ABCB1 protects bat cells from DNA damage induced by genotoxic compounds

Phylogenomic analyses unraveled the evolution of viral tolerance in bats

Bats host a range of viruses, exhibiting a coevolution process with many virus genera and a special capacity for viral tolerance. Foley et al.1 performed phylogenomic analyses for 60 bat species, finding that swarming behavior might facilitate cross-species introgression and the spread of anti-virus immunity gene loci across species.

Cutaneous Plasmacytoma with Systemic Metastases in a Cape Serotine Bat (Laephotis capensis)

Despite their relatively long life-spans, reports of neoplasia in bats are rare and are limited to a handful of cases. In this report, we describe a 2-year-old female wild Cape serotine bat (Laephotis capensis) that had been caught by a domestic cat and presented with a skin mass over the chest area. Histopathological analysis of a subsequent biopsy revealed proliferating sheets of neoplastic round cells, occasionally appearing to form packets, supported by a fine, fibrovascular stroma. Marked nuclear pleomorphism was seen, as well as a high mitotic count. Immunohistochemistry displayed positive labelling for MUM1 in the neoplastic cells. The diagnosis was extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP); a neoplasm consisting of plasma cells derived from B lymphocytes. Due to a deteriorating condition, the bat was anaesthetised, and the mass was surgically removed two weeks later. However, the bat succumbed under the anaesthetic. Histopathological examination of the mass showed the same neoplastic cell population as observed in the biopsy; in addition, there was a locally extensive infiltration of neoplastic cells in the spleen and a mild presence of neoplastic cells in circulation. This is the first report of an EMP in a bat, and we compare the findings with that seen in dogs and cats.

Aging-Associated ALKBH5-m6A Modification Exacerbates Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis Via AT-Rich Interaction Domain 2

BACKGROUND

Chemotherapy-induced cardiovascular disease is a growing concern in the elderly population who have survived cancer, yet the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. We investigated the role of ALKBH5 (AlkB homolog 5), a primary N6-methyladenosine (m6A) demethylase, and its involvement in m6A methylation-mediated regulation of targets in aging-associated doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity.

METHODS AND RESULTS

To validate the relationship between doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity and aging, we established young and old male mouse models. ALKBH5 expression was modulated through adeno-associated virus 9 (in vivo), Lentivirus, and siRNAs (in vitro) to examine its impact on cardiomyocyte m6A modification, doxorubicin-induced cardiac dysfunction, and remodeling. We performed mRNA sequencing, methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing, and molecular assays to unravel the mechanism of ALKBH5-m6A modification in doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. Our data revealed an age-dependent increase in doxorubicin-induced cardiac dysfunction, remodeling, and injury. ALKBH5 expression was elevated in aging mouse hearts, leading to reduced global m6A modification levels. Through mRNA sequencing and methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing analyses, we identified ARID2 (AT-rich interaction domain 2) as the downstream effector of ALKBH5-m6A modulation in cardiomyocytes. Further investigations revealed that ARID2 modulates DNA damage response and enhances doxorubicin-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings provide insights into the role of ALKBH5-m6A modification in modulating doxorubicin-induced cardiac dysfunction, remodeling, and cardiomyocyte apoptosis in male mice. These results highlight the potential of ALKBH5-targeted treatments for elderly patients with cancer in clinical settings.

The evolution of aging and lifespan

Aging is a nearly inescapable trait among organisms yet lifespan varies tremendously across different species and spans several orders of magnitude in vertebrates alone. This vast phenotypic diversity is driven by distinct evolutionary trajectories and tradeoffs that are reflected in patterns of diversification and constraint in organismal genomes. Age-specific impacts of selection also shape allele frequencies in populations, thus impacting disease susceptibility and environment-specific mortality risk. Further, the mutational processes that spawn this genetic diversity in both germline and somatic cells are strongly influenced by age and life history. We discuss recent advances in our understanding of the evolution of aging and lifespan at organismal, population, and cellular scales, and highlight outstanding questions that remain unanswered.

