Gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) receptor null-mutant mice are more susceptible to herpes simplex virus type 1 infection than IFN-gamma ligand null-mutant mice

Genetic Differences between 129S Substrains Affect Antiretroviral Immune Responses

Inbred mouse lines vary in their ability to mount protective antiretroviral immune responses, and even closely related strains can exhibit opposing phenotypes upon retroviral infection. Here, we found that 129S mice inherit a previously unknown mechanism for the production of anti-murine leukemia virus (MLV) antibodies and control of infection. The resistant phenotype in 129S1 mice is controlled by two dominant loci that are independent from known MLV resistance genes. We also show that production of anti-MLV antibodies in 129S7 mice, but not 129S1 mice, is independent of interferon gamma signaling. Thus, our data indicate that 129S mice inherit an unknown mechanism for control of MLV infection and demonstrate that there is genetic variability in 129S substrains that affects their ability to mount antiviral immune responses. IMPORTANCE Understanding the genetic basis for production of protective antiviral immune responses is crucial for the development of novel vaccines and adjuvants. Additionally, characterizing the genetic and phenotypic variability in inbred mice has implications for the selection of strains for targeted mutagenesis, choice of controls, and for broader understanding of the requirements for protective immunity.

Microglia Reduce Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Lethality of Mice with Decreased T Cell and Interferon Responses in Brains

Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) infects the majority of the human population and can induce encephalitis, which is the most common cause of sporadic, fatal encephalitis. An increase of microglia is detected in the brains of encephalitis patients. The issues regarding whether and how microglia protect the host and neurons from HSV-1 infection remain elusive. Using a murine infection model, we showed that HSV-1 infection on corneas increased the number of microglia to outnumber those of infiltrating leukocytes (macrophages, neutrophils, and T cells) and enhanced microglia activation in brains. HSV-1 antigens were detected in brain neurons, which were surrounded by microglia. Microglia depletion increased HSV-1 lethality of mice with elevated brain levels of viral loads, infected neurons, neuron loss, CD4 T cells, CD8 T cells, neutrophils, interferon (IFN)-β, and IFN-γ. In vitro studies demonstrated that microglia from infected mice reduced virus infectivity. Moreover, microglia induced IFN-β and the signaling pathway of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 1 to inhibit viral replication and damage of neurons. Our study reveals how microglia protect the host and neurons from HSV-1 infection.

Interferon-induced GTPases orchestrate host cell-autonomous defence against bacterial pathogens

Interferon (IFN)-induced guanosine triphosphate hydrolysing enzymes (GTPases) have been identified as cornerstones of IFN-mediated cell-autonomous defence. Upon IFN stimulation, these GTPases are highly expressed in various host cells, where they orchestrate anti-microbial activities against a diverse range of pathogens such as bacteria, protozoan and viruses. IFN-induced GTPases have been shown to interact with various host pathways and proteins mediating pathogen control via inflammasome activation, destabilising pathogen compartments and membranes, orchestrating destruction via autophagy and the production of reactive oxygen species as well as inhibiting pathogen mobility. In this mini-review, we provide an update on how the IFN-induced GTPases target pathogens and mediate host defence, emphasising findings on protection against bacterial pathogens.

Constructing a High-Density Genetic Linkage Map for Large Yellow Croaker (Larimichthys crocea) and Mapping Resistance Trait Against Ciliate Parasite Cryptocaryon irritans

The large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) is the most economically important marine cage-farming fish in China in the past decade. However, the sustainable development of large yellow croaker aquaculture has been severely hampered by several diseases, of which, the white spot disease caused by ciliate protozoan parasite Cryptocaryon irritans ranks the most damaging disease in large yellow croaker cage farms. To better understand the genetic basis of parasite infection and disease resistance to C. irritans, it is vital to map the traits and localize the underlying candidate genes in L. crocea genome. Here, we constructed a high-density genetic linkage map using double-digest restriction-site associated DNA (ddRAD)-based high-throughput SNP genotyping data of a F1 mapping family, which had been challenged with C. irritans for resistant trait measure. A total of 5261 SNPs was grouped and oriented into 24 linkage groups (LGs), representing 24 chromosomes of L. crocea. The total genetic map length was 1885.67 cM with an average inter-locus distance of 0.36 cM. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping identified seven significant QTLs in four LGs linked to C. irritans disease resistance. Candidate genes underlying disease resistance were identified from the reference genome, including ifnar1, ifngr2, ikbke, and CD112. Comparative genomic analysis between large yellow croaker and the four closely related species revealed high evolutionary conservation of chromosomes, though inter-chromosomal rearrangements do exist. Especially, the croaker genome structure was closer to the medaka genome than stickleback, indicating that the croaker genome might retain the teleost ancestral genome structure. The high-density genetic linkage map provides an important tool and resource for fine mapping, comparative genome analysis, and molecular selective breeding of large yellow croaker.

Insights into the pathogenesis of herpes simplex encephalitis from mouse models

A majority of the world population is infected with herpes simplex viruses (HSV; human herpesvirus types 1 and 2). These viruses, perhaps best known for their manifestation in the genital or oral mucosa, can also cause herpes simplex encephalitis, a severe and often fatal disease of the central nervous system. Antiviral therapies for HSV are only partially effective since the virus can establish latent infections in neurons, and severe pathological sequelae in the brain are common. A better understanding of disease pathogenesis is required to develop new strategies against herpes simplex encephalitis, including the precise viral and host genetic determinants that promote virus invasion into the central nervous system and its associated immunopathology. Here we review the current understanding of herpes simplex encephalitis from the host genome perspective, which has been illuminated by groundbreaking work on rare herpes simplex encephalitis patients together with mechanistic insight from single-gene mouse models of disease. A complex picture has emerged, whereby innate type I interferon-mediated antiviral signaling is a central pathway to control viral replication, and the regulation of immunopathology and the balance between apoptosis and autophagy are critical to disease severity in the central nervous system. The lessons learned from mouse studies inform us on fundamental defense mechanisms at the interface of host–pathogen interactions within the central nervous system, as well as possible rationales for intervention against infections from severe neuropathogenic viruses.

IFNγ inhibits G-CSF induced neutrophil expansion and invasion of the CNS to prevent viral encephalitis

Emergency hematopoiesis facilitates the rapid expansion of inflammatory immune cells in response to infections by pathogens, a process that must be carefully regulated to prevent potentially life threatening inflammatory responses. Here, we describe a novel regulatory role for the cytokine IFNγ that is critical for preventing fatal encephalitis after viral infection. HSV1 encephalitis (HSE) is triggered by the invasion of the brainstem by inflammatory monocytes and neutrophils. In mice lacking IFNγ (GKO), we observed unrestrained increases in G-CSF levels but not in GM-CSF or IL-17. This resulted in uncontrolled expansion and infiltration of apoptosis-resistant, degranulating neutrophils into the brainstem, causing fatal HSE in GKO but not WT mice. Excessive G-CSF in GKO mice also induced granulocyte derived suppressor cells, which inhibited T-cell proliferation and function, including production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Unexpectedly, we found that IFNγ suppressed G-CSF signaling by increasing SOCS3 expression in neutrophils, resulting in apoptosis. Depletion of G-CSF, but not GM-CSF, in GKO mice induced neutrophil apoptosis and reinstated IL-10 secretion by T cells, which restored their ability to limit innate inflammatory responses resulting in protection from HSE. Our studies reveals a novel, complex interplay among IFNγ, G-CSF and IL-10, which highlights the opposing roles of G-CSF and IFNγ in regulation of innate inflammatory responses in a murine viral encephalitis model and reveals G-CSF as a potential therapeutic target. Thus, the antagonistic G-CSF-IFNγ interactions emerge as a key regulatory node in control of CNS inflammatory responses to virus infection.

