Identification of functionally important domains of human cytomegalovirus gO that act after trimer binding to receptors.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) entry involves trimer (gH/gL/gO) that interacts with PDGFRα in fibroblasts. Entry into epithelial and endothelial cells requires trimer, which binds unidentified receptors, and pentamer (gH/gL/UL128-131), which binds neuropilin-2. To identify functionally important domains in trimer, we screened an overlapping 20-mer gO peptide library and identified two sets of peptides: 19/20 (a.a. 235-267) and 32/33 (a.a. 404-436) that could block virus entry. Soluble trimer containing wild type gO blocked HCMV entry, whereas soluble trimers with the 19/20 or 32/33 sequences mutated did not block entry. Interestingly, the mutant trimers retained the capacity to bind to cellular receptors including PDGFRα. Peptide 19/20 and 32/33 sequences formed a lobe extending from the surface of gO and an adjacent concave structure, respectively. Neither of these sets of sequences contacted PDGFRα. Instead, our data support a model in which the 19/20 and 32/33 trimer sequences function downstream of receptor binding, e.g. trafficking of HCMV into endosomes or binding to gB for entry fusion. We also screened for peptides that bound antibodies (Abs) in human sera, observing that peptides 20 and 26 bound Abs. These peptides engendered neutralizing Abs (NAbs) after immunization of rabbits and could pull out NAbs from human sera. Peptides 20 and 26 sequences represent the first NAb epitopes identified in trimer. These studies describe two important surfaces on gO defined by: i) peptides 19/20 and 32/33, which apparently act downstream of receptor binding and ii) peptide 26 that interacts with PDGFRα. Both these surfaces are targets of NAbs.

Bottom-up de novo design of functional proteins with complex structural features.

De novo protein design has enabled the creation of new protein structures. However, the design of functional proteins has proved challenging, in part due to the difficulty of transplanting structurally complex functional sites to available protein structures. Here, we used a bottom-up approach to build de novo proteins tailored to accommodate structurally complex functional motifs. We applied the bottom-up strategy to successfully design five folds for four distinct binding motifs, including a bifunctionalized protein with two motifs. Crystal structures confirmed the atomic-level accuracy of the computational designs. These de novo proteins were functional as components of biosensors to monitor antibody responses and as orthogonal ligands to modulate synthetic signaling receptors in engineered mammalian cells. Our work demonstrates the potential of bottom-up approaches to accommodate complex structural motifs, which will be essential to endow de novo proteins with elaborate biochemical functions, such as molecular recognition or catalysis.

HCMV trimer- and pentamer-specific antibodies synergize for virus neutralization but do not correlate with congenital transmission.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) causes substantial disease in transplant patients and harms the development of the nervous system in babies infected in utero. Thus, there is a major focus on developing safe and effective HCMV vaccines. Evidence has been presented that a major target of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) is the HCMV pentamer glycoprotein gH/gL/UL128-131. In some studies, most of the NAbs in animal or human sera were found to recognize the pentamer, which mediates HCMV entry into endothelial and epithelial cells. It was also reported that pentamer-specific antibodies correlate with protection against transmission from mothers to babies. One problem with the studies on pentamer-specific NAbs to date has been that the studies did not compare the pentamer to the other major form of gH/gL, the gH/gL/gO trimer, which is essential for entry into all cell types. Here, we demonstrate that both trimer and pentamer NAbs are frequently found in human transplant patients' and pregnant mothers' sera. Depletion of human sera with trimer caused reductions in NAbs similar to that observed following depletion with the pentamer. The trimer- and pentamer-specific antibodies acted in a synergistic fashion to neutralize HCMV and also to prevent virus cell-to-cell spread. Importantly, there was no correlation between the titers of trimer- and pentamer-specific NAbs and transmission of HCMV from mothers to babies. Therefore, both the trimer and pentamer are important targets of NAbs. Nevertheless, these antibodies do not protect against transmission of HCMV from mothers to babies.

Structure-guided design of ultrapotent disruptive IgE inhibitors to rapidly terminate acute allergic reactions.

