Mechanisms of lymphatic system-specific viral replication and its potential role in autoimmune disease.

Viral infections can be fatal because of the direct cytopathic effects of the virus or the induction of a strong, uncontrolled inflammatory response. Virus and host intrinsic characteristics strongly modulate the outcome of viral infections. Recently we determined the circumstances under which enhanced replication of virus within the lymphoid tissue is beneficial for the outcome of a disease. This enforced viral replication promotes anti-viral immune activation and, counterintuitively, accelerates virus control. In this review we summarize the mechanisms that contribute to enforced viral replication. Antigen-presenting cells and CD169+ macrophages exhibit enforced viral replication after infection with the model viruses lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). Ubiquitin-specific peptidase 18 (Usp18), an endogenous type I interferon blocker in CD169+ macrophages, has been identified as a proviral gene, as are B cell activating factor (BAFF) and carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1). Lymphotoxins (LT) strongly enhance viral replication in the spleen and lymph nodes. All these factors modulate splenic architecture and thereby promote the development of CD169+ macrophages. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cell signaling (NF-κB) have been found to promote the survival of infected CD169+ macrophages, thereby similarly promoting enforced viral replication. Association of autoimmune disease with infections is evident from (1) autoimmune phenomena described during a chronic virus infection; (2) onset of autoimmune disease simultaneous to viral infections; and (3) experimental evidence. Involvement of virus infection during onset of type I diabetes is strongly evident. Epstein-Bar virus (EBV) infection was discussed to be involved in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus. In conclusion, several mechanisms promote viral replication in secondary lymphatic organs. Identifying such factors in humans is a challenge for future studies.

MALT1 is an intrinsic regulator of regulatory T cells.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are crucial for the maintenance of immunological self-tolerance and their absence or dysfunction can lead to autoimmunity. However, the molecular pathways that govern Treg biology remain obscure. In this study, we show that the nuclear factor-κB signalling mediator mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma translocation protein 1 (MALT1) is an important novel regulator of both Tregs originating in the thymus ('natural' or nTregs) and Tregs induced to differentiate from naive thymocyte helper (Th) cells in the periphery ('induced' or iTregs). Our examination of mice deficient for MALT1 revealed that these mutants have a reduced number of total Tregs. In young Malt1-/- mice, nTregs are totally absent and iTreg are diminished in the periphery. Interestingly, total Treg numbers increase in older Malt1-/- mice as well as in Malt1-/- mice subjected to experimentally induced inflammation. iTregs isolated from WT and Malt1-/- mice were indistinguishable with respect to their ability to suppress the activities of effector T cells, but Malt1-/- iTregs expressed higher levels of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2. Treatment of WT and Malt1-/- Th cells in vitro with the TLR2 ligand Pam3Cys strongly enhanced the induction and proliferation of Malt1-/- iTregs. Our data suggest that MALT1 supports nTreg development in the thymus but suppresses iTreg induction in the periphery during inflammation. Our data position MALT1 as a key molecule that contributes to immune tolerance at steady-state while facilitating immune reactivity under stress conditions.

Balancing viral replication in spleen and liver determines the outcome of systemic virus infection.

The innate immune system limits virus replication during systemic infection by producing type I interferons (IFN-I) but still has to allow viral replication to achieve maximal innate and adaptive immune activation. Some spleen and lymph node resident antigen presenting cells (APCs) show limited response to IFN-I due to expression of the endogenous inhibitor of IFN-I signaling, Usp18. Therefore, virus in this spleen niche replicates despite high levels of IFN-I. This enforced viral replication leads to an exorbitant propagation of viral antigens and viral RNA. Viral antigen leads to massive activation of the adaptive immune system, while viral RNA to activated innate immunity. In contrast to these APCs, liver resident Kupffer cells, take up most of the systemic virus and suppress its replication in response to IFN-I. In addition, virus specific CD8 + T cells which are primed in the spleen migrate to the liver and kill virus infected cells. In this review we discuss the different mechanisms, which influence immune activation in spleen and antiviral mechanisms in the liver and how they determine the outcome of virus infection.

Idh1 protects murine hepatocytes from endotoxin-induced oxidative stress by regulating the intracellular NADP(+)/NADPH ratio.

Isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 (Idh1) is an important metabolic enzyme that produces NADPH by converting isocitrate to α-ketoglutarate. Idh1 is known to reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced in cells by treatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in vitro. Here, we used Idh1-deficient knockout (Idh1 KO) mice to investigate the role of Idh1 in antioxidant defense in vivo. Idh1 KO mice showed heightened susceptibility to death induced by LPS and exhibited increased serum levels of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6. The serum of LPS-injected Idh1 KO mice also contained elevated levels of AST, a marker of inflammatory liver damage. Furthermore, after LPS injection, livers of Idh1 KO mice showed histological evidence of elevated oxidative DNA damage compared with livers of wild-type (WT) mice. Idh1 KO livers showed a faster and more pronounced oxidative stress than WT livers. In line with that, Idh1 KO hepatocytes showed higher ROS levels and an increase in the NADP(+)/NADPH ratio when compared with hepatocytes isolated from WT mice. These results suggest that Idh1 has a physiological function in protecting cells from oxidative stress by regulating the intracellular NADP(+)/NADPH ratio. Our findings suggest that stimulation of Idh1 activity may be an effective therapeutic strategy for reducing oxidative stress during inflammatory responses, including the early stages of septic shock.

Toso regulates differentiation and activation of inflammatory dendritic cells during persistence-prone virus infection.

During virus infection and autoimmune disease, inflammatory dendritic cells (iDCs) differentiate from blood monocytes and infiltrate infected tissue. Following acute infection with hepatotropic viruses, iDCs are essential for re-stimulating virus-specific CD8(+) T cells and therefore contribute to virus control. Here we used the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) model system to identify novel signals, which influence the recruitment and activation of iDCs in the liver. We observed that intrinsic expression of Toso (Faim3, FcµR) influenced the differentiation and activation of iDCs in vivo and DCs in vitro. Lack of iDCs in Toso-deficient (Toso(-/-)) mice reduced CD8(+) T-cell function in the liver and resulted in virus persistence. Furthermore, Toso(-/-) DCs failed to induce autoimmune diabetes in the rat insulin promoter-glycoprotein (RIP-GP) autoimmune diabetes model. In conclusion, we found that Toso has an essential role in the differentiation and maturation of iDCs, a process that is required for the control of persistence-prone virus infection.

IRF4 and BATF are critical for CD8⁺ T-cell function following infection with LCMV.

CD8(+) T-cell functions are critical for preventing chronic viral infections by eliminating infected cells. For healthy immune responses, beneficial destruction of infected cells must be balanced against immunopathology resulting from collateral damage to tissues. These processes are regulated by factors controlling CD8(+) T-cell function, which are still incompletely understood. Here, we show that the interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) and its cooperating binding partner B-cell-activating transcription factor (BATF) are necessary for sustained CD8(+) T-cell effector function. Although Irf4(-/-) CD8(+) T cells were initially capable of proliferation, IRF4 deficiency resulted in limited CD8(+) T-cell responses after infection with the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. Consequently, Irf4(-/-) mice established chronic infections, but were protected from fatal immunopathology. Absence of BATF also resulted in reduced CD8(+) T-cell function, limited immunopathology, and promotion of viral persistence. These data identify the transcription factors IRF4 and BATF as major regulators of antiviral cytotoxic T-cell immunity.

Reactive oxygen species delay control of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus.

Cluster of differentiation (CD)8(+) T cells are like a double edged sword during chronic viral infections because they not only promote virus elimination but also induce virus-mediated immunopathology. Elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been reported during virus infections. However, the role of ROS in T-cell-mediated immunopathology remains unclear. Here we used the murine lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus to explore the role of ROS during the processes of virus elimination and induction of immunopathology. We found that virus infection led to elevated levels of ROS producing granulocytes and macrophages in virus-infected liver and spleen tissues that were triggered by the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase. Lack of the regulatory subunit p47phox of the NADPH oxidase diminished ROS production in these cells. While CD8(+) T cells exhibited ROS production that was independent of NADPH oxidase expression, survival and T-cell function was elevated in p47phox-deficient (Ncf1(-/-)) mice. In the absence of p47phox, enhanced T-cell immunity promoted virus elimination and blunted corresponding immunopathology. In conclusion, we find that NADPH-mediated production of ROS critically impairs the immune response, impacting elimination of virus and outcome of liver cell damage.

Cell volume, the serum and glucocorticoid inducible kinase 1 and the liver.

