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Wang P, Fredj Z, Zhang H, Rong G, Bian S, Sawan M. Blocking Superantigen-Mediated Diseases: Challenges and Future Trends. J Immunol Res 2024; 2024:2313062. [PMID: 38268531 PMCID: PMC10807946 DOI: 10.1155/2024/2313062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Superantigens are virulence factors secreted by microorganisms that can cause various immune diseases, such as overactivating the immune system, resulting in cytokine storms, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis. Some studies have demonstrated that superantigens do not require intracellular processing and instated bind as intact proteins to the antigen-binding groove of major histocompatibility complex II on antigen-presenting cells, resulting in the activation of T cells with different T-cell receptor Vβ and subsequent overstimulation. To combat superantigen-mediated diseases, researchers have employed different approaches, such as antibodies and simulated peptides. However, due to the complex nature of superantigens, these approaches have not been entirely successful in achieving optimal therapeutic outcomes. CD28 interacts with members of the B7 molecule family to activate T cells. Its mimicking peptide has been suggested as a potential candidate to block superantigens, but it can lead to reduced T-cell activity while increasing the host's infection risk. Thus, this review focuses on the use of drug delivery methods to accurately target and block superantigens, while reducing the adverse effects associated with CD28 mimic peptides. We believe that this method has the potential to provide an effective and safe therapeutic strategy for superantigen-mediated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengbo Wang
- CenBRAIN Neurotech, School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310030, China
| | - Zina Fredj
- CenBRAIN Neurotech, School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310030, China
| | - Hongyong Zhang
- CenBRAIN Neurotech, School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310030, China
| | - Guoguang Rong
- CenBRAIN Neurotech, School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310030, China
| | - Sumin Bian
- CenBRAIN Neurotech, School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310030, China
| | - Mohamad Sawan
- CenBRAIN Neurotech, School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310030, China
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Yoshizaki T, Kondo S, Dochi H, Kobayashi E, Mizokami H, Komura S, Endo K. Recent Advances in Assessing the Clinical Implications of Epstein-Barr Virus Infection and Their Application to the Diagnosis and Treatment of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma. Microorganisms 2023; 12:14. [PMID: 38276183 PMCID: PMC10820804 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12010014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Reports about the oncogenic mechanisms underlying nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) have been accumulating since the discovery of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in NPC cells. EBV is the primary causative agent of NPC. EBV-host and tumor-immune system interactions underlie the unique representative pathology of NPC, which is an undifferentiated cancer cell with extensive lymphocyte infiltration. Recent advances in the understanding of immune evasion and checkpoints have changed the treatment of NPC in clinical settings. The main EBV genes involved in NPC are LMP1, which is the primary EBV oncogene, and BZLF1, which induces the lytic phase of EBV. These two multifunctional genes affect host cell behavior, including the tumor-immune microenvironment and EBV behavior. Latent infections, elevated concentrations of the anti-EBV antibody and plasma EBV DNA have been used as biomarkers of EBV-associated NPC. The massive infiltration of lymphocytes in the stroma suggests the immunogenic characteristics of NPC as a virus-infected tumor and, at the same time, also indicates the presence of a sophisticated immunosuppressive system within NPC tumors. In fact, immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown promise in improving the prognosis of NPC patients with recurrent and metastatic disease. However, patients with advanced NPC still require invasive treatments. Therefore, there is a pressing need to develop an effective screening system for early-stage detection of NPC in patients. Various modalities, such as nasopharyngeal cytology, cell-free DNA methylation, and deep learning-assisted nasopharyngeal endoscopy for screening and diagnosis, have been introduced. Each modality has its advantages and disadvantages. A reciprocal combination of these modalities will improve screening and early diagnosis of NPC.
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Ye C, Clements SA, Gu W, Geurts AM, Mathews CE, Serreze DV, Chen YG, Driver JP. Deletion of Vβ3 +CD4 + T cells by endogenous mouse mammary tumor virus 3 prevents type 1 diabetes induction by autoreactive CD8 + T cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2312039120. [PMID: 38015847 PMCID: PMC10710095 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2312039120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
In both humans and NOD mice, type 1 diabetes (T1D) develops from the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells by T cells. Interactions between both helper CD4+ and cytotoxic CD8+ T cells are essential for T1D development in NOD mice. Previous work has indicated that pathogenic T cells arise from deleterious interactions between relatively common genes which regulate aspects of T cell activation/effector function (Ctla4, Tnfrsf9, Il2/Il21), peptide presentation (H2-A g7, B2m), and T cell receptor (TCR) signaling (Ptpn22). Here, we used a combination of subcongenic mapping and a CRISPR/Cas9 screen to identify the NOD-encoded mammary tumor virus (Mtv)3 provirus as a genetic element affecting CD4+/CD8+ T cell interactions through an additional mechanism, altering the TCR repertoire. Mtv3 encodes a superantigen (SAg) that deletes the majority of Vβ3+ thymocytes in NOD mice. Ablating Mtv3 and restoring Vβ3+ T cells has no effect on spontaneous T1D development in NOD mice. However, transferring Mtv3 to C57BL/6 (B6) mice congenic for the NOD H2 g7 MHC haplotype (B6.H2 g7) completely blocks their normal susceptibility to T1D mediated by transferred CD8+ T cells transgenically expressing AI4 or NY8.3 TCRs. The entire genetic effect is manifested by Vβ3+CD4+ T cells, which unless deleted by Mtv3, accumulate in insulitic lesions triggering in B6 background mice the pathogenic activation of diabetogenic CD8+ T cells. Our findings provide evidence that endogenous Mtv SAgs can influence autoimmune responses. Furthermore, since most common mouse strains have gaps in their TCR Vβ repertoire due to Mtvs, it raises questions about the role of Mtvs in other mouse models designed to reflect human immune disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Ye
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL32611
| | - Sadie A. Clements
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO65201
| | - Weihong Gu
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO65201
| | - Aron M. Geurts
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI53226
| | - Clayton E. Mathews
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL32610
| | | | - Yi-Guang Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI53226
| | - John P. Driver
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO65201
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4
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Yushkova E, Moskalev A. Transposable elements and their role in aging. Ageing Res Rev 2023; 86:101881. [PMID: 36773759 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.101881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) are an important part of eukaryotic genomes. The role of somatic transposition in aging, carcinogenesis, and other age-related diseases has been determined. This review discusses the fundamental properties of TEs and their complex interactions with cellular processes, which are crucial for understanding the diverse effects of their activity on the genetics and epigenetics of the organism. The interactions of TEs with recombination, replication, repair, and chromosomal regulation; the ability of TEs to maintain a balance between their own activity and repression, the involvement of TEs in the creation of new or alternative genes, the expression of coding/non-coding RNA, and the role in DNA damage and modification of regulatory networks are reviewed. The contribution of the derepressed TEs to age-dependent effects in individual cells/tissues in different organisms was assessed. Conflicting information about TE activity under stress as well as theories of aging mechanisms related to TEs is discussed. On the one hand, transposition activity in response to stressors can lead to organisms acquiring adaptive innovations of great importance for evolution at the population level. On the other hand, the TE expression can cause decreased longevity and stress tolerance at the individual level. The specific features of TE effects on aging processes in germline and soma and the ways of their regulation in cells are highlighted. Recent results considering somatic mutations in normal human and animal tissues are indicated, with the emphasis on their possible functional consequences. In the context of aging, the correlation between somatic TE activation and age-related changes in the number of proteins required for heterochromatin maintenance and longevity regulation was analyzed. One of the original features of this review is a discussion of not only effects based on the TEs insertions and the associated consequences for the germline cell dynamics and somatic genome, but also the differences between transposon- and retrotransposon-mediated structural genome changes and possible phenotypic characteristics associated with aging and various age-related pathologies. Based on the analysis of published data, a hypothesis about the influence of the species-specific features of number, composition, and distribution of TEs on aging dynamics of different animal genomes was formulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Yushkova
- Laboratory of Geroprotective and Radioprotective Technologies, Institute of Biology, Komi Science Center, Ural Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, 28 Kommunisticheskaya st., 167982 Syktyvkar, Russian Federation
| | - Alexey Moskalev
- Laboratory of Geroprotective and Radioprotective Technologies, Institute of Biology, Komi Science Center, Ural Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, 28 Kommunisticheskaya st., 167982 Syktyvkar, Russian Federation; Laboratory of Genetics and Epigenetics of Aging, Russian Clinical Research Center for Gerontology, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow 129226, Russian Federation; Longaevus Technologies, London, UK.
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Contribution of Retrotransposons to the Pathogenesis of Type 1 Diabetes and Challenges in Analysis Methods. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043104. [PMID: 36834511 PMCID: PMC9966460 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is one of the most common chronic diseases of the endocrine system, associated with several life-threatening comorbidities. While the etiopathogenesis of T1D remains elusive, a combination of genetic susceptibility and environmental factors, such as microbial infections, are thought to be involved in the development of the disease. The prime model for studying the genetic component of T1D predisposition encompasses polymorphisms within the HLA (human leukocyte antigen) region responsible for the specificity of antigen presentation to lymphocytes. Apart from polymorphisms, genomic reorganization caused by repeat elements and endogenous viral elements (EVEs) might be involved in T1D predisposition. Such elements are human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) and non-long terminal repeat (non-LTR) retrotransposons, including long and short interspersed nuclear elements (LINEs and SINEs). In line with their parasitic origin and selfish behaviour, retrotransposon-imposed gene regulation is a major source of genetic variation and instability in the human genome, and may represent the missing link between genetic susceptibility and environmental factors long thought to contribute to T1D onset. Autoreactive immune cell subtypes with differentially expressed retrotransposons can be identified with single-cell transcriptomics, and personalized assembled genomes can be constructed, which can then serve as a reference for predicting retrotransposon integration/restriction sites. Here we review what is known to date about retrotransposons, we discuss the involvement of viruses and retrotransposons in T1D predisposition, and finally we consider challenges in retrotransposons analysis methods.
