Plasma ctDNA enables early detection of temozolomide resistance mutations in glioma.

Background: Liquid biopsy based on circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is a novel tool in clinical oncology, however, its use has been limited in glioma to date, due to low levels of ctDNA. In this study, we aimed to demonstrate that sequencing techniques optimized for liquid biopsy in glioma patients can detect ctDNA in plasma with high sensitivity and with potential clinical utility. Methods: We investigated 10 glioma patients with tumor tissue available from at least 2 surgical operations, who had 49 longitudinally collected plasma samples available for analysis. Plasma samples were sequenced with CAPP-seq (AVENIO) and tissue samples with TSO500. Results: Glioma-derived ctDNA mutations were detected in 93.8% of plasma samples. 25% of all mutations detected were observed in plasma only. Mutations of the mismatch repair (MMR) genes MSH2 and MSH6 were the most frequent circulating gene alterations seen after temozolomide treatment and were frequently observed to appear in plasma prior to their appearance in tumor tissue at the time of surgery for recurrence. Conclusions: This pilot study suggests that plasma ctDNA in glioma is feasible and may provide sensitive and complementary information to tissue biopsy. Furthermore, plasma ctDNA detection of new MMR gene mutations not present in the initial tissue biopsy may provide an early indication of the development of chemotherapy resistance. Additional clinical validation in larger cohorts is needed.

Properties of HIV-1 associated cholesterol in addition to raft formation are important for virus infection.

The overall HIV-1 membrane lipid contents resemble lipid rafts, and we have previously demonstrated that raft-promoting properties of virus-associated cholesterol (with modifications in either the 3ß-OH group or AB rings) are important for HIV-1 infectivity. As cholesterol is present in both rafts and non-rafts domains of HIV-1 membrane, we question whether the interpretation of rafts property of virus-associated cholesterol being an absolute requirement for HIV-1 function is too simplistic. The carbon side chain of cholesterol is the third component of cholesterol that can affect the fluidity of membrane depending on its context within the lipid membrane bilayers. In this work, we have used synthetic cholesterol analogues that have different lengths of carbon side chain for our investigation. In contrast to our previous report, we have found that cholesterol side chain analogues that lack in vitro defined raft promoting-property is able to support HIV-1 replication. More specifically, cholesterol analogues with side chains of intermediate length have greater capacity to support HIV-1 infection, suggesting HIV-1 is able to maintain function using cholesterol variants that promote a range of non-rafts- to rafts-properties. Our data demonstrate cholesterol properties other than raft-promoting function also contribute to the infectivity of HIV-1.

Visualising single molecules of HIV-1 and miRNA nucleic acids.

BACKGROUND: The scarcity of certain nucleic acid species and the small size of target sequences such as miRNA, impose a significant barrier to subcellular visualization and present a major challenge to cell biologists. Here, we offer a generic and highly sensitive visualization approach (oligo fluorescent in situ hybridization, O-FISH) that can be used to detect such nucleic acids using a single-oligonucleotide probe of 19-26 nucleotides in length. RESULTS: We used O-FISH to visualize miR146a in human and avian cells. Furthermore, we reveal the sensitivity of O-FISH detection by using a HIV-1 model system to show that as little as 1-2 copies of nucleic acids can be detected in a single cell. We were able to discern newly synthesized viral cDNA and, moreover, observed that certain HIV RNA sequences are only transiently available for O-FISH detection. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, these results suggest that the O-FISH method can potentially be used for in situ probing of, as few as, 1-2 copies of nucleic acid and, additionally, to visualize small RNA such as miRNA. We further propose that the O-FISH method could be extended to understand viral function by probing newly transcribed viral intermediates; and discern the localisation of nucleic acids of interest. Additionally, interrogating the conformation and structure of a particular nucleic acid in situ might also be possible, based on the accessibility of a target sequence.

Early events of HIV-1 infection: can signaling be the next therapeutic target?

