ABSTRACTViruses exploit signaling pathways to their advantage during multiple stages of their life cycle. We demonstrate a role for protein kinase A (PKA) in the hepatitis C virus (HCV) life cycle. The inhibition of PKA with H89, cyclic AMP (cAMP) antagonists, or the protein kinase inhibitor peptide reduced HCV entry into Huh-7.5 hepatoma cells. Bioluminescence resonance energy transfer methodology allowed us to investigate the PKA isoform specificity of the cAMP antagonists in Huh-7.5 cells, suggesting a role for PKA type II in HCV internalization. Since viral entry is dependent on the host cell expression of CD81, scavenger receptor BI, and claudin-1 (CLDN1), we studied the role of PKA in regulating viral receptor localization by confocal imaging and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) analysis. Inhibiting PKA activity in Huh-7.5 cells induced a reorganization of CLDN1 from the plasma membrane to an intracellular vesicular location(s) and disrupted FRET between CLDN1 and CD81, demonstrating the importance of CLDN1 expression at the plasma membrane for viral receptor activity. Inhibiting PKA activity in Huh-7.5 cells reduced the infectivity of extracellular virus without modulating the level of cell-free HCV RNA, suggesting that particle secretion was not affected but that specific infectivity was reduced. Viral particles released from H89-treated cells displayed the same range of buoyant densities as did those from control cells, suggesting that viral protein association with lipoproteins is not regulated by PKA. HCV infection of Huh-7.5 cells increased cAMP levels and phosphorylated PKA substrates, supporting a model where infection activates PKA in a cAMP-dependent manner to promote virus release and transmission.
\n \n\n \n \nWe have selected an HXB2 variant which can replicate in the presence of a neutralizing human serum. Sequencing of the gp120 region of the env gene from the variant and parental viruses identified a single amino acid substitution in the third conserved region of gp120 at residue 375 (AGT-->AAT, Ser-->Asn; designated 375 S/N). The escape mutant was found to be resistant to neutralization by soluble CD4 (sCD4) and four monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), 39.13g, 1.5e, G13, and 448, binding to epitopes overlapping that of the CD4 binding site (CD4 b.s.). Introduction of the 375 S/N mutation into HXB2 by site-directed mutagenesis confirmed that this mutation is responsible for the neutralization-resistant phenotype. Both sCD4 and three of the CD4 b.s. MAbs (39.13g, 1.5e, and G13) demonstrated reduced binding to the native 375 S/N mutant gp120. The ability to select for an escape variant resistant to multiple independent CD4 b.s. MAbs by a human serum confirms the reports that antibodies to the discontinuous CD4 b.s. are a major component of the group-specific neutralizing activity in human sera.
\n \n\n \n \nABSTRACT\n\n Recombinant hepatitis C virus (HCV) clones propagated in human hepatoma cell cultures yield relatively low infectivity titers. Here, we adapted the JFH1-based Core-NS2 recombinant SA13/JFH1\n C3405G,A3696G\n (termed SA13/JFH1\n orig\n ), of the poorly characterized genotype 5a, to Huh7.5 cells, yielding a virus with greatly improved spread kinetics and an infectivity titer of 6.7 log\n 10\n focus-forming units (FFU)/ml. We identified several putative adaptive amino acid changes. In head-to-head infections at fixed multiplicities of infection, one SA13/JFH1\n orig\n mutant termed SA13/JFH1\n Core-NS5B\n , containing 13 amino acid changes (R114W and V187A [Core]; V235L [E1]; T385P [E2]; L782V [p7]; Y900C [NS2]; N2034D, E2238G, V2252A, L2266P, and I2340T [NS5A]; A2500S and V2841A [NS5B]), displayed fitness comparable to that of the polyclonal high-titer adapted virus. Single-cycle virus production assays in CD81-deficient Huh7-derived cells demonstrated that these changes did not affect replication but increased HCV assembly and specific infectivity as early as 24 h posttransfection. Infectious coculture assays in Huh7.5 cells showed a significant increase in cell-to-cell transmission for SA13/JFH1\n Core-NS5B\n viruses as well as viruses with only p7 and nonstructural protein mutations. Interestingly, the E2 hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) mutation T385P caused (i) increased sensitivity to neutralizing patient IgG and human monoclonal antibodies AR3A and AR4A and (ii) increased accessibility of the CD81 binding site without affecting the usage of CD81 and SR-BI. We finally demonstrated that SA13/JFH1\n orig\n and SA13/JFH1\n Core-NS5B\n , with and without the E2 mutation T385P, displayed similar biophysical properties following iodixanol gradient ultracentrifugation. This study has implications for investigations requiring high virus concentrations, such as studies of HCV particle composition and development of whole-virus vaccine antigens.