Inhibition of latent membrane protein 1 impairs the growth and tumorigenesis of latency II Epstein-Barr virus-transformed T cells.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a common human herpesvirus. Infection with EBV is associated with several human malignancies in which the virus expresses a set of latent proteins, among which is latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1). LMP1 is able to transform numerous cell types and is considered the main oncogenic protein of EBV. The mechanism of action is based on mimicry of activated members of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily, through the ability of LMP1 to bind similar adapters and to activate signaling pathways. We previously generated two unique models: a monocytic cell line and a lymphocytic (NC5) cell line immortalized by EBV that expresses the type II latency program. Here we generated LMP1 dominant negative forms (DNs), based on fusion between green fluorescent protein (GFP) and transformation effector site 1 (TES1) or TES2 of LMP1. Then we generated cell lines conditionally expressing these DNs. These DNs inhibit NF-κB and Akt pathways, resulting in the impairment of survival processes and increased apoptosis in these cell lines. This proapoptotic effect is due to reduced interaction of LMP1 with specific adapters and the recruitment of these adapters to DNs, which enable the generation of an apoptotic complex involving TRADD, FADD, and caspase 8. Similar results were obtained with cell lines displaying a latency III program in which LMP1-DNs decrease cell viability. Finally, we prove that synthetic peptides display similar inhibitory effects in EBV-infected cells. DNs derived from LMP1 could be used to develop therapeutic approaches for malignant diseases associated with EBV.

Experimental tuberculosis in the Wistar rat: a model for protective immunity and control of infection.

BACKGROUND: Despite the availability of many animal models for tuberculosis (TB) research, there still exists a need for better understanding of the quiescent stage of disease observed in many humans. Here, we explored the use of the Wistar rat model for the study of protective immunity and control of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The kinetics of bacillary growth, evaluated by the colony stimulating assay (CFU) and the extent of lung pathology in Mtb infected Wistar rats were dependent on the virulence of the strains and the size of the infecting inoculums. Bacillary growth control was associated with induction of T helper type 1 (Th1) activation, the magnitude of which was also Mtb strain and dose dependent. Histopathology analysis of the infected lungs demonstrated the formation of well organized granulomas comprising epithelioid cells, multinucleated giant cells and foamy macrophages surrounded by large numbers of lymphocytes. The late stage subclinical form of disease was reactivated by immunosuppression leading to increased lung CFU. CONCLUSION: The Wistar rat is a valuable model for better understanding host-pathogen interactions that result in control of Mtb infection and potentially establishment of latent TB. These properties together with the ease of manipulation, relatively low cost and well established use of rats in toxicology and pharmacokinetic analyses make the rat a good animal model for TB drug discovery.

MnSOD upregulation induces autophagic programmed cell death in senescent keratinocytes.

Senescence is a state of growth arrest resulting mainly from telomere attrition and oxidative stress. It ultimately leads to cell death. We have previously shown that, in keratinocytes, senescence is induced by NF-kappaB activation, MnSOD upregulation and H(2)O(2) overproduction. We have also shown that senescent keratinocytes do not die by apoptosis but as a result of high macroautophagic activity that targets the primary vital cell components. Here, we investigated the mechanisms that activate this autophagic cell death program. We show that corpses occurring at the senescence plateau display oxidatively-damaged mitochondria and nucleus that colocalize with autophagic vacuoles. The occurrence of such corpses was decreased by specifically reducing the H(2)O(2) level with catalase, and, conversely, reproduced by overexpressing MnSOD or applying subtoxic doses of H(2)O(2). This H(2)O(2)-induced cell death did occur through autophagy since it was accompanied by an accumulation of autophagic vesicles as evidenced by Lysotracker staining, LC3 vesiculation and transmission electron microscopy. Most importantly, it was partly abolished by 3-methyladenine, the specific inhibitor of autophagosome formation, and by anti-Atg5 siRNAs. Taken together these results suggest that autophagic cell death is activated in senescent keratinocytes because of the upregulation of MnSOD and the resulting accumulation of oxidative damages to nucleus and mitochondria.

TLR5 signaling stimulates the innate production of IL-17 and IL-22 by CD3(neg)CD127+ immune cells in spleen and mucosa.

