Phosphoinositide-3 kinase-Akt pathway controls cellular entry of Ebola virus

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-, actin-, and microtubule-dependent transport of Semliki Forest Virus replication complexes from the plasma membrane to modified lysosomes

Like other positive-strand RNA viruses, alphaviruses replicate their genomes in association with modified intracellular membranes. Alphavirus replication sites consist of numerous bulb-shaped membrane invaginations (spherules), which contain the double-stranded replication intermediates. Time course studies with Semliki Forest virus (SFV)-infected cells were combined with live-cell imaging and electron microscopy to reveal that the replication complex spherules of SFV undergo an unprecedented large-scale movement between cellular compartments. The spherules first accumulated at the plasma membrane and were then internalized using an endocytic process that required a functional actin-myosin network, as shown by blebbistatin treatment. Wortmannin and other inhibitors indicated that the internalization of spherules also required the activity of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. The spherules therefore represent an unusual type of endocytic cargo. After endocytosis, spherule-containing vesicles were highly dynamic and had a neutral pH. These primary carriers fused with acidic endosomes and moved long distances on microtubules, in a manner prevented by nocodazole. The result of the large-scale migration was the formation of a very stable compartment, where the spherules were accumulated on the outer surfaces of unusually large and static acidic vacuoles localized in the pericentriolar region. Our work highlights both fundamental similarities and important differences in the processes that lead to the modified membrane compartments in cells infected by distinct groups of positive-sense RNA viruses.

A dual effect of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus replication on the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase-dependent Akt pathway

We have recently shown that porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) can undergo a productive replication in porcine monocyte-derived dendritic cells (Mo-DCs). Here, we further demonstrate that PRRSV activates the host's phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)-dependent Akt pathway (PI3K/Akt) to facilitate its replication in Mo-DCs at 90 min and 4 h after infection. Inhibition of PI3K/Akt by treatment with a PI3K-specific inhibitor (LY294002) prior to PRRSV infection reduced virus replication. Furthermore, inhibition of PI3K/Akt by LY294002 at 90 min and 8 h after virus infection still significantly reduced virus production, suggesting that virus replication may be dependent on the activation of PI3K/Akt. Interestingly, PRRSV inhibited PI3K/Akt at 12 h after infection. Heat-inactivated virus failed to inhibit PI3K/Akt, indicating that virus replication is essential for this inhibition. Overall, PRRSV replication exhibits a dual effect on the PI3K/Akt pathway in which both time-dependent activation and inhibition of PI3K/Akt are observed.

Rac1 is required for oncolytic NDV replication in human cancer cells and establishes a link between tumorigenesis and sensitivity to oncolytic virus

Oncolytic Newcastle disease virus (NDV) replicates selectively in most human tumor cells but not in normal cells. The relationship between tumorigenesis and the selective susceptibility of most tumor cells to oncolytic NDV replication is poorly understood. A multistage skin carcinogenesis model derived from non-tumorigenic HaCaT cells was used to systematically investigate the molecular mechanisms involved in the oncolytic NDV-sensitivity associated with tumorigenic transformation. No significant differences in interferon signaling were observed between the virus-sensitive tumor cells and the virus-resistant non-tumorigenic parental cells. Oncogenic H-Ras, which had been used for tumorigenic transformation, was shown to be necessary for virus replication but was not sufficient to render cells susceptible to NDV replication. By using an siRNA screening approach to search for virus-sensitizing genes in the tumorigenic cells, we could identify the small GTPase Rac1 as an oncogenic protein that is essential for NDV replication and anchorage-independent growth in tumorigenic cells. Furthermore, Rac1 expression was sufficient to render non-tumorigenic cells susceptible to NDV replication and to oncolytic cytotoxicity. This study establishes Rac1 as a link between tumorigenesis and oncolytic virus sensitivity in the HaCaT multistage skin carcinogenesis model.