IFN-γR1 defects: Mutation update and description of the IFNGR1 variation database

IFN-γ signaling is essential for the innate immune defense against mycobacterial infections. IFN-γ signals through the IFN-γ receptor, which consists of a tetramer of two IFN-γR1 chains in complex with two IFN-γR2 chains, where IFN-γR1 is the ligand-binding chain of the interferon-γ receptor and IFN-γR2 is the signal-transducing chain of the IFN-γ receptor. Germline mutations in the gene IFNGR1 encoding the IFN-γR1 cause a primary immunodeficiency that mainly leads to mycobacterial infections. Here, we review the molecular basis of this immunodeficiency in the 130 individuals described to date, and report mutations in five new individuals, bringing the total number to 135 individuals from 98 kindreds. Forty unique IFNGR1 mutations have been reported and they exert either an autosomal dominant or an autosomal recessive effect. Mutations resulting in premature stopcodons represent the majority of IFNGR1 mutations (60%; 24 out of 40), followed by amino acid substitutions (28%, 11 out of 40). All known mutations, as well as 287 other variations, have been deposited in the online IFNGR1 variation database (www.LOVD.nl/IFNGR1). In this article, we review the function of IFN-γR1 and molecular genetics of human IFNGR1.

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) specific T-cell generation from HLA-A1- and HLA-A2-positive donors for adoptive immunotherapy

BACKGROUND AIMS

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) reactivation and infection is common in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) and requires routine antiviral prophylaxis. Drug-resistant strains are increasingly common, and effective alternative therapy is currently unavailable. We generated and characterized HSV-1-specific T cells for use in adoptive cellular immunotherapy following allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

METHODS

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from HLA-A1 and HLA-A2 HSV-seropositive hereditary hemochromatosis donors were used as the antigen source. Three HLA-A1 and four HLA-A2 specific epitopes were used for stimulation of T cells. Cells were stimulated with antigen-pulsed dendritic cells and cultured for 21 days in medium with interleukin (IL)-2. Cultured cells were phenotyped and tested for cytokine production, proliferation and cytotoxicity.

RESULTS

There was a 5.3-fold expansion in total cell numbers over 21 days of culture, with 35% of T cells being CD8 positive. Thirty-five percent, 21% and 5% of CD8 cells secreted interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α and IL-2 upon HSV antigen re-stimulation. More than 50% of antigen-specific T cells secreted multiple cytokines. Cultured T cells proliferated upon antigen re-stimulation and lysed HSV-1 peptide and virus-infected targets.

CONCLUSIONS

It is feasible to generate functional HSV-1 specific T cells from the blood of HLA-A1 and HLA-A2 HSV-seropositive donors using specific peptides. The utility of these cells in preventing and treating HSV-1 reactivation in allogeneic HSCT will need to be tested clinically.

Follicular Helper T (Tfh) Cells in Autoimmune Diseases and Allograft Rejection

Production of high affinity antibodies for antigens is a critical component for the immune system to fight off infectious pathogens. However, it could be detrimental to our body when the antigens that B cells recognize are of self-origin. Follicular helper T, or Tfh, cells are required for the generation of germinal center reactions, where high affinity antibody-producing B cells and memory B cells predominantly develop. As such, Tfh cells are considered as targets to prevent B cells from producing high affinity antibodies against self-antigens, when high affinity autoantibodies are responsible for immunopathologies in autoimmune disorders. This review article provides an overview of current understanding of Tfh cells and discusses it in the context of animal models of autoimmune diseases and allograft rejections for generation of novel therapeutic interventions.

Establishment of HSV1 latency in immunodeficient mice facilitates efficient in vivo reactivation

The establishment of latent infections in sensory neurons is a remarkably effective immune evasion strategy that accounts for the widespread dissemination of life long Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV1) infections in humans. Periodic reactivation of latent virus results in asymptomatic shedding and transmission of HSV1 or recurrent disease that is usually mild but can be severe. An in-depth understanding of the mechanisms regulating the maintenance of latency and reactivation are essential for developing new approaches to block reactivation. However, the lack of a reliable mouse model that supports efficient in vivo reactivation (IVR) resulting in production of infectious HSV1 and/or disease has hampered progress. Since HSV1 reactivation is enhanced in immunosuppressed hosts, we exploited the antiviral and immunomodulatory activities of IVIG (intravenous immunoglobulins) to promote survival of latently infected immunodeficient Rag mice. Latently infected Rag mice derived by high dose (HD), but not low dose (LD), HSV1 inoculation exhibited spontaneous reactivation. Following hyperthermia stress (HS), the majority of HD inoculated mice developed HSV1 encephalitis (HSE) rapidly and synchronously, whereas for LD inoculated mice reactivated HSV1 persisted only transiently in trigeminal ganglia (Tg). T cells, but not B cells, were required to suppress spontaneous reactivation in HD inoculated latently infected mice. Transfer of HSV1 memory but not OVA specific or naïve T cells prior to HS blocked IVR, revealing the utility of this powerful Rag latency model for studying immune mechanisms involved in control of reactivation. Crossing Rag mice to various knockout strains and infecting them with wild type or mutant HSV1 strains is expected to provide novel insights into the role of specific cellular and viral genes in reactivation, thereby facilitating identification of new targets with the potential to block reactivation.

Although mouse models have been very useful in studies of HSV1 latency, the inability to efficiently reactivate latent HSV1 in vivo has impeded studies of reactivation. Reasoning that reactivation would be much more efficient in the absence of T cells, we exploited IVIG to promote survival of latently infected Rag mice lacking B and T cells. We established a threshold inoculum dose that was higher for B6- compared to 129-Rag mice, which determined whether HSV1 could be efficiently reactivated in vivo resulting in encephalitis. We showed directly that memory T cells are required to control spontaneous and induced reactivation in mice inoculated at high dose but are dispensable for maintaining latency in low dose inoculated mice. Incorporating different knockout strains into the Rag latency model by adoptive transfer of cells or crossbreeding will facilitate studying the role of various cellular genes involved in regulating neuronal gene expression and innate and adaptive immunity in the control of HSV1 reactivation. The potential of this powerful latency model to unravel the molecular and immune mechanisms regulating latency will be realized only after it is adopted and refined by researchers in the field.

Critical role of the endogenous interferon ligand-receptors in type I and type II interferons response

Separate ligand-receptor paradigms are commonly used for each type of interferon (IFN). However, accumulating evidence suggests that type I and type II IFNs may not be restricted to independent pathways. Using different cell types deficient in IFNAR1, IFNAR2, IFNGR1, IFNGR2 and IFN-γ, we evaluated the contribution of each element of the IFN system to the activity of type I and type II IFNs. We show that deficiency in IFNAR1 or IFNAR2 is associated with impairment of type II IFN activity. This impairment, presumably resulting from the disruption of the ligand-receptor complex, is obtained in all cell types tested. However, deficiency of IFNGR1, IFNGR2 or IFN-γ was associated with an impairment of type I IFN activity in spleen cells only, correlating with the constitutive expression of type II IFN (IFN-γ) observed on those cells. Therefore, in vitro the constitutive expression of both the receptors and the ligands of type I or type II IFN is critical for the enhancement of the IFN activity. Any IFN deficiency can totally or partially impair IFN activity, suggesting the importance of type I and type II IFN interactions. Taken together, our results suggest that type I and type II IFNs may regulate biological activities through distinct as well as common IFN receptor complexes.

A forward phenotypically driven unbiased genetic analysis of host genes that moderate herpes simplex virus virulence and stromal keratitis in mice

Both viral and host genetics affect the outcome of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection in humans and experimental models. Little is known about specific host gene variants and molecular networks that influence herpetic disease progression, severity, and episodic reactivation. To identify such host gene variants we have initiated a forward genetic analysis using the expanded family of BXD strains, all derived from crosses between C57BL/6J and DBA/2J strains of mice. One parent is highly resistant and one highly susceptible to HSV-1. Both strains have also been fully sequenced, greatly facilitating the search for genetic modifiers that contribute to differences in HSV-1 infection. We monitored diverse disease phenotypes following infection with HSV-1 strain 17syn+ including percent mortality (herpes simplex encephalitis, HSE), body weight loss, severity of herpetic stromal keratitis (HSK), spleen weight, serum neutralizing antibody titers, and viral titers in tear films in BXD strains. A significant quantitative trait locus (QTL) on chromosome (Chr) 16 was found to associate with both percent mortality and HSK severity. Importantly, this QTL maps close to a human QTL and the gene proposed to be associated with the frequency of recurrent herpetic labialis (cold sores). This suggests that a single host locus may influence these seemingly diverse HSV-1 pathogenic phenotypes by as yet unknown mechanisms. Additional suggestive QTLs for percent mortality were identified—one on Chr X that is epistatically associated with that on Chr 16. As would be anticipated the Chr 16 QTL also modulated weight loss, reaching significance in females. A second significant QTL for maximum weight loss in male and female mice was mapped to Chr 12. To our knowledge this is the first report of a host genetic locus that modulates the severity of both herpetic disease in the nervous system and herpetic stromal keratitis.