Intracellular signaling events are signposts of biological processes, which govern the direction and action of biological activities. Through millions of years of evolution, pathogens, such as viruses, have evolved to hijack host cell machinery to infect their targets and are therefore dependent on host cell signaling for replication. This review will detail our current understanding of the signaling events that are important for the early steps of HIV-1 replication. More specifically, the therapeutic potential of signaling events associated with chemokine coreceptors, virus entry, viral synapses, and post-entry processes will be discussed. We argue that these pathways may represent novel targets for antiviral therapy.

Labeling of multiple HIV-1 proteins with the biarsenical-tetracysteine system.

Due to its small size and versatility, the biarsenical-tetracysteine system is an attractive way to label viral proteins for live cell imaging. This study describes the genetic labeling of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) structural proteins (matrix, capsid and nucleocapsid), enzymes (protease, reverse transcriptase, RNAse H and integrase) and envelope glycoprotein 120 with a tetracysteine tag in the context of a full-length virus. We measure the impact of these modifications on the natural virus infection and, most importantly, present the first infectious HIV-1 construct containing a fluorescently-labeled nucleocapsid protein. Furthermore, due to the high background levels normally associated with the labeling of tetracysteine-tagged proteins we have also optimized a metabolic labeling system that produces infectious virus containing the natural envelope glycoproteins and specifically labeled tetracysteine-tagged proteins that can easily be detected after virus infection of T-lymphocytes. This approach can be adapted to other viral systems for the visualization of the interplay between virus and host cell during infection.

Establishment of HIV-1 latency in resting CD4+ T cells depends on chemokine-induced changes in the actin cytoskeleton.

Eradication of HIV-1 with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is not possible due to the persistence of long-lived, latently infected resting memory CD4(+) T cells. We now show that HIV-1 latency can be established in resting CD4(+) T cells infected with HIV-1 after exposure to ligands for CCR7 (CCL19), CXCR3 (CXCL9 and CXCL10), and CCR6 (CCL20) but not in unactivated CD4(+) T cells. The mechanism did not involve cell activation or significant changes in gene expression, but was associated with rapid dephosphorylation of cofilin and changes in filamentous actin. Incubation with chemokine before infection led to efficient HIV-1 nuclear localization and integration and this was inhibited by the actin stabilizer jasplakinolide. We propose a unique pathway for establishment of latency by direct HIV-1 infection of resting CD4(+) T cells during normal chemokine-directed recirculation of CD4(+) T cells between blood and tissue.

X4 and R5 HIV-1 have distinct post-entry requirements for uracil DNA glycosylase during infection of primary cells.

It has been assumed that R5 and X4 HIV utilize similar strategies to support viral cDNA synthesis post viral entry. In this study, we provide evidence to show that R5 and X4 HIV have distinct requirements for host cell uracil DNA glycosylase (UNG2) during the early stage of infection. UNG2 has been previously implicated in HIV infection, but its precise role remains controversial. In this study we show that, although UNG2 is highly expressed in different cell lines, UNG2 levels are low in the natural host cells of HIV. Short interfering RNA knockdown of endogenous UNG2 in primary cells showed that UNG2 is required for R5 but not X4 HIV infection and that this requirement is bypassed when HIV enters the target cell via vesicular stomatitis virus envelope-glycoprotein-mediated endocytosis. We also show that short interfering RNA knockdown of UNG2 in virus-producing primary cells leads to defective R5 HIV virions that are unable to complete viral cDNA synthesis. Quantitative PCR analysis revealed that endogenous UNG2 levels are transiently up-regulated post HIV infection, and this increase in UNG2 mRNA is approximately 10-20 times higher in R5 versus X4 HIV-infected cells. Our data show that both virion-associated UNG2 and HIV infection-induced UNG2 expression are critical for reverse transcription during R5 but not X4 HIV infection. More importantly, we have made the novel observation that R5 and X4 HIV have distinct host cell factor requirements and differential capacities to induce gene expression during the early stages of infection. These differences may result from activation of distinct signaling cascades and/or infection of divergent T-lymphocyte subpopulations.

High isoflavone soy diet increases insulin secretion without decreasing insulin sensitivity in premenopausal nonhuman primates.