Role of lipid rafts in virus infection

Rafts are domains of the plasma membrane, enriched in cholesterol and sphingolipids; they form a platform for signaling proteins and receptors. The lipid rafts are utilized in the replication cycle of numerous viruses. Internalization receptors of many viruses localize to rafts or are recruited there after virus binding. Arrays of signal transduction proteins found in rafts contribute to efficient trafficking and productive infection. Some viruses are dependent on raft domains for the biogenesis of their membranous replication structures. Finally, rafts are often important in virus assembly and budding. Subsequently, raft components in the viral envelope may be vital for the entry to a new host cell. Here, we summarize the current knowledge of the involvement of rafts in virus infection.

Binding and internalization of Clostridium botulinum C2 toxin

Clostridium botulinum C2 toxin is a binary toxin composed of an enzymatic component (C2I) and a binding component (C2II). The activated binding component (C2IIa) forms heptamers, and the oligomer with C2I is taken up by receptor-mediated endocytosis. We investigated the binding and internalization of C2IIa in cells. The C2IIa monomer formed oligomers on lipid rafts in membranes of MDCK cells. Methyl-beta-cyclodextrin inhibited the binding of C2IIa and the rounding of the cells induced by C2I plus C2IIa. C2I was localized to the rafts in the presence, but not the absence, of C2IIa. Surface plasmon resonance analysis revealed that C2I bound to the oligomer of C2IIa, but not the monomer of C2IIa. C2I and C2IIa were rapidly internalized in the cells. LY294002, a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, inhibited the internalization of C2IIa in the cells and the rounding activity in the presence of C2I plus C2IIa. Incubation of the cells with C2I plus C2IIa resulted in the activation of PI3K and in phosphorylation of phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1 and protein kinase B/Akt (Akt), but that with C2IIa alone did not. Akt inhibitor X, an Akt phosphorylation inhibitor, inhibited the rounding activity but not the internalization of C2IIa. The results suggest that the binding of C2I to the oligomer of C2IIa on rafts triggers the activation of the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and, in turn, the initiation of endocytosis.

Participation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway in Junín virus replication in vitro

In this paper we demonstrate that infection of cell cultures with the arenavirus Junín (JUNV), agent of the argentine haemorrhagic fever, leads to the activation of PI3K/Akt signalling pathway. Phosphorylation of Akt occurs early during JUNV infection of Vero cells and is blocked by the PI3K inhibitor, Ly294002. Infection of cells with UV-irradiated JUNV redeemed the pattern of stimulation observed for infectious virus indicating that an early stage of multiplication cycle would be enough to trigger activation. Treatment of cells with chlorpromazine abrogated phosphorylation of Akt upon JUNV infection suggesting virus internalization as responsible for activation. Inhibition of Akt phosphorylation by Ly294002 impaired viral protein synthesis and expression leading to a reduced infectious virus yield without blocking the onset of persistent stage of infection. This impairment is linked to a reduced amount of virus bound to cells probably due to a blockage on the recycling of transferrin cell-receptor, employed by the virus to adsorb to the cell surface. Early Akt activation was also observed in BHK-21 and A549 JUNV infected cells suggesting an important role of PI3K/Akt signalling in JUNV multiplication in vitro.

Human B cells secrete granzyme B when recognizing viral antigens in the context of the acute phase cytokine IL-21

Human B cells are currently not known to produce the proapoptotic protease granzyme B (GrB) in physiological settings. We have discovered that BCR stimulation with either viral Ags or activating Abs in the context of the acute phase cytokine IL-21 can induce the secretion of substantial amounts of GrB by human B cells. Importantly, GrB response to viral Ags was significantly stronger in B cells from subjects recently vaccinated against the corresponding viruses as compared with unvaccinated subjects. GrB-secreting B cells featured a homogeneous CD19(+)CD20(+)CD27(-)CD38(-)IgD(-) phenotype, improved survival, and enhanced expression of costimulatory, Ag-presenting and cell-adhesion molecules. B cell-derived GrB was enzymatically active and its induction required the activation of similar signaling pathways as those in CTLs. Our findings suggest that GrB-secreting B cells support the early antiviral immune response against viruses with endosomal entry pathways, thereby counteracting overwhelming viral replication at the beginning of an infection until virus-specific T cells from draining lymph nodes arrive at the site of infection. Our data may also explain the elevated serum GrB levels found in the early phase of various viral diseases.