Mice deficient in interferon-gamma or interferon-gamma receptor 1 have distinct inflammatory responses to acute viral encephalomyelitis

Interferon (IFN)-gamma is an important component of the immune response to viral infections that can have a role both in controlling virus replication and inducing inflammatory damage. To determine the role of IFN-gamma in fatal alphavirus encephalitis, we have compared the responses of wild type C57BL/6 (WTB6) mice with mice deficient in either IFN-gamma (GKO) or the alpha-chain of the IFN-gamma receptor (GRKO) after intranasal infection with a neuroadapted strain of sindbis virus. Mortalities of GKO and GRKO mice were similar to WTB6 mice. Both GKO and GRKO mice had delayed virus clearance from the brain and spinal cord, more infiltrating perforin(+) cells and lower levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-6 mRNAs than WTB6 mice. However, inflammation was more intense in GRKO mice than WTB6 or GKO mice with more infiltrating CD3(+) T cells, greater expression of major histocompatibility complex-II and higher levels of interleukin-17A mRNA. Fibroblasts from GRKO embryos did not develop an antiviral response after treatment with IFN-gamma, but showed increases in TNF-alpha, IL-6, CXCL9 and CXCL10 mRNAs although these increases developed more slowly and were less intense than those of WTB6 fibroblasts. These data indicate that both GKO and GRKO mice fail to develop an IFN-gamma-mediated antiviral response, but differ in regulation of the inflammatory response to infection. Therefore, GKO and GRKO cannot be considered equivalent when assessing the role of IFN-gamma in CNS viral infections.

Genome-wide mouse mutagenesis reveals CD45-mediated T cell function as critical in protective immunity to HSV-1

Herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) is a lethal neurological disease resulting from infection with Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV-1). Loss-of-function mutations in the UNC93B1, TLR3, TRIF, TRAF3, and TBK1 genes have been associated with a human genetic predisposition to HSE, demonstrating the UNC93B-TLR3-type I IFN pathway as critical in protective immunity to HSV-1. However, the TLR3, UNC93B1, and TRIF mutations exhibit incomplete penetrance and represent only a minority of HSE cases, perhaps reflecting the effects of additional host genetic factors. In order to identify new host genes, proteins and signaling pathways involved in HSV-1 and HSE susceptibility, we have implemented the first genome-wide mutagenesis screen in an in vivo HSV-1 infectious model. One pedigree (named P43) segregated a susceptible trait with a fully penetrant phenotype. Genetic mapping and whole exome sequencing led to the identification of the causative nonsense mutation L3X in the Receptor-type tyrosine-protein phosphatase C gene (Ptprc(L3X)), which encodes for the tyrosine phosphatase CD45. Expression of MCP1, IL-6, MMP3, MMP8, and the ICP4 viral gene were significantly increased in the brain stems of infected Ptprc(L3X) mice accounting for hyper-inflammation and pathological damages caused by viral replication. Ptprc(L3X) mutation drastically affects the early stages of thymocytes development but also the final stage of B cell maturation. Transfer of total splenocytes from heterozygous littermates into Ptprc(L3X) mice resulted in a complete HSV-1 protective effect. Furthermore, T cells were the only cell population to fully restore resistance to HSV-1 in the mutants, an effect that required both the CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells and could be attributed to function of CD4⁺ T helper 1 (Th1) cells in CD8⁺ T cell recruitment to the site of infection. Altogether, these results revealed the CD45-mediated T cell function as potentially critical for infection and viral spread to the brain, and also for subsequent HSE development.

The case for immunomodulatory approaches in treating HSV encephalitis

HSV encephalitis (HSE) is the most prevalent sporadic viral encephalitis. Although safe and effective antiviral therapies and greatly improved noninvasive diagnostic procedures have significantly improved outcomes, mortality (~20%) and debilitating neurological sequelae in survivors remain unacceptably high. An encouraging new development is that the focus is now shifting away from the virus exclusively, to include consideration of the host immune response to infection in the pathology underlying development of HSE. In this article, the authors discuss results from recent studies in experimental mouse models, as well as clinical reports that demonstrate a role for exaggerated host inflammatory responses in the brain in the development of HSE that is motivating researchers and clinicians to consider new therapeutic approaches for treating HSE. The authors also discuss results from a few studies that have shown that immunomodulatory drugs can be highly protective against HSE, which supports a role for deleterious host inflammatory responses in HSE. The impressive outcomes of some immunomodulatory approaches in mouse models of HSE emphasize the urgent need for clinical trials to rigorously evaluate combination antiviral and immunomodulatory therapy in comparison with standard antiviral therapy for treatment of HSE, and support for such an initiative is gaining momentum.

Microglia and a functional type I IFN pathway are required to counter HSV-1-driven brain lateral ventricle enlargement and encephalitis

HSV-1 is the leading cause of sporadic viral encephalitis, with mortality rates approaching 30% despite treatment with the antiviral drug of choice, acyclovir. Permanent neurologic deficits are common in patients that survive, but the mechanism leading to this pathology is poorly understood, impeding clinical advancements in treatment to reduce CNS morbidity. Using magnetic resonance imaging and type I IFN receptor-deficient mouse chimeras, we demonstrate HSV-1 gains access to the murine brain stem and subsequently brain ependymal cells, leading to enlargement of the cerebral lateral ventricle and infection of the brain parenchyma. A similar enlargement in the lateral ventricles is found in a subpopulation of herpes simplex encephalitic patients. Associated with encephalitis is an increase in CXCL1 and CXCL10 levels in the cerebral spinal fluid, TNF-α expression in the ependymal region, and the influx of neutrophils of encephalitic mouse brains. Reduction in lateral ventricle enlargement using anti-secretory factor peptide 16 reduces mortality significantly in HSV-1-infected mice without any effect on expression of inflammatory mediators, infiltration of leukocytes, or changes in viral titer. Microglial cells but not infiltrating leukocytes or other resident glial cells or neurons are the principal source of resistance in the CNS during the first 5 d postinfection through a Toll/IL-1R domain-containing adapter inducing IFN-β-dependent, type I IFN pathway. Our results implicate lateral ventricle enlargement as a major cause of mortality in mice and speculate such an event transpires in a subpopulation of human HSV encephalitic patients.

Experience of the combined therapy of anogenital (veneral) warts

The article covers issues of ethiology and pathogenesis of papilloma viral infection, modern perceptions of the role of immune mechanisms in the development of the infection process. Were submitted results of the comparative clinical research for the study of efficiency and safety of Ingaron substance (γ-interferon) in the comprehensive therapy of the anogenital papilloma viral infection.

