Multifaceted activation of STING axis upon Nipah and measles virus-induced syncytia formation.

Activation of the DNA-sensing STING axis by RNA viruses plays a role in antiviral response through mechanisms that remain poorly understood. Here, we show that the STING pathway regulates Nipah virus (NiV) replication in vivo in mice. Moreover, we demonstrate that following both NiV and measles virus (MeV) infection, IFNγ-inducible protein 16 (IFI16), an alternative DNA sensor in addition to cGAS, induces the activation of STING, leading to the phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 and the production of IFNß and interleukin 6. Finally, we found that paramyxovirus-induced syncytia formation is responsible for loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and leakage of mitochondrial DNA in the cytoplasm, the latter of which is further detected by both cGAS and IFI16. These results contribute to improve our understanding about NiV and MeV immunopathogenesis and provide potential paths for alternative therapeutic strategies.

Interplay of Ebola Virus With Immune Cells Leading to Their Death by Diverse Mechanisms.

Inflammation and cytopenia are commonly observed during Ebola virus (EBOV) infection; however, mechanisms responsible for EBOV-induced cell death remain obscure. While apoptosis and necrosis are already identified as mechanisms of cell death induced by the virus, our study demonstrates that THP-1 monocytes and SupT1 T cells exposed to EBOV undergo pyroptosis and necroptosis, respectively, through a direct contact with EBOV, and also mediate pyroptosis or necroptosis of uninfected bystander cells via indirect effects associated with secreted soluble factors. These results emphasize novel aspects of interactions between EBOV and immune cell populations and provide a better understanding of the immunopathogenesis of EBOV disease.

High Pathogenicity of Nipah Virus from Pteropus lylei Fruit Bats, Cambodia.

We conducted an in-depth characterization of the Nipah virus (NiV) isolate previously obtained from a Pteropus lylei bat in Cambodia in 2003 (CSUR381). We performed full-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analyses and confirmed CSUR381 is part of the NiV-Malaysia genotype. In vitro studies revealed similar cell permissiveness and replication of CSUR381 (compared with 2 other NiV isolates) in both bat and human cell lines. Sequence alignments indicated conservation of the ephrin-B2 and ephrin-B3 receptor binding sites, the glycosylation site on the G attachment protein, as well as the editing site in phosphoprotein, suggesting production of nonstructural proteins V and W, known to counteract the host innate immunity. In the hamster animal model, CSUR381 induced lethal infections. Altogether, these data suggest that the Cambodia bat-derived NiV isolate has high pathogenic potential and, thus, provide insight for further studies and better risk assessment for future NiV outbreaks in Southeast Asia.

Interference with the production of infectious viral particles and bimodal inhibition of replication are broadly conserved antiviral properties of IFITMs.

IFITMs are broad antiviral factors that block incoming virions in endosomal vesicles, protecting target cells from infection. In the case of HIV-1, we and others reported the existence of an additional antiviral mechanism through which IFITMs lead to the production of virions of reduced infectivity. However, whether this second mechanism of inhibition is unique to HIV or extends to other viruses is currently unknown. To address this question, we have analyzed the susceptibility of a broad spectrum of viruses to the negative imprinting of the virion particles infectivity by IFITMs. The results we have gathered indicate that this second antiviral property of IFITMs extends well beyond HIV and we were able to identify viruses susceptible to the three IFITMs altogether (HIV-1, SIV, MLV, MPMV, VSV, MeV, EBOV, WNV), as well as viruses that displayed a member-specific susceptibility (EBV, DUGV), or were resistant to all IFITMs (HCV, RVFV, MOPV, AAV). The swapping of genetic elements between resistant and susceptible viruses allowed us to point to specificities in the viral mode of assembly, rather than glycoproteins as dominant factors of susceptibility. However, we also show that, contrarily to X4-, R5-tropic HIV-1 envelopes confer resistance against IFITM3, suggesting that viral receptors add an additional layer of complexity in the IFITMs-HIV interplay. Lastly, we show that the overall antiviral effects ascribed to IFITMs during spreading infections, are the result of a bimodal inhibition in which IFITMs act both by protecting target cells from incoming viruses and in driving the production of virions of reduced infectivity. Overall, our study reports for the first time that the negative imprinting of the virion particles infectivity is a conserved antiviral property of IFITMs and establishes IFITMs as a paradigm of restriction factor capable of interfering with two distinct phases of a virus life cycle.

Mannoside Glycolipid Conjugates Display Antiviral Activity Against Ebola Virus.

The West African outbreak of Ebola virus (EBOV) infection during 2013-2016 highlighted the need for development of field-applicable therapeutic drugs for this infection. Here we report that mannoside glycolipid conjugates (MGCs) consisting of a trimannose head and a lipophilic chain assembled by a linker inhibit EBOV infection not only of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells and macrophages, but also of a number of susceptible cells. Analysis of the mode of action leads us to conclude that MGCs act directly on cells, notably by preventing virus endocytosis.

