Project description:The RIG-I like receptors (RLRs) RIG-I and MDA5 are cytosolic RNA helicases best characterized as restriction factors for RNA viruses. However, evidence suggests RLRs participate in innate immune recognition of other pathogens, including DNA viruses. Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is a human gammaherpesvirus and the etiological agent of Kaposi's sarcoma and primary effusion lymphoma (PEL). We demonstrate that RIG-I and MDA5 restrict KSHV lytic reactivation in PEL. By performing fRIP-Seq, we define the in vivo RLR substrates and demonstrate that RIG-I and MDA5-mediated restriction is facilitated exclusively by the recognition of host-derived RNAs.
Project description:The RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs: RIG-I, MDA5 and LGP2) trigger inflammatory and antiviral responses by sensing non-self RNA molecules produced during viral replication. LGP2 regulation of RIG-I and MDA5-dependant type-I interferon signaling is a matter of controversy. Here we show that LGP2 interacts with different components of the RNA silencing machinery. Particularly, we identified a direct protein-protein interaction between LGP2 and interferon-inducible double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase activator A (PACT). The LGP2-PACT interaction is mediated by the regulatory C-terminal domain of LGP2 and is necessary for inhibiting the RIG-I- and amplifying the MDA5-responses. We describe a point mutation within LGP2 that disrupts LGP2-PACT interaction and leads to the loss of LGP2 regulatory activity over RIG-I and MDA5. These results provide a model in which PACT-LGP2 interaction regulates RIG-I and MDA5 inflammatory response and allows cellular RNA silencing machinery to coordinate the innate immune response.
Project description:Kaposi’s Sarcoma associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is an oncogenic human virus and leading cause of mortality in HIV infection. Reactivation of KSHV from latent to lytic stage infection initiates a cascade of viral gene expression, and here we show how these changes remodel the host cell proteome to enable viral replication. By undertaking a systematic and unbiased analysis of changes to the endothelial cell proteome following lytic KSHV reactivation, we quantify >7000 cellular and 71 viral proteins. Lytic KSHV infection resulted in >2-fold downregulation of 291 cellular proteins, including PKR, the key cellular sensor of double-stranded RNA. A complementary KSHV genome-wide CRISPR genetic screen identified K5 as the viral gene responsible for the downregulation of two novel KSHV targets, Nectin-2 and CD155, both ligands of the NK cell DNAM-1 receptor. Despite the high episome copy number, we show that CRISPR Cas9 provides a remarkably efficient way to target KSHV genomes.
Project description:Kaposi’s Sarcoma associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is an oncogenic human virus and leading cause of mortality in HIV infection. Reactivation of KSHV from latent to lytic stage infection initiates a cascade of viral gene expression, and here we show how these changes remodel the host cell proteome to enable viral replication. By undertaking a systematic and unbiased analysis of changes to the endothelial cell proteome following lytic KSHV reactivation, we quantify >7000 cellular and 71 viral proteins. Lytic KSHV infection resulted in >2-fold downregulation of 291 cellular proteins, including PKR, the key cellular sensor of double-stranded RNA. A complementary KSHV genome-wide CRISPR genetic screen identified K5 as the viral gene responsible for the downregulation of two novel KSHV targets, Nectin-2 and CD155, both ligands of the NK cell DNAM-1 receptor. Despite the high episome copy number, we show that CRISPR Cas9 provides a remarkably efficient way to target KSHV genomes.
Project description:Lytic reactivation from latency is critical for the pathogenesis of KSHV. We previously demonstrated that the 691 amino acid KSHV Rta transcriptional transactivator is necessary and sufficient to reactivate the virus from latency. Viral lytic cycle genes, including those expressing additional transactivators and putative oncogenes, are induced in a cascade fashion following Rta expression. In this study, we sought to define Rta’s direct targets during reactivation by generating a conditionally nuclear variant of Rta. WT Rta protein is constitutively localized to cell nuclei, and contains two putative nuclear localization signals (NLSs). Only one NLS (NLS-2; aa 516-530) was required for nuclear localization of Rta, and relocalized eGFP exclusively to cell nuclei. Analyses of Rta NLS mutants demonstrated that proper nuclear localization of Rta was required for transactivation and stimulation of viral reactivation. Fusion of Rta_NLS-1,2 to the hormone binding domain of the murine estrogen receptor generated a variant of Rta whose nuclear localization and ability to transactivate and induce reactivation were tightly controlled post-translationally by the synthetic hormone tamoxifen. We used this strategy in KSHV-infected cells treated with protein synthesis inhibitors to identify direct transcriptional targets of Rta. Only eight KSHV genes were activated by Rta in the absence of de novo protein synthesis. These direct transcriptional targets of Rta were transactivated to different magnitudes, and included the genes nut-1/PAN, ORF57/Mta, ORF56/Primase, K2/vIL-6, ORF37/SOX, K14/vOX, K9/vIRF1, and ORF52. Our data suggest that induction of most of the KSHV lytic cycle genes requires additional protein expression post-Rta. Keywords: Comparative transcriptome analysis by oligonucleotide microarray
Project description:The important role of IGF-1R in cancers has been well established. Classical model involves IGF-1/2 binding to IGF-1R, following activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway, thereby promoting cell proliferation, apoptosis inhibition and treatment resistance. While IGF-1R has become a promising target for cancer therapy, clinical disclosures subsequently have been less encouraging. The question is whether targeting IGF/IGF-1R still holds therapeutic potential. Here we show a novel mechanism that knockdown IGF-1R surprisingly triggers cytoplasmic viral RNA sensors MDA5 and RIG-1, leading to mitochondrial apoptosis in cancer. We analyzed MDA5 and RIG-1 in the intestinal epithelium of IGF-1R knockdown mice. Igf1r+/- mice demonstrated higher MDA5 and RIG-1 than WT mice. IGF-1R knockdown-triggered MDA5 and RIG-1 was further analyzed in human cancer and normal cells. Increased MDA5 and RIG-1 were clearly seen in the cytoplasm identified by immunofluoresce in the cells silenced IGF-1R. Block off IGF-1R downstream PI3K/Akt did not impact on MDA5 and RIG-1 expression. IGF-1R knockdown-triggered MDA5 and RIG-1 and their signaling pathways were similar to those of viral RNA mimetic poly(I:C) had. IGF-1R knockdown-triggered MDA5 and RIG-1 led to cancer apoptosis through activation of the mitochondrial pathway. In vivo assay, Igf1r+/- mice strongly resisted AOM-induced colonic tumorigenesis through triggering MDA¬5- and RIG-1-mediated apoptosis. Notably, RIG-I and MDA5-mediated proapoptotic signaling pathway is preferential active in cancer cells. These data suggest that targeting IGF-1R-triggered MDA5 and RIG-1 might have therapeutic potential for cancer treatment.