Increased protection from vaccinia virus infection in mice genetically prone to lymphoproliferative disorders

Mutations in the genes that encode Fas or Fas ligand (FasL) can result in poor restraints on lymphocyte activation and in increased susceptibility to autoimmune disorders. Because these mutations portend a continuously activated immune state, we hypothesized that they might in some cases confer resistance to infection. To examine this possibility, the immune response to, morbidity caused by, and clearance of vaccinia virus (VACV) Western Reserve was examined in 5- to 7-week-old Fas mutant (lpr) mice, before an overt lymphoproliferative disorder was observable. On day 6 after VACV infection, C57BL/6-lpr (B6-lpr) mice had decreased morbidity, decreased viral titers, and an increased percentage and number of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells. As early as day 2 after infection, B6-lpr mice had decreased liver and spleen viral titers and increased numbers of and increased gamma interferon (IFN-γ) production by several different effector cell populations. Depletion of individual effector cell subsets did not inhibit the resistance of B6-lpr mice. Uninfected B6-lpr mice also had increased numbers of NK cells, γδ(+) T cells, and CD44(+) CD4(+) and CD44(+) CD8(+) T cells compared to uninfected B6 mice. Antibody to IFN-γ resulted in increased virus load in both B6 and B6-lpr mice and eliminated the differences in viral titers between them. These results suggest that IFN-γ produced by multiple activated leukocyte populations in Fas-deficient hosts enhances resistance to some viral infections.

Immunodominant "asymptomatic" herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 protein antigens identified by probing whole-ORFome microarrays with serum antibodies from seropositive asymptomatic versus symptomatic individuals

Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) and HSV-2 are medically significant pathogens. The development of an effective HSV vaccine remains a global public health priority. HSV-1 and HSV-2 immunodominant "asymptomatic" antigens (ID-A-Ags), which are strongly recognized by B and T cells from seropositive healthy asymptomatic individuals, may be critical to be included in an effective immunotherapeutic HSV vaccine. In contrast, immunodominant "symptomatic" antigens (ID-S-Ags) may exacerbate herpetic disease and therefore must be excluded from any HSV vaccine. In the present study, proteome microarrays of 88 HSV-1 and 84 HSV-2 open reading frames(ORFs) (ORFomes) were constructed and probed with sera from 32 HSV-1-, 6 HSV-2-, and 5 HSV-1/HSV-2-seropositive individuals and 47 seronegative healthy individuals (negative controls). The proteins detected in both HSV-1 and HSV-2 proteome microarrays were further classified according to their recognition by sera from HSV-seropositive clinically defined symptomatic (n = 10) and asymptomatic (n = 10) individuals. We found that (i) serum antibodies recognized an average of 6 ORFs per seropositive individual; (ii) the antibody responses to HSV antigens were diverse among HSV-1- and HSV-2-seropositive individuals; (iii) panels of 21 and 30 immunodominant antigens (ID-Ags) were identified from the HSV-1 and HSV-2 ORFomes, respectively, as being highly and frequently recognized by serum antibodies from seropositive individuals; and (iv) interestingly, four HSV-1 and HSV-2 cross-reactive asymptomatic ID-A-Ags, US4, US11, UL30, and UL42, were strongly and frequently recognized by sera from 10 of 10 asymptomatic patients but not by sera from 10 of 10 symptomatic patients (P < 0.001). In contrast, sera from symptomatic patients preferentially recognized the US10 ID-S-Ag (P < 0.001). We have identified previously unreported immunodominant HSV antigens, among which were 4 ID-A-Ags and 1 ID-S-Ag. These newly identified ID-A-Ags could lead to the development of an efficient "asymptomatic" vaccine against ocular, orofacial, and genital herpes.

Interferon-gamma, macrophages, and virus spread after HSV-1 injection

PURPOSE

After uniocular anterior chamber (AC) injection of HSV-1, the anterior segment of BALB/c mice becomes inflamed and infected; however, virus does not spread from the anterior segment to cause retinitis in the injected eye. The purpose of these studies was to determine whether interferon (IFN-)-γ and Mac-1(+) cells play a role in preventing direct anterior-to-posterior spread of HSV-1 in the injected eye.

METHODS

One AC of adult female BALB/c mice was injected with HSV-1 (KOS). The location of IFN-α, IFN-β, and IFN-γ in the injected eye was determined by immunofluorescence, and mRNA expression was quantified by qPCR. Injected eyes of IFN-γ knockout or clodronate-treated macrophage-depleted mice were examined to determine whether the absence of IFN-γ or Mac-1(+) macrophages affected the sites or timing of virus spread.

RESULTS

IFN-α, IFN-β, and IFN-γ were observed in the anterior segment of injected eyes through 72 hours and mRNA levels of IFN-β and IFN-γ were increased in virus-infected eyes 48 to 120 hours after infection. However, the absence of IFN-γ or macrophages did not affect either the sites or the timing of HSV-1 infection in injected eyes.

CONCLUSIONS

Protection of the retina of the injected eye does not depend on a single cell type or cytokine. In addition, in the eye, as in other sites of the body, there are redundancies in the innate response to virus infection.

Disruption of MyD88 signaling suppresses hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in mice

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare inflammatory disorder with a poor prognosis for affected individuals. To find a means of suppressing the clinical phenotype, we investigated the cellular and molecular mechanisms leading to HLH in Unc13d(jinx/jinx) mice, in which cytolytic function of NK and CD8(+) T cells is impaired. Unc13d(jinx/jinx) mutants infected with lymphochoriomeningitis virus (LCMV) present typical clinical features of HLH, including splenomegaly, elevated serum IFNγ, and anemia. Proteins mediating cell-cell contact, cytokine signaling or Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling were analyzed. We show that neither the integrin CD18, which is involved in adhesion between antigen-presenting cells and effector T cells, nor tumor necrosis factor (TNF) made nonredundant contributions to the disease phenotype. Disruption of IFNγ signaling reduced immune cell activation in Unc13d(jinx/jinx) mice, but also resulted in uncontrolled viral proliferation and exaggerated release of inflammatory cytokines. Abrogating the function of myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88) in Unc13d(jinx/jinx) mice suppressed immune cell activation and controlled cytokine production in an IL-1 receptor 1 (IL-1R1)-independent way. Our findings implicate MyD88 as the key initiator of myeloid and lymphoid proliferation in HLH, and suggest that blockade of this signaling molecule may reduce immunopathology in patients.

New potential of the complex therapy of anogenital papilloma viral infection

The article covers issues of etiology and pathogenesis of papilloma viral infection as well as current concepts of the role of immune mechanisms in the development of an infectious process. It also presents the results of a comparative clinical study of the efficacy and safety of Ingaron (γ-interferon) in the complex therapy of anogenital papilloma viral infection.

Genomic structure and characterization of mRNA expression pattern of porcine interferon gamma receptor 1 gene

Interferon gamma receptor (IFNGR) plays an important role in the biological effects of IFN-γ. In this study, porcine IFNGR1 cDNA was cloned and two transcripts both having a coding region of 1413 bp were identified. Porcine IFNGR1 cDNA shares 62.95%, 63.73%, 72.90% and 81.10% identity in nucleotide sequence; and 45.64%, 46.69%, 58.04% and 72.55% homology in amino acid sequence to those of rat, mouse, human and cattle, respectively. The porcine IFNGR1 genomic structure consists of seven exons and six introns and is located on porcine chromosome 1. The mRNA expression of porcine IFNGR1 gene is detected in all tissues examined, with strong expression in spleen and liver tissues and weak expression in cerebrum, cerebellum and uterus tissues, respectively. A different developmental pattern in IFNGR1 mRNA expression between Laiwu and Duroc breeds was revealed by real-time quantitative RT-PCR: in Duroc pigs, a significantly higher expression was found in the tissues of heart (P<0.05), liver (P<0.01), kidney (P<0.01) and skeletal muscle (P<0.05) of adult pigs compared to piglets. In porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV)-infected Dapulian pigs, compared to the uninfected ones, the expression level of IFNGR1 mRNA in spleen was significantly up-regulated (P<0.05), whereas its expression in the lymph node was significantly down-regulated (P<0.05); in PRRSV-infected Duroc × Yorkshire × Landrace commercial pigs, however, the differences both in spleen and lymph node tissues were not significant.

Host responses to herpes simplex virus and herpes simplex virus vectors

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a well-known, ubiquitous pathogen of humans. Engineered mutants of HSV can also be exploited as vectors in gene therapy or for virotherapy of tumors. HSV has multiple abilities to evade and modulate the innate and adaptive responses of the host. The increasing knowledge on the mutual interactions of the invading HSV with the host defenses will contribute to our deeper understanding of the relationship between HSV and the host, and thereby lead to future development of more effective and specific HSV vectors for treatment of human diseases. The future advances of HSV vaccines and vaccine vectors are based on the knowlegde of the complex interplay between HSV and the host defenses.