In adaptive immunity, Th17 lymphocytes produce the IL-17 and IL-22 cytokines that stimulate mucosal antimicrobial defenses and tissue repair. In this study, we observed that the TLR5 agonist flagellin induced swift and transient transcription of genes encoding IL-17 and IL-22 in lymphoid, gut, and lung tissues. This innate response also temporarily enhanced the expression of genes associated with the antimicrobial Th17 signature. The source of the Th17-related cytokines was identified as novel populations of CD3(neg)CD127(+) immune cells among which CD4-expressing cells resembling lymphoid tissue inducer cells. We also demonstrated that dendritic cells are essential for expression of Th17-related cytokines and so for stimulation of innate cells. These data define that TLR-induced activation of CD3(neg)CD127(+) cells and production of Th17-related cytokines may be crucial for the early defenses against pathogen invasion of host tissues.

T- and B-cell-mediated protection induced by novel, live attenuated pertussis vaccine in mice. Cross protection against parapertussis.

BACKGROUND: Despite the extensive use of efficacious vaccines, pertussis still ranks among the major causes of childhood mortality worldwide. Two types of pertussis vaccines are currently available, whole-cell, and the more recent acellular vaccines. Because of reduced reactogenicity and comparable efficacy acellular vaccines progressively replace whole-cell vaccines. However, both types require repeated administrations for optimal efficacy. We have recently developed a live attenuated vaccine candidate, named BPZE1, able to protect infant mice after a single nasal administration. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We determined the protective mechanism of BPZE1-mediated immunity by using passive transfer of T cells and antibodies from BPZE1-immunized mice to SCID mice. Clearance of Bordetella pertussis from the lungs was mediated by both BPZE1-induced antibodies and CD4(+), but not by CD8(+) T cells. The protective CD4(+) T cells comprised IFN-gamma-producing and IL-17-producing subsets, indicating that BPZE1 induces both Th1 and Th17 CD4(+) T cells. In addition, and in contrast to acellular pertussis vaccines, BPZE1 also cross-protected against Bordetella parapertussis infection, but in this case only the transfer of CD4(+) T cells conferred protection. Serum from BPZE1-immunized mice was not able to kill B. parapertussis and did not protect SCID mice against B. parapertussis infection. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The novel live attenuated pertussis vaccine BPZE1 protects in a pre-clinical mouse model against B. pertussis challenge by both BPZE1-induced antibodies and CD4(+) T cell responses. It also protects against B. parapertussis infection. However, in this case protection is only T cell mediated.

Shigella phagocytic vacuolar membrane remnants participate in the cellular response to pathogen invasion and are regulated by autophagy.

Intracellular pathogens like Shigella flexneri enter host cells by phagocytosis. Once inside, the pathogen breaks the vacuolar membrane for cytosolic access. The fate and function of the vacuolar membrane remnants are not clear. Examining Shigella-infected nonmyeloid cells, we observed that proteins associated with vacuolar membrane remnants are polyubiquinated, recruit the autophagy marker LC3 and adaptor p62, and are targeted to autophagic degradation. Further, inflammasome components and caspase-1 were localized to these membranes and correlated with dampened inflammatory response and necrotic cell death. In Atg4B mutant cells in which autophagosome maturation is blocked, polyubiquitinated proteins and P62 accumulated on membrane remnants, and as in autophagy-deficient Atg5(-/-) cells, the early inflammatory and cytokine response was exacerbated. Our results suggest that host membranes, after rupture by an invading cytoplasm-targeted bacterium, contribute to the cellular responses to infection by acting as a signaling node, with autophagy playing a central role in regulating these responses.

Eosinophil-derived IFN-gamma induces airway hyperresponsiveness and lung inflammation in the absence of lymphocytes.

