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Supportive Oligonucleotide Therapy (SOT) as a Potential Treatment for Viral Infections and Lyme Disease: Preliminary Results. Infect Dis Rep 2022; 14:824-836. [PMID: 36412742 PMCID: PMC9680246 DOI: 10.3390/idr14060084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Antisense therapy is widely used as an alternative therapeutic option for various diseases. RNA interference might be effective in infections, through the degradation of messenger RNA and, therefore, translation process. Hence, proteins essential for microorganisms and viruses' proliferation and metabolism are inhibited, leading to their elimination. The present study aimed to evaluate the use of oligonucleotide in patients infected by Epstein-Barr (EBV) or Herpes Simplex Viruses 1/2 or with Lyme Disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi. Blood samples were collected from 115 patients and the different species were characterized using molecular biology techniques. Then, SOT molecules (Supportive Oligonucleotide Therapy), which are specific small interfering RNA (siRNA), were designed, produced, and evaluated, for each specific strain. Oligonucleotides were administered intravenously to patients and then a quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction was used to evaluate the effectiveness of SOT. This study revealed that for Lyme Disease, one or two SOT administrations can lead to a statistically significant decrease in DNA copies, while for viruses, two or three administrations are required to achieve a statistically significant reduction in the genetic material. These preliminary results indicate that antisense SOT therapy can be considered a potential treatment for viral as well as Lyme diseases.
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Liu S, Li H, Tang M, Cao Y. (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate inhibition of Epstein-Barr virus spontaneous lytic infection involves downregulation of latent membrane protein 1. Exp Ther Med 2017; 15:1105-1112. [PMID: 29399111 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2017.5495] [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] [Received: 04/25/2016] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) lytic cycle contributes to the development of EBV-associated diseases. EBV-encoded latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) is key to EBV lytic replication, and our previous work indicated that epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) inhibited constitutive EBV lytic infection through the suppression of LMP1-activated phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase/extracellular signal-related protein kinase 1/2 signaling. The present study demonstrated that LMP1 in CNE-LMP1 constructed cells significantly induced the expression of the EBV lytic proteins BZLF1 (P<0.001) and BMRF1 (P<0.05) compared with CNE1 cells. Following treatment with a specific DNAzyme that targets LMP1, significantly reduced protein expression levels of BZLF1 and BMRF1 in EBV-associated epithelial carcinoma CNE1-LMP1 cells (P<0.001 and P<0.01, respectively) and lymphoma B95.8 cells (both P<0.01) were observed. Furthermore, EGCG significantly inhibited the mRNA and protein expression levels of LMP1 (P<0.05) in an apparent dose-dependent manner in CNE1-LMP1 and B95.8 cells. Thus, the present findings indicated that the molecular mechanism underlying EGCG inhibition of EBV lytic infection involves downregulation of LMP1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sufang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Chinese Ministry of Education, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, P.R. China.,Division of Hematology, Institute of Molecular Hematology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, P.R. China.,Cancer Research Institute, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, P.R. China
| | - Hongde Li
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Chinese Ministry of Education, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, P.R. China.,Cancer Research Institute, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, P.R. China
| | - Min Tang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Chinese Ministry of Education, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, P.R. China.,Cancer Research Institute, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, P.R. China
| | - Ya Cao
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Chinese Ministry of Education, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, P.R. China.,Cancer Research Institute, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, P.R. China
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Li N, Thompson S, Jiang H, Lieberman PM, Luo C. Development of drugs for Epstein-Barr virus using high-throughput in silico virtual screening. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2010; 5:1189-203. [PMID: 22822721 PMCID: PMC3816986 DOI: 10.1517/17460441.2010.524640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE OF THE FIELD Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a ubiquitous human herpesvirus that is causally associated with endemic forms of Burkitt's lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma and lymphoproliferative disease in immunosuppressed individuals. On a global scale, EBV infects > 90% of the adult population and is responsible for ∼ 1% of all human cancers. To date, there is no efficacious drug or therapy for the treatment of EBV infection and EBV-related diseases. AREAS COVERED IN THIS REVIEW In this review, we discuss the existing anti-EBV inhibitors and those under development. We discuss the value of different molecular targets, including EBV lytic DNA replication enzymes as well as proteins that are expressed exclusively during latent infection, such as EBV nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA-1) and latent membrane protein 1. As the atomic structure of the EBNA-1 DNA binding domain has been described, it is an attractive target for in silico