Enhancement of Ebola Virus Infection via Ficolin-1 Interaction with the Mucin Domain of GP Glycoprotein.

UNLABELLED: Ebola virus infection requires the surface viral glycoprotein to initiate entry into the target cells. The trimeric glycoprotein is a highly glycosylated viral protein which has been shown to interact with host C-type lectin receptors and the soluble complement recognition protein mannose-binding lectin, thereby enhancing viral infection. Similarly to mannose-binding lectin, ficolins are soluble effectors of the innate immune system that recognize particular glycans at the pathogen surface. In this study, we demonstrate that ficolin-1 interacts with the Zaire Ebola virus (EBOV) glycoprotein, and we characterized this interaction by surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy. Ficolin-1 was shown to bind to the viral glycoprotein with a high affinity. This interaction was mediated by the fibrinogen-like recognition domain of ficolin-1 and the mucin-like domain of the viral glycoprotein. Using a ficolin-1 control mutant devoid of sialic acid-binding capacity, we identified sialylated moieties of the mucin domain to be potential ligands on the glycoprotein. In cell culture, using both pseudotyped viruses and EBOV, ficolin-1 was shown to enhance EBOV infection independently of the serum complement. We also observed that ficolin-1 enhanced EBOV infection on human monocyte-derived macrophages, described to be major viral target cells,. Competition experiments suggested that although ficolin-1 and mannose-binding lectin recognized different carbohydrate moieties on the EBOV glycoprotein, the observed enhancement of the infection likely depended on a common cellular receptor/partner. In conclusion, ficolin-1 could provide an alternative receptor-mediated mechanism for enhancing EBOV infection, thereby contributing to viral subversion of the host innate immune system. IMPORTANCE: A specific interaction involving ficolin-1 (M-ficolin), a soluble effector of the innate immune response, and the glycoprotein (GP) of EBOV was identified. Ficolin-1 enhanced virus infection instead of tipping the balance toward its elimination. An interaction between the fibrinogen-like recognition domain of ficolin-1 and the mucin-like domain of Ebola virus GP occurred. In this model, the enhancement of infection was shown to be independent of the serum complement. The facilitation of EBOV entry into target host cells by the interaction with ficolin-1 and other host lectins shunts virus elimination, which likely facilitates the survival of the virus in infected host cells and contributes to the virus strategy to subvert the innate immune response.

Characterization of a Novel Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibody Against Ebola Virus GP.

Ebola virus is the etiological agent of a severe hemorrhagic fever with a high mortality rate. As the only protein exposed on the surface of viral particles, the spike glycoprotein GP is the unique target for neutralizing monoclonal antibodies. In this study, we demonstrate the strong neutralization capacity of the monoclonal antibody #3327 and characterize its activity. GP residues that are required for recognition and neutralization were found to be located both in the internal fusion loop and in the receptor-binding domain. Analysis of Ebola virus entry in the presence of #3327 allows us to hypothesize that this antibody binds to the virus particle before internalization and endosomal processing of GP and likely prevents the final viral fusion step. Importantly, #3327 is able to block entry of virions bearing GP that contain the Q508 escape mutation common to a number of virus-neutralizing antibodies, and therefore provides future perspectives for treatment strategies against Ebola virus infection.

Entry of Ebola Virus is an Asynchronous Process.

Ebola virus (EBOV) is responsible for a severe fever with a high mortality rate. The diverse nature of the attachment of the virus to the cell surface, the initial step of virus entry, raises questions concerning the kinetics of the virus internalization process. We investigated EBOV entry kinetics using the activity of a particular monoclonal antibody that neutralizes virus infectivity. We demonstrate that inoculation of cells with EBOV results in an asynchronous entry process, as revealed by the ability of the virus to remain in a cell-bound state for an extended period of time before it is internalized.

RNA Editing of the GP Gene of Ebola Virus is an Important Pathogenicity Factor.

Synthesis of the surface glycoprotein GP of Ebola virus (EBOV) is dependent on transcriptional RNA editing, whereas direct expression of the GP gene results in synthesis of nonstructural secreted glycoprotein sGP. In this study, we investigate the role of RNA editing in the pathogenicity of EBOV using a guinea pig model and recombinant guinea pig-adapted EBOV containing mutations at the editing site, allowing expression of surface GP without the need for RNA editing, and also preventing synthesis of sGP. We demonstrate that the elimination of the editing site leads to EBOV attenuation in vivo, explained by lower virus spread caused by the higher virus cytotoxicity and, most likely, by an increased ability of the host defense systems to recognize and eliminate virus-infected cells. We also demonstrate that expression of sGP does not affect pathogenicity of EBOV in guinea pigs. In conclusion, data obtained indicate that downregulation of the level of surface GP expression through a mechanism of GP gene RNA editing plays an important role in the high pathogenicity of EBOV.