Kinetics of serum cytokines after primary or repeat vaccination with the smallpox vaccine

BACKGROUND

The smallpox vaccine is associated with more serious adverse events than any other live attenuated vaccine in use today. Although studies have examined serum cytokine levels in primary vaccine recipients at 1 and 3-5 weeks after vaccination with the smallpox vaccine, serial measurements have not been performed, and studies in revaccinated subjects have not been conducted.

METHODS

We analyzed cytokine responses in both primary vaccine recipients and revaccinated subjects every other day for 2 weeks after vaccination.

RESULTS

Primary vaccine recipients had maximal levels of granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor on days 6-7 after vaccination; peak levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, soluble TNF receptor 1, interferon (IFN)-gamma, IFN-inducible protein-10 (IP-10), interleukin (IL)-6, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 on days 8-9 after vaccination; peak levels of soluble TNF receptor 2 and monokine induced by IFN-gamma (MIG) on days 10-11 after vaccination; and peak levels of granulocyte-macrophage-colony-stimulating factor on days 12-13 after vaccination. Primary vaccine recipients were significantly more likely to have higher peak levels of IFN-gamma, IP-10, and MIG after vaccination than were revaccinated subjects. Primary vaccine recipients were significantly more likely to have fatigue, lymphadenopathy, and headache, as well as a longer duration of these symptoms and more hours missed from work, compared with revaccinated subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

The increased frequency and duration of symptoms observed in primary vaccine recipients, compared with revaccinated subjects, paralleled the increases in serum cytokine levels in these individuals.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT00325975.

Innate and adaptive immune responses to herpes simplex virus

Immune responses against HSV-1 and HSV-2 are complex and involve a delicate interplay between innate signaling pathways and adaptive immune responses. The innate response to HSV involves the induction of type I IFN, whose role in protection against disease is well characterized in vitro and in vivo. Cell types such as NK cells and pDCs contribute to innate anti-HSV responses in vivo. Finally, the adaptive response includes both humoral and cellular components that play important roles in antiviral control and latency. This review summarizes the innate and adaptive effectors that contribute to susceptibility, immune control and pathogenesis of HSV, and highlights the delicate interplay between these two important arms of immunity.

Resistance to vaccinia virus is less dependent on TNF under conditions of heterologous immunity

TNF has been shown to be important for controlling many pathogens. Here, we directly demonstrate using wild-type TNF(-/-) and TNFR1(-/-) mice that TNF does play a role in protection against vaccinia virus (VV) infection in naive mice. Since VV replication is also partially controlled in lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV)-immune C57BL/6J mice through the process of heterologous immunity, we questioned whether TNF was required in mediating this protection. VV-infected LCMV-immune mice that were TNF-deficient as a consequence of genetic deletion or receptor blockade demonstrated normal recruitment and selective expansion of cross-reactive LCMV-specific memory CD8 T cells and controlled VV infection similar to LCMV-immune mice having TNF function. This indicates that neither TNF nor lymphotoxin, which uses the same receptor, was required in mediating protective heterologous immunity against VV. Indeed, prior immunity to LCMV made the role of TNF in protection against VV infection much less important, even under conditions of lethal dose inoculum. Thus, heterologous immunity may help explain why treatment of patients with anti-TNF compounds is reasonably well tolerated with relatively few infectious complications.

Evasion of the mucosal innate immune system by herpes simplex virus type 2

Understanding the mechanisms by which herpes simplex virus (HSV) evades host immune defenses is critical to defining new approaches for therapy and prevention. We performed transcriptional analyses and immunocytochemistry on sequential biopsy specimens of lesional tissue from the acute through the posthealing phases of recurrent mucocutaneous HSV-2 infection. Histological analysis of these biopsy specimens during the acute stage revealed a massive infiltration of T cells, as well as monocytes/macrophages, a large amount of myeloid, and a small number of plasmacytoid dendritic cells, in the dermis of these lesional biopsy specimens. Type I interferon (IFN-beta and IFN-alpha) was poorly expressed and gamma IFN (IFN-gamma) potently induced during time periods in which we detected abundant amounts of HSV-2 antigens and HSV-2 RNA. IFN-stimulated genes were also markedly upregulated, with expression patterns that more closely matched those in primary human fibroblasts treated by IFN-gamma than those in fibroblasts treated by IFN-beta. Transcriptional arrays of the same lesional biopsy sites during healing and at 2 and 4 weeks posthealing revealed no HSV nucleic acids or antigen; however, there was persistent expression of IFN-gamma, with very low levels of IFN-beta and IFN-alpha. The findings of extremely low levels of IFN-alpha and IFN-beta, despite the presence of a large number of cells capable of synthesizing these substances, suggest a potent alteration in host defense during HSV-2 infection in vivo. HSV-2's blockade of the innate immune system's production of type I IFN may be a major factor in allowing the virus to break through host mucosal defenses.

Infiltrating cells and IFNgamma production in the injected eye after uniocular anterior chamber inoculation of HSV-1

PURPOSE

After uniocular anterior chamber (AC) inoculation with HSV-1, the anterior segment of the injected eye becomes inflamed and infected; however, virus does not spread from the anterior segment and infect the retina of the injected eye. The purpose of this study was to identify early infiltrating cells and to determine whether infiltrating cells produce interferon (IFN)gamma.

METHODS

Euthymic, female, BALB/c mice were injected in one AC with 3 x 10(4) PFU of HSV-1 (KOS) in a volume of 2 microL. Mice from each group were killed at 12, 24, 36, 48, and 72 hours post injection (pi), the eyes were enucleated, and frozen sections were stained with antibodies specific for IFNgamma, Mac-1 (CD11b), CD49b, F4/80, CD4, CD8, and CD11c. The same antibodies were also used to stain single-cell suspensions of ocular cells for flow cytometry.

RESULTS

In the anterior segment of the injected eye, the ciliary body, and iris were virus infected and inflamed, and infiltrating cells increased throughout the period of observation. Mac-1(+), CD49b(+), and F4/80(+) cells colocalized with IFNgamma in the anterior segment as early as 12 hours pi, and the percentage of Mac-1(+) cells increased in the injected eye beginning at 24 hours pi and continued to 72 hours pi.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, these results demonstrate that Mac-1(+) cells are important IFNgamma-producing cells in the injected eye before day 3 and suggest that the IFNgamma produced by these cells is involved in inhibition of anterior to posterior spread of virus in the injected eye.

An increase in herpes simplex virus type 1 in the anterior segment of the eye is linked to a deficiency in NK cell infiltration in mice deficient in CXCR3

In response to ocular herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection in mice, a rapid induction or increase in the local expression of chemokines, including CXCL10, is found. The present study investigated the role of the receptor for CXCL10, CXCR3, in the host response to corneal HSV-1 infection. Mice deficient in CXCR3 (CXCR3(-/-)) were found to have an increase in infectious virus in the anterior segment of the eye by day 7 postinfection. Coinciding with the increase, selective chemokines, including CCL2, CCL3, CCL5, CXCL9, and CXCL10, were elevated in the anterior segment of the HSV-1-infected CXCR3(-/-) mice. In contrast, there was a time-dependent reduction in the recruitment of natural killer (NK) cells (NK1.1(+)CD3(-)) into the anterior segment of CXCR3(-/-) mice. A reduction in NK cells residing in the anterior segment of mice following antiasialoGM1 antibody treatment resulted in an increase in infectious virus. No other leukocyte populations infiltrating the tissue were modified in the absence of CXCR3. Collectively, the loss of CXCR3 expression specifically reduces NK cell mobilization into the cornea in response to HSV-1.