Bat ASC2 suppresses inflammasomes and ameliorates inflammatory diseases

Bats are special in their ability to live long and host many emerging viruses. Our previous studies showed that bats have altered inflammasomes, which are central players in aging and infection. However, the role of inflammasome signaling in combating inflammatory diseases remains poorly understood. Here, we report bat ASC2 as a potent negative regulator of inflammasomes. Bat ASC2 is highly expressed at both the mRNA and protein levels and is highly potent in inhibiting human and mouse inflammasomes. Transgenic expression of bat ASC2 in mice reduced the severity of peritonitis induced by gout crystals and ASC particles. Bat ASC2 also dampened inflammation induced by multiple viruses and reduced mortality of influenza A virus infection. Importantly, it also suppressed SARS-CoV-2-immune-complex-induced inflammasome activation. Four key residues were identified for the gain of function of bat ASC2. Our results demonstrate that bat ASC2 is an important negative regulator of inflammasomes with therapeutic potential in inflammatory diseases.

Overcoming ABCB1-mediated multidrug resistance by transcription factor BHLHE40

Multidrug resistance (MDR) hinders treatment efficacy in cancer therapy. One typical mechanism contributing to MDR is the overexpression of permeability-glycoprotein (P-gp) encoded by ATP-binding cassette subfamily B member 1 (ABCB1). Basic helix-loop-helix family member e40 (BHLHE40) is a well-known transcription factor that has pleiotropic effects including the regulation of cancer-related processes. However, whether BHLHE40 regulates MDR is still unknown. Chromatin immunoprecipitation-seq study revealed BHLHE40 occupancy in the promoter of ABCB1 gene. Adriamycin (ADM)-resistant human chronic myeloid leukemia cells (K562/A) and human breast cancer cells (MCF-7/A) were established. BHLHE40 expression was downregulated in the ADM-resistant cell lines. Overexpression of BHLHE40 resensitized resistant cells to ADM, promoted cell apoptosis in vitro and suppressed tumor growth in vivo, whereas BHLHE40 knockdown induced resistance to ADM in parental cells. Moreover, we found that BHLHE40 regulated drug resistance by directly binding to the ABCB1 promoter (-1605 to -1597) and inactivating its transcription. In consistence, the expression of BHLHE40 was negatively correlated with ABCB1 in various cancer cells, while positively with cancer cell chemosensitivity and better prognosis of patients with breast cancer. The study reveals the role of BHLHE40 as a transcriptional suppressor on the expression of ABCB1, major ABC transporter in chemoresistance. The findings extend the function of BHLHE40 in tumor progression and provides a novel mechanism for the reversal of multidrug resistance.

Beyond the Lab: What We Can Learn about Cancer from Wild and Domestic Animals

Cancer research has benefited immensely from the use of animal models. Several genetic tools accessible in rodent models have provided valuable insight into cellular and molecular mechanisms linked to cancer development or metastasis and various lines are available. However, at the same time, it is important to accompany these findings with those from alternative or non-model animals to offer new perspectives into the understanding of tumor development, prevention, and treatment. In this review, we first discuss animals characterized by little or no tumor development. Cancer incidence in small animals, such as the naked mole rat, blind mole rat and bats have been reported as almost negligible and tumor development may be inhibited by increased defense and repair mechanisms, altered cell cycle signaling and reduced rates of cell migration to avoid tumor microenvironments. On the other end of the size spectrum, large animals such as elephants and whales also appear to have low overall cancer rates, possibly due to gene replicates that are involved in apoptosis and therefore can inhibit uncontrolled cell cycle progression. While it is important to determine the mechanisms that lead to cancer protection in these animals, we can also take advantage of other animals that are highly susceptible to cancer, especially those which develop tumors similar to humans, such as carnivores or poultry. The use of such animals does not require the transplantation of malignant cancer cells or use of oncogenic substances as they spontaneously develop tumors of similar presentation and pathophysiology to those found in humans. For example, some tumor suppressor genes are highly conserved between humans and domestic species, and various tumors develop in similar ways or because of a common environment. These animals are therefore of great interest for broadening perspectives and techniques and for gathering information on the tumor mechanisms of certain types of cancer. Here we present a detailed review of alternative and/or non-model vertebrates, that can be used at different levels of cancer research to open new perspectives and fields of action.

