Antibody surface mobility amplifies FcγR signaling via Arp2/3 during phagocytosis.

We report herein that the anti-CD20 therapeutic antibody, rituximab, is rearranged into microclusters within the phagocytic synapse by macrophage Fcγ receptors (FcγR) during antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis. These microclusters were observed to potently recruit Syk and to undergo rearrangements that were limited by the cytoskeleton of the target cell, with depolymerization of target-cell actin filaments leading to modest increases in phagocytic efficiency. Total internal reflection fluorescence analysis revealed that FcγR total phosphorylation, Syk phosphorylation, and Syk recruitment were enhanced when IgG-FcγR microclustering was enabled on fluid bilayers relative to immobile bilayers in a process that required Arp2/3. We conclude that on fluid surfaces, IgG-FcγR microclustering promotes signaling through Syk that is amplified by Arp2/3-driven actin rearrangements. Thus, the surface mobility of antigens bound by IgG shapes the signaling of FcγR with an unrecognized complexity beyond the zipper and trigger models of phagocytosis.

The ubiquitin ligases Cbl and Cbl-b regulate macrophage growth by controlling CSF-1R import into macropinosomes.

The ubiquitination of transmembrane receptors regulates endocytosis, intracellular traffic, and signal transduction. Bone marrow-derived macrophages from myeloid Cbl-/- and Cbl-b-/- double knockout (DKO) mice display sustained proliferation mirroring the myeloproliferative disease that these mice succumb to. Here, we found that the ubiquitin ligases Cbl and Cbl-b have overlapping functions for controlling the endocytosis and intracellular traffic of the CSF-1R. DKO macrophages displayed complete loss of ubiquitination of the CSF-1R whereas partial ubiquitination was observed for either single Cbl-/- or Cbl-b-/- macrophages. Unlike wild type, DKO macrophages were immortal and displayed slower CSF-1R internalization, elevated AKT signaling, and a failure to transport the CSF-1R into the lumen of nascent macropinosomes, leaving its cytoplasmic region available for signaling. CSF-1R degradation depended upon lysosomal vATPase activity in both WT and DKO macrophages, with this degradation confined to macropinosomes in WT but occurring in distributed/tubular lysosomes in DKO cells. RNA-sequencing comparison of Cbl-/-, Cbl-b-/- and DKO macrophages indicated that while the overall macrophage transcriptional program remained intact, DKO macrophages had alterations in gene expression associated with growth factor signaling, cell cycle, inflammation and senescence. Cbl-b-/- had minimal effect on the transcriptional program whereas Cbl-/- led to more alternations but only DKO macrophages demonstrated substantial changes in the transcriptome, suggesting overlapping but unique functions for the two Cbl-family members. Thus, Cbl/Cbl-b-mediated ubiquitination of CSF-1R regulates its endocytic fate, constrains inflammatory gene expression, and regulates signaling for macrophage proliferation.

Whole genome CRISPR screening strategy to identify genes contributing to SARS-CoV-2 spike and VSV-G mediated entry.

Understanding the cellular host factors that promote and inhibit viral entry is important for identifying viral countermeasures. CRISPR whole-genome screens can be used to rapidly discover host factors that contribute to or impair viral entry. However, when using live viruses and cellular lethality for selection, these screens can identify an overwhelming number of genes without specificity for the stage of the viral infection cycle. New screening methods are needed to identify host machinery contributing to specific steps of viral infection. Here, we developed a CRISPR whole-genome screen and counter-screen strategy based on a pseudoviral platform that allowed identification of genes specific to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike and vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein (VSV-G) mediated entry. Screening of SARS-CoV-2 spike and VSV-G on the same lentiviral pseudovirus allowed the identification of entry-specific genes relative to genes associated with retro-transcription, integration, and reporter expression from the lentiviral pseudovirus. Second, a Cre-Gag fusion protein packaged into the pseudovirus was used to bypass retro-transcription and integration by directly activating a floxed fluorescent protein reporter upon entry  reduced the number of gene hits and increase specificity for viral entry. Our approach correctly identified SARS-CoV-2 and VSV-G receptors ACE2 and low-density lipoprotein receptors, respectively, and distinguished genes associated with retroviral reporter expression from envelope-mediated entry. Moreover, the CRE-Gag fusion/flox reporter increased the screen specificity for viral entry-associated genes. Validation of a few hits demonstrates that this approach distinguishes envelope-specific host factors from genes affecting reporter expression. Overall, this approach provides a new strategy for identifying host genes influencing viral entry without the confounding complexity of live-viral screens which produce long gene lists associated with all aspects of viral pathogenesis and replication.