Interferon gamma is not required for recurrent herpetic stromal keratitis

The role that interferon-gamma (IFNgamma) plays during herpetic stromal keratitis (HSK) has not been definitively determined. In primary HSK most reports suggest that IFNgamma may help control viral replication and contribute to corneal pathology. However, its role in recurrent HSK has not been directly addressed. The present study addresses its role in recurrent HSK by comparing HSK in latently infected normal and IFNgamma gene knockout (GKO) on the C57BL/6 background. We initially evaluated HSK following primary infection and observed that GKO mice had higher tear film virus titers, but virtually identical ocular disease as normal mice. In contrast, following reactivation of latent virus, GKO mice had a greater incidence and severity of opacity, neovascularization, and blepharitis. Interestingly, the incidence of reactivation after UV-B exposure was equivalent in GKO and normal mice, but virus shedding was increased in the GKO groups. We also observed diminished delayed-type hypersensitivity responses in GKO mice, as expected. These data indicate that IFNgamma is important for the control of virus replication in both primary and recurrent ocular HSV infection in C57BL/6 mice. The enhanced recurrent disease seen in GKO mice may be the result of increased viral titers and persistence in these mice which act to prolong the stimulation of an inflammatory response.

Genetic susceptibility to herpes simplex virus 1 encephalitis in mice and humans

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Herpes simplex encephalitis is a rare complication of herpes simplex virus 1 infection that strikes otherwise healthy individuals. Its pathogenesis has long remained elusive. We highlight the investigations dealing with the genetic basis of herpes simplex encephalitis in mice and humans.

RECENT FINDINGS

Mouse models have revealed the impact of various host genes on protective immunity to herpes simplex encephalitis through strain-dependent variability (forward genetics) and via targeted knockouts (reverse genetics). These studies established in particular the crucial role of IFNalpha/beta in immunity to herpes simplex virus 1, paving the way towards the elucidation of the genetic cause of human herpes simplex encephalitis. Two children with rare, specific STAT1 or NEMO mutations displayed a broad impairment of IFNalpha/beta and IFNlambda-mediated immunity and predisposition to several infectious diseases including herpes simplex encephalitis. In contrast, children with UNC93B1 and TLR3 mutations displayed a selective impairment of dsRNA-induced IFNalpha/beta and IFNlambda production and predisposition to isolated herpes simplex encephalitis.

SUMMARY

Herpes simplex encephalitis results from a series of monogenic primary immunodeficiencies that impair the TLR3 and UNC-93B-dependent production of IFNalpha/beta and IFNlambda in the central nervous system, at least in a fraction of children. This is not only crucial for the understanding of immunity to herpes simplex virus 1, but also for the diagnosis and treatment of herpes simplex encephalitis.

Infection of mature dendritic cells with herpes simplex virus type 1 interferes with the interferon signaling pathway

It has been shown that herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) blocks specific immune responses by various mechanisms. Cell lines infected with HSV-1 for instance show a severe impairment of the interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-induced signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) signaling pathway. Thus, we examined the influence of HSV-1 infection on IFN-gamma signal transduction in mature dendritic cells (mDCs). In this study, we report the down-regulation of the IFN-gamma receptor alpha chain (IFNGR1) at the mRNA level in HSV-1 infected mDCs. As a consequence, the expression of the IFNGR1 subunit on the cell surface of the infected cell was strongly reduced. Furthermore, we were able to show the inhibition of STAT1 phosphorylation following HSV-1 infection in mDCs, while protein levels of STAT1 remained constant. As a direct downstream effect of STAT1 phosphorylation, the activation of the transcription factor IRF-1 was also clearly inhibited and could no longer be induced by the addition of IFN-gamma. Additional experiments using a virus strain lacking the vhs gene suggested that the mutant virus is more sensitive to IFN-gamma as STAT1 signaling was inhibited to a lesser extent. Infection with a UV-inactivated, replication incompetent virus did not influence the STAT1 signaling pathway at all. In conclusion, we show that HSV-1 blocks IFN-gamma signaling in mDCs, which requires viral gene expression and involves the viral protein vhs.

Requirement for IFN-gamma, CD8+ T lymphocytes, and NKT cells in talactoferrin-induced inhibition of neu+ tumors

We have previously shown that talactoferrin-alfa (TLF), a recombinant human lactoferrin, is an immunomodulatory protein that is active against implanted tumors, both as a single agent and in combination with chemotherapy. In this study, we show that talactoferrin is active against autochthonous tumors in a transgenic mouse line, which is more analogous to human cancers, and identify key mechanistic steps involved in the anticancer activity of oral TLF. BALB/c mice transgenic for the rat neu (ErbB2) oncogene (BALB-neuT) treated with oral TLF showed a significant delay in carcinogenesis, with 60% tumor protection relative to vehicle-treated mice at week 21. Oral TLF also showed tumor growth inhibition in wild-type BALB/c mice implanted with neu(+) mammary adenocarcinoma, with one third displaying a long-lasting or complete response. Oral TLF induces an increase in intestinal mucosal IFN-gamma production and an increase in Peyer's patch cellularity, including expansion of CD8(+) T lymphocytes and NKT cells, and the enhancement of CD8(+) T-cell cytotoxicity. In IFN-gamma knockout mice, there is an absence of the TLF-induced Peyer's patch cellularity, no expansion of CD8(+) T lymphocytes and NKT cells, and loss of TLF anticancer activity. TLF antitumor activity is also lost in mice depleted of CD8(+) T cells and in CD1 knockout mice, which lack NKT activity. Thus, the inhibition of distant tumors by oral TLF seems to be mediated by an IFN-gamma-dependent enhancement of CD8(+) T- and NKT cell activity initiated within the intestinal mucosa.

Rates of reactivation of latent herpes simplex virus from mouse trigeminal ganglia ex vivo correlate directly with viral load and inversely with number of infiltrating CD8+ T cells

Herpes simplex viruses (HSV) reactivate at rates proportional to the viral loads in latently infected ganglia. However, these rates vary substantially among infected animals. We assessed whether the numbers of HSV-specific CD8(+) T cells infiltrating latently infected ganglia also affect reactivation rates and contribute to their variability. Following corneal infection of mice with HSV type 2 (HSV-2), we quantified the latent viral loads in dissociated trigeminal ganglia by real-time PCR, the numbers of infiltrating CD8(+) T cells by flow cytometry, and the rates of reactivation by the detection of cell-free virus released from ganglion cells cultured in 96-well plates. The reactivation rates correlated directly with the latent viral loads (P = 0.001) but did so more strongly (P = 10(-7)) when cultures were depleted of CD8(+) T cells. Reactivation rates were reduced in a dose-dependent fashion by adding back ganglion CD8(+) T cells to the cultures (P = 0.003). We related the latent viral loads, numbers of CD8(+) T cells, and reactivation rates by mathematical equations. The rates of reactivation predicted from latent viral loads and numbers of infiltrating CD8(+) T cells in dissociated ganglia correlated with the observed rates of reactivation (P = 0.04). The reactivation of HSV-2 from ganglia ex vivo is determined both by the latent viral load and the number of infiltrating CD8(+) T cells.

Brn-3a suppresses pseudorabies virus-induced cell death in sensory neurons

Sensory neurons of the trigeminal ganglion (TG) are of crucial importance in the pathogenesis of many alphaherpesviruses, constituting major target cells for latency and reactivation events. We showed earlier that a subpopulation of porcine TG neurons, in contrast to other porcine cell types, is highly resistant to cell death induced by infection with the porcine alphaherpesvirus pseudorabies virus (PRV). Here, we report that expression of Brn-3a, a neuron-specific transcription factor implicated in cell survival of sensory neurons, correlates with the increased resistance of TG neurons towards PRV-induced cell death. In addition, overexpression of Brn-3a in the sensory neuronal cell line ND7 markedly increased resistance of these cells to PRV-induced cell death. Hence, Brn-3a may play a hitherto uncharacterized role in protection of sensory neurons from alphaherpesvirus-induced cell death, which may have implications for different aspects of the alphaherpesvirus life cycle, including latency/reactivation events.

