Role of IL-6-IL-27 Complex in Host Antiviral Immune Response.

The IL family of cytokines participates in immune response and regulation. We previously found that soluble IL-6 receptor plays an important role in the host antiviral response. In this study, we detected the IL-6-IL-27 complex in serum and throat swab samples from patients infected with influenza A virus. A plasmid expressing the IL-6-IL-27 complex was constructed to explore its biological function. The results indicated that the IL-6-IL-27 complex has a stronger antiviral effect than the individual subunits of IL-6, IL-27A, and EBV-induced gene 3. Furthermore, the activity of the IL-6-IL-27 complex is mainly mediated by the IL-27A subunit and the IL-27 receptor α. The IL-6-IL-27 complex can positively regulate virus-triggered expression of IFN and IFN-stimulated genes by interacting with adaptor protein mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein, potentiating the ubiquitination of TNF receptor-associated factors 3 and 6 and NF-κB nuclear translocation. The secreted IL-6-IL-27 complex can induce the phosphorylation of STAT1 and STAT3 and shows antiviral activity. Our results demonstrate a previously unrecognized mechanism by which IL-6, IL-27A, and EBV-induced gene 3 form a large complex both intracellularly and extracellularly, and this complex acts in the host antiviral response.

Inducible ATP1B1 Upregulates Antiviral Innate Immune Responses by the Ubiquitination of TRAF3 and TRAF6.

The antiviral innate immune responses are crucial steps during host defense and must be strictly regulated, but the molecular mechanisms of control remain unclear. In this study, we report increased expression of human ATPase Na+/K+ transporting subunit ß 1(ATP1B1) after DNA and RNA virus infections. We found that the expression of ATP1B1 can inhibit viral replication and increase the levels of IFNs, IFN-stimulated genes, and inflammatory cytokines. Knockdown of ATP1B1 by specific short hairpin RNA had the opposite effects. Upon viral infection, ATP1B1 was induced, interacted with TRAF3 and TRAF6, and potentiated the ubiquitination of these proteins, leading to increased phosphorylation of downstream molecules, including TGF-ß-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) and TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1). These results reveal a previously unrecognized role of ATP1B1 in antiviral innate immunity and suggest a novel mechanism for the induction of IFNs and proinflammatory cytokines during viral infection.

Inducible LGALS3BP/90K activates antiviral innate immune responses by targeting TRAF6 and TRAF3 complex.

The galectin 3 binding protein (LGALS3BP, also known as 90K) is a ubiquitous multifunctional secreted glycoprotein originally identified in cancer progression. It remains unclear how 90K functions in innate immunity during viral infections. In this study, we found that viral infections resulted in elevated levels of 90K. Further studies demonstrated that 90K expression suppressed virus replication by inducing IFN and pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Upon investigating the mechanisms behind this event, we found that 90K functions as a scaffold/adaptor protein to interact with TRAF6, TRAF3, TAK1 and TBK1. Furthermore, 90K enhanced TRAF6 and TRAF3 ubiquitination and served as a specific ubiquitination substrate of TRAF6, leading to transcription factor NF-κB, IRF3 and IRF7 translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. Conclusions: 90K is a virus-induced protein capable of binding with the TRAF6 and TRAF3 complex, leading to IFN and pro-inflammatory production.

Inducible microRNA-590-5p inhibits host antiviral response by targeting the soluble interleukin-6 (IL6) receptor.