BACKGROUND: Anaphylaxis represents one of the most severe and fatal forms of allergic reactions. Like most other allergies, it is caused by activation of basophils and mast cells by allergen-mediated cross-linking of IgE bound to its high-affinity receptor, FcεRI, on the cell surface. The systemic release of soluble mediators induces an inflammatory cascade, rapidly causing symptoms with peak severity in minutes to hours after allergen exposure. Primary treatment for anaphylaxis consists of immediate intramuscular administration of adrenaline. OBJECTIVE: While adrenaline alleviates life-threatening symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction, there are currently no disease-modifying interventions available. We sought to develop potent and fast-acting IgE inhibitors with the potential to rapidly terminate acute allergic reactions. METHODS: Using affinity maturation by yeast display and structure-guided molecular engineering, we generated 3 optimized disruptive IgE inhibitors based on designed ankyrin repeat proteins and assessed their ability to actively remove IgE from allergic effector cells in vitro as well as in vivo in mice. RESULTS: The engineered IgE inhibitors rapidly dissociate preformed IgE:FcεRI complexes, terminate IgE-mediated signaling in preactivated human blood basophils in vitro, and shut down preinitiated allergic reactions and anaphylaxis in mice in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: Fast-acting disruptive IgE inhibitors demonstrate the feasibility of developing kinetically optimized inhibitors for the treatment of anaphylaxis and the rapid desensitization of allergic individuals.

Epstein-Barr Virus gH/gL and Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus gH/gL Bind to Different Sites on EphA2 To Trigger Fusion.

Both Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) are human gammaherpesviruses and are important in a variety of malignancies. Eph family receptor tyrosine kinase A2 (EphA2) is a cellular receptor for KSHV and EBV. Previous studies identified five conserved residues (ELEFN50-54) in the N-terminal domain of KSHV gH that are critical for Eph binding and KSHV infection. However, the specific domains of EBV gH/gL important for EphA2 binding are not well described. We found that the KSHV gH (ELEFN50-54) motif is important for higher KSHV fusion and that EBV gH/gL does not utilize a similar motif for fusion activity. We previously identified that an EBV gL N-glycosylation mutant (gL-N69L/S71V) was hyperfusogenic in epithelial cells but not in B cells. To determine whether this glycosylation site may be the binding region for EphA2, we compared the EphA2 binding activity of EBV gH/gL and the EBV gH/gL-N69L/S71V mutant. We found that EBV gH/gL-N69L/S71V had higher binding affinity for EphA2, indicating that the EBV gL N-glycosylation site might be responsible for inhibiting the binding of gH/gL to EphA2. Loss of N-glycosylation at this site may remove steric hindrance that reduces EBV gH/gL binding to EphA2. In addition, the mutations located in the large groove of EBV gH/gL (R152A and G49C) also have decreased binding with EphA2. Taken together, our data indicate that the binding site of EphA2 on EBV gH/gL is at least in part proximal to the EBV gL glycosylation site, which in part accounts for differences in EphA2 binding affinity by KSHV.IMPORTANCE Virus entry into target cells is the first step for virus infection. Understanding the overall entry mechanism, including the binding mechanism of specific virus glycoproteins with cellular receptors, can be useful for the design of small molecule inhibitors and vaccine development. Recently, EphA2 was identified as an important entry receptor for both KSHV and EBV. In the present study, we investigated the required binding sites within EphA2 and EBV gH/gL that mediate the interaction of these two proteins allowing entry into epithelial cells and found that it differed in compared to the interaction of KSHV gH/gL with EphA2. Our discoveries may uncover new potential interventional strategies that block EBV and KSHV infection of target epithelial cells.

The role of allergen-specific IgE, IgG and IgA in allergic disease.

Immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated allergy is the most common hypersensitivity disease affecting more than 30% of the population. Exposure to even minute quantities of allergens can lead to the production of IgE antibodies in atopic individuals. This is termed allergic sensitization, which occurs mainly in early childhood. Allergen-specific IgE then binds to the high (FcεRI) and low-affinity receptors (FcεRII, also called CD23) for IgE on effector cells and antigen-presenting cells. Subsequent and repeated allergen exposure increases allergen-specific IgE levels and, by receptor cross-linking, triggers immediate release of inflammatory mediators from mast cells and basophils whereas IgE-facilitated allergen presentation perpetuates T cell-mediated allergic inflammation. Due to engagement of receptors which are highly selective for IgE, even tiny amounts of allergens can induce massive inflammation. Naturally occurring allergen-specific IgG and IgA antibodies usually recognize different epitopes on allergens compared with IgE and do not efficiently interfere with allergen-induced inflammation. However, IgG and IgA antibodies to these important IgE epitopes can be induced by allergen-specific immunotherapy or by passive immunization. These will lead to competition with IgE for binding with the allergen and prevent allergic responses. Similarly, anti-IgE treatment does the same by preventing IgE from binding to its receptor on mast cells and basophils. Here, we review the complex interplay of allergen-specific IgE, IgG and IgA and the corresponding cell receptors in allergic diseases and its relevance for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of allergy.

Accuracy of serological testing for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies: First results of a large mixed-method evaluation study.

BACKGROUND: Serological immunoassays that can identify protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2 are needed to adapt quarantine measures, assess vaccination responses, and evaluate donor plasma. To date, however, the utility of such immunoassays remains unclear. In a mixed-design evaluation study, we compared the diagnostic accuracy of serological immunoassays that are based on various SARS-CoV-2 proteins and assessed the neutralizing activity of antibodies in patient sera. METHODS: Consecutive patients admitted with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were prospectively followed alongside medical staff and biobank samples from winter 2018/2019. An in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay utilizing recombinant receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein was developed and compared to three commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) targeting the nucleoprotein (N), the S1 domain of the spike protein (S1), and a lateral flow immunoassay (LFI) based on full-length spike protein. Neutralization assays with live SARS-CoV-2 were performed. RESULTS: One thousand four hundred and seventy-seven individuals were included comprising 112 SARS-CoV-2 positives (defined as a positive real-time PCR result; prevalence 7.6%). IgG seroconversion occurred between day 0 and day 21. While the ELISAs showed sensitivities of 88.4% for RBD, 89.3% for S1, and 72.9% for N protein, the specificity was above 94% for all tests. Out of 54 SARS-CoV-2 positive individuals, 96.3% showed full neutralization of live SARS-CoV-2 at serum dilutions ≥ 1:16, while none of the 6 SARS-CoV-2-negative sera revealed neutralizing activity. CONCLUSIONS: ELISAs targeting RBD and S1 protein of SARS-CoV-2 are promising immunoassays which shall be further evaluated in studies verifying diagnostic accuracy and protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2.

IPSE, a parasite-derived, host immunomodulatory infiltrin protein, alleviates resiniferatoxin-induced bladder pain.

The transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1) receptor is an important mediator of nociception and its expression is enriched in nociceptive neurons. TRPV1 signaling has been implicated in bladder pain and is a potential analgesic target. Resiniferatoxin is the most potent known agonist of TRPV1. Acute exposure of the rat bladder to resiniferatoxin has been demonstrated to result in pain-related freezing and licking behaviors that are alleviated by virally encoded IL-4. The interleukin-4-inducing principle of Schistosoma mansoni eggs (IPSE) is a powerful inducer of IL-4 secretion, and is also known to alter host cell transcription through a nuclear localization sequence-based mechanism. We previously reported that IPSE ameliorates ifosfamide-induced bladder pain in an IL-4- and nuclear localization sequence-dependent manner. We hypothesized that pre-administration of IPSE to resiniferatoxin-challenged mice would dampen pain-related behaviors. IPSE indeed lessened resiniferatoxin-triggered freezing behaviors in mice. This was a nuclear localization sequence-dependent phenomenon, since administration of a nuclear localization sequence mutant version of IPSE abrogated IPSE's analgesic effect. In contrast, IPSE's analgesic effect did not seem IL-4-dependent, since use of anti-IL-4 antibody in mice given both IPSE and resiniferatoxin did not significantly affect freezing behaviors. RNA-Seq analysis of resiniferatoxin- and IPSE-exposed bladders revealed differential expression of TNF/NF-κb-related signaling pathway genes. In vitro testing of IPSE uptake by urothelial cells and TRPV1-expressing neuronal cells showed uptake by both cell types. Thus, IPSE's nuclear localization sequence-dependent therapeutic effects on TRPV1-mediated bladder pain may act on TRPV1-expressing neurons and/or may rely upon urothelial mechanisms.