Correlation between the nature of immunity induced by different immunogens and the establishment of latent infection by wild-type pseudorabies virus

To assess the correlation between the nature of immunity induced by different types of immunogens and the establishment of latent infection by wild-type pseudorabies virus (PrV), we used a murine model immunized with different immunogens, the PrV modified live vaccine (MLV), inactivated vaccine (IAV), and commercial oil-adjuvant subunit vaccine (OSV), via either intranasal (i.n.) or intramuscular (i.m.) route. Both MLV and IAV induced a different nature of immunity biased to Th1- and Th2-type, respectively, as judged by the ratio of PrV-specific IgG isotypes (IgG2a/IgG1) and the profile of cytokine IL-2, IL-4, and IFN-gamma production. In contrast, the OSV induced a lower isotype IgG2a to IgG1 ratio and higher level of IL-2 production. The MLV (inducing Th1-type) provided more effective protection against a virulent wild-type PrV challenge than IAV and OSV (inducing Th2- and mixed type, respectively). In addition, the MLV impeded the establishment of a latent infection with wild-type PrV, and the decrease in the PrV latency load by immunization with the MLV appeared to be mediated by the immune T-cells. These results demonstrate the substantial role of the immune responses driven by preceding vaccination in modulating the establishment of PrV latency caused by the post-infection of a field virus.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) protects resistant C57BL/6 mice against herpes simplex virus-induced encephalitis independently of signaling via TNF receptor 1 or 2

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a multifunctional cytokine that has a role in induction and regulation of host innate and adaptive immune responses. The importance of TNF antiviral mechanisms is reflected by the diverse strategies adopted by different viruses, particularly members of the herpesvirus family, to block TNF responses. TNF binds and signals through two receptors, Tnfrsf1a (TNF receptor 1 [TNFR1], or p55) and Tnfrsf1b (TNFR2, or p75). We report here that herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) infection of TNF-/- mice on the resistant C57BL/6 genetic background results in significantly increased susceptibility (P < 0.0001, log rank test) to fatal HSV encephalitis (HSE) and prolonged persistence of elevated levels of virus in neural tissues. In contrast, although virus titers in neural tissues of p55-/- N13 mice were elevated to levels comparable to what was found for the TNF-/- mice, the p55-/- N13 mice were as resistant as control C57BL/6 mice (P > 0.05). The incidence of fatal HSE was significantly increased by in vivo neutralization of TNF using soluble TNFR1 (sTNFR1) or depletion of macrophages in C57BL/6 mice (P = 0.0038 and P = 0.0071, respectively). Strikingly, in vivo neutralization of TNF in HSV-1-infected p55-/- p75-/- mice by use of three independent approaches (treatment with soluble p55 receptor, anti-TNF monoclonal antibody, or in vivo small interfering RNA against TNF) resulted in significantly increased mortality rates (P = 0.005), comparable in magnitude to those for C57BL/6 mice treated with sTNFR1 (P = 0.0018). Overall, these results indicate that while TNF is required for resistance to fatal HSE, both p55 and p75 receptors are dispensable. Precisely how TNF mediates protection against HSV-1 mortality in p55-/- p75-/- mice remains to be determined.

Early resolution of herpes simplex virus type 2 infection of the murine genital tract involves stimulation of genital parenchymal cells by gamma interferon

Early clearance of a thymidine kinase-deficient strain of herpes simplex virus type 2 from the female genital tract required T-cell-produced gamma interferon (IFN-gamma). Transfer of activated CD8+ T cells to irradiated C57BL/6 mice resulted in rapid virus clearance, but clearance was greatly delayed in recipients deficient in the IFN-gamma receptor (IFN-gammaR). Early virus clearance was demonstrated in radiation chimeras in which IFN-gammaR expression was limited to parenchymal cells, but resolution was significantly delayed in chimeras deficient in IFN-gammaR expression and chimeras expressing IFN-gammaR only on hematopoietic cells. Together, these results suggest that early IFN-gamma-mediated protection was manifested mainly by stimulation of genital parenchymal cells.

Attenuation of a vaccine strain of vaccinia virus via inactivation of interferon viroceptor

BACKGROUND

Interferons (IFNs) play an important role in host antiviral responses, but viruses, including vaccinia viruses (VV), employ mechanisms to disrupt IFN activities, and these viral mechanisms are often associated with their virulence. Here, we explore an attenuation strategy with a vaccine strain of VV lacking a virus-encoded IFN-gamma receptor homolog (viroceptor).

METHODS

To facilitate the monitoring of virus properties, first we constructed a Lister vaccine strain derivative VV-RG expressing optical reporters. Further, we constructed a VV-RG derivative, VV-RG8, which lacks the IFN-gammaR viroceptor (B8R gene product). Replication, immunological and pathogenic properties of the constructed strains were compared.

RESULTS

Viruses did not show significant differences in humoral and cellular immune responses of immune-competent mice. Replication of constructed viruses was efficient both in vitro and in vivo, but showed marked difference in kinetics of propagation. In cultured CV-1 epithelial cells, the VV-RG8 strain retained the propagation potential of the parental virus, while, in the C6 glial cells, significant delay was observed in the kinetics of the VV-RG8 replication cycle compared to VV-RG. The pathogenesis of the viruses was tested by survival assay and biodistribution in nude mice. High dose inoculation of nude mice with VV-RG8 caused less pronounced virus dissemination, improved weight gain, and increased survival rate, as compared with the VV-RG strain.

CONCLUSIONS

The replication-competent virus VV-RG8 carrying a mutation at the B8R gene is less pathogenic for mice than the parental vaccine virus. We anticipate that step-wise inactivation of VV vaccine genes involved in evasion of host immune response may provide an alternative approach for generation of hyper-attenuated replication-competent vaccines.

NK cells contribute to the early clearance of HSV-1 from the lung but cannot control replication in the central nervous system following intranasal infection

While infection of the respiratory tract with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) can have severe clinical complications, little is known of the immune mechanisms that control both the replication and spread of HSV-1 in this site. To better understand the contribution of innate immunity and in particular natural killer (NK) cells to the control of infection at this site, we have utilized a mouse model of intranasal HSV-1 infection. NK cell numbers increased in the lung following intranasal infection and they produced IFN-gamma and acquired an enhanced cytotoxic capacity. While depletion of NK cells resulted in increased HSV-1 titres in the lung, the time taken to clear the virus was unaffected. Interestingly, HSV-1 was also effectively cleared from the lungs of RAG-1-/- mice that lack both B and T cells. However, RAG-1-/- mice could not control the spread of virus to the central nervous system and its subsequent replication in the brain. Together, these data demonstrate that NK cells are recruited, activated and contribute to early protection of the lung during acute HSV-1 infection of the respiratory tract, but in the absence of adaptive immunity are unable to control the replication and spread of virus in the nervous system.

The herpes simplex virus type 1 locus that encodes the latency-associated transcript enhances the frequency of encephalitis in male BALB/c mice

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is the leading cause of virus-induced encephalitis; however, the viral genes that regulate encephalitis have not been well characterized. In this study, we tested whether the LAT (latency-associated transcript) locus regulates the frequency of encephalitis in male or female mice. Male BALB/c mice are more susceptible to HSV-1-induced encephalitis than age-matched female BALB/c mice. Deletion of LAT coding sequences reduced the frequency of encephalitis. A recombinant virus containing the first 1.5 kb of the LAT coding sequence induces levels of encephalitis in male BALB/c mice similar to those induced by wild-type HSV-1.