methods of drug design and small molecule screening. We discuss the use of computational methods that can greatly facilitate the development of novel inhibitors and how in silico screening methods can be applied to target proteins with known structures, such as EBNA-1, to treat EBV infection and disease. WHAT THE READER WILL GAIN The reader is familiarized with the problems in targeting of EBV for inhibition by small molecules and how computational methods can greatly facilitate this process. TAKE HOME MESSAGE Despite the impressive efficacy of nucleoside analogs for the treatment of herpesvirus lytic infection, there remain few effective treatments for latent infections. As EBV latent infection persists within and contributes to the formation of EBV-associated cancers, targeting EBV latent proteins is an unmet medical need. High-throughput in silico screening can accelerate the process of drug discovery for novel and selective agents that inhibit EBV latent infection and associated disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Li
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | | | - Hualiang Jiang
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | | | - Cheng Luo
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- Center for Systems Biology, Soochow University, Jiangsu 215006, China
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Siakallis G, Spandidos DA, Sourvinos G. Herpesviridae and novel inhibitors. Antivir Ther 2008; 14:1051-64. [DOI: 10.3851/imp1467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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5
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Galletti R, Masciarelli S, Conti C, Matusali G, Di Renzo L, Meschini S, Arancia G, Mancini C, Mattia E. Inhibition of Epstein Barr Virus LMP1 gene expression in B lymphocytes by antisense oligonucleotides: uptake and efficacy of lipid-based and receptor-mediated delivery systems. Antiviral Res 2006; 74:102-10. [PMID: 17382835 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2006.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2005] [Revised: 06/12/2006] [Accepted: 09/05/2006] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Epstein Barr Virus (EBV), is associated with an increasing number of lymphoid and epithelial malignancies. Among the genes expressed by EBV during latency, LMP1 plays a key role for growth transformation and immortalization of B lymphocytes. We have previously shown that antisense oligonucleotides (ONs) directed to LMP1 mRNA, effectively suppressed LMP1 gene expression and substantially reduced proliferation of the infected cells. The use of antisense phosphodiester oligonucleotides as therapeutic agents is limited by inefficient cellular uptake and intracellular transport to the target mRNA. We tested the ability of three cationic carriers internalized by different pathways, to increase the delivery of anti-LMP1-ON to their site of action in EBV-infected B lymphocytes. We report here that liposomes, dendrimers or transferrin-polylysine-conjugated ON were internalized by the cells at an extent several fold higher than that of the naked oligomers. However, only the delivery system exploiting the transferrin receptor pathway of internalization, was able to vectorize biologically active antisense LMP1-ON.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Galletti
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University "La Sapienza", P. le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
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6
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Mei YP, Zhu XF, Zhou JM, Huang H, Deng R, Zeng YX. siRNA targeting LMP1-induced apoptosis in EBV-positive lymphoma cells is associated with inhibition of telomerase activity and expression. Cancer Lett 2006; 232:189-98. [PMID: 16458115 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2005.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2005] [Accepted: 02/12/2005] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) is closely associated with B cell malignancies. However, whether EBV appears to be absolutely required for cell proliferation and survival in lymphoma cells is still unknown. In this study, small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting LMP1 was employed to investigate the effect of LMP1 on cell proliferation in EBV-positive lymphoblastoid B-cell line. A plasmid stable encoding 21-nt small RNA specifically and efficiently interfering LMP1 was constructed, resulting in a substantial loss of LMP1 mRNA and a significantly decreased LMP1 protein expression. Our data demonstrated that cell proliferation was completely inhibited and apoptosis was induced after knockdown of LMP1 gene in lymphoblastoid B-cell line. Also, we found that suppression of LMP1 caused downregulation of telomerase protein expression and decreased telomerase activity in lymphoma cells. In EBV-negative NPC cell line, transfection of plasmid expressing LMP1 greatly enhanced telomerase protein expression. Our results suggested that siRNA targeting LMP1 can induce apoptosis in EBV-positive lymphoma cells and is associated with inhibition of telomerase activity and expression. siRNA-directed LMP1 silencing may be of the therapeutic value for preventing and treating those EBV-associated tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ping Mei
- Department of Experimental Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, 651 DongFeng Road East, GuangZhou 510060, China
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7
