Pathological Survivin Expression Links Viral Infections with Pathogenesis of Erosive Rheumatoid Arthritis

Effect of Survivin gene therapy via lentivirus vector on the course of intervertebral disc degeneration in an in vivo rabbit model

The aim of the current study was to use gene therapy to attenuate or reverse the degenerative process within the intervertabral disc. The effect of survivin gene therapy via lentiviral vector transfection on the course of intervertebral disc degeneration was investigated in the current study in an in vivo rabbit model. A total of 15 skeletally mature female New Zealand White rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: Punctured blank control group (group A, n=5), punctured empty vector control group (group B, n=5) and the treatment group (group C, n=5). Computed tomography‑guided puncture was performed at the L3‑L4 and L4‑L5 discs, in accordance with a previously validated rabbit annulotomy model for intervertebral disc degeneration. After 3 weeks, a lentiviral vector (LV) carrying survivin was injected into the nucleus pulposus. The results demonstrated that through magnetic resonance imaging, histology, gene expression, protein content and apoptosis analyses, group A and B were observed to exhibit disc degeneration, which increased over time, and no significant difference was observed between the two groups (P>0.05). However, there was reduced disc degeneration in group C compared with the punctured control groups, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Overall, the results of the present study demonstrated that injection of the LV carrying survivin into punctured rabbit intervertebral discs acted to delay changes associated with the degeneration of the discs. Although data from animal models should be extrapolated to the human condition with caution, the present study suggests potential for the use of gene therapy to decelerate disc degeneration.

Survivin-TGFB3-TIMP1 Gene Therapy Via Lentivirus Vector Slows the Course of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration in an In Vivo Rabbit Model

STUDY DESIGN

The ability of lentivirus vector (LV) survivin-transforming growth factor beta 3 (TGFB3)-tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 (TIMP1) on slowing disc degeneration was evaluated by an animal experiment.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of LV survivin-TGFB3-TIMP1 on slowing disc degeneration in an in vivo rabbit model.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Cell apoptosis, increase of catabolic activity, and decrease of anabolic activity were the mechanisms of disc degeneration. Meanwhile, survivin, TGFB3, and TIMP1 can influence above process, respectively. However, there were no researches conducted to evaluate the effect of an LV containing all three proteins (referred to as LV-survivin-TGFB3-TIMP1) on slowing disc degeneration in vivo.

METHODS

Twenty skeletally mature female New Zealand White rabbits were randomly divided into four groups: nonpunctured sham surgical group (group A, n = 5), punctured blank control group (group B, n = 5), punctured empty vector control group (group C, n = 5), and the treatment group (group D, n = 5). Computed tomography-guided puncture was performed at the L3-L4 and L4-L5 discs, in accordance with a previously validated rabbit annulotomy model for intervertebral disc degeneration. After 3 weeks, LV-carrying survivin, TGFB3, and TIMP1 were injected into the nucleus pulposus. Serial magnetic resonance imaging studies at 0, 3, and 12 weeks were performed. The rabbits were sacrificed at 12 weeks, and the histology, immunofluorescence, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and caspase-3 activity was used for evaluation.

RESULTS

Magnetic resonance imaging, histology, gene expression, protein content, and apoptosis analyses of group A showed no disc degeneration. Groups B and C showed disc degeneration, which increased over time, and no significant difference was observed between the two groups (P > 0.05). In group D, there was less disc degeneration compared to the punctured control groups and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The injection of LV-carrying survivin-TGFB3-TIMP1 into punctured rabbit intervertebral discs helps delay degenerative disc changes. Although data from animal models should be extrapolated to the human condition with caution, this study shows promise for gene therapy to decelerate disc degeneration.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

N/A.