MicroRNA (miR)-590-5p has been identified as an important regulator of some signaling pathways such as cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. However, little is known about its role during viral infection. Here, we report that miR-590-5p was significantly induced by various viruses and effectively potentiated virus replication in different viral infection systems. Furthermore, miR-590-5p substantially attenuated the virus-induced expression of type I and type III interferons (IFNs) and inflammatory cytokines, resulting in impaired downstream antiviral signaling. Interleukin-6 receptor (IL6R) was identified as a target of miR-590-5p. Interestingly, the role of miR-590-5p in virus-triggered signaling was abolished in IL6R knockout cells, and this could be rescued by restoring the expression of the soluble IL6R (sIL6R) but not the membrane-bound IL6R (mIL6R), suggesting that sIL6R is indispensable for miR-590-5p in modulating the host antiviral response. Furthermore, miR-590-5p down-regulated endogenous sIL6R and mIL6R expression through a translational repression mechanism. These findings thus uncover a previously uncharacterized role and the underlying mechanism of miR-590-5p in the innate immune response to viral infection.

p55PIK regulates alpha-fetoprotein expression through the NF-κB signaling pathway.

AIMS: Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is regarded as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker and a potential therapeutic target for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the regulation of AFP expression in HCC remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism by which AFP expression is regulated by p55PIK, an isoform of PI3K. MAIN METHODS: Human HCC cell lines (HepG2 and Huh-7) were treated with p55PIK specific competitive inhibitor or shRNA, or p55PIK overexpression vector, in the absence or presence of NF-κB inhibitor PDTC. AFP expression was detected by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting. NF-κB responsive elements in AFP enhancer region were characterized by luciferase reporter assay. KEY FINDINGS: p55PIK significantly stimulated the expression of AFP by activating NF-κB signaling pathway in HCC cells. Furthermore, two NF-κB binding sites in AFP enhancer region were identified to be primarily responsible for p55PIK mediated upregulation of AFP expression. SIGNIFICANCE: p55PIK/NF-κB signaling plays an important role in the upregulation of AFP expression in HCC.

Sodium selenite suppresses hepatitis B virus transcription and replication in human hepatoma cell lines.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the most serious and prevalent health problems worldwide. Current anti-HBV medications have a number of drawbacks, such as adverse effects and drug resistance; thus, novel potential anti-HBV reagents are needed. Selenium (Se) has been shown to be involved in both human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C virus infections, but its role in HBV infection remains unclear. To address this, sodium selenite (Na2SeO3 ) was applied to three HBV cell models: HepG2.2.15 cells, and HuH-7 cells transfected with either 1.1 or 1.3× HBV plasmids. Cytotoxicity of Na2SeO3 was examined by Cell Counting Kit-8. Levels of viral antigen expression, transcripts, and encapsidated viral DNA were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, northern blot, and Southern blot, respectively. There was no obvious cytotoxicity in either HepG2.2.15 or HuH-7 cells with <2.5 µM Na2SeO3 . Below this concentration, Na2SeO3 suppressed HBsAg and HBeAg production, HBV transcript level, and amount of genomic DNA in all three tested models, and suppression level was enhanced in line with increases in Na2 SeO3 concentration or treatment time. Moreover, the inhibitory effect of Na2SeO3 on HBV replication can be further enhanced by combined treatment with lamivudine, entecavir, or adefovir. Thus, the present study clearly proves that Na2SeO3 suppresses HBV protein expression, transcription, and genome replication in hepatoma cell models in a dose- and time-dependent manner.

Inhibition of hepatitis B virus replication by quercetin in human hepatoma cell lines.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the most serious and prevalent viral diseases in the world. Although several anti-HBV drugs have been used clinically, their side and adverse effects limit treatment efficacy. Therefore, it is necessary to identify novel potential anti-HBV agents. The flavonol quercetin has shown activity against some retroviruses, but its effect on HBV remains unclear. In the present study, quercetin was incubated with HepG2.2.15 cells, as well as HuH-7 cells transfected with an HBV plasmid. Quercetin was shown to significantly reduce Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), secretion and HBV genomic DNA levels in both cell lines. In addition, co-incubation with lamivudine (3TC), entecavir (ETV), or adefovir (Ade) further enhanced the quercetin-induced inhibition of HBV replication. This inhibition was partially associated with decreased heat shock proteins and HBV transcription levels. The results indicate that quercetin inhibited HBV antigen secretion and genome replication in human hepatoma cell lines, which suggests that quercetin may be a potentially effective anti-HBV agent.