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Wieland L, Schwarz T, Engel K, Volkmer I, Krüger A, Tarabuko A, Junghans J, Kornhuber ME, Hoffmann F, Staege MS, Emmer A. Epstein-Barr Virus-Induced Genes and Endogenous Retroviruses in Immortalized B Cells from Patients with Multiple Sclerosis. Cells 2022; 11:cells11223619. [PMID: 36429047 PMCID: PMC9688211 DOI: 10.3390/cells11223619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The immune pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) is thought to be triggered by environmental factors in individuals with an unfavorable genetic predisposition. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is a major risk factor for subsequent development of MS. Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) can be activated by EBV, and might be a missing link between an initial EBV infection and the later onset of MS. In this study, we investigated differential gene expression patterns in EBV-immortalized lymphoblastoid B cell lines (LCL) from MS-affected individuals (MSLCL) and controls by using RNAseq and qRT-PCR. RNAseq data from LCL mapped to the human genome and a virtual virus metagenome were used to identify possible biomarkers for MS or disease-relevant risk factors, e.g., the relapse rate. We observed that lytic EBNA-1 transcripts seemed to be negatively correlated with age leading to an increased expression in LCL from younger PBMC donors. Further, HERV-K (HML-2) GAG was increased upon EBV-triggered immortalization. Besides the well-known transactivation of HERV-K18, our results suggest that another six HERV loci are up-regulated upon stimulation with EBV. We identified differentially expressed genes in MSLCL, e.g., several HERV-K loci, ERVMER61-1 and ERV3-1, as well as genes associated with relapses. In summary, EBV induces genes and HERV in LCL that might be suitable as biomarkers for MS or the relapse risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Wieland
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
- Department of Surgical and Conservative Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Tommy Schwarz
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Kristina Engel
- Department of Surgical and Conservative Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Ines Volkmer
- Department of Surgical and Conservative Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Anna Krüger
- Department of Surgical and Conservative Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Alexander Tarabuko
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Jutta Junghans
- Department of Neurology, Martha-Maria Hospital Halle-Dölau, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Malte E. Kornhuber
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Frank Hoffmann
- Department of Neurology, Martha-Maria Hospital Halle-Dölau, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Martin S. Staege
- Department of Surgical and Conservative Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-34-5557-7280
| | - Alexander Emmer
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
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HERV-K Envelope Protein Induces Long-Lasting Production of Autoantibodies in T1DM Patients at Onset in Comparison to ZNT8 Autoantibodies. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11101188. [PMID: 36297245 PMCID: PMC9607583 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11101188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) have been thought of as silent passengers within our genomes, but their reactivation has been linked with several autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes (T1DM). In order to evaluate the potential role of HERVs, in addition to the recognized role of HERV-W, we focused on the debated role of the HERV-K family in T1DM. Therefore, we performed a serological evaluation of IgG antibodies against HERV-K Env epitope (HERV-K Env19−37) in comparison to an important β-cellular autoimmunity biomarker, ZnT8, from plasma samples of Sardinian children at the onset of T1DM, different T1DM groups (1−5 and 6−12 years since diagnosis), and healthy controls (HCs), by an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A significant antibody response was observed against HERV-K Env19−37 (p < 0.0001) in T1DM patients compared to HCs, and significantly higher IgG responses were detected in the group at the onset compared to the other T1DM groups and HCs. Unlike the trend of the β-cellular autoimmunity autoantibodies, for HERV-K Env antibodies we observed positive values that persist over time up to 5 years since the onset of T1DM. Our results add new evidence about the presence of antibodies against HERV-K in T1DM, but further investigations are necessary to relate these results with the established role of HERVs, considering the contrasting results for HERV-K.
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8
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Lee DH, Bae WH, Ha H, Park EG, Lee YJ, Kim WR, Kim HS. Z-DNA-Containing Long Terminal Repeats of Human Endogenous Retrovirus Families Provide Alternative Promoters for Human Functional Genes. Mol Cells 2022; 45:522-530. [PMID: 35950452 PMCID: PMC9385571 DOI: 10.14348/molcells.2022.0060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) account for approximately 45% of the human genome. TEs have proliferated randomly and integrated into functional genes during hominoid radiation. They appear as right-handed B-DNA double helices and slightly elongated left-handed Z-DNAs. Human endogenous retrovirus (HERV) families are widely distributed in human chromosomes at a ratio of 8%. They contain a 5'-long terminal repeat (LTR)-gag-pol-env-3'-LTR structure. LTRs contain the U3 enhancer and promoter region, transcribed R region, and U5 region. LTRs can influence host gene expression by acting as regulatory elements. In this review, we describe the alternative promoters derived from LTR elements that overlap Z-DNA by comparing Z-hunt and DeepZ data for human functional genes. We also present evidence showing the regulatory activity of LTR elements containing Z-DNA in GSDML. Taken together, the regulatory activity of LTR elements with Z-DNA allows us to understand gene function in relation to various human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Du Hyeong Lee
- Department of Integrated Biological Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
- Institute of Systems Biology, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
| | - Woo Hyeon Bae
- Department of Integrated Biological Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
- Institute of Systems Biology, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
| | - Hongseok Ha
- Division of Life Sciences, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Eun Gyung Park
- Department of Integrated Biological Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
- Institute of Systems Biology, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
| | - Yun Ju Lee
- Department of Integrated Biological Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
- Institute of Systems Biology, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
| | - Woo Ryung Kim
- Department of Integrated Biological Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
- Institute of Systems Biology, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
| | - Heui-Soo Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 46231, Korea
- Institute of Systems Biology, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
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9
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Vahabi M, Ghazanfari T, Sepehrnia S. Molecular Mimicry, Hyperactive Immune System, And SARS-COV-2 Are Three Prerequisites of the Autoimmune Disease Triangle Following COVID-19 Infection. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 112:109183. [PMID: 36182877 PMCID: PMC9393178 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 infection can produce a variety of clinical manifestations, which are either directly related to viral tissue damage or indirectly induced by the antiviral immune response. Molecular mimicry enables this virus to undermine self-tolerance in a host's immune system also immune system's attempts to eliminate SARS-COV-2 may trigger autoimmunity by hyper-activating the innate and adaptive immune systems. Auto immune diseases include Systemic lupus erythematosus, autoimmune thyroid diseases, Guillain‐Barre syndrome, Immune thrombocytopenic purpura, and the detection of autoantibodies are the cues to the discovery of the potential of COVID‐19 in inducing autoimmunity. As COVID-19 and autoimmune diseases share a common pathogenesis, autoimmune drugs may be an effective treatment option. Susceptible patients must be monitored for autoimmune symptoms after contracting CVID-19. In light of the SARS-COV-2 virus' ability to induce autoimmunity in susceptible patients, will the various COVID-19 vaccines that are the only way to end the pandemic induce autoimmunity?
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Ilse V, Scholz R, Wermann M, Naumann M, Staege MS, Roßner S, Cynis H. Immunogenicity of the Envelope Surface Unit of Human Endogenous Retrovirus K18 in Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158330. [PMID: 35955468 PMCID: PMC9369184 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The triggers for the development of multiple sclerosis (MS) have not been fully understood to date. One hypothesis proposes a viral etiology. Interestingly, viral proteins from human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) may play a role in the pathogenesis of MS. Allelic variants of the HERV-K18 env gene represent a genetic risk factor for MS, and the envelope protein is considered to be an Epstein–Barr virus-trans-activated superantigen. To further specify a possible role for HERV-K18 in MS, the present study examined the immunogenicity of the purified surface unit (SU). HERV-K18(SU) induced envelope-specific plasma IgG in immunized mice and triggered proliferation of T cells isolated from these mice. It did not trigger phenotypic changes in a mouse model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Further studies are needed to investigate the underlying mechanisms of HERV-K18 interaction with immune system regulators in more detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Ilse
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany; (V.I.); (R.S.); (M.W.); (M.N.)
| | - Rebekka Scholz
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany; (V.I.); (R.S.); (M.W.); (M.N.)
| | - Michael Wermann
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany; (V.I.); (R.S.); (M.W.); (M.N.)
| | - Marcel Naumann
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany; (V.I.); (R.S.); (M.W.); (M.N.)
| | - Martin S. Staege
- Department of Surgical and Conservative Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06097 Halle, Germany;
| | - Steffen Roßner
- Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, Leipzig University, Liebigstraße 19, 04103 Leipzig, Germany;
| | - Holger Cynis
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany; (V.I.); (R.S.); (M.W.); (M.N.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-345-13142835; Fax: +49-345-13142801
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11
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Noval Rivas M, Porritt RA, Cheng MH, Bahar I, Arditi M. Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children and Long COVID: The SARS-CoV-2 Viral Superantigen Hypothesis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:941009. [PMID: 35874696 PMCID: PMC9300823 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.941009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a febrile pediatric inflammatory disease that may develop weeks after initial SARS-CoV-2 infection or exposure. MIS-C involves systemic hyperinflammation and multiorgan involvement, including severe cardiovascular, gastrointestinal (GI) and neurological symptoms. Some clinical attributes of MIS-C-such as persistent fever, rashes, conjunctivitis and oral mucosa changes (red fissured lips and strawberry tongue)-overlap with features of Kawasaki disease (KD). In addition, MIS-C shares striking clinical similarities with toxic shock syndrome (TSS), which is triggered by bacterial superantigens (SAgs). The remarkable similarities between MIS-C and TSS prompted a search for SAg-like structures in the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the discovery of a unique SAg-like motif highly similar to a Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) fragment in the SARS-CoV-2 spike 1 (S1) glycoprotein. Computational studies suggest that the SAg-like motif has a high affinity for binding T-cell receptors (TCRs) and MHC Class II proteins. Immunosequencing of peripheral blood samples from MIS-C patients revealed a profound expansion of TCR β variable gene 11-2 (TRBV11-2), which correlates with MIS-C severity and serum cytokine levels, consistent with a SAg-triggered immune response. Computational sequence analysis of SARS-CoV-2 spike further identified conserved neurotoxin-like motifs which may alter neuronal cell function and contribute to neurological symptoms in COVID-19 and MIS-C patients. Additionally, autoantibodies are detected during MIS-C, which may indicate development of post-SARS-CoV-2 autoreactive and autoimmune responses. Finally, prolonged persistence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the gut, increased gut permeability and elevated levels of circulating S1 have been observed in children with MIS-C. Accordingly, we hypothesize that continuous and prolonged exposure to the viral SAg-like and neurotoxin-like motifs in SARS-CoV-2 spike may promote autoimmunity leading to the development of post-acute COVID-19 syndromes, including MIS-C and long COVID, as well as the neurological complications resulting from SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magali Noval Rivas
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Guerin Children's at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Infectious and Immunologic Diseases Research Center (IIDRC) and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Rebecca A Porritt
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Guerin Children's at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Infectious and Immunologic Diseases Research Center (IIDRC) and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Mary Hongying Cheng
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Ivet Bahar
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Moshe Arditi
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Guerin Children's at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Infectious and Immunologic Diseases Research Center (IIDRC) and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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12
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Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) occupy approximately 8% of the human genome. HERVs, transcribed in early embryos, are epigenetically silenced in somatic cells, except under pathological conditions. HERV-K is thought to protect embryos from exogenous viral infection. However, uncontrolled HERV-K expression in somatic cells has been implicated in several diseases. Here, we show that SOX2, which plays a key role in maintaining the pluripotency of stem cells, is critical for HERV-K LTR5Hs. HERV-K undergoes retrotransposition within producer cells in the absence of Env expression. Furthermore, we identified new HERV-K integration sites in long-term culture of induced pluripotent stem cells that express SOX2. These results suggest that the strict dependence of HERV-K on SOX2 has allowed HERV-K to protect early embryos during evolution while limiting the potentially harmful effects of HERV-K retrotransposition on host genome integrity in these early embryos. IMPORTANCE Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) account for approximately 8% of the human genome; however, the physiological role of HERV-K remains unknown. This study found that HERV-K LTR5Hs and LTR5B were transactivated by SOX2, which is essential for maintaining and reestablishing pluripotency. HERV-K can undergo retrotransposition within producer cells without env expression, and new integration sites may affect cell proliferation. In induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), genomic impairment due to HERV-K retrotransposition has been identified, but it is a rare event. Considering the retention of SOX2-responsive elements in the HERV-K long terminal repeat (LTR) for over 20 million years, we conclude that HERV-K may play important physiological roles in SOX2-expressing cells.
