A Simplified Technique for Evaluating Human CCR5 Genetic Polymorphism

To involve students in thinking about the problem of AIDS (which is important in the view of nondecreasing infection rates), we established a practical lab using a simplified adaptation of Thomas’s (2004) method to determine the polymorphism of HIV co-receptor CCR5 from students’ own epithelial cells. CCR5 is a receptor involved in inflammatory processes, which has been misused by some pathogens, including HIV, to enter host cells. As a result, a defective allele CCR5-Δ32 has been enriched in some populations. The interesting story and hands-on work with their own tissue absorbed students in this 2-hour practical.

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Cigarette Smoke Stimulates SARS-CoV-2 Internalization by Activating AhR and Increasing ACE2 Expression in Human Gingival Epithelial Cells

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22147669 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (14) ◽

pp. 7669

Author(s):

Cassio Luiz Coutinho Almeida-da-Silva ◽

Harmony Matshik Dakafay ◽

Kaitlyn Liu ◽

David M. Ojcius

Keyword(s):

Epithelial Cells ◽

Oral Cavity ◽

Cigarette Smoke ◽

Large Body ◽

Receptor Expression ◽

Host Cells ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Gingival Epithelial Cells ◽

Human Gingival Epithelial Cells ◽

Oral Cells

A large body of evidence shows the harmful effects of cigarette smoke to oral and systemic health. More recently, a link between smoking and susceptibility to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was proposed. COVID-19 is due to infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which uses the receptor ACE2 and the protease TMPRSS2 for entry into host cells, thereby infecting cells of the respiratory tract and the oral cavity. Here, we examined the effects of cigarette smoke on the expression of SARS-CoV-2 receptors and infection in human gingival epithelial cells (GECs). We found that cigarette smoke condensates (CSC) upregulated ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression in GECs, and that CSC activated aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) signaling in the oral cells. ACE2 was known to mediate SARS-CoV-2 internalization, and we demonstrate that CSC treatment potentiated the internalization of SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus in GECs in an AhR-dependent manner. AhR depletion using small interference RNA decreased SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus internalization in CSC-treated GECs compared with control GECs. Our study reveals that cigarette smoke upregulates SARS-CoV-2 receptor expression and infection in oral cells. Understanding the mechanisms involved in SARS-CoV-2 infection in cells of the oral cavity may suggest therapeutic interventions for preventing viral infection and transmission.

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Dual RNA-seq analysis of in vitro infection multiplicity and RNA depletion methods in Chlamydia-infected epithelial cells

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-89921-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Regan J. Hayward ◽

Michael S. Humphrys ◽

Wilhelmina M. Huston ◽

Garry S. A. Myers

Keyword(s):

Epithelial Cells ◽

Multiplicity Of Infection ◽

Rna Seq ◽

Infection Rates ◽

Time Points ◽

High Infection ◽

Infection Cycles ◽

Transcriptomic Responses ◽

Rna Depletion

AbstractDual RNA-seq experiments examining viral and bacterial pathogens are increasing, but vary considerably in their experimental designs, such as infection rates and RNA depletion methods. Here, we have applied dual RNA-seq to Chlamydia trachomatis infected epithelial cells to examine transcriptomic responses from both organisms. We compared two time points post infection (1 and 24 h), three multiplicity of infection (MOI) ratios (0.1, 1 and 10) and two RNA depletion methods (rRNA and polyA). Capture of bacterial-specific RNA were greatest when combining rRNA and polyA depletion, and when using a higher MOI. However, under these conditions, host RNA capture was negatively impacted. Although it is tempting to use high infection rates, the implications on host cell survival, the potential reduced length of infection cycles and real world applicability should be considered. This data highlights the delicate nature of balancing host–pathogen RNA capture and will assist future transcriptomic-based studies to achieve more specific and relevant infection-related biological insights.

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Host DNA Repair Proteins in Response toPseudomonas aeruginosain Lung Epithelial Cells and in Mice

Infection and Immunity ◽

10.1128/iai.00815-10 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 79 (1) ◽

pp. 75-87 ◽

Cited By ~ 35

Author(s):

