scholarly journals The Fusion Protein of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Triggers p53-Dependent Apoptosis

2008 ◽  
Vol 82 (7) ◽  
pp. 3236-3249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Eckardt-Michel ◽  
Markus Lorek ◽  
Diane Baxmann ◽  
Thomas Grunwald ◽  
Günther M. Keil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Cell Monolayer ◽  
A549 Cells ◽  
Viral Envelope ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Lung Epithelial Cells ◽  
Small Airways ◽  
F Protein ◽  
Syncytial Virus

ABSTRACT Infection with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) frequently causes inflammation and obstruction of the small airways, leading to severe pulmonary disease in infants. We show here that the RSV fusion (F) protein, an integral membrane protein of the viral envelope, is a strong elicitor of apoptosis. Inducible expression of F protein in polarized epithelial cells triggered caspase-dependent cell death, resulting in rigorous extrusion of apoptotic cells from the cell monolayer and transient loss of epithelial integrity. A monoclonal antibody directed against F protein inhibited apoptosis and was also effective if administered to A549 lung epithelial cells postinfection. F protein expression in epithelial cells caused phosphorylation of tumor suppressor p53 at serine 15, activation of p53 transcriptional activity, and conformational activation of proapoptotic Bax. Stable expression of dominant-negative p53 or p53 knockdown by RNA interference inhibited the apoptosis of RSV-infected A549 cells. HEp-2 tumor cells with low levels of p53 were not sensitive to RSV-triggered apoptosis. We propose a new model of RSV disease with the F protein as an initiator of epithelial cell shedding, airway obstruction, secondary necrosis, and consequent inflammation. This makes the RSV F protein a key target for the development of effective postinfection therapies.

scholarly journals CX3CR1 Engagement by Respiratory Syncytial Virus Leads to Induction of Nucleolin and Dysregulation of Cilia-related Genes

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher S. Anderson ◽  
Tatiana Chirkova ◽  
Christopher G. Slaunwhite ◽  
Xing Qiu ◽  
Edward E. Walsh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
G Protein ◽  
Infected Individual ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Lung Epithelial Cells ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Ciliated Cells ◽  
Transcriptional Changes ◽  
Syncytial Virus

AbstractRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) contains a conserved CX3C motif on the ectodomain of the G-protein. The motif has been indicated as facilitating attachment of the virus to the host initiating infection via the human CX3CR1 receptor. The natural CX3CR1 ligand, CX3CL1, has been shown to induce signaling pathways resulting in transcriptional changes in the host cells. We hypothesize that binding of RSV to CX3CR1 via CX3C leads to transcriptional changes in host epithelial cells. Using transcriptomic analysis, the effect of CX3CR1 engagement by RSV was investigated. Normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells were infected with RSV virus containing either wildtype G-protein, or a mutant virus containing a CX4C mutation in the G-protein. RNA sequencing was performed on mock and 4-days-post-infected cultures. NHBE cultures were also treated with purified recombinant wild-type A2 G-protein. Here we report that RSV infection resulted in significant changes in the levels 766 transcripts. Many nuclear associated proteins were upregulated in the WT group, including Nucleolin. Alternatively, cilia-associated genes, including CC2D2A and CFAP221 (PCDP1), were downregulated. The addition of recombinant G-protein to the culture lead to the suppression of cilia-related genes while also inducing Nucleolin. Mutation of the CX3C motif (CX4C) reversed these effects on transcription decreasing nucleolin induction and lessening the suppression of cilia-related transcripts in culture. Furthermore, immunohistochemical staining demonstrated decreases in in ciliated cells and altered morphology. Therefore, it appears that engagement of CX3CR1 leads to induction of genes necessary for RSV entry as well as dysregulation of genes associated with cilia function.ImportanceRespiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) has an enormous impact on infants and the elderly including increased fatality rates and potential for causing lifelong lung problems. Humans become infected with RSV through the inhalation of viral particles exhaled from an infected individual. These virus particles contain specific proteins that the virus uses to attach to human ciliated lung epithelial cells, initiating infection. Two viral proteins, G-protein and F-protein, have been shown to bind to human CX3CR1and Nucleolin, respectively. Here we show that the G-protein induces Nucleolin and suppresses gene transcripts specific to ciliated cells. Furthermore, we show that mutation of the CX3C-motif on the G-protein, CX4C, reverses these transcriptional changes.

scholarly journals Increase in CTGF mRNA expression by respiratory syncytial virus infection is abrogated by caffeine in lung epithelial cells

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 662-666
Author(s):  
Steffen Kunzmann ◽  
Christine Krempl ◽  
Silvia Seidenspinner ◽  
Kirsten Glaser ◽  
Christian P. Speer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Virus Infection ◽  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection ◽  
Lung Epithelial Cells ◽  
Lung Epithelial ◽  
Syncytial Virus

scholarly journals Differential Responses by Human Respiratory Epithelial Cell Lines to Respiratory Syncytial Virus Reflect Distinct Patterns of Infection Control

2018 ◽  
Vol 92 (15) ◽  
Author(s):  
Philippa Hillyer ◽  
Rachel Shepard ◽  
Megan Uehling ◽  
Mina Krenz ◽  
Faruk Sheikh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽  
Epithelial Cell ◽  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
A549 Cells ◽  
Type I ◽  
Epithelial Cell Lines ◽  
Rsv Infection ◽  
Syncytial Virus ◽  
Respiratory Epithelial