\n \n\nIMPORTANCE\n Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major global health care burden, affecting more than 150 million people worldwide. These individuals are at high risk of developing severe end-stage liver diseases. No vaccine exists. While it is possible to produce HCV particles resembling isolates of all HCV genotypes in human hepatoma cells (HCVcc), production efficacy varies. Thus, for several important studies, including vaccine development,\n in vitro\n systems enabling high-titer production of diverse HCV strains would be advantageous. Our study offers important functional data on how cell culture-adaptive mutations identified in genotype 5a JFH1-based HCVcc permit high-titer culture by affecting HCV genesis through increasing virus assembly and HCV fitness by enhancing the virus specific infectivity and cell-to-cell transmission ability, without influencing the biophysical particle properties. High-titer HCVcc like the one described in this study may be pivotal in future vaccine-related studies where large quantities of infectious HCV particles are necessary.\n
\n \n\n \n \nABSTRACT\nWe recently reported that retroviral pseudotypes bearing the hepatitis C virus (HCV) strain H and Con1 glycoproteins, genotype 1a and 1b, respectively, require CD81 as a coreceptor for virus-cell entry and infection. Soluble truncated E2 cloned from a number of diverse HCV genotypes fail to interact with CD81, suggesting that viruses of diverse origin may utilize different receptors and display altered cell tropism. We have used the pseudotyping system to study the tropism of viruses bearing diverse HCV glycoproteins. Viruses bearing these glycoproteins showed a 150-fold range in infectivity for hepatoma cells and failed to infect lymphoid cells. The level of glycoprotein incorporation into particles varied considerably between strains, generally reflecting the E2 expression level within transfected cells. However, differences in glycoprotein incorporation were not associated with virus infectivity, suggesting that infectivity is not limited by the absolute level of glycoprotein. All HCV pseudotypes failed to infect HepG2 cells and yet infected the same cells after transduction to express human CD81, confirming the critical role of CD81 in HCV infection. Interestingly, these HCV pseudotypes differed in their ability to infect HepG2 cells expressing a panel of CD81 variants, suggesting subtle differences in the interaction of CD81 residues with diverse viral glycoproteins. Our current model of HCV infection suggests that CD81, together with additional unknown liver specific receptor(s), mediate the virus-cell entry process.
\n \n\n \n \nStructure\u2013function analysis of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) envelope glycoproteins, E1 and E2, has been difficult due to the unavailability of HCV virions. Truncated soluble forms of E2 have been used as models to study virus interaction with the putative HCV receptor CD81, but they may not fully mimic E2 structures on the virion. Here, we compared the CD81-binding characteristics of truncated E2 (E2660) and full-length (FL) E1E2 complex expressed in mammalian cells, and of HCV virus-like particles (VLPs) generated in insect cells. All three glycoprotein forms interacted with human CD81 in an in vitro binding assay, allowing us to test a panel of well-characterized anti-E2 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) for their ability to inhibit the glycoprotein\u2013CD81 interaction. MAbs specific for E2 amino acid (aa) regions 396\u2013407, 412\u2013423 and 528\u2013535 blocked binding to CD81 of all antigens tested. However, MAbs specific for regions 432\u2013443, 436\u2013443 and 436\u2013447 inhibited the interaction of VLPs, but not of E2660 or the FL E1E2 complex with CD81, indicating the existence of structural differences amongst the E2 forms. These findings underscore the need to carefully select an appropriate ligand for structure\u2013function analysis.
\n \n\n \n \nA truncated soluble form of the hepatitis C virus E2 glycoprotein, E2661, binds specifically to the surface of cells expressing human CD81 (hCD81) but not other members of the tetraspanin family (CD9, CD63, and CD151). No differences were noted between the level of E2661 binding to hCD81 expressed on the surface of rat RBL or KM3 cells compared to Daudi and Molt-4 cells, suggesting that additional human-cell-specific factors are not required for the primary interaction of E2 with the cell surface. E2 did not interact with African green monkey (AGM) CD81 on the surface of COS cells, which differs from the hCD81 sequence at four residues within the second extracellular region (EC2) (amino acids [aa] 163, 186, 188, and 196), suggesting that one or more of these residues defines the site of interaction with E2. Various recombinant forms of CD81 EC2 show differences in the ability to bind E2, suggesting that CD81 conformation is important for E2 recognition. Regions of E2 involved in the CD81 interaction were analyzed, and our data suggest that the binding site is of a conformational nature involving aa 480 to 493 and 544 to 551 within the E2 glycoprotein. Finally, we demonstrate that ligation of CD81 by E2661 induced aggregation of lymphoid cells and inhibited B-cell proliferation, demonstrating that E2 interaction with CD81 can modulate cell function.