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13
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Hamdy A, Leonardi A. Superantigens and SARS-CoV-2. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11040390. [PMID: 35456065 PMCID: PMC9026686 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11040390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been posited SARS-CoV-2 contains at least one unique superantigen-like motif not found in any other SARS or endemic coronaviruses. Superantigens are potent antigens that can send the immune system into overdrive. SARS-CoV-2 causes many of the biological and clinical consequences of a superantigen, and, in the context of reinfection and waning immunity, it is important to better understand the impact of a widely circulating, airborne pathogen that may be a superantigen, superantigen-like or trigger a superantigenic host response. Urgent research is needed to better understand the long-term risks being taken by governments whose policies enable widespread transmission of a potential superantigenic pathogen, and to more clearly define the vaccination and public health policies needed to protect against the consequences of repeat exposure to the pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Hamdy
- Panres Pandemic Research, Newport TF10 8PG, UK
- Correspondence:
| | - Anthony Leonardi
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA;
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14
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Li X, Wang L, Meng G, Chen X, Yang S, Zhang M, Zheng Z, Zhou J, Lan Z, Wu Y, Wang L. Sustained high glucose intake accelerates type 1 diabetes in NOD mice. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1037822. [PMID: 36545340 PMCID: PMC9760976 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1037822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Epidemiological studies have suggested that dietary factors, especially high consumption of high glycaemic index carbohydrates and sugars, may trigger or exacerbate the progression of type 1 diabetes. We aimed to provide experimental evidence to confirm this relevance and to explore the underlying mechanisms. METHODS NOD mice were given sustained high-glucose drinking or glucose-free water and observed for the incidence of type 1 diabetes and islet inflammation. RNAseq was performed to detect the transcriptome changes of the NOD islet beta cell line NIT-1 after high glucose treatment, and mass spectrometry was performed to detect the proteome changes of NIT-1-cells-derived sEVs. RESULTS Sustained high glucose drinking significantly aggravates islet inflammation and accelerates the onset of type 1 diabetes in NOD mice. Mechanistically, high glucose treatment induces aberrant ER stress and up-regulates the expression of autoantigens in islet beta cell. Moreover, high glucose treatment alters the proteome of beta-cells-derived sEVs, and significantly enhances the ability of sEVs to promote DC maturation and stimulate immune inflammatory response. DISCUSSION This study provides evidence for negative effect of high glucose intake as a dietary factor on the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes in genetically predisposed individuals. Therefore, avoiding high sugar intake may be an effective disease prevention strategy for children or adults susceptible to type 1 diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangqian Li
- Institute of Immunology People's Liberation Army (PLA) & Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Lina Wang
- Institute of Immunology People's Liberation Army (PLA) & Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University. Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Gang Meng
- Department of Pathology, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaoling Chen
- Institute of Immunology People's Liberation Army (PLA) & Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Shushu Yang
- Institute of Immunology People's Liberation Army (PLA) & Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Mengjun Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, College of Pharmacy, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Zhengni Zheng
- Department of Dermatology, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Jie Zhou
- Department of Dermatology, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Zhu Lan
- Institute of Immunology People's Liberation Army (PLA) & Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Yuzhang Wu
- Institute of Immunology People's Liberation Army (PLA) & Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Li Wang
- Institute of Immunology People's Liberation Army (PLA) & Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Li Wang,
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15
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Isaacs SR, Foskett DB, Maxwell AJ, Ward EJ, Faulkner CL, Luo JYX, Rawlinson WD, Craig ME, Kim KW. Viruses and Type 1 Diabetes: From Enteroviruses to the Virome. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9071519. [PMID: 34361954 PMCID: PMC8306446 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9071519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
For over a century, viruses have left a long trail of evidence implicating them as frequent suspects in the development of type 1 diabetes. Through vigorous interrogation of viral infections in individuals with islet autoimmunity and type 1 diabetes using serological and molecular virus detection methods, as well as mechanistic studies of virus-infected human pancreatic β-cells, the prime suspects have been narrowed down to predominantly human enteroviruses. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of evidence supporting the hypothesised role of enteroviruses in the development of islet autoimmunity and type 1 diabetes. We also discuss concerns over the historical focus and investigation bias toward enteroviruses and summarise current unbiased efforts aimed at characterising the complete population of viruses (the “virome”) contributing early in life to the development of islet autoimmunity and type 1 diabetes. Finally, we review the range of vaccine and antiviral drug candidates currently being evaluated in clinical trials for the prevention and potential treatment of type 1 diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia R. Isaacs
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia; (S.R.I.); (D.B.F.); (A.J.M.); (E.J.W.); (C.L.F.); (J.Y.X.L.); (W.D.R.); (M.E.C.)
- Virology Research Laboratory, Serology and Virology Division, NSW Health Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Dylan B. Foskett
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia; (S.R.I.); (D.B.F.); (A.J.M.); (E.J.W.); (C.L.F.); (J.Y.X.L.); (W.D.R.); (M.E.C.)
- Virology Research Laboratory, Serology and Virology Division, NSW Health Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Anna J. Maxwell
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia; (S.R.I.); (D.B.F.); (A.J.M.); (E.J.W.); (C.L.F.); (J.Y.X.L.); (W.D.R.); (M.E.C.)
- Virology Research Laboratory, Serology and Virology Division, NSW Health Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Emily J. Ward
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia; (S.R.I.); (D.B.F.); (A.J.M.); (E.J.W.); (C.L.F.); (J.Y.X.L.); (W.D.R.); (M.E.C.)
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Clare L. Faulkner
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia; (S.R.I.); (D.B.F.); (A.J.M.); (E.J.W.); (C.L.F.); (J.Y.X.L.); (W.D.R.); (M.E.C.)
- Virology Research Laboratory, Serology and Virology Division, NSW Health Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Jessica Y. X. Luo
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia; (S.R.I.); (D.B.F.); (A.J.M.); (E.J.W.); (C.L.F.); (J.Y.X.L.); (W.D.R.); (M.E.C.)
- Virology Research Laboratory, Serology and Virology Division, NSW Health Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
| | - William D. Rawlinson
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia; (S.R.I.); (D.B.F.); (A.J.M.); (E.J.W.); (C.L.F.); (J.Y.X.L.); (W.D.R.); (M.E.C.)
- Virology Research Laboratory, Serology and Virology Division, NSW Health Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Faculty of Science, School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Maria E. Craig
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia; (S.R.I.); (D.B.F.); (A.J.M.); (E.J.W.); (C.L.F.); (J.Y.X.L.); (W.D.R.); (M.E.C.)
- Virology Research Laboratory, Serology and Virology Division, NSW Health Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
- Institute of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Ki Wook Kim
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia; (S.R.I.); (D.B.F.); (A.J.M.); (E.J.W.); (C.L.F.); (J.Y.X.L.); (W.D.R.); (M.E.C.)