Min Wu ◽

Huang Huang ◽

Weidong Zhang ◽

Shibichakravarthy Kannan ◽

Andrew Weaver ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dna Damage ◽

Dna Repair ◽

Epithelial Cells ◽

Critical Role ◽

Lung Epithelial Cells ◽

Host Cells ◽

Myeloperoxidase Activity ◽

Gram Negative ◽

Lung Epithelial ◽

Dna Repair Proteins

ABSTRACTAlthough DNA repair proteins in bacteria are critical for pathogens' genome stability and for subverting the host defense, the role of host DNA repair proteins in response to bacterial infection is poorly defined. Here, we demonstrate, for the first time, that infection with the Gram-negative bacteriumPseudomonas aeruginosasignificantly altered the expression and enzymatic activity of 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase (OGG1) in lung epithelial cells. Downregulation of OGG1 by a small interfering RNA strategy resulted in severe DNA damage and cell death. In addition, acetylation of OGG1 is required for host responses to bacterial genotoxicity, as mutations of OGG1 acetylation sites increased Cockayne syndrome group B (CSB) protein expression. These results also indicate that CSB may be involved in DNA repair activity during infection. Furthermore, OGG1 knockout mice exhibited increased lung injury after infection withP. aeruginosa, as demonstrated by higher myeloperoxidase activity and lipid peroxidation. Together, our studies indicate thatP. aeruginosainfection induces significant DNA damage in host cells and that DNA repair proteins play a critical role in the host response toP. aeruginosainfection, serving as promising targets for the treatment of this condition and perhaps more broadly Gram-negative bacterial infections.

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Povidone-Iodine Attenuates Viral Replication in Ocular Cells: Implications for Ocular Transmission of RNA Viruses

Biomolecules ◽

10.3390/biom11050753 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 753

Author(s):

Sneha Singh ◽

Onkar B. Sawant ◽

Shahzad I. Mian ◽

Ashok Kumar

Keyword(s):

Epithelial Cells ◽

Viral Replication ◽

Povidone Iodine ◽

Rna Viruses ◽

Retinal Pigment ◽

Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells ◽

Host Cells ◽

Eye Banking ◽

Antiviral Effects ◽

Infected Cells

Several RNA viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, can infect or use the eye as an entry portal to cause ocular or systemic diseases. Povidone-Iodine (PVP-I) is routinely used during ocular surgeries and eye banking as a cost-effective disinfectant due to its broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, including against viruses. However, whether PVP-I can exert antiviral activities in virus-infected cells remains elusive. In this study, using Zika (ZIKV) and Chikungunya (CHIKV) virus infection of human corneal and retinal pigment epithelial cells, we report antiviral mechanisms of PVP-I. Our data showed that PVP-I, even at the lowest concentration (0.01%), drastically reduced viral replication in corneal and retinal cells without causing cellular toxicity. Antiviral effects of PVP-I against ZIKV and CHIKV were mediated by direct viral inactivation, thus attenuating the ability of the virus to infect host cells. Moreover, one-minute PVP-I exposure of infected ocular cells drastically reduced viral replication and the production of infectious progeny virions. Furthermore, viral-induced (CHIKV) expression of inflammatory genes (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, and IL1β) were markedly reduced in PVP-I treated corneal epithelial cells. Together, our results demonstrate potent antiviral effects of PVP-I against ZIKV and CHIKV infection of ocular cells. Thus, a low dose of PVP-I can be used during tissue harvesting for corneal transplants to prevent potential transmission of RNA viruses via infected cells.

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Evaluation of the Role of Staphylococci in the Pathomechanism of Conjunctivitis

10.21203/rs.3.rs-191872/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ewa Jasińska ◽

Agnieszka Bogut ◽

Agnieszka Magryś ◽

Alina Olender

Keyword(s):

Antibiotic Resistance ◽

Epithelial Cells ◽

Biofilm Formation ◽

Methicillin Resistance ◽

Microtiter Plate ◽

Host Cells ◽

Diffusion Method ◽

Microtiter Plate Assay ◽

Low Prevalence

Abstract Purpose: Determination of the association between ica genes and phenotypic biofilm formation in staphylococcal isolates involved in conjunctivitis, their antibiotic resistance as well as detection of selected virulence characteristics: adhesion to epithelial cells and in vitro cytotoxicity.Methods: The study included 26 Staphylococcus aureus (SA) and 26 Staphylococcus epidermidis (SE) isolates. The presence of icaAD genes and ica operon was determined by the PCR assay. Phenotypic biofilm formation was verified using the microtiter plate assay. Antibiotic resistance was performed using the disc diffusion method. Staphylococcal ability to attach to host cells was assessed by flow cytometry. Cytotoxicity on epithelial cells was evaluated by LDH assay.Results: The ica genes were detected in 26.9% of SE and in 42.3% of SA isolates. Only 15.3% of isolates (SE) were positive for both the icaAD and the ica operon. Phenotypically, 19.2% of SE isolates were strong biofilm producers, among which three were both icaAD- and ica operon-positive. 26.9% of SA isolates were strong biofilm producers. Methicillin resistance (MR) was detected in 34.6% of SE and 26.9% of SA isolates. 75% of MR isolates were multidrug resistant. SA isolates adhered to host cells more extensively than SE. SA isolates released higher level of LDH than SE.Conclusions: Adherence abilities were commonly observed in staphylococci associated with conjunctivitis. However, low prevalence of isolates positive for a complete and functional ica locus and low prevalence of strong biofilm producers was detected. SA adhered to a greater extent to eukaryotic cells than SE and were more cytotoxic.