Advances in anti-cancer effects and underlying mechanisms of marine algae polysaccharides

Cancer is a leading cause of death in both developing and developed countries. With the increase in the average global life expectancy, it has become a major health problem and burden for most public healthcare systems worldwide. Due to the fewer side effects of natural compounds than of chemotherapeutic drugs, increasing scientific attention is being focused on the development of anti-cancer drugs derived from natural sources. Marine algae are an interesting source of functional compounds with diverse health-promoting activities. Among these compounds, polysaccharides have attracted considerable interest for many years because of their excellent anti-cancer abilities. They improve the efficacy of conventional chemotherapeutic drugs with relatively low toxicity to normal human cells. However, there are few reviews summarising the unique anti-cancer effects and underlying mechanisms of marine algae polysaccharides (MAPs). Thus, the current review focuses on updating the advances in the discovery and evaluation of MAPs with anti-cancer properties and the elucidation of their mechanisms of action, including the signalling pathways involved. This review aims to provide a deeper understanding of the anti-cancer functions of the natural compounds derived from medicinal marine algae and thereby offer a new perspective on cancer prevention and therapy with high effectiveness and safety.

The landscape of aging

Aging is characterized by a progressive deterioration of physiological integrity, leading to impaired functional ability and ultimately increased susceptibility to death. It is a major risk factor for chronic human diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, neurological degeneration, and cancer. Therefore, the growing emphasis on “healthy aging” raises a series of important questions in life and social sciences. In recent years, there has been unprecedented progress in aging research, particularly the discovery that the rate of aging is at least partly controlled by evolutionarily conserved genetic pathways and biological processes. In an attempt to bring full-fledged understanding to both the aging process and age-associated diseases, we review the descriptive, conceptual, and interventive aspects of the landscape of aging composed of a number of layers at the cellular, tissue, organ, organ system, and organismal levels.

Biomimetic Total Synthesis of (+)-Nocardioazine B and Analogs

Nocardioazines A and B are prenylated, bioactive pyrroloindoline natural products, isolated from Nocardiopsis, with a desymmetrized cyclo-d-Trp-d-Trp DKP core. Based on our deeper biosynthetic understanding, a biomimetic total synthesis of (+)-nocardioazine B is accomplished in merely seven steps and 23.2% overall yield. This pathway accesses regio- and stereoselectively C3-isoprenylated analogs of (+)-nocardioazine B, using the same number of steps and in similar efficiency. The successful strategy mandated that the biomimetic C3-prenylation step be executed early. The use of an unprotected carboxylic acid of Trp led to high diastereoselectivity toward formation of key intermediates exo-12a, exo-12b, and exo-12c (>19:1). Evidence shows that N1-methylation causes the prenylation reaction to bifurcate away to result in a C2-normal-prenylated isomer. Nocardioazine A, possessing an isoprenoidal-epoxide bridge, inhibits P-glycoprotein (P-gp)-mediated membrane efflux, in multidrug-resistant mammalian colon cancer cells. As several P-gp inhibitors have failed due to their toxicity effects, endogenous amino-acid-derived noncytotoxic inhibitors (from the nocardioazine core) are worthy leads toward a rejuvenated strategy against resistant carcinomas. This total synthesis provides direct access to Trp-derived isoprenylated DKP natural products and their derivatives.