[Haemostasis dysregulation in filovirus infections]. / Dérégulation de l'hémostase dans les infections à filovirus.

Filoviruses are responsible for highly lethal infections. Those viruses are found in intertropical areas of Africa and Asia where they circulate in their supposed natural reservoir, fruit bats. During filovirus outbreaks and depending on the strains, various modifications in hemostasis have been observed in patients. The disseminated intravascular coagulation identified in these infections is multicausal and involves both viral factors and abnormal physiological responses. In this review we will describe the mechanisms responsible for these disturbances and we will highlight some aspects of the basis of filovirus high pathogenicity.

Setup of Aerosol Delivery System to Prevent Measles Virus Infection in Nonhuman Primate Model.

Measles virus is one of the most contagious airborne human viruses which keeps causing outbreaks in numerous countries over the world despite the existence of an efficient vaccine. Fusion inhibitory lipopeptides were shown to inhibit viral entry into target cells, and their adequate administration into the respiratory tract may provide a novel preventive approach against airborne infections. Aerosol delivery presents the best administration route to deliver such preventive compounds to the upper and lower respiratory tract. This approach offers a conceptually new strategy to protect the population at risk against infection by respiratory viruses, including measles. It is a noninvasive needle-free approach, which may be used when antiviral protection is required, without any medical assistance. In this chapter, we describe the nebulization approach of lipopeptide compounds in nonhuman primates and the subsequent measles virus challenge.

A vaccine targeting antigen-presenting cells through CD40 induces protective immunity against Nipah disease.

Nipah virus (NiV) has been recently ranked by the World Health Organization as being among the top eight emerging pathogens likely to cause major epidemics, whereas no therapeutics or vaccines have yet been approved. We report a method to deliver immunogenic epitopes from NiV through the targeting of the CD40 receptor of antigen-presenting cells by fusing a selected humanized anti-CD40 monoclonal antibody to the Nipah glycoprotein with conserved NiV fusion and nucleocapsid peptides. In the African green monkey model, CD40.NiV induces specific immunoglobulin A (IgA) and IgG as well as cross-neutralizing responses against circulating NiV strains and Hendra virus and T cell responses. Challenge experiments using a NiV-B strain demonstrate the high protective efficacy of the vaccine, with all vaccinated animals surviving and showing no significant clinical signs or virus replication, suggesting that the CD40.NiV vaccine conferred sterilizing immunity. Overall, results obtained with the CD40.NiV vaccine are highly promising in terms of the breadth and efficacy against NiV.

Conserved proline-rich region of Ebola virus matrix protein VP40 is essential for plasma membrane targeting and virus-like particle release.

The matrix protein VP40 is essential for Ebola virus (EBOV) and Marburg virus assembly and budding at the plasma membrane. In this study we have investigated the effect of single amino acid substitutions in a conserved proline-rich region of the EBOV VP40 located in the carboxy-terminal part of the protein. We demonstrate that substitutions within this region result in an alteration of intracellular VP40 localization and also cause a reduction or a complete block of virus-like particle budding, a benchmark of VP40 function. Furthermore, some mutated VP40s revealed an enhanced binding with cellular Sec24C, a part of the coat protein complex II (COPII) vesicular transport system. Analysis of the 3-dimensional structure of VP40 revealed the spatial proximity of the proline-rich region and an earlier identified site of interaction with Sec24C, thus allowing us to hypothesize that the altered intracellular localization of the VP40 mutants is a consequence of defects in their interaction with COPII-mediated vesicular transport.

Role of VP30 phosphorylation in the Ebola virus replication cycle.

Ebola virus (EBOV) transcription is dependent on the phosphoprotein VP30, a component of the viral nucleocapsid. VP30 is phosphorylated at 2 serine residue clusters located at the N-terminal part of the protein. In this report, we have investigated the role of VP30 phosphorylation in EBOV replication using a reverse genetics approach. In effect, recombinant EBOVs with the VP30 serine clusters substituted either by nonphosphorylatable alanines or phosphorylation-mimicking aspartates were generated and characterized. We show that in comparison to the wild-type EBOV the mutated viruses possess reduced infectivity. This difference is explained by alterations in the balance between the transcription and replication processes and appear to be associated with the state of VP30 phosphorylation. Here we propose a model in which dynamic phosphorylation of VP30 is an important mechanism to regulate the EBOV replication cycle.

Genomic RNA editing and its impact on Ebola virus adaptation during serial passages in cell culture and infection of guinea pigs.