Survivin is expressed in degenerated nucleus pulposus cells and is involved in proliferation and the prevention of apoptosis in vitro

Survivin is a unique inhibitor of apoptosis, which is frequently present within degenerated human nucleus pulposus (NP) cells. Survivin has been extensively investigated using proliferation and apoptosis assays in tumor cells; however, studies conducted on survivin in degenerative NP cells remain limited to date. The aim of the present study was to investigate survivin expression and its effects on the proliferation and apoptosis of degenerated NP cells in vitro. The expression levels of survivin in the NP cells of patients (>45 years) with lumbar disc degenerative disease and the NP cells of patients (<25 years) with lumbar vertebra fracture were assessed by reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The effects on in vitro proliferation and apoptosis were investigated through transfection with a specific small interfering (si)RNA. The results of the present study demonstrated that survivin was expressed in the degenerated NP cells, but was undetectable in normal NP cells at the mRNA level. Survivin suppression following transfection with a specific survivin‑siRNA reduced the proliferation rate of NP cells and enhanced sensitization to pro‑apoptotic stimuli. Therefore, survivin was shown to be expressed and exhibit an important role in the proliferation and prevention of apoptosis of degenerated NP cells. Studies on survivin in NP cells may aid in increasing the understanding of the complex processes underlying NP cell degeneration, and could provide fundamental information for gene therapy to inhibit this degeneration in vitro.

Effect of lentivirus-mediated survivin transfection on the morphology and apoptosis of nucleus pulposus cells derived from degenerative human disc in vitro

Lower back pain is a common concern, and 40% of all cases involve the degeneration of the intervertebral disc (IVD). However, the excessive apoptosis of disc cells plays an important role in IVD degeneration, particularly in the nucleus pulposus (NP). Thus, anti-apoptotic gene therapy to attenuate or reverse the degenerative process within the NP is being developed. Survivin is a unique inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) and has been extensively investigated in cancer cells. However, little is known of the effects of survivin transfection on NP cells derived from degenerative human disc. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of lentivirus (LV)-mediated survivin transfection on the morphology and apoptosis of NP cells derived from degenerative human disc in vitro. NP cells were transfected with LV-mediated survivin. Subsequently, cell morphology was observed and the survivin mRNA expression levels were measured by RT-qPCR. Apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry and by measuring caspase-3 activity. The results revealed that the morphology of the NP cells derived from degenerative human disc transfected with LV-mediated survivin was significantly altered as evidenced by cytomorphosis, the reduction of the cytoplasm and cell shrinkage. Following transfection, survivin gene expression significantly increased in the transfected cells and subsequent generation cells; however, no significant differences in the cell apoptotic rate and caspase-3 activity were observed. We found that transfection of the survivin gene into NP cells led to the stable expression of survivin and induced marked changes in cell morphology. Furthermore, no significant anti-apoptotic effects were observed following LV-mediated survivin transfection. Overall, our findings demonstrate that LV carrying surviving may be used to successfully enforce the expression of survivin in NP cells. However, cell morphology was evidently altered, whereas the apoptotic rate did not decrease. Comprehensive studies on the feasibility of using survivin in gene therapy in an aim to attenuate disc degeneration are warranted. Further research on the mechanisms responsible for the changes in cell morphology and cell function are also required.

