After infection with 100 plaque forming units (PFU)/head of EMC-D (highly diabetogenic variant), the incidence of diabetes at 3 days post infection (DPI) (DBA/2: 7/8, BALB/c: 3/8, C57BL/6: 0/8) was well correlated with the severity of macrophage infiltration with beta cell damage in the pancreatic islets (DBA/2: sever, BALB/c: moderate, C57BL/6: slight). Silica-pretreatment depleted macrophage infiltration in the pancreatic islets and decreased the incidence of diabetes at 7 DPI from 100% to 40% in DBA/2 and from 80% to 0% in BALB/c mice, respectively. These results suggest that macrophages play a critical role in the process of pancreatic beta cell damage in EMC virus infection in mice.

Animals↗