- Virology Research Laboratory, Serology and Virology Division, NSW Health Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-2-9382-9096
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16
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Srinivasachar Badarinarayan S, Sauter D. Switching Sides: How Endogenous Retroviruses Protect Us from Viral Infections. J Virol 2021; 95:e02299-20. [PMID: 33883223 PMCID: PMC8315955 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02299-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Long disregarded as junk DNA or genomic dark matter, endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) have turned out to represent important components of the antiviral immune response. These remnants of once-infectious retroviruses not only regulate cellular immune activation, but may even directly target invading viral pathogens. In this Gem, we summarize mechanisms by which retroviral fossils protect us from viral infections. One focus will be on recent advances in the role of ERVs as regulators of antiviral gene expression.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Endogenous Retroviruses/genetics
- Endogenous Retroviruses/physiology
- Enhancer Elements, Genetic
- Gene Expression Regulation
- Humans
- Immunity, Cellular
- Promoter Regions, Genetic
- RNA, Double-Stranded/genetics
- RNA, Double-Stranded/metabolism
- RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics
- RNA, Long Noncoding/metabolism
- RNA, Viral/genetics
- RNA, Viral/metabolism
- Receptors, Pattern Recognition/metabolism
- Receptors, Virus/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, Virus/metabolism
- Retroelements
- Viral Proteins/metabolism
- Virion/metabolism
- Virus Diseases/genetics
- Virus Diseases/immunology
- Virus Diseases/virology
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Affiliation(s)
- Smitha Srinivasachar Badarinarayan
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
- Institute for Medical Virology and Epidemiology of Viral Diseases, University Hospital Tübingen, Germany
| | - Daniel Sauter
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
- Institute for Medical Virology and Epidemiology of Viral Diseases, University Hospital Tübingen, Germany
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17
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Engel K, Wieland L, Krüger A, Volkmer I, Cynis H, Emmer A, Staege MS. Identification of Differentially Expressed Human Endogenous Retrovirus Families in Human Leukemia and Lymphoma Cell Lines and Stem Cells. Front Oncol 2021; 11:637981. [PMID: 33996550 PMCID: PMC8117144 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.637981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are becoming more and more relevant in cancer research and might be potential targets. The oncogenic potential of human ERVs (HERVs) has been recognized and includes immunosuppression, cell fusion, antigenicity of viral proteins, and regulation of neighboring genes. To decipher the role of HERVs in human cancers, we used a bioinformatics approach and analyzed RNA sequencing data from the LL-100 panel, covering 22 entities of hematopoietic neoplasias including T cell, B cell and myeloid malignancies. We compared HERV expression in this panel with hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and normal blood cells. RNA sequencing data were mapped against a comprehensive synthetic viral metagenome with 116 HERV sequences from 14 different HERV families. Of these, 13 HERV families and elements were differently expressed in malignant hematopoietic cells and stem cells. We found transcriptional upregulation of HERVE family in acute megakaryocytic and erythroid leukemia and of HERVFc family in multiple myeloma/plasma cell leukemia (PCL). The HERVFc member HERVFc-1 was found transcriptionally active in the multiple myeloma cell line OPM-2 and also in the Hodgkin lymphoma cell line L-428. The expression of HERVFc-1 in L-428 cells was validated by qRT-PCR. We also confirm transcriptional downregulation of ERV3 in acute megakaryocytic and erythroid leukemia, and HERVK in acute monocytic and myelocytic leukemia and a depression of HERVF in all malignant entities. Most of the higher expressed HERV families could be detected in stem cells including HERVK (HML-2), HERV-like, HERVV, HERVT, ERV9, HERVW, HERVF, HERVMER, ERV3, HERVH and HERVPABLB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Engel
- Department of Surgical and Conservative Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Lisa Wieland
- Department of Surgical and Conservative Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Anna Krüger
- Department of Surgical and Conservative Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Ines Volkmer
- Department of Surgical and Conservative Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Holger Cynis
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle, Germany
| | - Alexander Emmer
- Department of Neurology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Martin S Staege
- Department of Surgical and Conservative Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
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18
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Mustelin T, Ukadike KC. How Retroviruses and Retrotransposons in Our Genome May Contribute to Autoimmunity in Rheumatological Conditions. Front Immunol 2020; 11:593891. [PMID: 33281822 PMCID: PMC7691656 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.593891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
More than 200 human disorders include various manifestations of autoimmunity. The molecular events that lead to these diseases are still incompletely understood and their causes remain largely unknown. Numerous potential triggers of autoimmunity have been proposed over the years, but very few of them have been conclusively confirmed or firmly refuted. Viruses have topped the lists of suspects for decades, and it seems that many viruses, including those of the Herpesviridae family, indeed can influence disease initiation and/or promote exacerbations by a number of mechanisms that include prolonged anti-viral immunity, immune subverting factors, and mechanisms, and perhaps “molecular mimicry”. However, no specific virus has yet been established as being truly causative. Here, we discuss a different, but perhaps mechanistically related possibility, namely that retrotransposons or retroviruses that infected us in the past and left a lasting copy of themselves in our genome still can provoke an escalating immune response that leads to autoimmune disease. Many of these loci still encode for retroviral proteins that have retained some, or all, of their original functions. Importantly, these endogenous proviruses cannot be eliminated by the immune system the way it can eliminate exogenous viruses. Hence, if not properly controlled, they may drive a frustrated and escalating chronic, or episodic, immune response to the point of a frank autoimmune disorder. Here, we discuss the evidence and the proposed mechanisms, and assess the therapeutic options that emerge from the current understanding of this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Mustelin
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Kennedy C Ukadike
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
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19
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Blum SI, Tse HM. Innate Viral Sensor MDA5 and Coxsackievirus Interplay in Type 1 Diabetes Development. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8070993. [PMID: 32635205 PMCID: PMC7409145 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8070993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a polygenic autoimmune disease characterized by immune-mediated destruction of insulin-producing β-cells. The concordance rate for T1D in monozygotic twins is ≈30-50%, indicating that environmental factors also play a role in T1D development. Previous studies have demonstrated that enterovirus infections such as coxsackievirus type B (CVB) are associated with triggering T1D. Prior to autoantibody development in T1D, viral RNA and antibodies against CVB can be detected within the blood, stool, and pancreata. An innate pathogen recognition receptor, melanoma differentiation-associated protein 5 (MDA5), which is encoded by the IFIH1 gene, has been associated with T1D onset. It is unclear how single nucleotide polymorphisms in IFIH1 alter the structure and function of MDA5 that may lead to exacerbated antiviral responses contributing to increased T1D-susceptibility. Binding of viral dsRNA via MDA5 induces synthesis of antiviral proteins such as interferon-alpha and -beta (IFN-α/β). Viral infection and subsequent IFN-α/β synthesis can lead to ER stress within insulin-producing β-cells causing neo-epitope generation, activation of β-cell-specific autoreactive T cells, and β-cell destruction. Therefore, an interplay between genetics, enteroviral infections, and antiviral responses may be critical for T1D development.
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20
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Tovo PA, Rabbone I, Tinti D, Galliano I, Trada M, Daprà V, Cerutti F, Bergallo M. Enhanced expression of human endogenous retroviruses in new-onset type 1 diabetes: Potential pathogenetic and therapeutic implications. Autoimmunity 2020; 53:283-288. [PMID: 32586158 DOI: 10.1080/08916934.2020.1777281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) have been studied and proposed as relevant cofactors in several autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes (T1D), though with controversial results and no study at disease onset. In order to gather further information on the potential role of HERVs in the development of T1D we assessed the transcription levels of pol genes of HERV-H, HERV-K, and HERV-W in peripheral leucocytes from 37 children and adolescents with new-onset T1D and 50 age-matched control subjects. A PCR real time Taqman amplification assay was used to evaluate HERV transcripts with normalisation of the results to glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. The expression levels of HERV-H-pol gene and HERV-W-pol gene were significantly higher in diabetic patients than in control subjects. Conversely, no significant difference emerged in the expression levels of HERV-K-pol gene between diabetic patients and controls. The activation of HERV-H and HERV-W in new-onset T1D suggests their importance in the pathogenesis of the disease and supports targeted therapeutic attempts to hinder their activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pier-Angelo Tovo
- Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Ivana Rabbone
- Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Center of Pediatric Diabetology, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Davide Tinti
- Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Center of Pediatric Diabetology, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Ilaria Galliano
- Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Pediatric Laboratory, Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Michela Trada
- Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Center of Pediatric Diabetology, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Valentina Daprà
- Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Pediatric Laboratory, Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Franco Cerutti
- Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Center of Pediatric Diabetology, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Bergallo
- Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Pediatric Laboratory, Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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21
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Abstract
Nonclonal innate immune responses mediated by germ line-encoded receptors, such as Toll-like receptors or natural killer receptors, are commonly contrasted with diverse, clonotypic adaptive responses of lymphocyte antigen receptors generated by somatic recombination. However, the Variable (V) regions of antigen receptors include germ line-encoded motifs unaltered by somatic recombination, and theoretically available to mediate nonclonal, innate responses, that are independent of or largely override clonotypic responses. Recent evidence demonstrates that such responses exist, underpinning the associations of particular γδ T cell receptors (TCRs) with specific anatomical sites. Thus, TCRγδ can make innate and adaptive responses with distinct functional outcomes. Given that αβ T cells and B cells can also make nonclonal responses, we consider that innate responses of antigen receptor V-regions may be more widespread, for example, inducing states of preparedness from which adaptive clones are better selected. We likewise consider that potent, nonclonal T cell responses to microbial superantigens may reflect subversion of physiologic innate responses of TCRα/β chains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian C Hayday
- Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology, King's College, London, SE1 9RT, United Kingdom; .,Immunosurveillance Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, United Kingdom
| | - Pierre Vantourout
- Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology, King's College, London, SE1 9RT, United Kingdom; .,Immunosurveillance Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, United Kingdom
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22
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Dai YD, Dias P, Margosiak A, Marquardt K, Bashratyan R, Hu WY, Haskins K, Evans LH. Endogenous retrovirus Gag antigen and its gene variants are unique autoantigens expressed in the pancreatic islets of non-obese diabetic mice. Immunol Lett 2020; 223:62-70. [PMID: 32335144 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2020.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Endogenous retrovirus (ERV) are remnants of ancient retroviruses that have been incorporated into the genome and evidence suggests that they may play a role in the etiology of T1D. We previously identified a murine leukemia retrovirus-like ERV whose Env and Gag antigens are involved in autoimmune responses in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice. In this study, we show that the Gag antigen is present in the islet stromal cells. Although Gag gene transcripts were present, Gag protein was not detected in diabetes-resistant mice. Cloning and sequencing analysis of individual Gag genes revealed that NOD islets express Gag gene variants with complete open-reading frames (ORFs), in contrast to the diabetes-resistant mice, whose islet Gag gene transcripts are mostly non-ORFs. Importantly, the ORFs obtained from the NOD islets are extremely heterogenous, coding for various mutants that are absence in the genome. We further show that Gag antigens are stimulatory for autoreactive T cells and identified one islet-expressing Gag variant that contains an altered peptide ligand capable of inducing IFN-gamma release by the T cells. The data highlight a unique retrovirus-like factor in the islets of the NOD mouse strain, which may participate in key events triggering autoimmunity and T1D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang D Dai
- Biomedical Research Institute of Southern California, Oceanside, CA, USA; Department of Immunology, Scripps Research, San Diego, CA, USA.
