Project description:Detection of viruses by innate immune sensors induces protective antiviral immunity. The viral DNA sensor cGAS is necessary for detection of HIV by human dendritic cells and macrophages. However, synthesis of HIV DNA during infection is not sufficient for immune activation. The capsid protein, which associates with viral DNA, has a pivotal role in enabling cGAS-mediated immune activation. We now find that NONO is an essential sensor of the HIV capsid in the nucleus. NONO protein directly binds capsid with higher affinity for weakly pathogenic HIV-2 than highly pathogenic HIV-1. Upon infection, NONO is essential for cGAS activation by HIV and cGAS association with HIV DNA in the nucleus. NONO recognizes a conserved region in HIV capsid with limited tolerance for escape mutations. Detection of nuclear viral capsid by NONO to promote DNA sensing by cGAS reveals an innate strategy to achieve distinction of viruses from self in the nucleus.
Project description:Dendritic cells (DC) serve a key function in host defense, linking innate detection of microbes to the activation of pathogen-specific adaptive immune responses. Whether there is cell-intrinsic recognition of HIV-1 by host innate pattern-recognition receptors and subsequent coupling to antiviral T cell responses is not yet known. DC are largely resistant to infection with HIV-1, but facilitate infection of co-cultured T-helper cells through a process of trans-enhancement. We show here that, when DC resistance to infection is circumvented, HIV-1 induces DC maturation, an antiviral type I interferon response and activation of T cells. This innate response is dependent on the interaction of newly-synthesized HIV-1 capsid (CA) with cellular cyclophilin A (CypA) and the subsequent activation of the transcription factor IRF3. Because the peptidyl-prolyl isomerase CypA also interacts with CA to promote HIV-1 infectivity, our results suggest that CA conformation has evolved under opposing selective pressures for infectivity versus furtiveness. Thus, a cell intrinsic sensor for HIV-1 exists in DC and mediates an antiviral immune response, but it is not typically engaged due to absence of DC infection. The virulence of HIV-1 may be related to evasion of this response, whose manipulation may be necessary to generate an effective HIV-1 vaccine. We analyzed the gene expression profiles of uninfected human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MDDCs) and MDDCs infected with an envelope-defective GFP-encoding VSV-G-pseudotyped HIV-1 vector (HIVGFP(G)) and with VSV-G pseudotyped virus-like particles derived from SIVmac to deliver Vpx (SIVVLP(G)), alone or in combination. Cells were infected at day 4 of differentiation and cells were harvested 48 hours later. RNA was extracted with TRIzol. RNA was labeled and hybridized to Human Genome U133A 2.0 arrays arrays following the Affymetrix protocols. Data were analyzed in R and Bioconductor.
Project description:Dendritic cells (DC) serve a key function in host defense, linking innate detection of microbes to the activation of pathogen-specific adaptive immune responses. Whether there is cell-intrinsic recognition of HIV-1 by host innate pattern-recognition receptors and subsequent coupling to antiviral T cell responses is not yet known. DC are largely resistant to infection with HIV-1, but facilitate infection of co-cultured T-helper cells through a process of trans-enhancement. We show here that, when DC resistance to infection is circumvented, HIV-1 induces DC maturation, an antiviral type I interferon response and activation of T cells. This innate response is dependent on the interaction of newly-synthesized HIV-1 capsid (CA) with cellular cyclophilin A (CypA) and the subsequent activation of the transcription factor IRF3. Because the peptidyl-prolyl isomerase CypA also interacts with CA to promote HIV-1 infectivity, our results suggest that CA conformation has evolved under opposing selective pressures for infectivity versus furtiveness. Thus, a cell intrinsic sensor for HIV-1 exists in DC and mediates an antiviral immune response, but it is not typically engaged due to absence of DC infection. The virulence of HIV-1 may be related to evasion of this response, whose manipulation may be necessary to generate an effective HIV-1 vaccine.