Synthesis of the structural, surface glycoprotein (GP) of Ebola virus (EBOV) is dependent on transcriptional RNA editing phenomenon. Editing results in the insertion of an extra adenosine by viral polymerase at the editing site (7 consecutive template uridines) during transcription of GP gene of the wild-type virus (EBOV/7U). In this study, we demonstrate that passage of EBOV/7U in Vero E6 cells results in the appearance and rapid accumulation of a variant (EBOV/8U) containing an additional uridine at the editing site in the viral genome. EBOV/8U outgrows and eventually replaces the wild-type EBOV during 4-5 passages. On the contrary, infection of guinea pigs with EBOV/8U leads to the appearance and rapid predominance by EBOV/7U. These rapid conversions suggest that editing of the genomic RNA occurs at a higher frequency than previously thought. In addition, it indicates that the EBOV/7U phenotype has a selective advantage that is linked to controlled expression of GP and/or expression of secreted sGP, the primary gene product for wild-type EBOV. This study demonstrates the potential for insertion and deletion of uridines in the editing site of the EBOV genomic RNA, depending on environmental constraints.

Ebola virus failure to stimulate plasmacytoid dendritic cell interferon responses correlates with impaired cellular entry.

We examined the ability of the Ebola virus to elicit an antiviral response from plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs). Exposure of pDCs to Ebola virus did not result in significantly higher levels of interferon-α production than the levels in mock-infected cells. After inoculation with Ebola virus under the same conditions, conventional dendritic cells expressed viral proteins whereas pDCs did not, suggesting that the latter cells were not infected. Assessment of the entry of Ebola virus-like particles into pDCs revealed that pDCs are highly impaired for viral entry in comparison with conventional dendritic cells. These observations identify a novel means by which Ebola virus can avoid triggering an antiviral response.

VP24 is a molecular determinant of Ebola virus virulence in guinea pigs.

In sharp contrast to human and nonhuman primates, guinea pigs and some other mammals resist Ebola virus (EBOV) replication and do not develop illness upon virus inoculation. However, serial passaging of EBOV in guinea pigs results in a selection of variants with high pathogenicity. In this report, using a reverse genetics approach, we demonstrate that this dramatic increase in EBOV pathogenicity is associated with amino acid substitutions in the structural protein VP24. We show that although replication of recombinant EBOV carrying wild-type VP24 is impaired in primary peritoneal guinea pig macrophages and in the liver of infected animals, the substitutions in VP24 allow EBOV to replicate in guinea pig macrophages and spread in the liver of infected animals. Furthermore, we demonstrate that both VP24/wild type and the guinea pig-adapted VP24/8mc are similar in their ability to block expression of interferon-induced host genes, suggesting that the increase in EBOV virulence for guinea pigs is not associated with VP24 interferon antagonist function. This study sheds light on the mechanism of resistance to EBOV infection and highlights the critical role of VP24 in EBOV pathogenesis.

Unconventional secretion of Ebola virus matrix protein VP40.

The Ebola virus matrix protein VP40 plays an essential role in virus assembly and budding. In this study we reveal that transient VP40 expression results in the release into the culture medium of substantial amounts of soluble monomeric VP40 in addition to the release of virus-like particles containing an oligomeric form of this protein as previously described. We show that VP40 secretion is endoplasmic reticulum/Golgi-independent and is not associated with cell death. Soluble VP40 was observed during Ebola virus infection of cells and was also found in the serum of virus-infected animals albeit in lower amounts. Unconventional secretion of VP40 may therefore play a role in Ebola virus pathogenicity.

Knockdown of Ebola virus VP24 impairs viral nucleocapsid assembly and prevents virus replication.

The structural protein VP24 of Ebola virus (EBOV) is a determinant of virulence in rodent models and possesses an interferon antagonist function. In this study, we investigate the role of VP24 in EBOV replication using RNA interference by small interfering RNA to knock down the expression of this protein in virus-infected cells. We reveal that VP24 is required for assembly of viral nucleocapsids and that silencing of VP24 expression prevents the release of EBOV.

Fruit bats as natural reservoir of highly pathogenic henipaviruses: balance between antiviral defense and viral toleranceInteractions between Henipaviruses and their natural host, fruit bats.

Bats are the natural reservoir host for a number of zoonotic viruses, including Hendra and Nipah viruses of Henipavirus genus, which are highly pathogenic in humans and numerous other mammalian species. Despite being infected, bats present limited signs of disease but still retain the ability to transmit the infection to other susceptible hosts, presenting thus a permanent source of new viral outbreaks. Different mechanisms have evolved in fruit bats permitting them to efficiently control the Henipavirus infection. These mechanisms likely allow bats to establish an adequate equilibrium between viral tolerance and antiviral defense, enabling them thus to avoid both uncontrollable virus expansion as well as immunopathology linked to excessive antiviral responses.