Mechanism-Based Sonodynamic–Chemo Combinations against Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Due to its noninvasive nature, site-confined irradiation, and high tissue penetrating capabilities, ultrasound (US)-driven sonodynamic treatment (SDT) has been proven to have broad application possibilities in neoplastic and non-neoplastic diseases. However, the inefficient buildup of sonosensitizers in the tumor site remarkably impairs SDT efficiency. The present work proposes a deep-penetrating sonochemistry nanoplatform (Pp18-lipos@SRA737&DOX, PSDL) comprising Pp18 liposomes (Pp18-lipos, Plipo), SRA737 (a CHK1 inhibitor), and doxorubicin (DOX) for the controlled formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and release of DOX and SRA737 upon US activation, therefore increasing chemotherapeutic effectiveness and boosting SDT efficacy. Therein, the antitumor activities of DOX have been attributed to its intercalation into the nucleus DNA and induction of cell apoptosis. CHK1 evolved to respond to DNA damage and repair the damage via cell cycle progression. SRA737 is a potent and orally bioavailable clinical drug candidate for inhibiting CHK1, demonstrating adjuvant anticancer effect in vitro and in vivo. It was interesting to find that SRA737 carried into Plipo@DOX could significantly alleviate G2/M cell cycle arrest and aggravate DNA double-strand injuries, resulting in significant cell death. The developed US-switchable nanosystem provides a promising strategy for augmenting sono-chemotherapy against breast cancer controllably and precisely.

Comparative transcriptomics reveals circadian and pluripotency networks as two pillars of longevity regulation

Mammals differ more than 100-fold in maximum lifespan. Here, we conducted comparative transcriptomics on 26 species with diverse lifespans. We identified thousands of genes with expression levels negatively or positively correlated with a species' maximum lifespan (Neg- or Pos-MLS genes). Neg-MLS genes are primarily involved in energy metabolism and inflammation. Pos-MLS genes show enrichment in DNA repair, microtubule organization, and RNA transport. Expression of Neg- and Pos-MLS genes is modulated by interventions, including mTOR and PI3K inhibition. Regulatory networks analysis showed that Neg-MLS genes are under circadian regulation possibly to avoid persistent high expression, whereas Pos-MLS genes are targets of master pluripotency regulators OCT4 and NANOG and are upregulated during somatic cell reprogramming. Pos-MLS genes are highly expressed during embryogenesis but significantly downregulated after birth. This work provides targets for anti-aging interventions by defining pathways correlating with longevity across mammals and uncovering circadian and pluripotency networks as central regulators of longevity.

The oncoprotein BCL6 enables solid tumor cells to evade genotoxic stress

Genotoxic agents remain the mainstay of cancer treatment. Unfortunately, the clinical benefits are often countered by a rapid tumor adaptive response. Here, we report that the oncoprotein B cell lymphoma 6 (BCL6) is a core component that confers solid tumor adaptive resistance to genotoxic stress. Multiple genotoxic agents promoted BCL6 transactivation, which was positively correlated with a weakened therapeutic efficacy and a worse clinical outcome. Mechanistically, we discovered that treatment with the genotoxic agent etoposide led to the transcriptional reprogramming of multiple pro-inflammatory cytokines, among which the interferon-α and interferon-γ responses were substantially enriched in resistant cells. Our results further revealed that the activation of interferon/signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 axis directly upregulated BCL6 expression. The increased expression of BCL6 further repressed the tumor suppressor PTEN and consequently enabled resistant cancer cell survival. Accordingly, targeted inhibition of BCL6 remarkably enhanced etoposide-triggered DNA damage and apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo. Our findings highlight the importance of BCL6 signaling in conquering solid tumor tolerance to genotoxic stress, further establishing a rationale for a combined approach with genotoxic agents and BCL6-targeted therapy.