| | - Peter Dias
- Biomedical Research Institute of Southern California, Oceanside, CA, USA
| | - Amanda Margosiak
- Biomedical Research Institute of Southern California, Oceanside, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Kathryn Haskins
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Denver, CO, USA
| | - Leonard H Evans
- Laboratory of Persistent Viral Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Hamilton, MT, USA
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23
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Noli Truant S, De Marzi MC, Sarratea MB, Antonoglou MB, Meo AP, Iannantuono López LV, Fernández Lynch MJ, Todone M, Malchiodi EL, Fernández MM. egc Superantigens Impair Monocytes/Macrophages Inducing Cell Death and Inefficient Activation. Front Immunol 2020; 10:3008. [PMID: 32010128 PMCID: PMC6974467 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.03008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial superantigens (SAgs) are enterotoxins that bind to MHC-II and TCR molecules, activating as much as 20% of the T cell population and promoting a cytokine storm which enhances susceptibility to endotoxic shock, causing immunosuppression, and hindering the immune response against bacterial infection. Since monocytes/macrophages are one of the first cells SAgs find in infected host and considering the effect these cells have on directing the immune response, here, we investigated the effect of four non-classical SAgs of the staphylococcal egc operon, namely, SEG, SEI, SEO, and SEM on monocytic-macrophagic cells, in the absence of T cells. We also analyzed the molecular targets on APCs which could mediate SAg effects. We found that egc SAgs depleted the pool of innate immune effector cells and induced an inefficient activation of monocytic-macrophagic cells, driving the immune response to an impaired proinflammatory profile, which could be mediated directly or indirectly by interactions with MHC class II. In addition, performing surface plasmon resonance assays, we demonstrated that non-classical SAgs bind the gp130 molecule, which is also present in the monocytic cell surface, among other cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Noli Truant
- Cátedra de Inmunología, Departamento de Microbiología, Inmunología, Biotecnología y Genética, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral "Prof. Ricardo A. Margni" (IDEHU), UBA-CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mauricio C De Marzi
- Cátedra de Inmunología, Departamento de Microbiología, Inmunología, Biotecnología y Genética, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral "Prof. Ricardo A. Margni" (IDEHU), UBA-CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Nacional de Luján, Luján, Argentina.,Instituto de Ecología y Desarrollo Sustentable (INEDES), UNLU-CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Luján, Luján, Argentina
| | - María B Sarratea
- Cátedra de Inmunología, Departamento de Microbiología, Inmunología, Biotecnología y Genética, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral "Prof. Ricardo A. Margni" (IDEHU), UBA-CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María B Antonoglou
- Cátedra de Inmunología, Departamento de Microbiología, Inmunología, Biotecnología y Genética, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral "Prof. Ricardo A. Margni" (IDEHU), UBA-CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ana P Meo
- Hospital Dr. J. M. Ramos Mejía, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Laura V Iannantuono López
- Cátedra de Inmunología, Departamento de Microbiología, Inmunología, Biotecnología y Genética, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral "Prof. Ricardo A. Margni" (IDEHU), UBA-CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María J Fernández Lynch
- Cátedra de Inmunología, Departamento de Microbiología, Inmunología, Biotecnología y Genética, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral "Prof. Ricardo A. Margni" (IDEHU), UBA-CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marcos Todone
- Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral "Prof. Ricardo A. Margni" (IDEHU), UBA-CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Nacional de Luján, Luján, Argentina.,Instituto de Ecología y Desarrollo Sustentable (INEDES), UNLU-CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Luján, Luján, Argentina
| | - Emilio L Malchiodi
- Cátedra de Inmunología, Departamento de Microbiología, Inmunología, Biotecnología y Genética, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral "Prof. Ricardo A. Margni" (IDEHU), UBA-CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marisa M Fernández
- Cátedra de Inmunología, Departamento de Microbiología, Inmunología, Biotecnología y Genética, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral "Prof. Ricardo A. Margni" (IDEHU), UBA-CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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24
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW The aim of this review is to discuss recent data pointing at an involvement of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) in type 1 diabetes (T1D) onset and progression. RECENT FINDINGS The envelope protein of HERV-W family, named HERV-W-Env, was detected in pancreata from T1D patients and was shown to display pro-inflammatory properties and direct toxicity toward pancreatic beta cells. The etiopathogenesis of T1D remains elusive, even if conventional environmental viral infections have been recurrently involved. Nonetheless, a new category of pathogens may provide the missing link between genetic susceptibility and environmental factors long thought to contribute to T1D onset. A number of studies have now shown that HERV sequences, which are normally inactivated or repressed in the human genome, could be activated by environmental viruses. Thus, if similarly activated by viruses associated with T1D, disregarded HERV genes may underlie T1D genetic susceptibility. Moreover, once expressed, HERV elements may display broad pathogenic properties, which identify them as potential new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandrine Levet
- GeNeuro Innovation, 60 avenue Rockefeller, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - B. Charvet
- GeNeuro Innovation, 60 avenue Rockefeller, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - A. Bertin
- Faculté de Médecine, CHU Lille, Laboratoire de Virologie EA3610, Université Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - A. Deschaumes
- Faculté de Médecine, CHU Lille, Laboratoire de Virologie EA3610, Université Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - H. Perron
- GeNeuro Innovation, 60 avenue Rockefeller, 69008 Lyon, France
- Laboratoire des déficits immunitaires, University of Lyon, Lyon, France
- Plan-les-Ouates, GeNeuro SA, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - D. Hober
- Faculté de Médecine, CHU Lille, Laboratoire de Virologie EA3610, Université Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
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25
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Anti-HERV-W Env antibodies are correlated with seroreactivity against Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in children and youths at T1D risk. Sci Rep 2019; 9:6282. [PMID: 31000760 PMCID: PMC6472397 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-42788-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent evidence points at the role that human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) may play through the activation of genes integrated across the human genome. Although a variety of genetic/epigenetic mechanisms maintain most HERVs silenced, independent environmental stimuli including infections may transactivate endogenous elements favoring pathogenic conditions. Several studies associated exposures to Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) with increased anti-MAP seroreactivity in T1D patients. Here, we assessed humoral responses against HERV envelope antigens (HERV-KEnv and HERV-WEnv) and four MAP-derived peptides with human homologs in distinct populations: Sardinian children at T1D risk (rT1D) (n = 14), rT1D from mainland Italy (n = 54) and Polish youths with T1D (n = 74) or obesity unrelated to autoimmunity (OB) (n = 26). Unlike Sardinian rT1D, youths displayed increased anti-HERV-WEnv Abs prevalence compared to age-matched OB or healthy controls (24.32 vs. 11.54%, p = 0.02 for Polish T1D/OB and 31.48 vs. 11.90%, p = 0.0025 for Italian rT1D). Anti-HERV-KEnv responses showed variable trends across groups. A strong correlation between Abs levels against HERV-WEnv and homologous peptides was mirrored by time-related Abs patterns. Elevated values registered for HERV-WEnv overlaped with or preceded the detection of T1D diagnostic autoantibodies. These results support the hypothesis of MAP infection leading to HERV-W antigen expression and enhancing the production of autoantibodies in T1D.
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26
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Adeno-associated virus neutralising antibodies in type 1 diabetes mellitus. Gene Ther 2019; 26:250-263. [PMID: 30962537 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-019-0076-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Revised: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Recombinant Adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) are an attractive vector for gene therapy delivery which may be blocked by AAV neutralising antibodies (NAbs). As Type 1 Diabetes (T1DM) is an endocrine disease of immunological origin, it is likely that NAb profiles are altered in the disease. In this study NAb to AAV2, AAV5, AAV6, and AAV8 in 72 subjects with T1DM and 45 non-diabetic patients were measured over a 4-year follow-up period. AAV2 NAb titres were significantly lower in non-diabetic subjects (P = 0.036). The T1DM group had more AAV8 NAb activity at baseline (P = 0.019), whilst after 4 years follow-up the T1DM group displayed developed increased AAV 5 (P = 0.03), 6 (P = 0.03) and 8 (P = 0.002) activity relative to the control group, however, overall AAV5 and 8 NAb levels were very low in patients <40. AAV NAb titre activity and prevalence generally appears higher in T1DM, however, low levels of AAV 5 and 8, particular in younger adult age groups at which T1DM can be targeted, could make these attractive vectors to target the disease.
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27
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Grandi N, Tramontano E. HERV Envelope Proteins: Physiological Role and Pathogenic Potential in Cancer and Autoimmunity. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:462. [PMID: 29593697 PMCID: PMC5861771 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2017] [Accepted: 02/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are relics of ancient infections accounting for about the 8% of our genome. Despite their persistence in human DNA led to the accumulation of mutations, HERVs are still contributing to the human transcriptome, and a growing number of findings suggests that their expression products may have a role in various diseases. Among HERV products, the envelope proteins (Env) are currently highly investigated for their pathogenic properties, which could likely be participating to several disorders with complex etiology, particularly in the contexts of autoimmunity and cancer. In fact, HERV Env proteins have been shown, on the one side, to trigger both innate and adaptive immunity, prompting inflammatory, cytotoxic and apoptotic reactions; and, on the other side, to prevent the immune response activation, presenting immunosuppressive properties and acting as immune downregulators. In addition, HERV Env proteins have been shown to induce abnormal cell-cell fusion, possibly contributing to tumor development and metastasizing processes. Remarkably, even highly defective HERV env genes and alternative env splicing variants can provide further mechanisms of pathogenesis. A well-known example is the HERV-K(HML2) env gene that, depending on the presence or the absence of a 292-bp deletion, can originate two proteins of different length (Np9 and Rec) proposed to have oncogenic properties. The understanding of their involvement in complex pathological disorders made HERV Env proteins potential targets for therapeutic interventions. Of note, a monoclonal antibody directed against a HERV-W Env is currently under clinical trial as therapeutic approach for multiple sclerosis, representing the first HERV-based treatment. The present review will focus on the current knowledge of the HERV Env expression, summarizing its role in human physiology and its possible pathogenic effects in various cancer and autoimmune disorders. It moreover analyzes HERV Env possible exploitation for the development of innovative therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Grandi
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Enzo Tramontano
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Cagliari, Italy
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28
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Gröger V, Cynis H. Human Endogenous Retroviruses and Their Putative Role in the Development of Autoimmune Disorders Such as Multiple Sclerosis. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:265. [PMID: 29515547 PMCID: PMC5826199 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2017] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are remnants of retroviral germ line infections of human ancestors and make up ~8% of the human genome. Under physiological conditions, these elements are frequently inactive or non-functional due to deactivating mutations and epigenetic control. However, they can be reactivated under certain pathological conditions and produce viral transcripts and proteins. Several disorders, like multiple sclerosis or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis are associated with increased HERV expression. Although their detailed contribution to individual diseases has yet to be elucidated, an increasing number of studies in vitro and in vivo suggest HERVs as potent modulators of the immune system. They are able to affect the transcription of other immune-related genes, interact with pattern recognition receptors, and influence the positive and negative selection of developing thymocytes. Interestingly, HERV envelope proteins can both stimulate and suppress immune responses based on different mechanisms. In the light of HERV proteins becoming an emerging drug target for autoimmune-related disorders and cancer, we will provide an overview on recent findings of the complex interactions between HERVs and the human immune system with a focus on autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Holger Cynis
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle, Germany
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29
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Lee M, Kim MJ, Oh J, Piao C, Park YW, Lee DY. Gene delivery to pancreatic islets for effective transplantation in diabetic animal. J IND ENG CHEM 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jiec.2017.07.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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30