PAMAM nanoparticles promote acute lung injury by inducing autophagic cell death through the Akt-TSC2-mTOR signaling pathway

Nanotechnology is an important and emerging industry with a projected annual market of around one trillion US dollars by 2011-2015. Concerns about the toxicity of nanomaterials in humans, however, have recently been raised. Although studies of nanoparticle toxicity have focused on lung disease the molecular link between nanoparticle exposure and lung injury remained unclear. In this report, we show that cationic Starburst polyamidoamine dendrimer (PAMAM), a class of nanomaterials that are being widely developed for clinical applications can induce acute lung injury in vivo. PAMAM triggers autophagic cell death by deregulating the Akt-TSC2-mTOR signaling pathway. The autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine rescued PAMAM dendrimer-induced cell death and ameliorated acute lung injury caused by PAMAM in mice. Our data provide a molecular explanation for nanoparticle-induced lung injury, and suggest potential remedies to address the growing concerns of nanotechnology safety.

Alpha5beta1-integrin controls ebolavirus entry by regulating endosomal cathepsins

Integrins are involved in the binding and internalization of both enveloped and nonenveloped viruses. By using 3 distinct cell systems-CHO cells lacking expression of alpha(5)beta(1)-integrin, HeLa cells treated with siRNA to alpha(5)-integrin, and mouse beta(1)-integrin knockout fibroblasts, we show that alpha(5)beta(1)-integrin is required for efficient infection by pseudovirions bearing the ebolavirus glycoprotein (GP). These integrins are necessary for viral entry but not for binding or internalization. Given the need for endosomal cathepsins B and L (CatB and CatL) to prime GPs for fusion, we investigated the status of CatB and CatL in integrin-positive and integrin-negative cell lines. Alpha(5)beta(1)-Integrin-deficient cells lacked the double-chain (DC) forms of CatB and CatL, and this correlated with decreased CatL activity in integrin-negative CHO cells. These data indicate that alpha(5)beta(1)-integrin-negative cells may be refractory to infection by GP pseudovirions because they lack the necessary priming machinery (the double-chain forms of CatB and CatL). In support of this model, we show that GP pseudovirions that have been preprimed in vitro to generate the 19-kDa form of GP overcome the requirement for alpha(5)beta(1)-integrin for infection. These results provide further support for the requirement for endosomal cathepsins for ebolavirus infection, identify the DC forms of these cathepsins as previously unrecognized factors that contribute to cell tropism of this virus, and reveal a previously undescribed role for integrins during viral entry as regulators of endosomal cathepsins, which are required to prime the entry proteins of ebolavirus and other pathogenic viruses.

A new player in a deadly game: influenza viruses and the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway

Upon influenza A virus infection of cells, a wide variety of antiviral and virus‐supportive signalling pathways are induced. Phosphatidylinositol‐3‐kinase (PI3K) is a recent addition to the growing list of signalling mediators that are activated by these viruses. Several studies have addressed the role of PI3K and the downstream effector protein kinase Akt in influenza A virus‐infected cells. PI3K/Akt signalling is activated by diverse mechanisms in a biphasic manner and is required for multiple functions during infection. While the kinase supports activation of the interferon regulatory factor‐3 during antiviral interferon induction, it also exhibits virus supportive functions. In fact, PI3K not only regulates a very early step during viral entry but also results in suppression of premature apoptosis at later stages of infection. The latter function is dependent on the expression of the viral non‐structural protein‐1 (A/NS1). It has been shown that PI3K activation occurs by direct interaction of A/NS1 with the p85 regulatory subunit and interaction sites of A/NS1 and p85 have now been mapped in detail. Here, we summarize the current knowledge on influenza virus‐induced PI3K signalling and how this pathway supports viral propagation.