Project description:iSLK.219 cells at 0, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours post KSHV reactivation. Nucleosome occupancy plays a key role in regulating access to the eukaryotic genomes. Although various chromatin regulatory complexes are known to regulate nucleosome occupancy, the role of DNA sequence in this regulation remains unclear, particularly in mammals. To address this problem, we measured nucleosome distribution at high temporal resolution in human cells at hundreds of genes during the reactivation of KaposiM-bM-^@M-^Ys sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV). We show that nucleosome redistribution peaks at 24 hours post KSHV reactivation and that the nucleosomal redistributions are widespread and transient. To clarify the role of DNA sequence in these nucleosomal redistributions, we compared the genes with altered nucleosome distribution to a sequence-based computer model and in vitro assembled nucleosomes. We demonstrate that both the predicted model and the assembled nucleosome distributions are concordant with the majority of nucleosome redistributions at 24 hours post KSHV reactivation. We suggest a model in which loci are held in unfavorable chromatin architecture and M-bM-^@M-^\springM-bM-^@M-^] to a transient intermediate state directed by DNA sequence information. We propose that DNA sequence plays a more considerable role in the regulation of nucleosome positions than was previously appreciated. The surprising findings that nucleosome redistributions are widespread, transient, and DNA-directed shift the current perspective regarding regulation of nucleosome distribution in humans. iSLK.219 cells at 0, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours post KSHV reactivation.
Project description:Eukaryotic genomes are structurally organized via the formation of multiple loops that create gene expression regulatory units called topologically associating domains (TADs). Here we revealed the KSHV TAD structure at 500 base pair resolution and constructed a 3D KSHV genomic structural model. The latent KSHV genome formed very similar TAD structures among three different naturally infected PEL cell lines. When KSHV reactivation was triggered, genomic loops within TADs were dramatically decreased, while contacts extending outside of TAD borders increased, leading to formation of a larger regulatory unit with a shift from repressive to active compartments (B to A). The 3D structural model proposes that the immediate-early promoter region is localized on the periphery of the 3D viral genome, while highly inducible non-coding RNA regions moved toward the inner space of the structure, resembling the coordination of a "bird cage" during reactivation. Finally, inhibition of the initial burst of lytic gene expression by stop codon insertion in the viral transactivator reduced genomic loops, while supplementing K-Rta expression in trans during establishment of latency attenuated the defect. Our studies suggest that the latent 3D genomic structural information is embedded in the lytic gene transcription program.
Project description:Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is an aggressive subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma caused by Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus infection, which is most commonly seen in HIV-positive patients. Induction of HIV reactivation by external stimuli in the presence of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) has been examined for its efficacy to eradicate latently infected HIV. Similary, lytic activation of viruses from latently infected tumor cells with anti-cancer drugs represents an effective strategy of anti-neoplastic therapy, through the induction of oncolysis by viral replication, stimulation of immune responses to the viral lytic antigens, and intrinsic effects of cancer drugs. Here we examined the combination of PEP005 with epigenetic drugs as a rational therapeutic strategy to target both in AIDS-associated KSHV-mediated malignancies. JQ1, a bromodomain and extra terminal protein (BET) inhibitor, in combination with a FDA-approved drug, PEP005, not only robustly induced KSHV lytic replication, but also inhibited IL-6 and VEGF production from PEL cells. This combination has been proposed for use in reactivation of HIV from latently infected T-cells, and the same combination and dosage inhibited PEL growth in vitro and delayed tumor growth in a PEL xenograft tumor model. Downstream activation of NF-B by PEP005 combined with sequestration of bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) by JQ1 robustly increased occupancy of RNA polymerase II onto the KSHV genome. RNA-sequencing analysis further revealed cellular targets of PEP005, JQ1, and the synergistic effects of both. We suggest that the combination of PEP005 with JQ1 should be considered as a rational therapeutic approach for HIV-associated PEL.
Project description:VSV-M2 is recognized by cytosolic RIG-I. Notably, 5'-triphosphate RNA molecules derived from either viral RNA or from the synthetically produced 3pRNA can also induce RIG-I activation. MDA5 stimulation is achieved using complexed poly(I:C), a synthetic analog of viral dsRNA. To test whether the RIG-I and MDA5 ligands 3pRNA and poly(I:C) can be used in their complexed structures to decipher RNA virus-induced sickness behavior in vivo, we first compared the tissue-specific signaling pathways after systemic challenge with VSV-M2 and the RIG-I and MDA5 ligands, respectively. A whole-genome expression analysis using splenic cells was carried out using an Affymetrix Mouse Gene 2.1 ST Array.