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Hong M, Murai Y, Kutsuna T, Takahashi H, Nomoto K, Cheng CM, Ishizawa S, Zhao QL, Ogawa R, Harmon BV, Tsuneyama K, Takano Y. Suppression of Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) by RNA interference inhibits proliferation of EBV-positive Burkitt’s lymphoma cells. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2005; 132:1-8. [PMID: 16180023 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-005-0036-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2005] [Accepted: 08/22/2005] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with the development of several lymphoid and epithelial malignancies, including Burkitt's lymphoma. The EBV latent protein, EBV Nuclear Antigen 1 (EBNA1), is detectable in almost all types of EBV-associated tumors and is essential for replication and maintenance of the latent episome of EBV. We here examined whether the RNA interference (RNAi) technique could be employed to suppress expression of EBNA1 in EBV-positive Burkitt's lymphoma cells. METHODS A Raji cell line expressing small hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) against EBNA1 was established and EBNA1 mRNA level was determined by real-time RT-PCR analysis. We investigated the effects of EBNA1 silence on lymphoma cell growth and cell cycle progression. RESULTS Transfection of an EBNA1 RNAi plasmid resulted in substantial loss of EBNA1 mRNA and significantly inhibited proliferation of Raji cells relative to the control plasmid case. Suppression of EBNA1 was also associated with downregulation of EBV oncogene EBNA2, a decreased PCNA labeling index and increased G0/G1 fraction in cell cycle analysis. CONCLUSIONS These findings point to potential therapeutic applications for vector-mediated siRNA delivery to control EBV-associated malignant disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Hong
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, 2630 Sugitani, 930-0194, Toyama, Japan
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Meerbach A, Gruhn B, Wutzler P. Recent developments in the prevention and treatment of Epstein–Barr virus-associated lymphoproliferative diseases. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2005; 14:527-47. [DOI: 10.1517/13543776.14.4.527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Atkinson PGP, Coope HJ, Rowe M, Ley SC. Latent Membrane Protein 1 of Epstein-Barr Virus Stimulates Processing of NF-κB2 p100 to p52. J Biol Chem 2003; 278:51134-42. [PMID: 14532284 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m304771200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have identified a limited number of cellular receptors that can stimulate an alternative NF-kappa B activation pathway that depends upon the inducible processing of NF-kappa B2 p100 to p52. Here it is shown that the latent membrane protein (LMP)-1 of Epstein-Barr virus can trigger this signaling pathway in both B cells and epithelial cells. LMP1-induced p100 processing, which is mediated by the proteasome and is dependent upon de novo protein synthesis, results in the nuclear translocation of p52.RelB dimers. Previous studies have established that LMP1 also stimulates the canonical NF-kappa B-signaling pathway that triggers phosphorylation and degradation of I kappa B alpha. Interestingly, LMP1 activation of these two NF-kappa B pathways is shown here to require distinct regions of the LMP1 C-terminal cytoplasmic tail. Thus, C-terminal-activating region 1 is required for maximal triggering of p100 processing but is largely dispensable for stimulation of I kappa B alpha phosphorylation. In contrast, C-terminal-activating region 2 is critical for maximal LMP1 triggering of I kappa B alpha phosphorylation and up-regulation of p100 levels but does not contribute to activation of p100 processing. Because p100 deletion mutants that constitutively produce p52 oncogenically transform fibroblasts in vitro, it is likely that stimulation of p100 processing by LMP1 will play an important role in its transforming function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter G P Atkinson
- Division of Immune Cell Biology, National Institute for Medical Research, Mill Hill, London, NW7 1AA, United Kingdom
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Masy E, Adriaenssens E, Montpellier C, Crépieux P, Mougel A, Quatannens B, Goormachtigh G, Faumont N, Meggetto F, Auriault C, Groux H, Coll J. Human monocytic cell lines transformed in vitro by Epstein-Barr virus display a type II latency and LMP-1-dependent proliferation. J Virol 2002; 76:6460-72. [PMID: 12050358 PMCID: PMC136267 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.76.13.6460-6472.2002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) classically infects and transforms B lymphocytes in vitro, yielding lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs). In contrast to other herpesviruses, EBV is not described as an infectious agent for monocytes. However, recent papers described in vitro infection of monocytes leading to abortive or transient viral expression. In the present study, we report the characterization of E1, a monocytic cell line infected and transformed by EBV. This cell line was derived from an LCL by a drastic electroporation and selection of neomycin-resistant cells, unfavorable to B-cell outgrowth. E1 expressed surface molecules of monocytic lineage (CD14, major histocompatibility complex class II, and CD80) and the c-fms gene, a highly specific marker for the monocytic lineage. This cell line is able to phagocytose and secrete proinflammatory monokines tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-8. E1 cells are tumorigenic after injection in nude mice, and a monocytic cell line obtained from one of these tumors (TE1) displayed immunophenotype and functional properties similar to those of E1. We detected the presence of the EBV genome in both cell lines, as well as expression of the EBNA-1 and LMP-1, but not EBNA-2, viral genes, characteristic of a type II latency. LMP-1 influences the phenotype of these monocytic cell lines, as demonstrated by down-regulation of cell proliferation and membrane intercellular adhesion molecule 1 expression due to an LMP-1 antisense strategy. This is the first description of a latently infected human monocytic cell line and the first direct demonstration of an instrumental role for LMP-1 in the proliferation of EBV-transformed cell lines expressing a type II latency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Masy
- UMR 8527, CNRS/Lille II/Institut Pasteur de Lille, Institut de Biologie de Lille, 1 rue Calmette, 59021 Lille Cedex, France