In virtually all cells including hepatocytes cell volume regulation is accomplished during cell swelling by cellular ion release (activation of K (+) channels and/or anion channels, KCl-cotransport, parallel activation of K (+)/H (+) exchange and Cl (-)/HCO (3)(-) exchange) and following cell shrinkage by cellular ion uptake (activation of Na (+), K (+), 2Cl (-) cotransport, Na (+)/H (+) exchange in parallel to Cl (-)/HCO (3)(-) exchange and Na (+)-channels). Moreover, cell shrinkage triggers the cellular accumulation of organic osmolytes (e. g., myoinositol, betaine, phosphorylcholine, taurine). Cell volume is a powerful regulator of hepatic metabolism. Cell shrinkage stimulates and cell swelling inhibits proteolysis and glycogenolysis. Moreover, cell volume influences the generation of and sensitivity to oxidants. Cell volume regulatory mechanisms furthermore do play a role in fibrosing disease. Kinases stimulating cell volume regulatory mechanisms include the serum and glucocorticoid inducible kinase SGK1, which is expressed in the liver, is genomically up-regulated by cell shrinkage, stimulates a wide variety of channels and transporters including Na (+), K (+), 2Cl (-) cotransport and Na (+)/H (+) exchange and is known to participate in the stimulation of fibrosis. Accordingly, excessive SGK1 expression is observed in liver cirrhosis. The case is made that SGK1 participates in the regulation of liver cell volume and thus in the regulation of hepatic metabolism.

Osmotic shock-induced suicidal death of erythrocytes.

Osmotic shock triggers eryptosis, a suicidal death of erythrocytes characterized by cell shrinkage, cell membrane blebbing and phosphatidylserine exposure at the cell surface. Phosphatidylserine-exposing erythrocytes are recognized by macrophages, engulfed, degraded and thus cleared from circulating blood. Eryptosis following osmotic shock is mediated by two distinct signalling pathways. On the one hand, osmotic shock stimulates a cyclooxygenase leading to formation of prostaglandin E2 and subsequent activation of Ca2+-permeable cation channels. On the other hand, osmotic shock activates a phospholipase A2 leading to release of platelet activating factor, which in turn activates a sphingomyelinase and thus stimulates the formation of ceramide. The increased cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations on the one hand and ceramide on the other trigger phospholipid scrambling of the cell membrane with the subsequent shift of phosphatidylserine from the inner to the outer cell membrane leaflet. Ca2+ further activates Ca2+-sensitive K+ channels leading to cellular KCl loss and further cell shrinkage. The cation channels are inhibited by Cl- anions, erythropoietin and dopamine. The sphingomyelinase is inhibited by high concentrations of urea. Thus, the high Cl- and urea concentrations in renal medulla presumably prevent the triggering of eryptosis despite hyperosmolarity. The mechanisms involved in eryptosis may not only affect the survival of erythrocytes but may be similarly operative in nucleated cells exposed to osmotic shock.

Ion channels in cell proliferation and apoptotic cell death.

Cell proliferation and apoptosis are paralleled by altered regulation of ion channels that play an active part in the signaling of those fundamental cellular mechanisms. Cell proliferation must--at some time point--increase cell volume and apoptosis is typically paralleled by cell shrinkage. Cell volume changes require the participation of ion transport across the cell membrane, including appropriate activity of Cl- and K+ channels. Besides regulating cytosolic Cl- activity, osmolyte flux and, thus, cell volume, most Cl- channels allow HCO3- exit and cytosolic acidification, which inhibits cell proliferation and favors apoptosis. K+ exit through K+ channels may decrease intracellular K+ concentration, which in turn favors apoptotic cell death. K+ channel activity further maintains the cell membrane potential, a critical determinant of Ca2+ entry through Ca2+ channels. Cytosolic Ca2+ may trigger mechanisms required for cell proliferation and stimulate enzymes executing apoptosis. The switch between cell proliferation and apoptosis apparently depends on the magnitude and temporal organization of Ca2+ entry and on the functional state of the cell. Due to complex interaction with other signaling pathways, a given ion channel may play a dual role in both cell proliferation and apoptosis. Thus, specific ion channel blockers may abrogate both fundamental cellular mechanisms, depending on cell type, regulatory environment and condition of the cell. Clearly, considerable further experimental effort is required to fully understand the complex interplay between ion channels, cell proliferation and apoptosis.

PGE(2) in the regulation of programmed erythrocyte death.