Sterols lower energetic barriers of membrane bending and fission necessary for efficient clathrin-mediated endocytosis.

Clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) is critical for cellular signal transduction, receptor recycling, and membrane homeostasis in mammalian cells. Acute depletion of cholesterol disrupts CME, motivating analysis of CME dynamics in the context of human disorders of cholesterol metabolism. We report that inhibition of post-squalene cholesterol biosynthesis impairs CME. Imaging of membrane bending dynamics and the CME pit ultrastructure reveals prolonged clathrin pit lifetimes and shallow clathrin-coated structures, suggesting progressive impairment of curvature generation correlates with diminishing sterol abundance. Sterol structural requirements for efficient CME include 3' polar head group and B-ring conformation, resembling the sterol structural prerequisites for tight lipid packing and polarity. Furthermore, Smith-Lemli-Opitz fibroblasts with low cholesterol abundance exhibit deficits in CME-mediated transferrin internalization. We conclude that sterols lower the energetic costs of membrane bending during pit formation and vesicular scission during CME and suggest that reduced CME activity may contribute to cellular phenotypes observed within disorders of cholesterol metabolism.

The structural dynamics of macropinosome formation and PI3-kinase-mediated sealing revealed by lattice light sheet microscopy.

Macropinosomes are formed by shaping actin-rich plasma membrane ruffles into large intracellular organelles in a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-coordinated manner. Here, we utilize lattice lightsheet microscopy and image visualization methods to map the three-dimensional structure and dynamics of macropinosome formation relative to PI3K activity. We show that multiple ruffling morphologies produce macropinosomes and that the majority form through collisions of adjacent PI3K-rich ruffles. By combining multiple volumetric representations of the plasma membrane structure and PI3K products, we show that PI3K activity begins early throughout the entire ruffle volume and continues to increase until peak activity concentrates at the base of the ruffle after the macropinosome closes. Additionally, areas of the plasma membrane rich in ruffling had increased PI3K activity and produced many macropinosomes of various sizes. Pharmacologic inhibition of PI3K activity had little effect on the rate and morphology of membrane ruffling, demonstrating that early production of 3'-phosphoinositides within ruffles plays a minor role in regulating their morphology. However, 3'-phosphoinositides are critical for the fusogenic activity that seals ruffles into macropinosomes. Taken together, these data indicate that local PI3K activity is amplified in ruffles and serves as a priming mechanism for closure and sealing of ruffles into macropinosomes.

Generation of a CLTA reporter human induced pluripotent stem cell line, CRMi001-A-1, using the CRISPR/Cas9 system to monitor endogenous clathrin trafficking.

The most highly studied endocytic pathway, clathrin-dependent endocytosis, mediates a wide range of fundamental processes including nutrient internalization, receptor recycling, and signal transduction. In order to model tissue specific and developmental aspects of this process, CRISPR/Cas9 genomic editing was utilized to fluorescently label the C-terminus of clathrin light chain A (CLTA) within the phenotypically normal, parental CRMi001-A human induced pluripotent stem cell line. Successfully edited cells were isolated by fluorescently activated cell sorting, remained karyotypically normal, and maintained their differentiation potential. This cell line facilitates imaging of endogenous clathrin trafficking within varied cell types.

Membrane bending occurs at all stages of clathrin-coat assembly and defines endocytic dynamics.

Clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) internalizes plasma membrane by reshaping small regions of the cell surface into spherical vesicles. The key mechanistic question of how coat assembly produces membrane curvature has been studied with molecular and cellular structural biology approaches, without direct visualization of the process in living cells; resulting in two competing models for membrane bending. Here we use polarized total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (pol-TIRF) combined with electron, atomic force, and super-resolution optical microscopy to measure membrane curvature during CME. Surprisingly, coat assembly accommodates membrane bending concurrent with or after the assembly of the clathrin lattice. Once curvature began, CME proceeded to scission with robust timing. Four color pol-TIRF showed that CALM accumulated at high levels during membrane bending, implicating its auxiliary role in curvature generation. We conclude that clathrin-coat assembly is versatile and that multiple membrane-bending trajectories likely reflect the energetics of coat assembly relative to competing forces.