Clearance of herpes simplex virus type 2 by CD8+ T cells requires gamma interferon and either perforin- or Fas-mediated cytolytic mechanisms

The T-cell-mediated resolution of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) genital infections is not fully understood. In these studies, the mechanisms by which CD8+ T cells clear virus from the genital epithelium were examined. Ovalbumin (OVA)-specific CD8+ T cells from OT-I transgenic mice cleared a thymidine kinase-deficient, ovalbumin-expressing HSV-2 virus (HSV-2 tk- OVA) from the genital epithelium of recipient mice, and clearance was abrogated by in vivo neutralization of gamma interferon (IFN-gamma). Further, CD8+ OT-I T cells deficient in IFN-gamma were unable to clear HSV-2 tk- OVA from the vaginal epithelium. The requirement for cytolytic mechanisms in HSV-2 tk- OVA clearance was tested in radiation chimeras by adoptive transfer of wild-type or perforin-deficient OT-I T cells to irradiated Fas-defective or wild-type recipients. Although a dramatic decrease in viral load was observed early after challenge with HSV-2 tk- OVA, full resolution of the infection was not achieved in recipients lacking both perforin- and Fas-mediated cytolytic pathways. These results suggest that IFN-gamma was responsible for an early rapid decrease in HSV-2 virus titer. However, either perforin- or Fas-mediated cytolytic mechanisms were required to achieve complete clearance of HSV-2 from the genital epithelium.

Re-evaluating the role of natural killer cells in innate resistance to herpes simplex virus type 1

Background

Interferon-γ acts to multiply the potency with which innate interferons (α/β) suppress herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) replication. Recent evidence suggests that this interaction is functionally relevant in host defense against HSV-1. However, it is not clear which WBCs of the innate immune system, if any, limit HSV-1 spread in an IFN-γ dependent manner. The current study was initiated to determine if natural killer (NK) cells provide innate resistance to HSV-1 infection, and if so to determine if this resistance is IFN-γ-dependent.

Results

Lymphocyte-deficient scid or rag2^-/- mice were used to test four predictions of the central hypothesis, and thus determine if innate resistance to HSV-1 is dependent on 1. NK cell cytotoxicity, 2. NK cells, 3. WBCs, or 4. the IFN-activated transcription factor, Stat 1. Loss of NK cell cytotoxic function or depletion of NK cells had no effect on the progression of HSV-1 infection in scid mice. In contrast, viral spread and pathogenesis developed much more rapidly in scid mice depleted of WBCs. Likewise, loss of Stat 1 function profoundly impaired the innate resistance of rag2^-/- mice to HSV-1.

Conclusion

Lymphocyte-deficient mice possess a very tangible innate resistance to HSV-1 infection, but this resistance is not dependent upon NK cells.

Vaccinia virus infection and gene transduction in cultured neurons

The study of neurons in culture would benefit from the development of a gene transduction system capable of delivering foreign genes at high efficiency, as transduction of primary neurons with existing systems is inefficient. The efficacy of lytic vaccinia virus (VV) infection of primary retinal cultures and PC12 cells (a model of neuronal differentiation) was examined in order to determine the efficiency of gene transduction using VV in neuronal primary culture. VV was able to infect retinal cells and PC12 cells and express transgenes of Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase (lacZ) and epithelial fatty acid binding protein (E-FABP) in a virus dose-dependent manner. Most (50-100%) of the retinal cells were positive for transgene protein at multiplicities of infection (MOI) between 10 and 100 plaque-forming units (PFU), while over 50% of VV-infected PC12 cells expressed the virus encoded gene at an MOI = 10. The production of foreign mRNA and protein by VV following infection was verified by PCR and Western blot. Because VV is a lytic virus, cytopathic effects were examined. Retinal cultures maintained for 0.5 days in vitro showed greater than 90% survival at 24 h post-infection, while 14-day cultures were equally viable for 48 h. Retinal ganglion cells and differentiated PC12 cells appear to be more protected against lytic VV infection than proliferating glial and undifferentiated PC12 cells. These data suggest that VV may be a useful vector for delivering foreign genes to neuronal cells with an efficient transient transgene expression.

Development and migration of protective CD8+ T cells into the nervous system following ocular herpes simplex virus-1 infection

After infection of epithelial surfaces, HSV-1 elicits a multifaceted antiviral response that controls the virus and limits it to latency in sensory ganglia. That response encompasses the CD8(+) T cells, whose precise role(s) is still being defined; immune surveillance in the ganglia and control of viral spread to the brain were proposed as the key roles. We tracked the kinetics of the CD8(+) T cell response across lymphoid and extralymphoid tissues after ocular infection. HSV-1-specific CD8(+) T cells first appeared in the draining (submandibular) lymph node on day 5 and were detectable in both nondraining lymphoid and extralymphoid tissues starting on day 6. However, although lymphoid organs contained both resting (CD43(low)CFSE(high)) and virus-specific cells at different stages of proliferation and activation, extralymphoid sites (eye, trigeminal ganglion, and brain) contained only activated cells that underwent more than eight proliferations (CD43(high)CFSE(neg)) and promptly secreted IFN-gamma upon contact with viral Ags. Regardless of the state of activation, these cells appeared too late to prevent HSV-1 spread, which was seen in the eye (from day 1), trigeminal ganglia (from day 2), and brain (from day 3) well before the onset of a detectable CD8(+) T cell response. However, CD8(+) T cells were critical in reducing viral replication starting on day 6 and for its abrogation between days 8 and 10; CD8-deficient animals failed to control the virus, exhibited persisting high viral titers in the brain after day 6, and died of viral encephalitis between days 7 and 12. Thus, CD8(+) T cells do not control HSV-1 spread from primary to tertiary tissues, but, rather, attack the virus in infected organs and control its replication in situ.

The role of IL-12, IL-23 and IFN-gamma in immunity to viruses

IL-12, IL-23 and IFN-γ form a loop and have been thought to play a crucial role against infectious viruses, which are the prototype of “intracellular” pathogens. In the last 10 years, the generation of knock-out (KO) mice for genes that control IL-12/IL-23-dependent IFN-γ-dependent mediated immunity (STAT1, IFN-γR1, IFNγR2, IL-12p40 and IL-12Rβ1) and the identification of patients with spontaneous germline mutations in these genes has led to a re-examination of the role of these cytokines in anti-viral immunity. We here review viral infections in mice and humans with genetic defects in the IL-12/IL-23-IFN-γ axis. A comparison of the phenotypes observed in KO mice and deficient patients suggests that the human IL-12/IL-23-IFN-γ axis plays a redundant role in immunity to most viruses, whereas its mouse counterparts play a more important role against several viruses.

Interferon-gamma deficiency reveals that 129Sv mice are inherently more susceptible to Anaplasma phagocytophilum than C57BL/6 mice

Immunocompetent mice 129Sv (129) and C57BL/6 (B6) mice are similarly susceptible to Anaplasma phagocytophilum. We now show that 129 mice lacking interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) develop more severe infection with A. phagocytophilum than IFN-gamma deficient B6 mice. These data demonstrate that there is an inherent increased susceptibility of 129 mice, compared with B6 mice, to A. phagocytophilum that can only be discerned in the absence of IFN-gamma.

Mathematical analysis demonstrates that interferons-beta and -gamma interact in a multiplicative manner to disrupt herpes simplex virus replication

Several studies suggest that the innate interferons (IFNs), IFN-alpha and IFN-beta, can act in concert with IFN-gamma to synergistically inhibit the replication of cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). The significance of this observation is not yet agreed upon in large part because the nature and magnitude of the interaction between IFN-alpha/beta and IFN-gamma is not well defined. In the current study, we resolve this issue by demonstrating three points. First, the hyperbolic tangent function, tanh (x), can be used to describe the individual effects of IFN-beta or IFN-gamma on HSV-1 replication over a 320,000-fold range of IFN concentration. Second, pharmacological methods prove that IFN-beta and IFN-gamma interact in a greater-than-additive manner to inhibit HSV-1 replication. Finally, the potency with which combinations of IFN-beta and IFN-gamma inhibit HSV-1 replication is accurately predicted by multiplying the individual inhibitory effects of each cytokine. Thus, IFN-beta and IFN-gamma interact in a multiplicative manner. We infer that a primary antiviral function of IFN-gamma lies in its capacity to multiply the potency with which IFN-alpha/beta restricts HSV-1 replication in vivo. This hypothesis has important ramifications for understanding how T lymphocyte-secreted cytokines such as IFN-gamma can force herpesviruses into a latent state without destroying the neurons or leukocytes that continue to harbor these viral infections for the lifetime of the host.