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Gieras A, Gehbauer C, Perna-Barrull D, Engler JB, Diepenbruck I, Glau L, Joosse SA, Kersten N, Klinge S, Mittrücker HW, Friese MA, Vives-Pi M, Tolosa E. Prenatal Administration of Betamethasone Causes Changes in the T Cell Receptor Repertoire Influencing Development of Autoimmunity. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1505. [PMID: 29181000 PMCID: PMC5693859 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 10/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Prenatal glucocorticoids are routinely administered to pregnant women at risk of preterm delivery in order to improve survival of the newborn. However, in half of the cases, birth occurs outside the beneficial period for lung development. Glucocorticoids are potent immune modulators and cause apoptotic death of immature T cells, and we have previously shown that prenatal betamethasone treatment at doses eliciting lung maturation induce profound thymocyte apoptosis in the offspring. Here, we asked if there are long-term consequences on the offspring’s immunity after this treatment. In the non-obese diabetic mouse model, prenatal betamethasone clearly decreased the frequency of pathogenic T cells and the incidence of type 1 diabetes (T1D). In contrast, in the lupus-prone MRL/lpr strain, prenatal glucocorticoids induced changes in the T cell repertoire that resulted in more autoreactive cells. Even though glucocorticoids transiently enhanced regulatory T cell (Treg) development, these cells did not have a protective effect in a model for multiple sclerosis which relies on a limited repertoire of pathogenic T cells for disease induction that were not affected by prenatal betamethasone. We conclude that prenatal steroid treatment, by inducing changes in the T cell receptor repertoire, has unforeseeable consequences on development of autoimmune disease. Our data should encourage further research to fully understand the consequences of this widely used treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Gieras
- Department of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christina Gehbauer
- Department of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - David Perna-Barrull
- Immunology Division, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute and Hospital, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Badalona, Spain
| | - Jan Broder Engler
- Institute of Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ines Diepenbruck
- Department of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Laura Glau
- Department of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Simon A Joosse
- Department of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Nora Kersten
- Department of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stefanie Klinge
- Department of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hans-Willi Mittrücker
- Department of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Manuel A Friese
- Institute of Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Marta Vives-Pi
- Immunology Division, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute and Hospital, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Badalona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabolicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eva Tolosa
- Department of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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31
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Ohkusu-Tsukada K, Tsukada T, Takahashi K. Clonal deletion of T cell repertoires with specific T cell receptor Vβ chains by two endogenous superantigens in NC/Nga mice. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 2017; 81:2160-2163. [PMID: 28934904 DOI: 10.1080/09168451.2017.1374829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Superantigens (SAgs) are powerful T-cell stimulatory proteins. Because an atopic dermatitis (AD) model NC/Nga mice had two endogenous SAgs, namely minor lymphocyte-stimulating locus-1a (Mls-1a) and mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV)(SHN), SAg-responsive T-cells bearing Vβ5.1, Vβ6, Vβ8.1, Vβ8.2, Vβ8.3, Vβ9, and Vβ11 should be endogenously deleted. Here, we discuss that the endogenous SAgs-expression may be involved in AD-sensitivity in NC/Nga mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kozo Ohkusu-Tsukada
- a Department of Veterinary Pathology , Nippon Veterinary & Life-science University , Tokyo , Japan
| | - Teruyo Tsukada
- b Radiation Biology Team , Nishina Center for Accelerator-based Science, RIKEN , Saitama , Japan
| | - Kimimasa Takahashi
- a Department of Veterinary Pathology , Nippon Veterinary & Life-science University , Tokyo , Japan
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32
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Levet S, Medina J, Joanou J, Demolder A, Queruel N, Réant K, Normand M, Seffals M, Dimier J, Germi R, Piofczyk T, Portoukalian J, Touraine JL, Perron H. An ancestral retroviral protein identified as a therapeutic target in type-1 diabetes. JCI Insight 2017; 2:94387. [PMID: 28878130 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.94387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs), remnants of ancestral viral genomic insertions, are known to represent 8% of the human genome and are associated with several pathologies. In particular, the envelope protein of HERV-W family (HERV-W-Env) has been involved in multiple sclerosis pathogenesis. Investigations to detect HERV-W-Env in a few other autoimmune diseases were negative, except in type-1 diabetes (T1D). In patients suffering from T1D, HERV-W-Env protein was detected in 70% of sera, and its corresponding RNA was detected in 57% of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. While studies on human Langerhans islets evidenced the inhibition of insulin secretion by HERV-W-Env, this endogenous protein was found to be expressed by acinar cells in 75% of human T1D pancreata. An extensive immunohistological analysis further revealed a significant correlation between HERV-W-Env expression and macrophage infiltrates in the exocrine part of human pancreata. Such findings were corroborated by in vivo studies on transgenic mice expressing HERV-W-env gene, which displayed hyperglycemia and decreased levels of insulin, along with immune cell infiltrates in their pancreas. Altogether, these results strongly suggest an involvement of HERV-W-Env in T1D pathogenesis. They also provide potentially novel therapeutic perspectives, since unveiling a pathogenic target in T1D.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Julie Dimier
- IBS, UMR 5075 CEA-CNRS-Université Grenoble-Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Raphaële Germi
- IBS, UMR 5075 CEA-CNRS-Université Grenoble-Alpes, Grenoble, France.,Department of Virology, Grenoble University Hospital, Grenoble, France
| | | | | | | | - Hervé Perron
- GeNeuro Innovation, Lyon, France.,Laboratoire des déficits immunitaires, University of Lyon, France.,GeNeuro SA, Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland
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33
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Xiao R, Li S, Cao Q, Wang X, Yan Q, Tu X, Zhu Y, Zhu F. Human endogenous retrovirus W env increases nitric oxide production and enhances the migration ability of microglia by regulating the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase. Virol Sin 2017; 32:216-225. [PMID: 28656540 DOI: 10.1007/s12250-017-3997-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2017] [Accepted: 05/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retrovirus W env (HERV-W env) plays a critical role in many neuropsychological diseases such as schizophrenia and multiple sclerosis (MS). These diseases are accompanied by immunological reactions in the central nervous system (CNS). Microglia are important immunocytes in brain inflammation that can produce a gasotransmitter-nitric oxide (NO). NO not only plays a role in the function of neuronal cells but also participates in the pathogenesis of various neuropsychological diseases. In this study, we reported increased NO production in CHME-5 microglia cells after they were transfected with HERV-W env. Moreover, HERV-W env increased the expression and function of human inducible nitric oxide synthase (hiNOS) and enhanced the promoter activity of hiNOS. Microglial migration was also enhanced. These data revealed that HERV-W env might contribute to increase NO production and microglial migration ability in neuropsychological disorders by regulating the expression of inducible NOS. Results from this study might lead to the identification of novel targets for the treatment of neuropsychological diseases, including neuroinflammatory diseases, stroke, and neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Xiao
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Shan Li
- Department of Integrated Medicine, Dongfeng Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Wuhan, 442000, China
| | - Qian Cao
- Department of Neurology Medicine, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Xiuling Wang
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Qiujin Yan
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Xiaoning Tu
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Ying Zhu
- The State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Fan Zhu
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China. .,Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Wuhan, 430071, China.
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34
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Cooccurrences of Putative Endogenous Retrovirus-Associated Diseases. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 2017:7973165. [PMID: 28326328 PMCID: PMC5343228 DOI: 10.1155/2017/7973165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2016] [Revised: 01/21/2017] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
At least 8% of the human genome is composed of endogenous retrovirus (ERV) sequences. ERVs play a role in placental morphogenesis and can sometimes protect the host against exogenous viruses. On the other hand, ERV reactivation has been found to be associated with different diseases, for example, multiple sclerosis (MS), schizophrenia, type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D), or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Little is known about the cooccurrence of these diseases. If all these diseases are caused by ERV, antiretroviral therapy should perhaps also show some effects in the other diseases. Here, we summarize literature demonstrating that some ERV-associated diseases seem to appear together more often than expected, for example, MS and ALS, MS and T1D, MS and schizophrenia, or ALS and T1D. In contrast, some ERV-associated diseases seem to appear together less frequently than expected, for example, schizophrenia and T1D. Besides, some reports demonstrate amelioration of MS, ALS, or schizophrenia under antiretroviral therapy in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients. If such results could be confirmed in larger studies, alternative therapy strategies for ERV-associated diseases like MS and schizophrenia might be possible.
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35
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Bashratyan R, Regn D, Rahman MJ, Marquardt K, Fink E, Hu WY, Elder JH, Binley J, Sherman LA, Dai YD. Type 1 diabetes pathogenesis is modulated by spontaneous autoimmune responses to endogenous retrovirus antigens in NOD mice. Eur J Immunol 2017; 47:575-584. [PMID: 28083937 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201646755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2016] [Revised: 12/20/2016] [Accepted: 01/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Secreted microvesicles (MVs) are potent inflammatory triggers that stimulate autoreactive B and T cells, causing Type 1 Diabetes in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice. Proteomic analysis of purified MVs released from islet cells detected the presence of endogenous retrovirus (ERV) antigens, including Env and Gag sequences similar to the well-characterized murine leukemia retroviruses. This raises the possibility that ERV antigens may be expressed in the pancreatic islets via MV secretion. Using virus-like particles produced by co-expressing ERV Env and Gag antigens, and a recombinant gp70 Env protein, we demonstrated that NOD but not diabetes-resistant mice developed anti-Env autoantibodies that increase in titer as disease progresses. A lentiviral-based RNA interference knockdown of Gag revealed that Gag contributes to the MV-induced T-cell response, whose diabetogenic function can be demonstrated via cell-transfer into immune-deficient mice. Finally, we observed that Gag and Env are expressed in NOD islet-derived primary mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). However, MSCs derived from the islets of diabetes-resistant mice do not express the antigens. Taken together, abnormal ERV activation and secretion of MVs may induce anti-retroviral responses to trigger autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman Bashratyan
- Department of Immunology & Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Danielle Regn
- Department of Immunology & Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - M Jubayer Rahman
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Kristi Marquardt
- Department of Immunology & Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Elizabeth Fink
- Department of Immunology & Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Wen-Yuan Hu
- Department of Immunology & Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Biosettia Inc., San Diego, CA, USA
| | - John H Elder
- Department of Immunology & Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - James Binley
- San Diego Biomedical Research Institute, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Linda A Sherman
- Department of Immunology & Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Yang D Dai
- Department of Immunology & Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
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36
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Devarapu SK, Lorenz G, Kulkarni OP, Anders HJ, Mulay SR. Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Autoimmunity and Lupus Nephritis. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2017; 332:43-154. [PMID: 28526137 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2016.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Autoimmunity involves immune responses directed against self, which are a result of defective self/foreign distinction of the immune system, leading to proliferation of self-reactive lymphocytes, and is characterized by systemic, as well as tissue-specific, inflammation. Numerous mechanisms operate to ensure the immune tolerance to self-antigens. However, monogenetic defects or genetic variants that weaken immune tolerance render susceptibility to the loss of immune tolerance, which is further triggered by environmental factors. In this review, we discuss the phenomenon of immune tolerance, genetic and environmental factors that influence the immune tolerance, factors that induce autoimmunity such as epigenetic and transcription factors, neutrophil extracellular trap formation, extracellular vesicles, ion channels, and lipid mediators, as well as costimulatory or coinhibitory molecules that contribute to an autoimmune response. Further, we discuss the cellular and molecular mechanisms of autoimmune tissue injury and inflammation during systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus nephritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- S K Devarapu
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - G Lorenz
- Klinikum rechts der Isar, Abteilung für Nephrologie, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | | | - H-J Anders
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - S R Mulay
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Universität München, Munich, Germany.