Inhibition of EBV-mediated membrane fusion by anti-gHgL antibodies.

Herpesvirus entry into cells requires the coordinated action of multiple virus envelope glycoproteins, including gH, gL, and gB. For EBV, the gp42 protein assembles into complexes with gHgL heterodimers and binds HLA class II to activate gB-mediated membrane fusion with B cells. EBV tropism is dictated by gp42 levels in the virion, as it inhibits entry into epithelial cells while promoting entry into B cells. The gHgL and gB proteins are targets of neutralizing antibodies and potential candidates for subunit vaccine development, but our understanding of their neutralizing epitopes and the mechanisms of inhibition remain relatively unexplored. Here we studied the structures and mechanisms of two anti-gHgL antibodies, CL40 and CL59, that block membrane fusion with both B cells and epithelial cells. We determined the structures of the CL40 and CL59 complexes with gHgL using X-ray crystallography and EM to identify their epitope locations. CL59 binds to the C-terminal domain IV of gH, while CL40 binds to a site occupied by the gp42 receptor binding domain. CL40 binding to gHgL/gp42 complexes is not blocked by gp42 and does not interfere with gp42 binding to HLA class II, indicating that its ability to block membrane fusion with B cells represents a defect in gB activation. These data indicate that anti-gHgL neutralizing antibodies can block gHgL-mediated activation of gB through different surface epitopes and mechanisms.

IPSE, a parasite-derived host immunomodulatory protein, is a potential therapeutic for hemorrhagic cystitis.

Chemotherapy-induced hemorrhagic cystitis is characterized by bladder pain and voiding dysfunction caused by hemorrhage and inflammation. Novel therapeutic options to treat hemorrhagic cystitis are needed. We previously reported that systemic administration of the Schistosomiasis hematobium-derived protein H-IPSEH06 (IL-4-inducing principle from Schistosoma mansoni eggs) is superior to three doses of MESNA in alleviating hemorrhagic cystitis (Mbanefo EC, Le L, Pennington LF, Odegaard JI, Jardetzky TS, Alouffi A, Falcone FH, Hsieh MH. FASEB J 32: 4408-4419, 2018). Based on prior reports by others on S. mansoni IPSE (M-IPSE) and additional work by our group, we reasoned that H-IPSE mediates its effects on hemorrhagic cystitis by binding IgE on basophils and inducing IL-4 expression, promoting urothelial proliferation, and translocating to the nucleus to modulate expression of genes implicated in relieving bladder dysfunction. We speculated that local bladder injection of the S. hematobium IPSE ortholog IPSEH03, hereafter called H-IPSEH03, might be more efficacious in preventing hemorrhagic cystitis compared with systemic administration of IPSEH06. We report that H-IPSEH03, like M-IPSE and H-IPSEH06, activates IgE-bearing basophils in a nuclear factor of activated T-cells reporter assay, indicating activation of the cytokine pathway. Furthermore, H-IPSEH03 attenuates ifosfamide-induced increases in bladder wet weight in an IL-4-dependent fashion. H-IPSEH03 relieves hemorrhagic cystitis-associated allodynia and modulates voiding patterns in mice. Finally, H-IPSEH03 drives increased urothelial cell proliferation, suggesting that IPSE induces bladder repair mechanisms. Taken together, H-IPSEH03 may be a potential novel therapeutic to treat hemorrhagic cystitis by basophil activation, attenuation of allodynia, and promotion of urothelial cell proliferation.