Both cytopathic and non-cytopathic bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) induced autophagy at a similar rate.

Autophagy is a cellular process that maintains cellular homeostasis by the proteolytic recycling of cytoplasm. Autophagy occurs at basal levels in almost all cells. It is upregulated in cellular stress including starvation, oxidative stress or during infection. Several viruses including flavivirus have developed strategies to subvert or use autophagy for their efficient replication. Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is a member of the Flaviviridae family and the pestivirus virus group. BVDV is responsible for significant economic loss in cattle industry worldwide. A unique characteristic of BVDV is the well-characterized genetic changes that can result in two different phenotypes (biotypes) in cell culture: cytopathic (cp) or non-cytopathic (ncp) effects. The ncp viruses are the most prevalent and important for clinical disease. This study was carried out to determine the effect of different BVDV phenotypes using the virus pair, cp TGAC and ncp TGAN in autophagy induction, as well as to investigate the role of autophagy in BVDV induced cytopathic effect. RESULTS: showed that both biotypes (cp and ncp) of BVDV induced autophagy in immortal Madin-Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) cell line as well as primary bovine turbinate (Bt) cells following infection. There was no significant difference between cp or ncp strains of BVDV in autophagosome formation (p<0.05) in either MDBK or Bt cells. The autophagy inhibiting drug, 3-methyladenine (3MA) significantly reduced autophagy (p<0.05) as well as viral replication. While autophagy inducing drug rapamycin significantly enhanced autophagy as well as viral replication. The co-localization study using, BVDV NS5A, Erns and E1 proteins with autophagy marker, light chain-3 (LC3) revealed that BVDV replication was associated with autophagosomes. This study revealed that both cp and ncp strains of BVDV induced autophagy at similar level and used autophagy machinery for their replication.

Delivery of CSF-1R to the lumen of macropinosomes promotes its destruction in macrophages.

Activation of the macrophage colony stimulating factor-1 receptor (CSF-1R) by CSF-1 stimulates pronounced macropinocytosis and drives proliferation of macrophages. Although the role of macropinocytosis in CSF-1R signaling remains unknown, we show here that, despite internalizing large quantities of plasma membrane, macropinosomes contribute little to the internalization of the CSF-1-CSF-1R complex. Rather, internalization of the CSF-1R in small endocytic vesicles that are sensitive to clathrin disruption, outcompetes macropinosomes for CSF-1R endocytosis. Following internalization, small vesicles carrying the CSF-1R underwent homotypic fusion and then trafficked to newly formed macropinosomes bearing Rab5. As these macropinosomes matured, acquiring Rab7, the CSF-1R was transported into their lumen and degraded. Inhibition of macropinocytosis delayed receptor degradation despite no disruption to CSF-1R endocytosis. These data indicate that CSF-1-stimulated macropinosomes are sites of multivesicular body formation and accelerate CSF-1R degradation. Furthermore, we demonstrate that macropinocytosis and cell growth have a matching dose dependence on CSF-1, suggesting that macropinosomes might be a central mechanism coupling CSF-1R signaling and macrophage growth.

Transgenic expression of viral capsid proteins predisposes to axonal injury in a murine model of multiple sclerosis.

We used transgenic expression of capsid antigens to Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) to study the influence of VP1, VP2 or VP2(121-130) to either protection or pathogenesis to chronic spinal cord demyelination, axonal loss and functional deficits during the acute and chronic phases of infection. We used both mice that are normally susceptible (FVB) and mice normally resistant (FVB.D(b) ) to demyelination. Transgenic expression of VP2(121-130) epitope in resistant FVB.D(b) mice caused spinal cord pathology and virus persistence because the VP2(121-130) epitope is the dominant peptide recognized by D(b) , which is critical for virus clearance. In contrast, all three FVB TMEV transgenic mice showed more demyelination, inflammation and axonal loss as compared with wild-type FVB mice, even though virus load was not increased. Motor function measured by rotarod showed weak correlation with total number of midthoracic axons, but a strong correlation with large-caliber axons (>10µm(2) ). This study supports the hypothesis that expression of viral capsid proteins as self influences the extent of axonal pathology following Theiler's virus-induced demyelination. The findings provide insight into the role of axonal injury in the development of functional deficits that may have relevance to human demyelinating disease.