Apoptotic mediators in patients with severe and non-severe dengue from Brazil

Despite being the most significant arboviral disease worldwide, dengue has no antiviral treatment or reliable severity predictors. It has been shown that apoptotic cells from blood and tissues may be involved in the complex pathogenesis of dengue. However, very little is known about the interplay between proapoptotic and antiapoptotic mediators in this disease. Therefore, plasma levels of the three proapoptotic mediators Fas ligand (FasL), tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), and TNF‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand (TRAIL) were measured in dengue patients. Patients were classified according to the World Health Organization classification of dengue revised in 2009. Additionally, inhibitors of apoptosis protein (IAPs) were determined in plasma (Survivin) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) lysates (cIAP‐1, cIAP‐2, XIAP). Levels of apoptotic proteins in plasma were correlated with counts of blood cells. FasL and TRAIL levels were elevated in dengue patients without warning signs when compared to patients with severe dengue and controls. Dengue patients with warning signs showed decreased levels of Survivin compared to patients with severe dengue and controls. TRAIL was inversely correlated with counts of lymphocyte subsets. In contrast, Survivin was positively correlated with leukocyte counts. There was a trend of elevated IAPs levels in PBMCs of patients with severe dengue. The results suggest a likely antiviral effect of TRAIL in dengue. It appears that TRAIL might be involved with apoptosis induction of lymphocytes, whereas IAPs might participate in protecting leukocytes from apoptosis. Further research is needed to explore the interactions between pro and antiapoptotic molecules and their implications in dengue pathogenesis. J. Med. Virol. 86:1437–1447, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Increased levels of survivin, via association with heat shock protein 90, in mucosal T cells from patients with Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Defective apoptosis of lamina propria T cells (LPTs) is involved in the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease. Survivin, a member of the inhibitors of apoptosis family, prevents cell death and regulates cell division. Survivin has been studied extensively in cancer, but little is known about its role in Crohn's disease.

METHODS

LPTs were isolated from mucosal samples of patients with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis and healthy individuals (controls). LPTs were activated with interleukin-2 or via CD3, CD2, and CD28 signaling, and cultured at 42°C to induce heat shock. Survivin expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry, confocal microscopy, and immunoblotting; survivin levels were reduced by RNA interference. Cell viability, apoptosis, and proliferation were measured by trypan blue exclusion, annexin-V/7-Aminoactinomycin D staining, and uptake of [3]thymidine, respectively.

RESULTS

LPTs from patients with Crohn's disease had higher levels of survivin than LPTs from patients with ulcerative colitis or controls. RNA knockdown of survivin in LPTs inhibited their proliferation and promoted apoptosis. Levels of survivin were low in LPTs from patients with ulcerative colitis and controls as a result of ubiquitin-mediated proteasome degradation. In LPTs from patients with Crohn's disease, survivin bound to the heat shock protein (HSP)90, and therefore was resistant to proteasome degradation. Incubating LPTs with 17-N-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin, an inhibitor of HSP90, reduced levels of survivin and induced apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Levels of survivin are increased in LPTs from patients with Crohn's disease (compared with ulcerative colitis and controls) because survivin interacts with HSP90 and prevents proteasome degradation. This allows LPTs to avoid apoptosis. Strategies to restore apoptosis to these cells might be developed to treat patients with Crohn's disease.

The oncofetal gene survivin is re-expressed in osteoarthritis and is required for chondrocyte proliferation in vitro

Background

Regulation of cell death and cell division are key processes during chondrogenesis and in cartilage homeostasis and pathology. The oncogene survivin is considered to be critical for the coordination of mitosis and maintenance of cell viability during embryonic development and in cancer, and is not detectable in most adult differentiated tissues and cells. We analyzed survivin expression in osteoarthritic cartilage and its function in primary human chondrocytes in vitro.

Methods

Survivin expression was analyzed by immunoblotting and quantitative real-time PCR. The localization was visualized by immunofluorescence. Survivin functions in vitro were investigated by transfection of a specific siRNA.

Results

Survivin was expressed in human osteoarthritic cartilage, but was not detectable in macroscopically and microscopically unaffected cartilage of osteoarthritic knee joints. In primary human chondrocyte cultures, survivin was localized to heterogeneous subcellular compartments. Suppression of survivin resulted in inhibition of cell cycle progression and sensitization toward apoptotic stimuli in vitro.

Conclusions

The present study indicates a role for survivin in osteoarthritic cartilage and human chondrocytes. In vitro experiments indicated its involvement in cellular division and viability. Learning more about the functions of survivin in chondrocyte biology might further help toward understanding and modulating the complex processes of cartilage pathology and regeneration.