Therapeutic exploitation of IPSE, a urogenital parasite-derived host modulatory protein, for chemotherapy-induced hemorrhagic cystitis.

Chemotherapy-induced hemorrhagic cystitis (CHC) can be difficult to manage. Prior work suggests that IL-4 alleviates ifosfamide-induced hemorrhagic cystitis (IHC), but systemically administered IL-4 causes significant side effects. We hypothesized that the Schistosoma hematobium homolog of IL-4-inducing principle from Schistosoma mansoni eggs (H-IPSE), would reduce IHC and associated bladder pathology. IPSE binds IgE on basophils and mast cells, triggering IL-4 secretion by these cells. IPSE is also an "infiltrin," translocating into the host nucleus to modulate gene transcription. Mice were administered IL-4, H-IPSE protein or its nuclear localization sequence (NLS) mutant, with or without neutralizing anti-IL-4 antibody, or 2-mercaptoethane sulfonate sodium (MESNA; a drug used to prevent IHC), followed by ifosfamide. Bladder tissue damage and hemoglobin content were measured. Spontaneous and evoked pain, urinary frequency, and bladdergene expression analysis were assessed. Pain behaviors were interpreted in a blinded fashion. One dose of H-IPSE was superior to MESNA and IL-4 in suppressing bladder hemorrhage in an IL-4-dependent fashion and comparable with MESNA in dampening ifosfamide-triggered pain behaviors in an NLS-dependent manner. H-IPSE also accelerated urothelial repair following IHC. Our work represents the first therapeutic exploitation of a uropathogen-derived host modulatory molecule in a clinically relevant bladder disease model and indicates that IPSE may be an alternative to MESNA for mitigating CHC.-Mbanefo, E. C., Le, L., Pennington, L. F., Odegaard, J. I., Jardetzky, T. S., Alouffi, A., Falcone, F. H., Hsieh, M. H. Therapeutic exploitation of IPSE, a urogenital parasite-derived host modulatory protein, for chemotherapy-induced hemorrhagic cystitis.

Structure and stabilization of the Hendra virus F glycoprotein in its prefusion form.

Hendra virus (HeV) is one of the two prototypical members of the Henipavirus genus of paramyxoviruses, which are designated biosafety level 4 (BSL-4) organisms due to the high mortality rate of Nipah virus (NiV) and HeV in humans. Paramyxovirus cell entry is mediated by the fusion protein, F, in response to binding of a host receptor by the attachment protein. During posttranslational processing, the fusion peptide of F is released and, upon receptor-induced triggering, inserts into the host cell membrane. As F undergoes a dramatic refolding from its prefusion to postfusion conformation, the fusion peptide brings the host and viral membranes together, allowing entry of the viral RNA. Here, we present the crystal structure of the prefusion form of the HeV F ectodomain. The structure shows very high similarity to the structure of prefusion parainfluenza virus 5 (PIV5) F, with the main structural differences in the membrane distal apical loops and the fusion peptide cleavage loop. Functional assays of mutants show that the apical loop can tolerate perturbation in length and surface residues without loss of function, except for residues involved in the stability and conservation of the F protein fold. Structure-based disulfide mutants were designed to anchor the fusion peptide to conformationally invariant residues of the F head. Two mutants were identified that inhibit F-mediated fusion by stabilizing F in its prefusion conformation.

Immobilization of the N-terminal helix stabilizes prefusion paramyxovirus fusion proteins.