Antiviral effects of a transgenic RNA-dependent RNA polymerase.

Transgenic expression of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase 3D(pol) inhibited infection of Theiler's murine encephalitis virus (TMEV), a picornavirus from which it was derived. Here, we infected 3D(pol) transgenic mice with another picornavirus, as well as an alphaherpesvirus and a rhabdovirus. 3D(pol) transgenic FVB mice had significantly lower viral loads and survived longer after infection with all three types of viruses than nontransgenic FVB mice. Viral inhibition among three different types of virus by transgenic 3D(pol) suggests that the mechanism of action is not the direct interference with picornaviral 3D(pol) but instead may be the changing of host cells to an antiviral state before or after viral infection occurs, as basal interferon levels were higher in 3D(pol) transgenic mice before infection. Further study of this mechanism may open new possibilities for future antiviral therapy.

Novel roles of the picornaviral 3D polymerase in viral pathogenesis.

The RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase, 3D(pol), is an essential component in the picornavirus genome for the replication of single stranded RNA. However, transgenic expression of 3D(pol) in mice has antiviral effects. Here we discuss the structure and function of 3D(pol) during picornavirus replication, we review the evidence and consequence of a host immune response to epitopes in 3D(pol) after picornavirus infection, highlight data showing the antiviral effects of transgenic 3D(pol) from Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV), and discuss potential mechanisms by which 3D(pol) is causing this antiviral effect in mice.

Allelic variation in the Tyk2 and EGF genes as potential genetic determinants of CNS repair.

The potential for endogenous remyelination and axonal protection can be an important factor in determining disease outcome in demyelinating diseases like multiple sclerosis. In many multiple sclerosis (MS) patients CNS repair fails or is incomplete whereas in others the disease is accompanied by extensive repair of demyelinated lesions. We have described significant differences in the ability of two strains of mice to repair CNS damage following Theiler's virus-induced demyelination: FVB/NJ (FVB) mice repair damaged myelin spontaneously and completely, whereas B10.D1-H2(q)/SgJ (B10.Q) mice are deficient in the repair process. A QTL analysis was performed to identify genetic loci that differentially regulate CNS repair following chronic demyelination in these strains and two QTL were detected: one on chromosome 3 with a LOD score of 9.3 and a second on chromosome 9 with a LOD score of 14.0. The mouse genes for epidermal growth factor (EGF) and Tyk2 are encoded within the QTL on chromosomes 3 and 9, respectively. Sequence polymorphisms between the FVB and B10.Q strains at both the EGF and Tyk2 loci define functional variations consistent with roles for these genes in regulating myelin repair. EGF is a key regulator of cell growth and development and we show a sevenfold increase in EGF expression in FVB compared to B10.Q mice. Tyk2 is a Janus kinase that plays a central role in controlling the T(H)1 immune response and we show that attenuation of Tyk2 function correlates with enhanced CNS repair.

Transgenic expression of the 3D polymerase inhibits Theiler's virus infection and demyelination.

The RNA-dependent RNA polymerase 3D(pol) is required for the elongation of positive- and negative-stranded picornavirus RNA. During the course of investigating the effect of the transgenic expression of viral genes on the host immune response, we evaluated the viral load present in the host after infection. To our surprise, we found that 3D transgenic expression in genetically susceptible FVB mice led to substantially lower viral loads after infection with Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV). As a result, spinal cord damage caused by chronic viral infection in the central nervous system was reduced in FVB mice that expressed 3D. This led to the preservation of large-diameter axons and motor function in these mice. The 3D transgene also lowered early viral loads when expressed in FVB-D(b) mice resistant to persistent TMEV infection. The protective effect of 3D transgenic expression was not altered in FVB-Rag(-/-).3D mice that are deficient in T and B cells, thus ruling out a mechanism by which the overexpression of 3D enhanced the adaptive immune clearance of the virus. Understanding how endogenously overexpressed 3D polymerase inhibits viral replication may lead to new strategies for targeting therapies to all picornaviruses.