Project description:Effective anti-viral immunity depends on the ability of infected cells or cells triggered with virus-derived nucleic acids to produce type I interferon (IFN), which activates transcription of numerous antiviral genes. However, disproportionately strong or chronic IFN expression is a common cause of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Here we describe an epigenetic mechanism that determines cell-type specific differences in IFN and IFN-stimulated gene expression in response to exogenous signals. We identify di-methylation of histone H3 at lysine 9 (H3K9me2) as a suppressor of IFN and IFN-inducible antiviral gene expression. We show that levels of H3K9me2 at IFN and IFN stimulated genes (ISG) correlate inversely with the scope and amplitude of IFN and ISG expression in fibroblasts and dendritic cells. Accordingly, genetic ablation or pharmacological inactivation of lysine methyltransferase G9a, which is essential for the generation of H3K9me2, resulted in phenotypic conversion of fibroblasts into highly potent IFN-producing cells and rendered these cells resistant to pathogenic RNA viruses. In summary, our studies implicate H3K9me2 and enzymes controlling its abundance as key regulators of innate antiviral immunity. Examination of epigenetic modifications in WT and G9a deficient MEFs and splenic DCs
Project description:Effective anti-viral immunity depends on the ability of infected cells or cells triggered with virus-derived nucleic acids to produce type I interferon (IFN), which activates transcription of numerous antiviral genes. However, disproportionately strong or chronic IFN expression is a common cause of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Here we describe an epigenetic mechanism that determines cell-type specific differences in IFN and IFN-stimulated gene expression in response to exogenous signals. We identify di-methylation of histone H3 at lysine 9 (H3K9me2) as a suppressor of IFN and IFN-inducible antiviral gene expression. We show that levels of H3K9me2 at IFN and IFN stimulated genes (ISG) correlate inversely with the scope and amplitude of IFN and ISG expression in fibroblasts and dendritic cells. Accordingly, genetic ablation or pharmacological inactivation of lysine methyltransferase G9a, which is essential for the generation of H3K9me2, resulted in phenotypic conversion of fibroblasts into highly potent IFN-producing cells and rendered these cells resistant to pathogenic RNA viruses. In summary, our studies implicate H3K9me2 and enzymes controlling its abundance as key regulators of innate antiviral immunity. Examination of gene expression in response to PolyI:C in WT and G9a deficient DCs
Project description:Effective anti-viral immunity depends on the ability of infected cells or cells triggered with virus-derived nucleic acids to produce type I interferon (IFN), which activates transcription of numerous antiviral genes. However, disproportionately strong or chronic IFN expression is a common cause of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Here we describe an epigenetic mechanism that determines cell-type specific differences in IFN and IFN-stimulated gene expression in response to exogenous signals. We identify di-methylation of histone H3 at lysine 9 (H3K9me2) as a suppressor of IFN and IFN-inducible antiviral gene expression. We show that levels of H3K9me2 at IFN and IFN stimulated genes (ISG) correlate inversely with the scope and amplitude of IFN and ISG expression in fibroblasts and dendritic cells. Accordingly, genetic ablation or pharmacological inactivation of lysine methyltransferase G9a, which is essential for the generation of H3K9me2, resulted in phenotypic conversion of fibroblasts into highly potent IFN-producing cells and rendered these cells resistant to pathogenic RNA viruses. In summary, our studies implicate H3K9me2 and enzymes controlling its abundance as key regulators of innate antiviral immunity. Examination of gene expression in response to PolyI:C in WT and G9a deficient MEFs
Project description:Transcriptional programming of the innate immune response is pivotal for host protection. The transcriptional mechanisms that link pathogen sensing with innate activation remain poorly understood. During infection with HIV-1, human dendritic cells (DCs) can detect the virus through an innate sensing pathway leading to antiviral type I interferon and DC maturation. Here, we have developed an iterative experimental and computational approach to map the innate response circuitry during HIV-1 infection. By integrating genome-wide chromatin accessibility with expression kinetics, we have inferred a gene regulatory network that links 542 transcription factors (TFs) with 21,862 target genes. Through genetic perturbation and drug treatments we identify PRDM1 and RARA as essential regulators of the interferon response and DC maturation, respectively. This work provides a resource for interrogation of regulators of HIV replication and innate immunity, highlighting the complexity and cooperativity in the regulatory circuit controlling the DC response to HIV-1 infection.
Project description:Transcriptional programming of the innate immune response is pivotal for host protection. The transcriptional mechanisms that link pathogen sensing with innate activation remain poorly understood. During infection with HIV-1, human dendritic cells (DCs) can detect the virus through an innate sensing pathway leading to antiviral type I interferon and DC maturation. Here, we have developed an iterative experimental and computational approach to map the innate response circuitry during HIV-1 infection. By integrating genome-wide chromatin accessibility with expression kinetics, we have inferred a gene regulatory network that links 542 transcription factors (TFs) with 21,862 target genes. Through genetic perturbation and drug treatments we identify PRDM1 and RARA as essential regulators of the interferon response and DC maturation, respectively. This work provides a resource for interrogation of regulators of HIV replication and innate immunity, highlighting the complexity and cooperativity in the regulatory circuit controlling the DC response to HIV-1 infection.
Project description:DNA sensing is a fundamental process in the immune system, including host defence against viruses. The DNA sensor cGAS synthesises 2’3’ cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP), a second messenger that activates STING, which subsequently induces innate immunity. cGAMP not only activates STING in the cell where it is produced but also transfers to other cells. Transporters, channels and pores including SLC19A1, the SLC46A family, P2X7, ABCC1 and volume-regulated anion channels (VRACs) release cGAMP into the extracellular space and/or import cGAMP into cells. Emerging evidence suggests these proteins are important in antiviral immunity. Here, we investigated whether viruses antagonise cGAMP transporters, channels and pores. We report that infection with multiple human viruses depleted cGAMP conduits from cells. This included herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) that targeted the VRAC subunits LRRC8A and LRRC8C, as well as SLC46A2 and P2X7, for degradation. The HSV-1 protein UL56 was required and sufficient for these effects that were mediated at least partially by proteasomal turnover. UL56 thereby inhibited the cGAMP uptake via VRAC, SLC46A2 and P2X7. Taken together, we show that HSV-1 actively antagonises cGAMP transfer across the plasma membrane and propose this limits innate immunity by reducing cell-to-cell communication via the immunotransmitter cGAMP.