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Interactions Between Salmonella Typhimurium, Enteropathogenic Escherichia Coli (EPEC), and Host Epithelial Cells

Advances in Dental Research ◽

10.1177/08959374950090010601 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 31-36 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

B.B. Finlay

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Epithelial Cells ◽

Salmonella Typhimurium ◽

Host Cell ◽

Inositol Phosphate ◽

Enteric Pathogens ◽

Host Protein ◽

Host Cells ◽

Enteropathogenic Escherichia Coli ◽

Sequence Of Events

The interactions that occur between pathogenic micro-organisms and their host cells are complex and intimate. We have used two enteric pathogens, Salmonella typhimurium and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC), to examine the interactions that occur between these organisms and epithelial cells. Although these are enteric pathogens, the knowledge and techniques developed from these systems may be applied to the study of dental pathogens. Both S. typhimurium and EPEC disrupt epithelial monolayer integrity, although by different mechanisms. Both pathogens cause loss of microvilli and re-arrangement of the underlying host cytoskeleton. Despite these similarities, both organisms send different signals into the host cell. EPEC signal transduction involves generation of intracellular calcium and inositol phosphate fluxes, and activation of host tyrosine kinases that results in tyrosine phosphorylation of a 90-kDa host protein. Bacterial mutants have been identifed that are deficient in signaling to the host. We propose a sequence of events that occur when EPEC interacts with epithelial cells. Once inside a host cell, S. typhimurium remains within a vacuole. To define some of the parameters of the intracellular environment, we constructed genetic fusions of known genes with lacZ, and used these fusions as reporter probes of the intracellular vacuolar environment. We have also begun to examine the bacterial and host cell factors necessary for S. typhimurium to multiply within epithelial cells. We found that this organism triggers the formation of novel tubular lysosomes, and these structures are linked with intracellular replication.

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Suppression of influenza A virus replication in human lung epithelial cells by noncytotoxic concentrations bafilomycin A1

AJP Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajplung.00011.2014 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 308 (3) ◽

pp. L270-L286 ◽

Cited By ~ 46

Author(s):

Behzad Yeganeh ◽

Saeid Ghavami ◽

Andrea L. Kroeker ◽

Thomas H. Mahood ◽

Gerald L. Stelmack ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Epithelial Cells ◽

Host Cell ◽

Influenza A Virus ◽

Influenza A ◽

Life Cycles ◽

Host Cells ◽

Nuclear Accumulation ◽

Low Concentration ◽

High Concentrations ◽

The Impact

Subcellular trafficking within host cells plays a critical role in viral life cycles, including influenza A virus (IAV). Thus targeting relevant subcellular compartments holds promise for effective intervention to control the impact of influenza infection. Bafilomycin A1(Baf-A1), when used at relative high concentrations (≥10 nM), inhibits vacuolar ATPase (V-ATPase) and reduces endosome acidification and lysosome number, thus inhibiting IAV replication but promoting host cell cytotoxicity. We tested the hypothesis that much lower doses of Baf-A1also have anti-IAV activity, but without toxic effects. Thus we assessed the antiviral activity of Baf-A1at different concentrations (0.1–100 nM) in human alveolar epithelial cells (A549) infected with IAV strain A/PR/8/34 virus (H1N1). Infected and mock-infected cells pre- and cotreated with Baf-A1were harvested 0–24 h postinfection and analyzed by immunoblotting, immunofluorescence, and confocal and electron microscopy. We found that Baf-A1had disparate concentration-dependent effects on subcellular organelles and suppressed affected IAV replication. At concentrations ≥10 nM Baf-A1inhibited acid lysosome formation, which resulted in greatly reduced IAV replication and release. Notably, at a very low concentration of 0.1 nM that is insufficient to reduce lysosome number, Baf-A1retained the capacity to significantly impair IAV nuclear accumulation as well as IAV replication and release. In contrast to the effects of high concentrations of Baf-A1, very low concentrations did not exhibit cytotoxic effects or induce apoptotic cell death, based on morphological and FACS analyses. In conclusion, our results reveal that low-concentration Baf-A1is an effective inhibitor of IAV replication, without impacting host cell viability.