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37
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Torres BA, Kominsky S, Perrin GQ, Hobeika AC, Johnson HM. Superantigens: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2016; 226:164-76. [PMID: 11361034 DOI: 10.1177/153537020122600303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence suggests that superantigens play a role in Immune-mediated diseases. Superantigens are potent activators of CD4* T cells, causing rapid and massive proliferation of cells and cytokine production. This characteristic of superantigens can be exploited in diseases where strong immunologic responses are required, such as in the B16F10 animal model of melanoma. Superantigen administration is able to significantly enhance Ineffective anti-tumor Immune responses, resulting in potent and long-lived protective anti-tumor immunity. However, superantigens are more well-known for the role they play in diseases. Studies using an animal model for neurologic demy-elinatlng diseases such as multiple sclerosis show that superantigens can induce severe relapses and activate auto-reactive T cells not involved in the Initial bout of disease. This may also involve epitope spreading of disease. Superantigens have also been implicated in acute diseases such as food poisoning and TSS, and in chronic diseases such as psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis. Viral superantigens are also involved in the disease process, including superantigens derived from human Immunodeficiency virus and mouse mammary tumor virus. Finally, immunotherapies that ameliorate the role played by superantigens in disease are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- B A Torres
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611, USA
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38
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Chuong EB, Elde NC, Feschotte C. Regulatory activities of transposable elements: from conflicts to benefits. Nat Rev Genet 2016; 18:71-86. [PMID: 27867194 DOI: 10.1038/nrg.2016.139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 760] [Impact Index Per Article: 95.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) are a prolific source of tightly regulated, biochemically active non-coding elements, such as transcription factor-binding sites and non-coding RNAs. Many recent studies reinvigorate the idea that these elements are pervasively co-opted for the regulation of host genes. We argue that the inherent genetic properties of TEs and the conflicting relationships with their hosts facilitate their recruitment for regulatory functions in diverse genomes. We review recent findings supporting the long-standing hypothesis that the waves of TE invasions endured by organisms for eons have catalysed the evolution of gene-regulatory networks. We also discuss the challenges of dissecting and interpreting the phenotypic effect of regulatory activities encoded by TEs in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward B Chuong
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah 84103, USA
| | - Nels C Elde
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah 84103, USA
| | - Cédric Feschotte
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah 84103, USA
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39
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Abstract
In the last 20 years research in Immunology underwent fundamental changes. Most importantly, the identification of the key role of innate immune pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that recognize evolutionarily conserved molecular patterns on infectious pathogens. This results in priming of innate immune cells, which in turn activate and direct the adaptive immune response. Progress in innate immune recognition instigated the current working hypothesis, that recognition of endogenous ligands by PRRs results in innate immune cell activation (autoinflammation) or activation of adaptive cells, with self-reactive antigen receptors (autoimmunity). In particular, nucleic acid-sensing innate immune receptors seem to be prime candidates for a mechanistic understanding of autoreactive activation of the immune system. However, it remains uncertain what the actual source of nucleic acid ligands is and what other signals are needed to drive activation of autoreactive innate immune cells and break self-tolerance of the adaptive immune system. Here, I will review our present understanding about whether the infection with exogenous retroviruses or the reactivation of endogenous retroviruses might play an etiological role in certain autoimmune conditions of humans and murine experimental models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Yu
- Institute of Immunology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
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40
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Rodriguez-Calvo T, Sabouri S, Anquetil F, von Herrath MG. The viral paradigm in type 1 diabetes: Who are the main suspects? Autoimmun Rev 2016; 15:964-9. [PMID: 27491567 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2016.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2016] [Accepted: 07/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the loss of pancreatic beta cells in the islets of Langerhans. Although genetic predisposition plays an important role in T1D development, studies of identical twins suggest that environmental factors such as viruses and other pathogens may be critical triggers either through direct cytolytic effect and gradual beta cell destruction, or by bystander activation of the immune system. In addition, viruses may circumvent the host immune response and have the capacity to establish chronic lifelong infections. The association of various viral infections with the induction of T1D has been extensively studied at the serological and epidemiological level. However, there is still little evidence from studies of human pancreas to confirm their presence or a causal role in disease pathogenesis. In this review, we identify possible suspects for viral triggers of disease and explain their potential roles in the "viral paradigm" of T1D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Rodriguez-Calvo
- Type 1 Diabetes Center, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, 9420 Athena Circle, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Somayeh Sabouri
- Type 1 Diabetes Center, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, 9420 Athena Circle, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Florence Anquetil
- Type 1 Diabetes Center, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, 9420 Athena Circle, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Matthias G von Herrath
- Type 1 Diabetes Center, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, 9420 Athena Circle, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; Novo Nordisk Diabetes Research & Development Center, Seattle, WA, USA.
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41
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Seroprevalence of human cytomegalovirus antibodies among children with type I diabetes mellitus in the Aseer Region, Southwest KSA. J Taibah Univ Med Sci 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtumed.2016.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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42
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Activation of endogenous human stem cell-associated retroviruses (SCARs) and therapy-resistant phenotypes of malignant tumors. Cancer Lett 2016; 376:347-59. [PMID: 27084523 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2016.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2016] [Revised: 04/08/2016] [Accepted: 04/10/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Recent reports revealed consistent activation of specific endogenous retroviral elements in human preimplantation embryos and embryonic stem cells. Activity of stem cell associated retroviruses (SCARs) has been implicated in seeding thousands of human-specific regulatory sequences in the hESC genome. Activation of specific SCARs has been demonstrated in patients diagnosed with multiple types of cancer, autoimmune diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders, and appears associated with clinically lethal therapy resistant death-from-cancer phenotypes in a sub-set of cancer patients diagnosed with different types of malignant tumors. A hallmark feature of human-specific SCAR integration sites is deletions of ancestral DNA. Analysis of human-specific genetic loci of SCARs' stemness networks in tumor samples of TCGA cohorts representing 29 cancer types suggests that this approach may facilitate identification of pan-cancer genomic signatures of clinically-lethal disease defined by the presence of somatic non-silent mutations, gene-level copy number changes, and transcripts and proteins' expression of SCAR-regulated host genes. Present analyses indicate that multiple lines of strong circumstantial evidence support the hypothesis that activation of SCARs' networks may play an important role in cancer progression and metastasis, perhaps contributing to the emergence of clinically-lethal therapy-resistant death-from-cancer phenotypes.
