The immediate-early protein 1 of human herpesvirus 6B interacts with NBS1 and inhibits ATM signaling.

Viral infection often trigger an ATM serine/threonine kinase (ATM)-dependent DNA damage response in host cells that suppresses viral replication. Viruses evolved different strategies to counteract this antiviral surveillance system. Here, we report that human herpesvirus 6B (HHV-6B) infection causes genomic instability by suppressing ATM signaling in host cells. Expression of immediate-early protein 1 (IE1) phenocopies this phenotype and blocks homology-directed double-strand break repair. Mechanistically, IE1 interacts with NBS1, and inhibits ATM signaling through two distinct domains. HHV-6B seems to efficiently inhibit ATM signaling as further depletion of either NBS1 or ATM do not significantly boost viral replication in infected cells. Interestingly, viral integration of HHV-6B into the host's telomeres is not strictly dependent on NBS1, challenging current models where integration occurs through homology-directed repair. Given that spontaneous IE1 expression has been detected in cells of subjects with inherited chromosomally-integrated form of HHV-6B (iciHHV-6B), a condition associated with several health conditions, our results raise the possibility of a link between genomic instability and the development of iciHHV-6-associated diseases.

The Promyelocytic Leukemia Protein facilitates human herpesvirus 6B chromosomal integration, immediate-early 1 protein multiSUMOylation and its localization at telomeres.

Human herpesvirus 6B (HHV-6B) is a betaherpesvirus capable of integrating its genome into the telomeres of host chromosomes. Until now, the cellular and/or viral proteins facilitating HHV-6B integration have remained elusive. Here we show that a cellular protein, the promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML) that forms nuclear bodies (PML-NBs), associates with the HHV-6B immediate early 1 (IE1) protein at telomeres. We report enhanced levels of SUMOylated IE1 in the presence of PML and have identified a putative SUMO Interacting Motif (SIM) within IE1, essential for its nuclear distribution, overall SUMOylation and association with PML to nuclear bodies. Furthermore, using PML knockout cell lines we made the original observation that PML is required for efficient HHV-6B integration into host chromosomes. Taken together, we could demonstrate that PML-NBs are important for IE1 multiSUMOylation and that PML plays an important role in HHV-6B integration into chromosomes, a strategy developed by this virus to maintain its genome in its host over long periods of time.

Role for the shelterin protein TRF2 in human herpesvirus 6A/B chromosomal integration.

Human herpesviruses 6A and 6B (HHV-6A/B) are unique among human herpesviruses in their ability to integrate their genome into host chromosomes. Viral integration occurs at the ends of chromosomes within the host telomeres. The ends of the HHV-6A/B genomes contain telomeric repeats that facilitate the integration process. Here, we report that productive infections are associated with a massive increase in telomeric sequences of viral origin. The majority of the viral telomeric signals can be detected within viral replication compartments (VRC) that contain the viral DNA processivity factor p41 and the viral immediate-early 2 (IE2) protein. Components of the shelterin protein complex present at telomeres, including TRF1 and TRF2 are also recruited to VRC during infection. Biochemical, immunofluorescence coupled with in situ hybridization and chromatin immunoprecipitation demonstrated the binding of TRF2 to the HHV-6A/B telomeric repeats. In addition, approximately 60% of the viral IE2 protein localize at cellular telomeres during infection. Transient knockdown of TRF2 resulted in greatly reduced (13%) localization of IE2 at cellular telomeres (p<0.0001). Lastly, TRF2 knockdown reduced HHV-6A/B integration frequency (p<0.05), while no effect was observed on the infection efficiency. Overall, our study identified that HHV-6A/B IE2 localizes to telomeres during infection and highlight the role of TRF2 in HHV-6A/B infection and chromosomal integration.

Cell Culture Systems To Study Human Herpesvirus 6A/B Chromosomal Integration.

Human herpesviruses 6A/B (HHV-6A/B) can integrate their viral genomes in the telomeres of human chromosomes. The viral and cellular factors contributing to HHV-6A/B integration remain largely unknown, mostly due to the lack of efficient and reproducible cell culture models to study HHV-6A/B integration. In this study, we characterized the HHV-6A/B integration efficiencies in several human cell lines using two different approaches. First, after a short-term infection (5 h), cells were processed for single-cell cloning and analyzed for chromosomally integrated HHV-6A/B (ciHHV-6A/B). Second, cells were infected with HHV-6A/B and allowed to grow in bulk for 4 weeks or longer and then analyzed for the presence of ciHHV-6. Using quantitative PCR (qPCR), droplet digital PCR, and fluorescent in situ hybridization, we could demonstrate that HHV-6A/B integrated in most human cell lines tested, including telomerase-positive (HeLa, MCF-7, HCT-116, and HEK293T) and telomerase-negative cell lines (U2OS and GM847). Our results also indicate that inhibition of DNA replication, using phosphonoacetic acid, did not affect HHV-6A/B integration. Certain clones harboring ciHHV-6A/B spontaneously express viral genes and proteins. Treatment of cells with phorbol ester or histone deacetylase inhibitors triggered the expression of many viral genes, including U39, U90, and U100, without the production of infectious virus, suggesting that the tested stimuli were not sufficient to trigger full reactivation. In summary, both integration models yielded comparable results and should enable the identification of viral and cellular factors contributing to HHV-6A/B integration and the screening of drugs influencing viral gene expression, as well as the release of infectious HHV-6A/B from the integrated state.IMPORTANCE The analysis and understanding of HHV-6A/B genome integration into host DNA is currently limited due to the lack of reproducible and efficient viral integration systems. In the present study, we describe two quantitative cell culture viral integration systems. These systems can be used to define cellular and viral factors that play a role in HHV-6A/B integration. Furthermore, these systems will allow us to decipher the conditions resulting in virus gene expression and excision of the integrated viral genome resulting in reactivation.