ABSTRACT Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infects small foci of respiratory epithelial cells via infected droplets. Infection induces expression of type I and III interferons (IFNs) and proinflammatory cytokines, the balance of which may restrict viral replication and affect disease severity. We explored this balance by infecting two respiratory epithelial cell lines with low doses of recombinant RSV expressing green fluorescent protein (rgRSV). A549 cells were highly permissive, whereas BEAS-2B cells restricted infection to individual cells or small foci. After infection, A549 cells expressed higher levels of IFN-β-, IFN-λ-, and NF-κB-inducible proinflammatory cytokines. In contrast, BEAS-2B cells expressed higher levels of antiviral interferon-stimulated genes, pattern recognition receptors, and other signaling intermediaries constitutively and after infection. Transcriptome analysis revealed that constitutive expression of antiviral and proinflammatory genes predicted responses by each cell line. These two cell lines provide a model for elucidating critical mediators of local control of viral infection in respiratory epithelial cells. IMPORTANCE Airway epithelium is both the primary target of and the first defense against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Whether RSV replicates and spreads to adjacent epithelial cells depends on the quality of their innate immune responses. A549 and BEAS-2B are alveolar and bronchial epithelial cell lines, respectively, that are often used to study RSV infection. We show that A549 cells are permissive to RSV infection and express genes characteristic of a proinflammatory response. In contrast, BEAS-2B cells restrict infection and express genes characteristic of an antiviral response associated with expression of type I and III interferons. Transcriptome analysis of constitutive gene expression revealed patterns that may predict the response of each cell line to infection. This study suggests that restrictive and permissive cell lines may provide a model for identifying critical mediators of local control of infection and stresses the importance of the constitutive antiviral state for the response to viral challenge.

scholarly journals RAGE inhibits human respiratory syncytial virus syncytium formation by interfering with F-protein function

2013 ◽  
Vol 94 (8) ◽  
pp. 1691-1700 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane Tian ◽  
Kelly Huang ◽  
Subramaniam Krishnan ◽  
Catherine Svabek ◽  
Daniel C. Rowe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Syncytium Formation ◽  
Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Type I ◽  
F Protein ◽  
Viral Spread ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Syncytial Virus

Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of severe lower respiratory tract infection. Infection is critically dependent on the RSV fusion (F) protein, which mediates fusion between the viral envelope and airway epithelial cells. The F protein is also expressed on infected cells and is responsible for fusion of infected cells with adjacent cells, resulting in the formation of multinucleate syncytia. The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) is a pattern-recognition receptor that is constitutively highly expressed by type I alveolar epithelial cells. Here, we report that RAGE protected HEK cells from RSV-induced cell death and reduced viral titres in vitro. RAGE appeared to interact directly with the F protein, but, rather than inhibiting RSV entry into host cells, virus replication and budding, membrane-expressed RAGE or soluble RAGE blocked F-protein-mediated syncytium formation and sloughing. These data indicate that RAGE may contribute to protecting the lower airways from RSV by inhibiting the formation of syncytia, viral spread, epithelial damage and airway obstruction.

scholarly journals Necrosis of Lung Epithelial Cells during Infection withMycobacterium tuberculosis Is Preceded by Cell Permeation

2000 ◽  
Vol 68 (11) ◽  
pp. 6300-6310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen M. Dobos ◽  
Ellen A. Spotts ◽  
Frederick D. Quinn ◽  
C. Harold King
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
A549 Cell ◽  
Cell Monolayer ◽  
A549 Cells ◽  
Lung Epithelial Cells ◽  
Lung Epithelial ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Cellular Necrosis ◽  
Ldh Release

ABSTRACT Mycobacterium tuberculosis establishes infection, progresses towards disease, and is transmitted from the alveolus of the lung. However, the role of the alveolar epithelium in any of these pathogenic processes of tuberculosis is unclear. In this study, lung epithelial cells (A549) were used as a model in which to examine cytotoxicity during infection with either virulent or avirulent mycobacteria in order to further establish the role of the lung epithelium during tuberculosis. Infection of A549 cells with M. tuberculosis strains Erdman and CDC1551 demonstrated significant cell monolayer clearing, whereas infection with eitherMycobacterium bovis BCG or Mycobacterium smegmatis LR222 did not. Clearing of M. tuberculosis-infected A549 cells correlated to necrosis, not apoptosis. Treatment of M. tuberculosis-infected A549 cells with streptomycin, but not cycloheximide, demonstrated a significant reduction in the necrosis of A549 cell monolayers. This mycobacterium-induced A549 necrosis did not correlate to higher levels of intracellular or extracellular growth by the mycobacteria during infection. Staining of infected cells with propidium iodide demonstrated that M. tuberculosis induced increased permeation of A549 cell membranes within 24 h postinfection. Quantitation of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release from infected cells further demonstrated that cell permeation was specific to M. tuberculosis infection and correlated to A549 cellular necrosis. Inactivated M. tuberculosis or its subcellular fractions did not result in A549 necrosis or LDH release. These studies demonstrate that lung epithelial cell cytotoxicity is specific to infection by virulent mycobacteria and is caused by cellular necrosis. This necrosis is not a direct correlate of mycobacterial growth or of the expression of host cell factors, but is preceded by permeation of the A549 cell membrane and requires infection with live bacilli.

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