Anti-DR5 mAb ameliorate adjuvant arthritis rats through inducing synovial cells apoptosis

OBJECTIVE

Study the therapeutic effects and immunoregulatory mechanisms of anti-DR5 mAb on adjuvant arthritis (AA) rats.

METHODS

AA rats induced by CFA, were treated with anti-DR5 mAb through mainline administration. Effect on the synovial membranes of the tissues was detected by H&E staining. Flow cytometry and MTT assay were used for detecting the induced apoptosis in an in vitro system and TUNEL assay was used for analysis in an in vivo system. The involvement of the apoptotic pathway was further proved by a caspase inhibition assay.

RESULTS

Anti-DR5 mAb could induce synovial cell apoptosis in an in vitro system, which was related with the mRNA expression of DR5 on the cell surface. The mRNA expressions of c-myc and bcl-2 were decreased in synovial cells and those of p21, p53, and bax were increased. The protein expressions of caspase-8/3/9, RANKL, JNK2, and c-Jun were raised and that of bcl-2 was decreased. When the caspase inhibitor was added to the synovial cells treated with anti-DR5 mAb, it showed a dose-dependence inhibition effect, indicating that anti-DR5 mAb inducing apoptosis might be through the caspase pathway.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that anti-DR5 mAb can ameliorate arthritic symptoms. The mechanisms of the treatment are related to the increase in synovial cell apoptosis by regulating the mRNA expression of DR5 and apoptosis-related genes, prolonging the duration of the cell cycle by modulation of the mRNA expression of cell cycle-related genes, and the protein expression of the molecules in the caspase pathway and RANKL, JNK2, and c-Jun.

The immunobiology of viral arthritides

A large range of human viruses are associated with the development of arthritis or arthralgia. Although there are many parallels with autoimmune arthritides, there is little evidence that viral arthritides lead to autoimmune disease. In humans viral arthritides usually last from weeks to months, can be debilitating, and are usually treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, but with variable success. Viral arthritides likely arise from immunopathological inflammatory responses directed at viruses and/or their products residing and/or replicating within joint tissues. Macrophages recruited by monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1/CCL2) and activated by interferon, and proinflammatory mediators like tumour necrosis factor alpha, interferon gamma, interleukin-6 and interleukin-1beta appear to be common elements in this group of diseases. The challenge for new treatments is to target excessive inflammation without compromising anti-viral immunity. Recent evidence from mouse models suggests targeting MCP-1 or complement may emerge as viable new treatment options for viral arthritides.

Apoptosis in murine norovirus-infected RAW264.7 cells is associated with downregulation of survivin

Noroviruses (NVs) are recognized as a major cause of nonbacterial gastroenteritis in humans. Studies of the human NVs continue to be hampered by the inability to propagate them in any cell culture system. Until recently, most data concerning NV replication were derived from studies of feline calicivirus and rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus, which are cultivable members of the family Caliciviridae. From such studies, it was proposed that caliciviruses induce apoptosis to facilitate the dissemination of viral progeny in the host. The discovery that MNV type 1 (MNV-1) grows in RAW264.7 cells provided the first cell culture system for use in studying the role of apoptosis in NV infection. We first showed that MNV-1 replication triggered apoptosis in infected RAW264.7 cells and then demonstrated that cell death was associated with activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3 through the mitochondrial pathway. This process was dependent on virus replication, since inactivated virus failed to induce signs of apoptosis. In order to better understand the apoptotic process induced by MNV-1 infection of RAW264.7 cells, we investigated the expression profiles of MNV-1-infected versus mock-infected cells. Survivin, a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein family, was found to be significantly downregulated in an inverse relationship with the virus genome replication. This study showed that, unlike other viruses that upregulate survivin, MNV-1 is the first virus found to downregulate the levels of survivin. We observed that MNV-1 replication in RAW264.7 cells activated caspases, resulting in apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway, possibly as a result of downregulation of survivin.