DNA damage as indicator of the environmental vulnerability of bats in Brazil's Caatinga drylands

Brazil's Caatinga drylands is under extensive environmental deterioration, with 38% of its natural cover already lost. There is a need for a better understanding of the effects of such degradation on Caatinga's rich and singular biota. Bats form a large part of this biota, and are pointed as good bioindicators. Here, we used the micronucleus test -an easy-to-use, accessible and cost-effective in vivo approach- to detect DNA damage in cells from bats of different species and feeding habits in three protected areas in the Caatinga, comparing them with samples from an industrial sugarcane plantation. We hypothesized that environmental disturbance would reflect in DNA damage, with lower levels of damage in the less disturbed protected areas. The frequency of micronucleated cells differed significantly between sites and feeding habits (carnivores > insectivores > frugivores > nectarivores > hematophagous) but did not differ between sexes. Alarmingly, the highest levels of DNA damage were in two strictly protected areas (Seridó and Raso da Catarina Ecological Stations). Glossophaga and Anoura were the genera with more damaged cells, and had, respectively, 1.48 and 3.53 times more micronucleated cells (average of 19.33 and 22.67 cells, respectively) than individuals from the same genera from the area with least damaged cells (average of 7.80 and 5.00 cells, respectively). Our analysis is a warning call for an in-depth investigation on the effects of both genotoxic contamination and environmental stressors on bats and other species in Brazil's Caatinga, including the role that historical human-induced processes -like the intense use of agrochemicals- may have had in the region.

Parallel evolution of reduced cancer risk and tumor suppressor duplications in Xenarthra

The risk of developing cancer is correlated with body size and lifespan within species, but there is no correlation between cancer and either body size or lifespan between species indicating that large, long-lived species have evolved enhanced cancer protection mechanisms. Previously we showed that several large bodied Afrotherian lineages evolved reduced intrinsic cancer risk, particularly elephants and their extinct relatives (Proboscideans), coincident with pervasive duplication of tumor suppressor genes (Vazquez and Lynch, 2021). Unexpectedly, we also found that Xenarthrans (sloths, armadillos, and anteaters) evolved very low intrinsic cancer risk. Here, we show that: (1) several Xenarthran lineages independently evolved large bodies, long lifespans, and reduced intrinsic cancer risk; (2) the reduced cancer risk in the stem lineages of Xenarthra and Pilosa coincided with bursts of tumor suppressor gene duplications; (3) cells from sloths proliferate extremely slowly while Xenarthran cells induce apoptosis at very low doses of DNA damaging agents; and (4) the prevalence of cancer is extremely low Xenarthrans, and cancer is nearly absent from armadillos. These data implicate the duplication of tumor suppressor genes in the evolution of remarkably large body sizes and decreased cancer risk in Xenarthrans and suggest they are a remarkably cancer-resistant group of mammals.

Did Climate Change Influence the Emergence, Transmission, and Expression of the COVID-19 Pandemic?

The human race has survived many epidemics and pandemics that have emerged and reemerged throughout history. The novel coronavirus Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 is the latest pandemic and this has caused major health and socioeconomic problems in almost all communities of the world. The origin of the virus is still in dispute but most likely, the virus emerged from the bats and also may involve an intermediate host before affecting humans. Several other factors also may have affected the emergence and outcome of the infection but in this review, we make a case for a possible role of climate change. The rise in industrialization-related human activities has created a marked imbalance in the homeostasis of environmental factors such as temperature and other weather and these might even have imposed conditions for the emergence of future coronavirus cycles. An attempt is made in this review to explore the effect of ongoing climate changes and discuss if these changes had a role in facilitating the emergence, transmission, and even the expression of the COVID-19 pandemic. We surmise that pandemics will be more frequent in the future and more severely impactful unless climate changes are mitigated.

Disease Tolerance during Viral-Bacterial Co-Infections

Disease tolerance has emerged as an alternative way, in addition to host resistance, to survive viral-bacterial co-infections. Disease tolerance plays an important role not in reducing pathogen burden, but in maintaining tissue integrity and controlling organ damage. A common co-infection is the synergy observed between influenza virus and Streptococcus pneumoniae that results in superinfection and lethality. Several host cytokines and cells have shown promise in promoting tissue protection and damage control while others induce severe immunopathology leading to high levels of morbidity and mortality. The focus of this review is to describe the host cytokines and innate immune cells that mediate disease tolerance and lead to a return to host homeostasis and ultimately, survival during viral-bacterial co-infection.