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11
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Masciarelli S, Mattioli B, Galletti R, Samoggia P, Chichiarelli S, Mearini G, Mattia E. Antisense to Epstein Barr Virus-encoded LMP1 does not affect the transcription of viral and cellular proliferation-related genes, but induces phenotypic effects on EBV-transformed B lymphocytes. Oncogene 2002; 21:4166-70. [PMID: 12037673 DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1205515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2001] [Revised: 03/01/2002] [Accepted: 03/22/2002] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
It is generally accepted that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latent genes EBNA-2, EBNA-3A, -3C, EBNA-LP and LMP1 are essential for growth transformation and immortalization of B lymphocytes. Among these genes, LMP1 plays a key role in the survival and dissemination of the infected B cells by inducing anti-apoptotic genes and surface expression of several activation antigens and adhesion molecules. We have previously shown that antisense oligodeoxynucleotides directed to LMP1 mRNA, effectively suppress LMP1 gene expression and substantially reduce B95.8 cell proliferation. In this study, we have used antisense LMP1 oligomers to investigate whether LMP1 suppression might influence the expression of latent EBV genes with oncogenic potential, anti-apoptotic genes, or affect the phenotype of EBV-infected B95.8 cells. Our data show that LMP1 suppression does not affect the transcription of EBNA-2, EBNA-3A, -3B and -3C genes, or that of bcl-2 and mcl-1 anti-apoptotic genes. In contrast, consistent modifications in the expression of CD39, CD54, CD23, CD11 and CD10 molecules were observed in B95.8 cells after treatment with antisense LMP1. Our findings support the possibility for using LMP1 antisense oligomers as therapeutics in EBV-associated tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Masciarelli
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical Faculty, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
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Fielding CA, Sandvej K, Mehl A, Brennan P, Jones M, Rowe M. Epstein-Barr virus LMP-1 natural sequence variants differ in their potential to activate cellular signaling pathways. J Virol 2001; 75:9129-41. [PMID: 11533177 PMCID: PMC114482 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.75.19.9129-9141.2001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The latent membrane protein 1 (LMP-1) oncogene of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is believed to contribute to the development of many EBV-associated tumors, and there is evidence that sequence variation can affect some functions of LMP-1. Most studies have been restricted to the prototype B95.8 LMP-1 gene and genes isolated from EBV of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients. Here, we analyzed the signaling functions of LMP-1 from a panel of nine EBV isolates, including representatives of four defined groups of European LMP-1 variants (groups A to D [K. Sandvej, J. W. Gratama, M. Munch, X. G. Zhou, R. L. Bolhuis, B. S. Andresen, N. Gregersen, and S. Hamilton-Dutoit, Blood 90:323-330, 1997]) and Chinese NPC-derived LMP-1. Chinese and group D variants activated the transcription factor NF-kappa B two- to threefold more efficiently than B95.8 LMP-1, while Chinese, group B, and group D variants similarly activated activator protein 1 (AP-1) transcription more efficiently than did B95.8 LMP-1. However, there were no amino acid substitutions in the core binding regions for tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated adapter proteins known to mediate NF-kappa B and AP-1 activation. In contrast, despite sequence variation in the proposed Janus kinase 3 binding region, STAT activation was remarkably constant among the panel of LMP-1 variants. Analysis of the induction of CD54 (intercellular adhesion molecule 1) protein expression by the LMP-1 variants showed differences that did not correlate with either NF-kappa B or AP-1. Therefore, while the defined sequence variant groups do correlate with LMP-1 function, the results highlight the fact that the relationship between sequence variation and signaling function is extremely complex. It appears unlikely that one particular amino acid substitution or deletion will define a disease-associated variant of LMP-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- C A Fielding
- Section of Infection and Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff CF14 4XN, Wales, United Kingdom
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Tsuchihara K, Hijikata M, Fukuda K, Kuroki T, Yamamoto N, Shimotohno K. Hepatitis C virus core protein regulates cell growth and signal transduction pathway transmitting growth stimuli. Virology 1999; 258:100-7. [PMID: 10329572 DOI: 10.1006/viro.1999.9694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
To investigate the transforming potential of hepatitis C virus (HCV), HCV core protein was produced in BALB/3T3 A31-I-1 cells. The cells expressing HCV core gene cooperatively with the v-H-ras gene showed loss of contact inhibition, morphological alterations, and anchorage-independent and serum-independent growth. The cells producing HCV core protein showed enhanced growth against stimulus of growth factor. In addition, antisense oligodeoxynucleotides against mRNA encoding HCV core protein suppressed the growth of HCV core-producing cells. Furthermore, HCV core protein activated mitogen-activated protein kinase and serum response element, which respond to growth stimuli. From these results, we concluded that HCV core protein is involved in the acquisition of cell growth advantage.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Tsuchihara
- Department of Molecular Virology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45, Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8519, Japan
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