Consuming soy and soy isoflavones has been shown to cause modest improvements in plasma lipids, lipoproteins, and indices of insulin sensitivity in postmenopausal women. The effect of soy on such end points is attributed often to estrogen receptor agonism by isoflavones. Recent in vitro studies suggest that isoflavones, in combination with high estrogen concentrations (within the range seen circulating in premenopausal women), function as estrogen receptor antagonists that potentially may counteract the beneficial effects seen with soy consumption. We studied insulin sensitivity in 15 premenopausal nonhuman primates consuming either a high isoflavone soy diet or a soy-free casein/lactalbumin diet for 4 months. Insulin sensitivity was measured by intravenous glucose tolerance testing, hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps, and insulin-stimulated insulin receptor and protein kinase B phosphorylation levels in muscle. In addition, plasma lipids, adiponectin, thyroid hormone, and body weights are reported. We show that high isoflavones do not adversely affect insulin sensitivity but do significantly alter insulin secretion to glucose stimulation. Small but significant increases in thyroxine and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were observed as has been reported commonly with soy intake. These study results demonstrate that consumption of soy containing high isoflavone levels is not associated with changes in insulin sensitivity in the high estrogen milieu of the premenopausal female.

Primary T-lymphocytes rescue the replication of HIV-1 DIS RNA mutants in part by facilitating reverse transcription.

The dimerization initiation site (DIS) stem-loop within the HIV-1 RNA genome is vital for the production of infectious virions in T-cell lines but not in primary cells. In comparison to peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), which can support the replication of both wild type and HIV-1 DIS RNA mutants, we have found that DIS RNA mutants are up to 100 000-fold less infectious than wild-type HIV-1 in T-cell lines. We have also found that the cell-type-dependent replication of HIV-1 DIS RNA mutants is largely producer cell-dependent, with mutants displaying a greater defect in viral cDNA synthesis when viruses were not derived from PBMCs. While many examples exist of host-pathogen interplays that are mediated via proteins, analogous examples which rely on nucleic acid triggers are limited. Our data provide evidence to illustrate that primary T-lymphocytes rescue, in part, the replication of HIV-1 DIS RNA mutants through mediating the reverse transcription process in a cell-type-dependent manner. Our data also suggest the presence of a host cell factor that acts within the virus producer cells. In addition to providing an example of an RNA-mediated cell-type-dependent block to viral replication, our data also provides evidence which help to resolve the dilemma of how HIV-1 genomes with mismatched DIS sequences can recombine to generate chimeric viral RNA genomes.

Trans fat diet induces abdominal obesity and changes in insulin sensitivity in monkeys.

OBJECTIVE: There is conflicting evidence about the propensity of trans fatty acids (TFAs) to cause obesity and insulin resistance. The effect of moderately high intake of dietary monounsaturated TFAs on body composition and indices of glucose metabolism was evaluated to determine any pro-diabetic effect in the absence of weight gain. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Male African green monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops; n=42) were assigned to diets containing either cis-monounsaturated fatty acids or an equivalent diet containing the trans-isomers (approximately 8% of energy) for 6 years. Total calories were supplied to provide maintenance energy requirements and were intended to not promote weight gain. Longitudinal body weight and abdominal fat distribution by computed tomography scan analysis at 6 years of study are reported. Fasting plasma insulin, glucose, and fructosamine concentrations were measured. Postprandial insulin and glucose concentrations, and insulin-stimulated serine/threonine protein kinase (Akt), insulin receptor activation, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha concentrations in subcutaneous fat and muscle were measured in subsets of animals. RESULTS: TFA-fed monkeys gained significant weight with increased intra-abdominal fat deposition. Impaired glucose disposal was implied by significant postprandial hyperinsulinemia, elevated fructosamine, and trends toward higher glucose concentrations. Significant reduction in muscle Akt phosphorylation from the TFA-fed monkeys suggested a mechanism for these changes in carbohydrate metabolism. DISCUSSION: Under controlled feeding conditions, long-term TFA consumption was an independent factor in weight gain. TFAs enhanced intra-abdominal deposition of fat, even in the absence of caloric excess, and were associated with insulin resistance, with evidence that there is impaired post-insulin receptor binding signal transduction.