Parainfluenza virus 5 (PIV5) is an enveloped, single-stranded, negative-sense RNA virus of the Paramyxoviridae family. PIV5 fusion and entry are mediated by the coordinated action of the receptor-binding protein, hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN), and the fusion protein (F). Upon triggering by HN, F undergoes an irreversible ATP- and pH-independent conformational change, going down an energy gradient from a metastable prefusion state to a highly stable postfusion state. Previous studies have highlighted key conformational changes in the F-protein refolding pathway, but a detailed understanding of prefusion F-protein metastability remains elusive. Here, using two previously described F-protein mutations (S443D or P22L), we examine the capacity to modulate PIV5 F stability and the mechanisms by which these point mutants act. The S443D mutation destabilizes prefusion F proteins by disrupting a hydrogen bond network at the base of the F-protein globular head. The introduction of a P22L mutation robustly rescues destabilized F proteins through a local hydrophobic interaction between the N-terminal helix and a hydrophobic pocket. Prefusion stabilization conferred by a P22L-homologous mutation is demonstrated in the F protein of Newcastle disease virus, a paramyxovirus of a different genus, suggesting a conserved stabilizing structural element within the paramyxovirus family. Taken together, the available data suggest that movement of the N-terminal helix is a necessary early step for paramyxovirus F-protein refolding and presents a novel target for structure-based drug design.

Structural basis for nonneutralizing antibody competition at antigenic site II of the respiratory syncytial virus fusion protein.

Palivizumab was the first antiviral monoclonal antibody (mAb) approved for therapeutic use in humans, and remains a prophylactic treatment for infants at risk for severe disease because of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Palivizumab is an engineered humanized version of a murine mAb targeting antigenic site II of the RSV fusion (F) protein, a key target in vaccine development. There are limited reported naturally occurring human mAbs to site II; therefore, the structural basis for human antibody recognition of this major antigenic site is poorly understood. Here, we describe a nonneutralizing class of site II-specific mAbs that competed for binding with palivizumab to postfusion RSV F protein. We also describe two classes of site II-specific neutralizing mAbs, one of which escaped competition with nonneutralizing mAbs. An X-ray crystal structure of the neutralizing mAb 14N4 in complex with F protein showed that the binding angle at which human neutralizing mAbs interact with antigenic site II determines whether or not nonneutralizing antibodies compete with their binding. Fine-mapping studies determined that nonneutralizing mAbs that interfere with binding of neutralizing mAbs recognize site II with a pose that facilitates binding to an epitope containing F surface residues on a neighboring protomer. Neutralizing antibodies, like motavizumab and a new mAb designated 3J20 that escape interference by the inhibiting mAbs, avoid such contact by binding at an angle that is shifted away from the nonneutralizing site. Furthermore, binding to rationally and computationally designed site II helix-loop-helix epitope-scaffold vaccines distinguished neutralizing from nonneutralizing site II antibodies.

Epstein-Barr Virus Fusion with Epithelial Cells Triggered by gB Is Restricted by a gL Glycosylation Site.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) entry into epithelial cells is mediated by the conserved core fusion machinery, composed of the fusogen gB and the receptor-binding complex gH/gL. The heterodimeric gH/gL complex binds to the EBV epithelial cell receptor or gp42, which binds to the B-cell receptor, triggering gB-mediated fusion of the virion envelope with cellular membranes. Our previous study found that the gL glycosylation mutant N69L/S71V had an epithelial cell-specific hyperfusogenic phenotype. To study the influence of this gL mutant on the initiation and kinetics of gB-driven epithelial cell fusion, we established a virus-free split-green fluorescent protein cell-cell fusion assay that enables real-time measurements of membrane fusion using live cells. The gL_N69L/S71V mutant had a large increase in epithelial cell fusion activity of up to 300% greater than that of wild-type gL starting at early time points. The hyperfusogenicity of the gL mutant was not a result of alterations in complex formation with gH or alterations in cellular localization. Moreover, the hyperfusogenic phenotype of the gL mutant correlated with the formation of enlarged syncytia. In summary, our present findings highlight an important role of gL in the kinetics of gB-mediated epithelial cell fusion, adding to previous findings indicating a direct interaction between gL and gB in EBV membrane fusion.IMPORTANCE EBV predominantly infects epithelial cells and B lymphocytes, which are the cells of origin for the EBV-associated malignancies Hodgkin and Burkitt lymphoma as well as nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Contrary to the other key players of the core fusion machinery, gL has the most elusive role during EBV-induced membrane fusion. We found that the glycosylation site N69/S71 of gL is involved in restricting epithelial cell fusion activity, strongly correlating with syncytium size. Interestingly, our data showed that the gL glycosylation mutant increases the fusion activity of the hyperfusogenic gB mutants, indicating that this gL mutant and the gB mutants target different steps during fusion. Our studies on how gL and gB work together to modulate epithelial cell fusion kinetics are essential to understand the highly tuned tropism of EBV for epithelial cells and B lymphocytes and may result in novel strategies for therapies preventing viral entry into target host cells. Finally, making our results of particular interest is the absence of gL syncytial mutants in other herpesviruses.