Human HLA-DR transgenes protect mice from fatal virus-induced encephalomyelitis and chronic demyelination.

We evaluated the participatory role of human HLA-DR molecules in control of virus from the central nervous system and in the development of subsequent spinal cord demyelination. The experiments utilized intracranial infection with Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV), a picornavirus that, in some strains of mice, results in primary demyelination. We studied DR2 and DR3 transgenic mice that were bred onto a combined class I-deficient mouse (beta-2 microglobulin deficient; beta2m(0)) and class II-deficient mouse (Abeta(0)) of the H-2(b) background. Abeta(0).beta2m(0) mice infected with TMEV died within 18 days of infection. These mice showed severe encephalomyelitis due to rapid replication of virus genome. In contrast, transgenic mice with insertion of a single human class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) gene (DR2 or DR3) survived the acute infection. DR2 and DR3 mice controlled virus infection by 45 days and did not develop spinal cord demyelination. Levels of virus RNA were reduced in HLA-DR transgenic mice compared to Abeta(0).beta2m(0) mice. Virus-neutralizing antibody responses did not explain why DR mice survived the infection and controlled virus replication. However, DR mice showed an increase in gamma interferon and interleukin-2 transcripts in the brain, which were associated with protection. The findings support the hypothesis that the expression of a single human class II MHC molecule can, by itself, influence the control of an intracerebral pathogen in a host without a competent class I MHC immune response. The mechanism of protection appears to be the result of cytokines released by CD4(+) T cells.

Regulation of Kruppel-like factor 4, 9, and 13 genes and the steroidogenic genes LDLR, StAR, and CYP11A in ovarian granulosa cells.

Kruppel-like factors (KLFs) are important Sp1-like eukaryotic transcriptional proteins. The LDLR, StAR, and CYP11A genes exhibit GC-rich Sp1-like sites, which have the potential to bind KLFs in multiprotein complexes. We now report that KLF4, KLF9, and KLF13 transcripts are expressed in and regulate ovarian cells. KLF4 and 13, but not KLF9, mRNA expression was induced and then repressed over time (P < 0.001). Combined LH and IGF-I stimulation increased KLF4 mRNA at 2 h (P < 0.01), whereas LH decreased KLF13 mRNA at 6 h (P < 0.05), and IGF-I reduced KLF13 at 24 h (P < 0.01) compared with untreated control. KLF9 was not regulated by either hormone. Transient transfection of KLF4, KLF9, and KLF13 suppressed LDLR/luc, StAR/luc, and CYP11A/luc by 80-90% (P < 0.001). Histone-deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors stimulated LDLR/luc five- to sixfold and StAR/luc and CYP11A/luc activity twofold (P < 0.001) and partially reversed suppression by all three KLFs (P < 0.001). Deletion of the zinc finger domain of KLF13 abrogated repression of LDLR/luc. Lentiviral overexpression of the KLF13 gene suppressed LDLR mRNA (P < 0.001) and CYP11A mRNA (P = 0.003) but increased StAR mRNA (P = 0.007). Collectively, these data suggest that KLFs may recruit inhibitory complexes containing HDAC corepressors, thereby repressing LDLR and CYP11A transcription. Conversely, KLF13 may recruit unknown coactivators or stabilize StAR mRNA, thereby explaining enhancement of in situ StAR gene expression. These data introduce new potent gonadal transregulators of genes encoding proteins that mediate sterol uptake and steroid biosynthesis.

Reverse engineering of the giant muscle protein titin.

Through the study of single molecules it has become possible to explain the function of many of the complex molecular assemblies found in cells. The protein titin provides muscle with its passive elasticity. Each titin molecule extends over half a sarcomere, and its extensibility has been studied both in situ and at the level of single molecules. These studies suggested that titin is not a simple entropic spring but has a complex structure-dependent elasticity. Here we use protein engineering and single-molecule atomic force microscopy to examine the mechanical components that form the elastic region of human cardiac titin. We show that when these mechanical elements are combined, they explain the macroscopic behaviour of titin in intact muscle. Our studies show the functional reconstitution of a protein from the sum of its parts.