Hyperosmotic shock, energy depletion, or removal of extracellular Cl(-) activates Ca(2+)-permeable cation channels in erythrocyte membranes. Subsequent Ca(2+) entry induces erythrocyte shrinkage and exposure of phosphatidylserine (PS) at the erythrocyte surface. PS-exposing cells are engulfed by macrophages. The present study explored the signalling involved. Hyperosmotic shock and Cl(-) removal triggered the release of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)). In whole-cell recording, activation of the cation channels by Cl(-) removal was abolished by the cyclooxygenase inhibitor diclophenac. In FACS analysis, phospholipase-A(2) inhibitors quinacrine and palmitoyltrifluoromethyl-ketone, and cyclooxygenase inhibitors acetylsalicylic acid and diclophenac, blunted the increase of PS exposure following Cl(-) removal. PGE(2) (but not thromboxane) induced cation channel activation, increase in cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration, cell shrinkage, PS exposure, calpain activation, and ankyrin-R degradation. The latter was attenuated by calpain inhibitors-I/II, while PGE(2)-induced PS exposure was not. In conclusion, hyperosmotic shock or Cl(-) removal stimulates erythrocyte PS exposure through PGE(2) formation and subsequent activation of Ca(2+)-permeable cation channels.

Involvement of ceramide in hyperosmotic shock-induced death of erythrocytes.

Erythrocytes lack nuclei and mitochondria, the organelles important for apoptosis of nucleated cells. However, following increase of cytosolic Ca(2+) activity, erythrocytes undergo cell shrinkage, cell membrane blebbing and breakdown of phosphatidylserine asymmetry, all features typical for apoptosis in nucleated cells. The same events are observed following osmotic shock, an effect mediated in part by activation of Ca(2+)-permeable cation channels. However, erythrocyte death following osmotic shock is blunted but not prevented in the absence of extracellular Ca(2+) pointing to additional mechanisms. As shown in this study, osmotic shock (950 mOsm) triggers sphingomyelin breakdown and formation of ceramide. The stimulation of annexin binding following osmotic shock is mimicked by addition of ceramide or purified sphingomyelinase and significantly blunted by genetic (aSM-deficient mice) or pharmacologic (50 microM 3,4-dichloroisocoumarin) knockout of sphingomyelinase. The effect of ceramide is blunted but not abolished in the absence of Ca(2+). Conversely, osmotic shock-induced annexin binding is potentiated in the presence of sublethal concentrations of ceramide. In conclusion, ceramide and Ca(2+) entry through cation channels concert to trigger erythrocyte death during osmotic shock.

K+ channel activation by all three isoforms of serum- and glucocorticoid-dependent protein kinase SGK.

The serum- and glucocorticoid-dependent kinase SGK1 was originally identified as a glucocorticoid-sensitive gene. Subsequently, the two homologous kinases SGK2 and SGK3 have been cloned, being products of distinct genes, which are differentially expressed and share 80% identity in amino acid sequence in their catalytic domains. While SGK1 has been shown to activate ion channels, including K(+) channels, the functions of SGK2 and SGK3 have not been examined. The present study was therefore performed to elucidate the effect of SGK1, SGK2, and SGK3 on electrical properties of renal epithelial cells. To this end human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells were transfected with the kinases and ion-channel activity determined using the patch-clamp technique. In non-transfected cells and in cells transfected with the empty GFP construct a voltage-gated K(+) current was observed amounting to 303+/-19 pA ( n=13) and 299+/-29 pA ( n=23), respectively. Transfection with SGK1, SGK2 or SGK3 increased the voltage-gated K(+) current to 1056+/-152 pA ( n=17), 555+/-47 pA ( n=17), and 775+/-98 pA ( n=16), respectively. The K(+) current was fully blocked by 3 mM tetraethylammonium chloride and inhibited 45% by the Kv1 channel blocker margatoxin (10 nM). In dual electrode voltage-clamp experiments SGK isoforms up-regulated Kv1 voltage-gated K(+)channels expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. The present observations thus reveal a powerful stimulating effect of all three isoforms of SGK on K(+) channels. Those effects may participate in regulation of epithelial transport, cell proliferation, and neuromuscular excitability.

Cerebral localization and regulation of the cell volume-sensitive serum- and glucocorticoid-dependent kinase SGK1.