Characterization of human herpesvirus 6A/B U94 as ATPase, helicase, exonuclease and DNA-binding proteins.

Human herpesvirus-6A (HHV-6A) and HHV-6B integrate their genomes into the telomeres of human chromosomes, however, the mechanisms leading to integration remain unknown. HHV-6A/B encode a protein that has been proposed to be involved in integration termed U94, an ortholog of adeno-associated virus type 2 (AAV-2) Rep68 integrase. In this report, we addressed whether purified recombinant maltose-binding protein (MBP)-U94 fusion proteins of HHV-6A/B possess biological functions compatible with viral integration. We could demonstrate that MBP-U94 efficiently binds both dsDNA and ssDNA containing telomeric repeats using gel shift assay and surface plasmon resonance. MBP-U94 is also able to hydrolyze adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to ADP, providing the energy for further catalytic activities. In addition, U94 displays a 3' to 5' exonuclease activity on dsDNA with a preference for 3'-recessed ends. Once the DNA strand reaches 8-10 nt in length, the enzyme dissociates it from the complementary strand. Lastly, MBP-U94 compromises the integrity of a synthetic telomeric D-loop through exonuclease attack at the 3' end of the invading strand. The preferential DNA binding of MBP-U94 to telomeric sequences, its ability to hydrolyze ATP and its exonuclease/helicase activities suggest that U94 possesses all functions required for HHV-6A/B chromosomal integration.

Safety and Prognostic Factor for Survival in Patients with PleurX Drain for Malignant Ascites: AscitX Study.

Background: Malignant ascites (MA) represents 10% of all causes of ascites and is associated with a poor prognosis. The PleurX tunneled peritoneal catheter is a device that allows the management of MA at home in a palliative care context (renamed AscitX catheter for this work). The objective of this study was to analyze real-world data of AscitX use for cancer patients with MA, to describe complications associated with the insertion of this device, and to identify factors influencing patient outcomes. Methods: Fifty-six patients with AscitX catheter insertion between October 2018 and October 2022 in our comprehensive cancer center were retrospectively analyzed. Computed tomography (CT) scans were reviewed by two radiologists to determine the presence of liver and peritoneal metastases and to identify portal hypertension. Results: The majority of patients were followed for pancreatic cancer (39%), followed by ovarian cancer (18%). We identified four cases of severe infections post-insertion and two moderate infections. The median survival time after AscitX insertion was 18 days. A Kaplan-Meier analysis did not identify differences in survival time between patients with peritoneal metastases and those with liver metastases. In contrast, CT-diagnosed portal hypertension and the absence of diuretic treatment were independently associated with a better prognosis. Regarding post-catheter end-of-life management, 41% of the patients died at home. Conclusions: AscitX catheter safety appears to be acceptable and most of the palliative care patients included in our study died at home. We identified CT-diagnosed portal hypertension as associated with better prognosis, as well as the absence of diuretic treatment.

Optical Genome Mapping Reveals the Complex Genetic Landscape of Myeloma.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) on enriched CD138 plasma cells is the standard method for identification of clinically relevant genetic abnormalities in multiple myeloma. However, FISH is a targeted analysis that can be challenging due to the genetic complexity of myeloma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of optical genome mapping (OGM) to detect clinically significant cytogenetic abnormalities in myeloma and to provide larger pangenomic information. OGM and FISH analyses were performed on CD138-purified cells of 20 myeloma patients. OGM successfully detected structural variants (SVs) (IGH and MYC rearrangements), copy number variants (CNVs) (17p/TP53 deletion, 1p deletion and 1q gain/amplification) and aneuploidy (gains of odd-numbered chromosomes, monosomy 13) classically expected with myeloma and led to a 30% increase in prognosis yield at our institution when compared to FISH. Despite challenges in the interpretation of OGM calls for CNV and aneuploidy losses in non-diploid genomes, OGM has the potential to replace FISH as the standard of care analysis in clinical settings and to efficiently change how we identify prognostic and predictive markers for therapies in the future. To our knowledge, this is the first study highlighting the feasibility and clinical utility of OGM in myeloma.

[The importance of telomeres in human herpesvirus-6A/B infections]. / L'importance des télomères dans les infections par les Herpèsvirus humains-6A/B.