Accelerated disassembly of IgE-receptor complexes by a disruptive macromolecular inhibitor.

IgE antibodies bind the high-affinity IgE Fc receptor (FcεRI), found primarily on mast cells and basophils, and trigger inflammatory cascades of the allergic response. Inhibitors of IgE-FcεRI binding have been identified and an anti-IgE therapeutic antibody (omalizumab) is used to treat severe allergic asthma. However, preformed IgE-FcεRI complexes that prime cells before allergen exposure dissociate extremely slowly and cannot be disrupted by strictly competitive inhibitors. IgE-Fc conformational flexibility indicated that inhibition could be mediated by allosteric or other non-classical mechanisms. Here we demonstrate that an engineered protein inhibitor, DARPin E2_79 (refs 9, 10, 11), acts through a non-classical inhibition mechanism, not only blocking IgE-FcεRI interactions, but actively stimulating the dissociation of preformed ligand-receptor complexes. The structure of the E2_79-IgE-Fc(3-4) complex predicts the presence of two non-equivalent E2_79 sites in the asymmetric IgE-FcεRI complex, with site 1 distant from the receptor and site 2 exhibiting partial steric overlap. Although the structure is indicative of an allosteric inhibition mechanism, mutational studies and quantitative kinetic modelling indicate that E2_79 acts through a facilitated dissociation mechanism at site 2 alone. These results demonstrate that high-affinity IgE-FcεRI complexes can be actively dissociated to block the allergic response and suggest that protein-protein complexes may be more generally amenable to active disruption by macromolecular inhibitors.

H-IPSE Is a Pathogen-Secreted Host Nucleus-Infiltrating Protein (Infiltrin) Expressed Exclusively by the Schistosoma haematobium Egg Stage.

Urogenital schistosomiasis, caused by the parasitic trematode Schistosoma haematobium, affects over 112 million people worldwide. As with Schistosoma mansoni infections, the pathology of urogenital schistosomiasis is related mainly to the egg stage, which induces granulomatous inflammation of affected tissues. Schistosoma eggs and their secretions have been studied extensively for the related organism S. mansoni, which is more amenable to laboratory studies. Indeed, we have shown that IPSE/alpha-1 (here M-IPSE), a major protein secreted from S. mansoni eggs, can infiltrate host cells. Although the function of M-IPSE is unknown, its ability to translocate to the nuclei of host cells and bind DNA suggests a possible role in immune modulation of host cell tissues. Whether IPSE homologs are expressed in other schistosome species has not been investigated. Here, we describe the cloning of two paralog genes, H03-IPSE and H06-IPSE, which are orthologs of M-IPSE, from egg cDNA of S. haematobium Using PCR and immunodetection, we confirmed that the expression of these genes is restricted to the egg stage and female adult worms, while the H-IPSE protein is detectable only in mature eggs and not adults. We show that both H03-IPSE and H06-IPSE proteins can infiltrate HTB-9 bladder cells when added exogenously to culture medium. Monopartite C-terminal nuclear localization sequence (NLS) motifs conserved in H03-IPSE, SKRRRKY, and H06-IPSE SKRGRKY, are responsible for targeting the proteins to the nucleus of HTB-9 cells, as demonstrated by site-directed mutagenesis and green fluorescent protein (GFP) tagging. Thus, S. haematobium eggs express IPSE homologs that appear to perform similar functions in infiltrating host cells.

Mutagenesis of Paramyxovirus Hemagglutinin-Neuraminidase Membrane-Proximal Stalk Region Influences Stability, Receptor Binding, and Neuraminidase Activity.