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

10.1101/2020.07.29.227967 ◽

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.

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Significant expression of FURIN and ACE2 on oral epithelial cells may facilitate the efficiency of SARS-CoV-2 entry

10.1101/2020.04.18.047951 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Mei Zhong ◽

Bing-peng Lin ◽

Hong-bin Gao ◽

Andrew J Young ◽

Xin-hong Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Epithelial Cells ◽

Oral Mucosa ◽

Cardiac Tissue ◽

Clinical Care ◽

Host Cells ◽

Mucosal Tissues ◽

Mucosal Cells ◽

Key Factor ◽

Significant Expression ◽

Epithelial Layers

AbstractBackgroundLeading to a sustained epidemic spread with >2,000,000 confirmed human infections, including >100,000 deaths, COVID-19 was caused by SARS-CoV-2 and resulted in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and sepsis, which brought more challenges to the patient’s treatment. The S-glycoprotein, which recognized as the key factor for the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into the cell, contains two functional domains: an ACE2 receptor binding domain and a second domain necessary for fusion of the coronavirus and cell membranes. FURIN activity, exposes the binding and fusion domains, is essential for the zoonotic transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, it has been reported that ACE2 is likely to be the receptor for SARS-CoV-2. In addition, FURIN enzyme and ACE2 receptor were expressed in airway epithelia, cardiac tissue, and enteric canals, which considered as the potential target organ of the virus. However, report about the expression of FURIN and ACE2 in oral tissues was limited.MethodsIn order to investigate the potential infective channel of new coronavirus in oral cavity, we analyze the expression of ACE2 and FURIN that mediate the new coronavirus entry into host cells in oral mucosa using the public single-cell sequence datasets. Furthermore, immunohistochemical staining experiment was performed to confirm the expression of ACE2 and FURIN in the protein level.ResultsThe bioinformatics results indicated the differential expression of ACE2 and FURIN on epithelial cells of different oral mucosal tissues and the proportion of FURIN-positive cells was obviously higher than that of ACE2-positive cells. IHC experiments revealed that both the ACE2-positive and FURIN-positive cells in the target tissues were mainly positioned in the epithelial layers, partly expressed in fibroblasts, which further confirm the bioinformatics results.ConclusionsBased on these findings, we speculated that SARS-CoV-2 could effectively invade oral mucosal cells though two possible routes: binding to the ACE2 receptor and fusion with cell membrane activated by FURIN protease. Our results indicated that oral mucosa tissues are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, which provides valuable information for virus-prevention strategy in clinical care as well as daily life.

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Regulation of myosin activation during cell–cell contact formation by Par3-Lgl antagonism: entosis without matrix detachment

Molecular Biology of the Cell ◽

10.1091/mbc.e11-11-0940 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 23 (11) ◽

pp. 2076-2091 ◽

Cited By ~ 35

Author(s):

Qingwen Wan ◽

Jing Liu ◽

Zhen Zheng ◽

Huabin Zhu ◽

Xiaogang Chu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Epithelial Cells ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Myosin Ii ◽

Coiled Coil ◽

Host Cells ◽

Cell Contact ◽

Contact Formation ◽

Cell Internalization ◽

Mammary Gland Epithelial Cells ◽

Cell Cell

Cell–cell contact formation following cadherin engagement requires actomyosin contraction along the periphery of cell–cell contact. The molecular mechanisms that regulate myosin activation during this process are not clear. In this paper, we show that two polarity proteins, partitioning defective 3 homologue (Par3) and mammalian homologues of Drosophila Lethal (2) Giant Larvae (Lgl1/2), antagonize each other in modulating myosin II activation during cell–cell contact formation in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells. While overexpression of Lgl1/2 or depletion of endogenous Par3 leads to enhanced myosin II activation, knockdown of Lgl1/2 does the opposite. Intriguingly, altering the counteraction between Par3 and Lgl1/2 induces cell–cell internalization during early cell–cell contact formation, which involves active invasion of the lateral cell–cell contact underneath the apical-junctional complexes and requires activation of the Rho–Rho-associated, coiled-coil containing protein kinase (ROCK)–myosin pathway. This is followed by predominantly nonapoptotic cell-in-cell death of the internalized cells and frequent aneuploidy of the host cells. Such effects are reminiscent of entosis, a recently described process observed when mammary gland epithelial cells were cultured in suspension. We propose that entosis could occur without matrix detachment and that overactivation of myosin or unbalanced myosin activation between contacting cells may be the driving force for entosis in epithelial cells.

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