The serum- and glucocorticoid-dependent kinase SGK1 is regulated by alterations of cell volume, whereby cell shrinkage increases and cell swelling decreases the transcription, expression and activity of SGK1. The kinase is expressed in all human tissues studied including the brain. The present study was performed to localize the sites of SGK1 transcription in the brain, to elucidate the influence of the hydration status on SGK1 transcription and to explore the functional significance of altered SGK1 expression. Northern blot analysis of human brain showed SGK1 to be expressed in all cerebral structures examined: amygdala, caudate nucleus, corpus callosum, hippocampus, substantia nigra, subthalamic nucleus and thalamus. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry in the rat revealed increased expression of SGK1 in neurons of the hippocampal area CA3 after dehydration, compared with similar slices from brains of euvolaemic rats. Additionally, several oligodendrocytes, a few microglial cells, but no astrocytes, were positive for SGK1. The abundance of SGK1 mRNA in the temporal lobe, including hippocampus, was increased by dehydration and SGK1 transcription in neuroblastoma cells was stimulated by an increase of extracellular osmolarity. Co-expression studies in Xenopus laevis oocytes revealed that SGK1 markedly increased the activity of the neuronal K+ channel Kv1.3. As activation of K+ channels modifies excitation of neuronal cells, SGK1 may participate in the regulation of neuronal excitability.

Na+ transport by the neural glutamine transporter ATA1.

Transfer of glutamine between astrocytes and neurons is an essential part of the glutamate-glutamine cycle in the brain. Here we have investigated how the neural glutamine transporter (rATA1/GlnT) works. Rat ATA1 was expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes and examined using two-electrode voltage-clamp recordings, ion-sensitive microelectrodes and tracer flux experiments. Glutamine transport via rATA1 was electrogenic and caused inward currents that did not reverse at positive holding potentials. Currents were induced by a variety of neutral amino acids in the following relative order Ala>Ser/Gln/Asn/His/Cys/Met >MeAIB/Gly>Thr/Pro/Tyr/Val, where MeAIB is the amino acid analogue N-methylaminoisobutyric acid. The uptake of glutamine and the corresponding currents depended on Na+ and pH. Hill-coefficient and flux studies with 22NaCl indicated a cotransport stoichiometry 1 Na+ per transport cycle. The transporter also showed uncoupled Na+ transport, particularly when alanine was used as the substrate. Although substrate uptake increased strongly with increasing pH, no change of intracellular pH was observed during transport. A decrease of the intracellular pH similarly inhibited glutamine transport via ATA1, suggesting that the pH dependence was an allosteric effect on the transporter.

NOD/LtSz-Rag1null mice: an immunodeficient and radioresistant model for engraftment of human hematolymphoid cells, HIV infection, and adoptive transfer of NOD mouse diabetogenic T cells.

Development of a small animal model for the in vivo study of human immunity and infectious disease remains an important goal, particularly for investigations of HIV vaccine development. NOD/Lt mice homozygous for the severe combined immunodeficiency (Prkdcscid) mutation readily support engraftment with high levels of human hematolymphoid cells. However, NOD/LtSz-scid mice are highly radiosensitive, have short life spans, and a small number develop functional lymphocytes with age. To overcome these limitations, we have backcrossed the null allele of the recombination-activating gene (Rag1) for 10 generations onto the NOD/LtSz strain background. Mice deficient in RAG1 activity are unable to initiate V(D)J recombination in Ig and TCR genes and lack functional T and B lymphocytes. NOD/LtSz-Rag1null mice have an increased mean life span compared with NOD/LtSz-scid mice due to a later onset of lymphoma development, are radioresistant, and lack serum Ig throughout life. NOD/LtSz-Rag1null mice were devoid of mature T or B cells. Cytotoxic assays demonstrated low NK cell activity. NOD/LtSz-Rag1null mice supported high levels of engraftment with human lymphoid cells and human hemopoietic stem cells. The engrafted human T cells were readily infected with HIV. Finally, NOD/LtSz-Rag1null recipients of adoptively transferred spleen cells from diabetic NOD/Lt+/+ mice rapidly developed diabetes. These data demonstrate the advantages of NOD/LtSz-Rag1null mice as a radiation and lymphoma-resistant model for long-term analyses of engrafted human hematolymphoid cells or diabetogenic NOD lymphoid cells.

Supportive and concrete services for teenage oncology patients.

The social worker involved with the Adolescent Unit at Roswell Park Memorial Institute offers two types of services--concrete and supportive. The concrete services include referrals to community agencies and assistance with transportation, discharge plans, and financial aid. The supportive services include counseling with patients, parents, spouses, and significant others. Helping the young patients deal with diagnoses, treatments, and possible death are major focal points of the social workers' involvement. Leading the patient and the family to an understanding of the changes they are experiencing and assisting them in their adjustment are tasks the social worker frequently faces. At Roswell Park Memorial Institute, the composition the staff assigned to the Adolescent Unit, the unit's physical layout, the family suppers, the availability of peer support for both patients and parents, and the concentrated team approach all contribute to the accomplishment of social work goals for teenage oncology patients and their families.