UNLABELLED: Paramyxoviridae consist of a large family of enveloped, negative-sense, nonsegmented single-stranded RNA viruses that account for a significant number of human and animal diseases. The fusion process for nearly all paramyxoviruses involves the mixing of the host cell plasma membrane and the virus envelope in a pH-independent fashion. Fusion is orchestrated via the concerted action of two surface glycoproteins: an attachment protein called hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN [also called H or G depending on virus type and substrate]), which acts as a receptor binding protein, and a fusion (F) protein, which undergoes a major irreversible refolding process to merge the two membranes. Recent biochemical evidence suggests that receptor binding by HN is dispensable for cell-cell fusion. However, factors that influence the stability and/or conformation of the HN 4-helix bundle (4HB) stalk have not been studied. Here, we used oxidative cross-linking as well as functional assays to investigate the role of the structurally unresolved membrane-proximal stalk region (MPSR) (residues 37 to 58) of HN in the context of headless and full-length HN membrane fusion promotion. Our data suggest that the receptor binding head serves to stabilize the stalk to regulate fusion. Moreover, we found that the MPSR of HN modulates receptor binding and neuraminidase activity without a corresponding regulation of F triggering. IMPORTANCE: Paramyxoviruses require two viral membrane glycoproteins, the attachment protein variously called HN, H, or G and the fusion protein (F), to couple host receptor recognition to virus-cell fusion. The HN protein has a globular head that is attached to a membrane-anchored flexible stalk of ∼80 residues and has three activities: receptor binding, neuraminidase, and fusion activation. In this report, we have identified the functional significance of the membrane-proximal stalk region (MPSR) (HN, residues 37 to 56) of the paramyxovirus parainfluenza virus (PIV5), a region of the HN stalk that has not had its structure determined by X-ray crystallography. Our data suggest that the MPSR influences receptor binding and neuraminidase activity via an indirect mechanism. Moreover, the receptor binding head group stabilizes the 4HB stalk as part of the general mechanism to fine-tune F-activation.

Flexibility of the Head-Stalk Linker Domain of Paramyxovirus HN Glycoprotein Is Essential for Triggering Virus Fusion.

UNLABELLED: The Paramyxoviridae comprise a large family of enveloped, negative-sense, single-stranded RNA viruses with significant economic and public health implications. For nearly all paramyxoviruses, infection is initiated by fusion of the viral and host cell plasma membranes in a pH-independent fashion. Fusion is orchestrated by the receptor binding protein hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN; also called H or G depending on the virus type) protein and a fusion (F) protein, the latter undergoing a major refolding process to merge the two membranes. Mechanistic details regarding the coupling of receptor binding to F activation are not fully understood. Here, we have identified the flexible loop region connecting the bulky enzymatically active head and the four-helix bundle stalk to be essential for fusion promotion. Proline substitution in this region of HN of parainfluenza virus 5 (PIV5) and Newcastle disease virus HN abolishes cell-cell fusion, whereas HN retains receptor binding and neuraminidase activity. By using reverse genetics, we engineered recombinant PIV5-EGFP viruses with mutations in the head-stalk linker region of HN. Mutations in this region abolished virus recovery and infectivity. In sum, our data suggest that the loop region acts as a "hinge" around which the bulky head of HN swings to-and-fro to facilitate timely HN-mediate F-triggering, a notion consistent with the stalk-mediated activation model of paramyxovirus fusion. IMPORTANCE: Paramyxovirus fusion with the host cell plasma membrane is essential for virus infection. Membrane fusion is orchestrated via interaction of the receptor binding protein (HN, H, or G) with the viral fusion glycoprotein (F). Two distinct models have been suggested to describe the mechanism of fusion: these include "the clamp" and the "provocateur" model of activation. By using biochemical and reverse genetics tools, we have obtained strong evidence in favor of the HN stalk-mediated activation of paramyxovirus fusion. Specifically, our data strongly support the notion that the short linker between the head and stalk plays a role in "conformational switching" of the head group to facilitate F-HN interaction and triggering.