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43
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Bian X, Wallstrom G, Davis A, Wang J, Park J, Throop A, Steel J, Yu X, Wasserfall C, Schatz D, Atkinson M, Qiu J, LaBaer J. Immunoproteomic Profiling of Antiviral Antibodies in New-Onset Type 1 Diabetes Using Protein Arrays. Diabetes 2016; 65:285-96. [PMID: 26450993 PMCID: PMC4686945 DOI: 10.2337/db15-0179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2015] [Accepted: 10/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The rapid rise in the incidence of type 1 diabetes (T1D) suggests the involvement of environmental factors including viral infections. We evaluated the association between viral infections and T1D by profiling antiviral antibodies using a high-throughput immunoproteomics approach in patients with new-onset T1D. We constructed a viral protein array comprising the complete proteomes of seven viruses associated with T1D and open reading frames from other common viruses. Antibody responses to 646 viral antigens were assessed in 42 patients with T1D and 42 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects (mean age 12.7 years, 50% males). Prevalence of antiviral antibodies agreed with known infection rates for the corresponding virus based on epidemiological studies. Antibody responses to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) were significantly higher in case than control subjects (odds ratio 6.6; 95% CI 2.0-25.7), whereas the other viruses showed no differences. The EBV and T1D association was significant in both sex and age subgroups (≤12 and >12 years), and there was a trend toward early EBV infections among the case subjects. These results suggest a potential role for EBV in T1D development. We believe our innovative immunoproteomics platform is useful for understanding the role of viral infections in T1D and other disorders where associations between viral infection and disease are unclear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofang Bian
- Virginia G. Piper Center for Personalized Diagnostics, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
| | - Garrick Wallstrom
- Virginia G. Piper Center for Personalized Diagnostics, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
| | - Amy Davis
- Virginia G. Piper Center for Personalized Diagnostics, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
| | - Jie Wang
- Virginia G. Piper Center for Personalized Diagnostics, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
| | - Jin Park
- Virginia G. Piper Center for Personalized Diagnostics, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
| | - Andrea Throop
- Virginia G. Piper Center for Personalized Diagnostics, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
| | - Jason Steel
- Virginia G. Piper Center for Personalized Diagnostics, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
| | - Xiaobo Yu
- Virginia G. Piper Center for Personalized Diagnostics, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
| | - Clive Wasserfall
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Desmond Schatz
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Mark Atkinson
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Ji Qiu
- Virginia G. Piper Center for Personalized Diagnostics, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
| | - Joshua LaBaer
- Virginia G. Piper Center for Personalized Diagnostics, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
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Reiss CS. Virus-Induced Demyelination: The Case for Virus(es) in Multiple Sclerosis. NEUROTROPIC VIRAL INFECTIONS 2016. [PMCID: PMC7122906 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-33189-8_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is the most common demyelinating disease of man with over 400,000 cases in the United States and over 2.5 million cases worldwide. There are over 64,000 citations in Pubmed dating back as far as 1887. Much has been learned over the past 129 years with a recent burst in therapeutic options (mostly anti-inflammatory) with newer medications in development that are neuroprotective and/or neuroreparative. However, with all these advancements the cause of MS remains elusive. There is a clear interplay of genetic, immunologic, and environmental factors that influences both the development and progression of this disorder. This chapter will give a brief overview of the history and pathogenesis of MS with attention to how host immune responses in genetically susceptible individuals contribute to the MS disease process. In addition, we will explore the role of infectious agents in MS as potential “triggers” of disease. Models of virus-induced demyelination will be discussed, with an emphasis on the recent interest in human herpesviruses and the role they may play in MS disease pathogenesis. Although we remain circumspect as to the role of any microbial pathogen in MS, we suggest that only through well-controlled serological, cellular immune, molecular, and animal studies we will be able to identify candidate agents. Ultimately, clinical interventional trials that either target a specific pathogen or class of pathogens will be required to make definitive links between the suspected agent and MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol Shoshkes Reiss
- Departments of Biology and Neural Science, New York University, New York, New York USA
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45
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Precechtelova J, Borsanyiova M, Sarmirova S, Bopegamage S. Type I diabetes mellitus: genetic factors and presumptive enteroviral etiology or protection. J Pathog 2014; 2014:738512. [PMID: 25574400 PMCID: PMC4276674 DOI: 10.1155/2014/738512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2014] [Revised: 07/14/2014] [Accepted: 11/09/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
We review type 1 diabetes and host genetic components, as well as epigenetics and viruses associated with type 1 diabetes, with added emphasis on the enteroviruses, which are often associated with triggering the disease. Genus Enterovirus is classified into twelve species of which seven (Enterovirus A, Enterovirus B, Enterovirus C, and Enterovirus D and Rhinovirus A, Rhinovirus B, and Rhinovirus C) are human pathogens. These viruses are transmitted mainly by the fecal-oral route; they may also spread via the nasopharyngeal route. Enterovirus infections are highly prevalent, but these infections are usually subclinical or cause a mild flu-like illness. However, infections caused by enteroviruses can sometimes be serious, with manifestations of meningoencephalitis, paralysis, myocarditis, and in neonates a fulminant sepsis-like syndrome. These viruses are often implicated in chronic (inflammatory) diseases as chronic myocarditis, chronic pancreatitis, and type 1 diabetes. In this review we discuss the currently suggested mechanisms involved in the viral induction of type 1 diabetes. We recapitulate current basic knowledge and definitions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Precechtelova
- Enterovirus Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Slovak Medical University, Limbova 12, 83303 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Maria Borsanyiova
- Enterovirus Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Slovak Medical University, Limbova 12, 83303 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Sona Sarmirova
- Enterovirus Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Slovak Medical University, Limbova 12, 83303 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Shubhada Bopegamage
- Enterovirus Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Slovak Medical University, Limbova 12, 83303 Bratislava, Slovakia
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46
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Joedicke JJ, Myers L, Carmody AB, Messer RJ, Wajant H, Lang KS, Lang PA, Mak TW, Hasenkrug KJ, Dittmer U. Activated CD8+ T cells induce expansion of Vβ5+ regulatory T cells via TNFR2 signaling. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2014; 193:2952-60. [PMID: 25098294 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1400649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Vβ5(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs), which are specific for a mouse endogenous retroviral superantigen, become activated and proliferate in response to Friend virus (FV) infection. We previously reported that FV-induced expansion of this Treg subset was dependent on CD8(+) T cells and TNF-α, but independent of IL-2. We now show that the inflammatory milieu associated with FV infection is not necessary for induction of Vβ5(+) Treg expansion. Rather, it is the presence of activated CD8(+) T cells that is critical for their expansion. The data indicate that the mechanism involves signaling between the membrane-bound form of TNF-α on activated CD8(+) T cells and TNFR2 on Tregs. CD8(+) T cells expressing membrane-bound TNF-α but no soluble TNF-α remained competent to induce strong Vβ5(+) Treg expansion in vivo. In addition, Vβ5(+) Tregs expressing only TNFR2 but no TNFR1 were still responsive to expansion. Finally, treatment of naive mice with soluble TNF-α did not induce Vβ5(+) Treg expansion, but treatment with a TNFR2-specific agonist did. These results reveal a new mechanism of intercellular communication between activated CD8(+) T cell effectors and Tregs that results in the activation and expansion of a Treg subset that subsequently suppresses CD8(+) T cell functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jara J Joedicke
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen 45147, Germany
| | - Lara Myers
- Laboratory of Persistent Viral Diseases, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT 59840
| | - Aaron B Carmody
- Research Technologies Branch, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT 59840
| | - Ronald J Messer
- Laboratory of Persistent Viral Diseases, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT 59840
| | - Harald Wajant
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg 97080, Germany
| | - Karl S Lang
- Institute for Immunology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen 45147, Germany
| | - Philipp A Lang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Infectious Diseases, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany; Department of Molecular Medicine II, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany; and
| | - Tak W Mak
- Department of Medical Biophysics and Immunology, The Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research, Ontario Cancer Institute, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - Kim J Hasenkrug
- Laboratory of Persistent Viral Diseases, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT 59840;
| | - Ulf Dittmer
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen 45147, Germany;
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47
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Thorborn G, Young GR, Kassiotis G. Effective T helper cell responses against retroviruses: are all clonotypes equal? J Leukoc Biol 2014; 96:27-37. [PMID: 24737804 DOI: 10.1189/jlb.2ri0613-347r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The critical importance of CD4(+) T cells in coordinating innate and adaptive immune responses is evidenced by the susceptibility to various pathogenic and opportunistic infections that arises from primary or acquired CD4(+) T cell immunodeficiency, such as following HIV-1 infection. However, despite the clearly defined roles of cytotoxic CD8(+) T cells and antibodies in host protection from retroviruses, the ability of CD4(+) T cells to exert a similar function remains unclear. Recent studies in various settings have drawn attention to the complexity of the T cell response within and between individuals. Distinct TCR clonotypes within an individual differ substantially in their response to the same epitope. Functionally similar, "public" TCR clonotypes can also dominate the response of different individuals. TCR affinity for antigen directly influences expansion and differentiation of responding T cells, also likely affecting their ultimate protective capacity. With this increasing understanding of the parameters that determine the magnitude and effector type of the T cell response, we are now better equipped to address the protective capacity against retroviruses of CD4(+) T cell clonotypes induced by natural infection or vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - George R Young
- Divisions of Immunoregulation and Virology, Medical Research Council National Institute for Medical Research, The Ridgeway, London, United Kingdom; and
| | - George Kassiotis
- Divisions of Immunoregulation and Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
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48
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Lee KH, Rah H, Green T, Lee YK, Lim D, Nemzek J, Wahl W, Greenhalgh D, Cho K. Divergent and dynamic activity of endogenous retroviruses in burn patients and their inflammatory potential. Exp Mol Pathol 2014; 96:178-87. [PMID: 24509167 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2014.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2014] [Accepted: 02/02/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Genes constitute ~3% of the human genome, whereas human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) represent ~8%. We examined post-burn HERV expression in patients' blood cells, and the inflammatory potentials of the burn-associated HERVs were evaluated. Buffy coat cells, collected at various time points from 11 patients, were screened for the expression of eight HERV families, and we identified their divergent expression profiles depending on patient, HERV, and time point. The population of expressed HERV sequences was patient-specific, suggesting HERVs' inherent genomic polymorphisms and/or differential expression potentials depending on characteristics of patients and courses of injury response. Some HERVs were shared among the patients, while the others were divergent. Interestingly, one burn-associated HERV gag gene from a patient's genome induced IL-6, IL-1β, Ptgs-2, and iNOS. These findings demonstrate that injury stressors initiate divergent HERV responses depending on patient, HERV, and disease course and implicate HERVs as genetic elements contributing to polymorphic injury pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang-Hoon Lee
- Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; Department of Surgery, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - HyungChul Rah
- Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; Department of Surgery, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Tajia Green
- Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Young-Kwan Lee
- Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; Department of Surgery, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Debora Lim
- Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; Department of Surgery, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Jean Nemzek
- Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0614, USA
| | - Wendy Wahl
- Department of Surgery, Saint Joseph Mercy Health System, Ann Arbor, MI 48106, USA
| | - David Greenhalgh
- Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; Department of Surgery, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Kiho Cho
- Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; Department of Surgery, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.
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49
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Schoorlemmer J, Pérez-Palacios R, Climent M, Guallar D, Muniesa P. Regulation of Mouse Retroelement MuERV-L/MERVL Expression by REX1 and Epigenetic Control of Stem Cell Potency. Front Oncol 2014; 4:14. [PMID: 24567914 PMCID: PMC3915180 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2014.00014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2013] [Accepted: 01/21/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
About half of the mammalian genome is occupied by DNA sequences that originate from transposable elements. Retrotransposons can modulate gene expression in different ways and, particularly retrotransposon-derived long terminal repeats, profoundly shape expression of both surrounding and distant genomic loci. This is especially important in pre-implantation development, during which extensive reprograming of the genome takes place and cells pass through totipotent and pluripotent states. At this stage, the main mechanism responsible for retrotransposon silencing, i.e., DNA methylation, is inoperative. A particular retrotransposon called muERV-L/MERVL is expressed during pre-implantation stages and contributes to the plasticity of mouse embryonic stem cells. This review will focus on the role of MERVL-derived sequences as controlling elements of gene expression specific for pre-implantation development, two-cell stage-specific gene expression, and stem cell pluripotency, the epigenetic mechanisms that control their expression, and the contributions of the pluripotency marker REX1 and the related Yin Yang 1 family of transcription factors to this regulation process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon Schoorlemmer
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Instituto Aragonés de Ciencias de la Salud , Zaragoza , Spain ; ARAID Foundation , Zaragoza , Spain
| | - Raquel Pérez-Palacios
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Instituto Aragonés de Ciencias de la Salud , Zaragoza , Spain
| | - María Climent
- Departamento de Anatomía, Embriología y Genética Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza , Zaragoza , Spain
| | - Diana Guallar
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Instituto Aragonés de Ciencias de la Salud , Zaragoza , Spain
| | - Pedro Muniesa
- Departamento de Anatomía, Embriología y Genética Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza , Zaragoza , Spain
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50
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