BACKGROUND: Eosinophils are key players in T(H)2-driven pathologies, such as allergic lung inflammation. After IL-5- and eotaxin-mediated tissue recruitment, they release several cytotoxic and inflammatory mediators. However, their exact contribution to asthma remains controversial. Indeed, in human subjects anti-IL-5 treatment inhibits eosinophilia but not antigen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). Likewise, lung fibrosis is abrogated in 2 strains of eosinophil-deficient mice, whereas AHR is inhibited in only one of them. Finally, eosinophils have been shown to attract T(H)2 lymphocytes at the inflammatory site. OBJECTIVE: The ability of eosinophils to promote AHR and lung inflammation independently of lymphocytes was investigated. METHODS: Adoptive transfers of resting or activated eosinophils from IL-5 transgenic mice were performed into naive BALB/c mice, mice with severe combined immunodeficiency, and IFN-gamma-deficient BALB/c recipients. RESULTS: Adoptively transferred eosinophils induced lung inflammation, fibrosis, collagen deposition, and AHR not only in BALB/c mice but also in recipient mice with severe combined immunodeficiency. Surprisingly, IFN-gamma expression was increased in lungs from eosinophil-transferred animals. Furthermore, IFN-gamma neutralization in recipients partially inhibited eosinophil-induced AHR. Moreover, IFN-gamma-deficient eosinophils or eosinophils treated with a blocking anti-IFN-gamma receptor antibody failed to induce AHR in IFN-gamma-deficient recipients. Finally, in vitro and at low concentrations, IFN-gamma increased eosinophil peroxidase release, potentiated chemotaxis, and prolonged survival, suggesting the existence of an autocrine mechanism. CONCLUSIONS: These results support the important and previously unsuspected contribution of eosinophils to lung inflammation independently of lymphocytes through production of IFN-gamma, the prototypical T(H)1 cytokine.

Molecular genetics of para-aminosalicylic acid resistance in clinical isolates and spontaneous mutants of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

The emergence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis resistant to first-line antibiotics has renewed interest in second-line antitubercular agents. Here, we aimed to extend our understanding of the mechanisms underlying para-aminosalicylic acid (PAS) resistance by analysis of six genes of the folate metabolic pathway and biosynthesis of thymine nucleotides (thyA, dfrA, folC, folP1, folP2, and thyX) and three N-acetyltransferase genes [nhoA, aac(1), and aac(2)] among PAS-resistant clinical isolates and spontaneous mutants. Mutations in thyA were identified in only 37% of the clinical isolates and spontaneous mutants. Overall, 24 distinct mutations were identified in the thyA gene and 3 in the dfrA coding region. Based on structural bioinformatics techniques, the altered ThyA proteins were predicted to generate an unfolded or dysfunctional polypeptide. The MIC was determined by Bactec/Alert and dilution assay. Sixty-three percent of the PAS-resistant isolates had no mutations in the nine genes considered in this study, revealing that PAS resistance in M. tuberculosis involves mechanisms or targets other than those pertaining to the biosynthesis of thymine nucleotides. The alternative mechanism(s) or pathway(s) associated with PAS resistance appears to be PAS concentration dependent, in marked contrast to thyA-mutated PAS-resistant isolates.

The evolution of drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis: from a mono-rifampin-resistant cluster into increasingly multidrug-resistant variants in an HIV-seropositive population.

We describe the genotypic and phenotypic characteristics of a mono-rifampin-resistant (RIF(R)) Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain cluster (designated AU-RIF(R)) and the acquisition of additional drug resistance. Drug susceptibility, sequences of regions that determine drug resistance, and basic clinical data were examined. A rare codon duplication (514(TTC)) in rpoB conferring high levels of RIF(R) (minimum inhibitory concentration of >256 microg/mL) in 29 isolates was identified. AU-RIF(R) strains developed secondary resistance to isoniazid and 7 resistance combinations to 6 different antibiotics. Patients infected with AU-RIF(R) strains were primarily immunocompromised. These data suggest that host factors, such as HIV status, may allow dissemination of mono-RIF(R) strains and facilitate the accumulation of additional drug resistance.

Live attenuated B. pertussis as a single-dose nasal vaccine against whooping cough.

Pertussis is still among the principal causes of death worldwide, and its incidence is increasing even in countries with high vaccine coverage. Although all age groups are susceptible, it is most severe in infants too young to be protected by currently available vaccines. To induce strong protective immunity in neonates, we have developed BPZE1, a live attenuated Bordetella pertussis strain to be given as a single-dose nasal vaccine in early life. BPZE1 was developed by the genetic inactivation or removal of three major toxins. In mice, BPZE1 was highly attenuated, yet able to colonize the respiratory tract and to induce strong protective immunity after a single nasal administration. Protection against B. pertussis was comparable to that induced by two injections of acellular vaccine (aPV) in adult mice, but was significantly better than two administrations of aPV in infant mice. Moreover, BPZE1 protected against Bordetella parapertussis infection, whereas aPV did not. BPZE1 is thus an attractive vaccine candidate to protect against whooping cough by nasal, needle-free administration early in life, possibly at birth.