\n \n\n \n \nExpression of the hepatitis C virus glycoprotein E1 in cultured cells localizes it to the endoplasmic reticulum, suggesting that E1 contains a signal mediating retention. Fusion of the C-terminal region of E1 to the ectodomain of CD4 prevented it from being transported to the cell surface. Fusion of this region of E1 resulted in localization of CD4 and influenza virus haemagglutinin chimeric molecules to a pre-medial Golgi compartment. This signal was present within E1 residues 311\u2013383. Retention was not due to misfolding since the chimeric molecules did not form disulphide-linked aggregates indicative of misfolded proteins, and could be recognized by MAbs specific for conformational epitopes.
\n \n\n \n \nHepatitis C virus (HCV) glycoproteins E1 and E2, when expressed in eukaryotic cells, are retained in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). C-terminal truncation of E2 at residue 661 or 715 (position on the polyprotein) leads to secretion, consistent with deletion of a proposed hydrophobic transmembrane anchor sequence. We demonstrate cell surface expression of a chimeric glycoprotein consisting of E2 residues 384 to 661 fused to the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains of influenza A virus hemagglutinin (HA), termed E2661-HATMCT. The E2661-HATMCT chimeric glycoprotein was able to bind a number of conformation-dependent monoclonal antibodies and a recombinant soluble form of CD81, suggesting that it was folded in a manner comparable to \"native\" E2. Furthermore, cell surface-expressed E2661-HATMCT demonstrated pH-dependent changes in antigen conformation, consistent with an acid-mediated fusion mechanism. However, E2661-HATMCT was unable to induce cell fusion of CD81-positive HEK cells after neutral- or low-pH treatment. We propose that a stretch of conserved, hydrophobic amino acids within the E1 glycoprotein, displaying similarities to flavivirus and paramyxovirus fusion peptides, may constitute the HCV fusion peptide. We demonstrate that influenza virus can incorporate E2661-HATMCT into particles and discuss experiments to address the relevance of the E2-CD81 interaction for HCV attachment and entry.
\n \n\n \n \nSUMMARY\nWe have compared the antibody response to HIV-1 gp120 type LAI in mice immunized with either a gp120 expression plasmid or with baculovirus-derived recombinant gp120 (rgp120) formulated with Freund's complete adjuvant, TiterMax, Alum, Ribi R-700, AF-A or QuilA. DNA immunization resulted in variable levels of antibody, with endpoint titres ranging from 104 to 105, whereas mice immunized with rgp120 mixed with Ribi R-700, AF-A or QuilA produced antibody levels with endpoint titres > 105. Both types of immunization failed to elicit antibodies able to recognize denatured rgp120. The V3 region was immunogenic in animals immunized with nucleic acid, whereas only a few animals immunized with recombinant protein produced antibodies specific for V3 or other linear epitopes, irrespective of the adjuvant used. These data suggest that the immunogenicity of gp120 is dependent upon the mode of antigen delivery, and that in vivo expressed gp120 following nucleic acid immunization elicits, at least with respect to V3, an antibody response which more closely reflects that seen following natural infection in man.