Selection and stability validation of reference gene candidates for transcriptional analysis in Rousettus aegyptiacus

Bats are the only mammals capable of powered flight and their body temperature can reach up to 42 °C during flight. Additionally, bats display robust type I IFN interferon (IFN-I) responses and some species constitutively express IFN-α. Reference genes with stable expression under temperature oscillations and IFN-I release are therefore critical for normalization of quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) data in bats. The expression stability of reference genes in Rousettus aegyptiacus remains elusive, although this species is frequently used in the infection research. We selected ACTB, EEF1A1, GAPDH and PGK1 as candidate reference genes and evaluated their expression stability in various tissues and cells from this model bat species upon IFN-I treatment at 35 °C, 37 °C and 40 °C by qRT-PCR. We employed two statistical algorithms, BestKeeper and NormFinder, and found that EEF1A1 exhibited the highest expression stability under all tested conditions. ACTB and GAPDH displayed unstable expression upon temperature change and IFN-I treatment, respectively. By normalizing to EEF1A1, we uncovered that GAPDH expression was significantly induced by IFN-I in R. aegyptiacus. Our study identifies EEF1A1 as the most suitable reference gene for qRT-PCR studies upon temperature changes and IFN-I treatment and unveils the induction of GAPDH expression by IFN-I in R. aegyptiacus. These findings are pertinent to other bat species and may be relevant for non-volant mammals that show physiological fluctuations of core body temperature.

Bioinspired Brønsted Acid-Promoted Regioselective Tryptophan Isoprenylations

Tryptophan-containing isoprenoid indole alkaloid natural products are well known for their intricate structural architectures and significant biological activities. Nature employs dimethylallyl tryptophan synthases (DMATSs) or aromatic indole prenyltransferases (iPTs) to catalyze regio- and stereoselective prenylation of l-Trp. Regioselective synthetic routes that isoprenylate cyclo-Trp-Trp in a 2,5-diketopiperazine (DKP) core, in a desymmetrizing manner, are nonexistent and are highly desirable. Herein, we present an elaborate report on Brønsted acid-promoted regioselective tryptophan isoprenylation strategy, applicable to both the monomeric amino acid and its dimeric l-Trp DKP. This report outlines a method that regio- and stereoselectively increases sp3 centers of a privileged bioactive core. We report on conditions involving screening of Brønsted acids, their conjugate base as salt, solvent, temperature, and various substrates with diverse side chains. Furthermore, we extensively delineate effects on regio- and stereoselection of isoprenylation and their stereochemical confirmation via NMR experiments. Regioselectively, the C3-position undergoes normal-isoprenylation or benzylation and forms exo-ring-fused pyrroloindolines selectively. Through appropriate prenyl group migrations, we report access to the bioactive tryprostatin alkaloids, and by C3-normal-farnesylation, we access anticancer drimentines as direct targets of this method. The optimized strategy affords iso-tryprostatin B-type products and predrimentine C with 58 and 55% yields, respectively. The current work has several similarities to biosynthesis, such as-reactions can be performed on unprotected substrates, conditions that enable Brønsted acid promotion, and they are easy to perform under ambient conditions, without the need for stoichiometric levels of any transition metal or expensive ligands.

A supramolecular nanoprodrug based on a boronate ester linked curcumin complexing with water-soluble pillar[5]arene for synergistic chemotherapies

A supramolecular nanoprodrug based on the host-guest complexation of water-soluble pillar[5]arene (WP5) and a boronate ester linked curcumin (Cur) was constructed, which had dual-responsiveness towards pH and GSH, allowing the drug to be selectively released in hepatoma cells. In vitro studies revealed that the Dox-loaded WP5G-Cur nanoprodrug achieved co-delivery of Dox/Cur. The anti-cancer efficiency could be enhanced through synergistic chemotherapies of Dox/Cur.