Herpesviruses are undisputed masters of disguise. The ability to become invisible to the immune system effectors is a complex process resting on a variety of stealth approaches. Among these, human herpesviruses-6A and -6B (HHV-6A/B) have developed the unique ability to integrate their genome within the ends of chromosomes allowing viral persistence in the absence of viral protein expression. This aptitude, unique to HHV-6A/B among human herpesviruses, requires close interactions between the telomeric regions of chromosomes and the viral genome. In this review article, the biology of telomeres and the mechanisms responsible for viral integration are discussed. In closing, the possible biological consequences of HHV-6A/B integration into chromosomal DNA are discussed.

TITLE: L'importance des télomères dans les infections par les Herpèsvirus humains-6A/B. ABSTRACT: Les Herpèsvirus sont des maîtres incontestés du camouflage. En effet, ces virus utilisent divers moyens pour assurer leur persistance chez l'hôte infecté. Les Herpèsvirus humains-6A et -6B (HHV-6A/B) ont ainsi développé une approche unique, en intégrant l'ensemble de leur génome au sein des extrémités des chromosomes des cellules qu'ils infectent. Cette capacité, propre aux HHV-6A/B parmi les Herpèsvirus humains, requiert des interactions étroites entre les régions télomériques des chromosomes de l'hôte et le génome viral. Dans cette revue, la biologie des télomères et les mécanismes responsables de l'intégration virale seront abordés et les conséquences biologiques de l'intégration des HHV-6A/B au sein de l'ADN chromosomique seront discutées.

HHV-6A/B Integration and the Pathogenesis Associated with the Reactivation of Chromosomally Integrated HHV-6A/B.

Unlike other human herpesviruses, human herpesvirus 6A and 6B (HHV-6A/B) infection can lead to integration of the viral genome in human chromosomes. When integration occurs in germinal cells, the integrated HHV-6A/B genome can be transmitted to 50% of descendants. Such individuals, carrying one copy of the HHV-6A/B genome in every cell, are referred to as having inherited chromosomally-integrated HHV-6A/B (iciHHV-6) and represent approximately 1% of the world's population. Interestingly, HHV-6A/B integrate their genomes in a specific region of the chromosomes known as telomeres. Telomeres are located at chromosomes' ends and play essential roles in chromosomal stability and the long-term proliferative potential of cells. Considering that the integrated HHV-6A/B genome is mostly intact without any gross rearrangements or deletions, integration is likely used for viral maintenance into host cells. Knowing the roles played by telomeres in cellular homeostasis, viral integration in such structure is not likely to be without consequences. At present, the mechanisms and factors involved in HHV-6A/B integration remain poorly defined. In this review, we detail the potential biological and medical impacts of HHV-6A/B integration as well as the possible chromosomal integration and viral excision processes.

The structure of human apolipoprotein E2, E3 and E4 in solution 1. Tertiary and quaternary structure.

Three recombinant apoE isoforms fused with an amino-terminal extension of 43 amino acids were produced in a heterologous expression system in E. coli. Their state of association in aqueous phase was analyzed by size-exclusion liquid chromatography, sedimentation velocity and sedimentation equilibrium experiments. By liquid chromatography, all three isoforms consisted of three major species with Stokes radii of 4.0, 5.0 and 6.6 nm. Sedimentation velocity confirmed the presence of monomers, dimers and tetramers as major species of each isoform. The association schemes established by sedimentation equilibrium experiments corresponded to monomer-dimer-tetramer-octamer for apoE2, monomer-dimer-tetramer for apoE3 and monomer-dimer-tetramer-octamer for apoE4. Each of the three isoforms exhibits a distinct self-association pattern. The apolipoprotein multi-domain structure was mapped by limited proteolysis with trypsin, chymotrypsin, elastase, subtilisin and Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease. All five enzymes produced stable intermediates during the degradation of the three apoE isoforms, as described for plasma apoE3. The recombinant apoE isoforms, thus, consist of N- and C-terminal domains. The presence of the fusion peptide did not appear to alter the apolipoprotein tertiary organization. However, a 30 kDa amino-terminal fragment appeared during the degradation of the recombinant apoE isoforms resulting from cleavage in the 273-278 region. This region, not accessible in plasma apoE3, results from a different conformation of the C-terminal domain in the recombinant isoforms. A specific pattern for the apoE4 C-terminal domain was observed during the proteolysis. The region 230-260 in apoE4, in contrast to that of apoE3 and apoE2, was not accessible to proteases, probably due to the existence of a longer helix in this region of apoE4 stabilized by an interdomain interaction.

The structure of human apolipoprotein E2, E3 and E4 in solution. 2. Multidomain organization correlates with the stability of apoE structure.

The stabilities toward thermal and chemical denaturation of three recombinant isoforms of human apolipoprotein E (r-apoE2, r-apoE3 and r-apoE4), human plasma apoE3, the recombinant amino-terminal (NT) and the carboxyl-terminal (CT) domains of plasma apoE3 at pH 7 were studied using near and far ultraviolet circular dichroism (UV CD), fluorescence and size-exclusion chromatography. By far UV CD, thermal unfolding was irreversible for the intact apoE isoforms and consisted of a single transition. The r-apoE3 was found to be less stable as compared to the plasma protein and the stability of recombinant isoforms was r-apoE4