\n \n\n \n \nA number of linear and conformation-dependent neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) have been mapped to the first and second variable (V1 and V2) domains of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) gp120. The majority of these MAbs are as effective at neutralizing HIV-1 infectivity as MAbs to the V3 domain and the CD4 binding site. The linear MAbs bind to amino acid residues 162 to 171, and changes at residues 183/184 (PI/SG) and 191/192/193 (YSL/GSS) within the V2 domain abrogate the binding of the two conformation-dependent MAbs, 11/68b and CRA-4, respectively. Surprisingly, a change at residue 435 (Y/H or Y/S), in a region of gp120 near the CD4 binding site (M. Kowalski, J. Potz, L. Basiripour, T. Dorfman, W. C. Goh, E. Terwilliger, A. Dayton, C. Rosen, W. Haseltine, and J. Sodroski, Science 237:1351-1355, 1987; L. A. Lasky, G. M. Nakamura, D. H. Smith, C. Fennie, C. Shimasaki, E. Patzer, P. Berman, T. Gregory, and D. Capon, Cell 50:975-985, 1987; and U. Olshevsky, E. Helseth, C. Furman, J. Li, W. Haseltine, and J. Sodroski, J. Virol. 64:5701-5707, 1990), abrogated gp120 recognition by both of the conformation-dependent MAbs. However, both MAbs 11/68b and CRA-4 were able to bind to HIV-1 V1V2 chimeric fusion proteins expressing the V1V2 domains in the absence of C4, suggesting that residues in C4 are not components of the epitopes but that amino acid changes in C4 may affect the structure of the V1V2 domains. This is consistent with the ability of soluble CD4 to block 11/68b and CRA-4 binding to both native cell surface-expressed gp120 and recombinant gp120 and suggests that the binding of the neutralizing MAbs to the virus occurs prior to receptor interaction. Since the reciprocal inhibition, i.e., antibody inhibition of CD4-gp120 binding, was not observed, the mechanism of neutralization is probably not a blockade of virus-receptor interaction. Finally, we demonstrate that linear sequences from the V2 region are immunogenic in HIV-1-infected individuals, suggesting that the primary neutralizing response may be directed to both V2 and V3 epitopes.
\n \n\n \n \nAbstractWe have investigated the effect of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection on the expression of class I HLA antigens on fibroblasts in vitro. Scanning and integrating microdensitometry was used to quantitate the level of cytoplasmic class I antigen expression, and an antibody binding assay was used to quantitate cell surface expression of class I HLA molecules. CMV infection resulted in a significant increase in the level of cytoplasmic and cell surface class I HLA antigen expression of fibroblast monolayers. The maximal effect was seen at 72 hours postinfection and was observed with both the laboratory strain of CMV, strain AD169, and with CMV purified directly from clinical specimens. Part of the increased HLA expression was mediated by interferon released from infected cells; however, an additional direct effect of the virus itself has not been ruled out. Interferon\u2010induced increased expression of class I HLA antigens was accompanied by increased binding of CMV to the cells, consistent with our recent demonstration that class I HLA molecules can function as a cellular receptor for CMV.
\n \n\n \n \nAbstractAn enzyme\u2010linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for the detection of cytomegalovirus (CMV) in urine using monoclonal antibodies directed against CMV as a capture for viral antigen. The assay was capable of detecting virus at 102.3TCID50/ml as determined by titration of stock virus, strain Ad169.The assay was found to have a sensitivity of 65% and a specificity of 100% when 73 coded stored urine specimens were examined. Assuming that the poor sensitivity was due to loss of antigen following storage, we proceeded to analyse fresh urine specimens. Surprisingly, the assay gave negative results with 46 fresh urines known to contain CMV; however, following storage at +4\u00b0C for two weeks, 35 (76%) of these samples gave ELISA results in the positive range. This detection of CMV, after storage at +4\u00b0C, could be due to degradation of virus particles leading to release of soluble glycoproteins into the medium or to the presence of an inhibitory substance in fresh urine that is destroyed during storage.
\n \n\n \n \nABSTRACT\nThe recent development of infectious retroviral pseudotypes bearing hepatitis C virus (HCV) glycoproteins represents an opportunity to study the functionally active form of the HCV E1 and E2 glycoproteins. In the culture supernatant of cells producing HCV retroviral pseudotypes, the majority of E2 was not associated with infectious particles and failed to sediment on sucrose gradients. The E2 that was incorporated into infectious particles appeared as a triplet of diffuse bands at 60, 70, and 90 kDa. Similarly, three major forms of E1 were incorporated into the pseudotype particles, migrating at 33, 31, and 25 kDa. Endoglycosidase H (endo-H) treatment of particles demonstrated that the incorporated E1 was partially or completely sensitive to digestion. In contrast, the majority of the incorporated E2 was endo-H resistant. Purified pseudotype particles were found to contain both disulfide-linked aggregates and nonaggregated E1 and E2. HCV pseudotypes generated from cells expressing E1E2p7 showed similar heterogeneity in the incorporated glycoproteins and were of comparable infectivity to those generated by expression of E1E2. Our results demonstrate the heterogenous nature of E1 and E2 incorporated into retroviral pseudotypes and highlight the difficulty in identifying forms of the HCV glycoproteins that initiate infection.
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