Beyond tradition and convention: benefits of non-traditional model organisms in cancer research

Traditional laboratory model organisms are indispensable for cancer research and have provided insight into numerous mechanisms that contribute to cancer development and progression in humans. However, these models do have some limitations, most notably related to successful drug translation, because traditional model organisms are often short-lived, small-bodied, genetically homogeneous, often immunocompromised, are not exposed to natural environments shared with humans, and usually do not develop cancer spontaneously. We propose that assimilating information from a variety of long-lived, large, genetically diverse, and immunocompetent species that live in natural environments and do develop cancer spontaneously (or do not develop cancer at all) will lead to a more comprehensive understanding of human cancers. These non-traditional model organisms can also serve as sentinels for environmental risk factors that contribute to human cancers. Ultimately, expanding the range of animal models that can be used to study cancer will lead to improved insights into cancer development, progression and metastasis, tumor microenvironment, as well as improved therapies and diagnostics, and will consequently reduce the negative impacts of the wide variety of cancers afflicting humans overall.

A Potent Postentry Restriction to Primate Lentiviruses in a Yinpterochiropteran Bat

The COVID-19 pandemic suggests that bat innate immune systems are insufficiently characterized relative to the medical importance of these animals. Retroviruses, e.g., HIV-1, can be severe pathogens when they cross species barriers, and bat restrictions corresponding to retroviruses are comparatively unstudied. Here, we compared the abilities of retroviruses from three genera (Lentivirus, Gammaretrovirus, and Spumavirus) to infect cells of the large fruit-eating bat P. alecto and other mammals. We identified a major, specific postentry restriction to primate lentiviruses. HIV-1 and SIVmac are potently blocked at early life cycle steps, but nonprimate lentiviruses and foamy retroviruses are entirely unrestricted. Despite acting postentry and in a CypA-dependent manner with features reminiscent of antiretroviral factors from other mammals, this restriction was not saturable with virus-like particles and was independent of P. alecto TRIM5, TRIM21, TRIM22, TRIM34, and MX2. These results identify a novel restriction and highlight cyclophilin-capsid interactions as ancient species-specific determinants of retroviral infection.

Bats are primary reservoirs for multiple lethal human viruses, such as Ebola, Nipah, Hendra, rabies, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), Middle East respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and, most recently, SARS-CoV-2. The innate immune systems of these immensely abundant, anciently diverged mammals remain insufficiently characterized. While bat genomes contain many endogenous retroviral elements indicative of past exogenous infections, little is known about restrictions to extant retroviruses. Here, we describe a major postentry restriction in cells of the yinpterochiropteran bat Pteropus alecto. Primate lentiviruses (HIV-1, SIVmac) were potently blocked at early life cycle steps, with up to 1,000-fold decreases in infectivity. The block was specific, because nonprimate lentiviruses such as equine infectious anemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus were unimpaired, as were foamy retroviruses. Interspecies heterokaryons demonstrated a dominant block consistent with restriction of incoming viruses. Several features suggested potential TRIM5 (tripartite motif 5) or myxovirus resistance protein 2 (MX2) protein restriction, including postentry action, cyclosporine sensitivity, and reversal by capsid cyclophilin A (CypA) binding loop mutations. Viral nuclear import was significantly reduced, and this deficit was substantially rescued by cyclosporine treatment. However, saturation with HIV-1 virus-like particles did not relieve the restriction at all. P. alecto TRIM5 was inactive against HIV-1 although it blocked the gammaretrovirus N-tropic murine leukemia virus. Despite major divergence in a critical N-terminal motif required for human MX2 activity, P. alecto MX2 had anti-HIV activity. However, this did not quantitatively account for the restriction and was independent of and synergistic with an additional CypA-dependent restriction. These results reveal a novel, specific restriction to primate lentiviruses in the Pteropodidae and advance understanding of bat innate immunity.