scholarly journals ATF6β is a host cellular target of the Toxoplasma gondii virulence factor ROP18

2011 ◽  
Vol 208 (7) ◽  
pp. 1533-1546 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masahiro Yamamoto ◽  
Ji Su Ma ◽  
Christina Mueller ◽  
Naganori Kamiyama ◽  
Hiroyuki Saiga ◽  
...  

The ROP18 kinase has been identified as a key virulence determinant conferring a high mortality phenotype characteristic of type I Toxoplasma gondii strains. This major effector molecule is secreted by the rhoptries into the host cells during invasion; however, the molecular mechanisms by which this kinase exerts its pathogenic action remain poorly understood. In this study, we show that ROP18 targets the host endoplasmic reticulum–bound transcription factor ATF6β. Disruption of the ROP18 gene severely impairs acute toxoplasmosis by the type I RH strain. Because another virulence factor ROP16 kinase modulates immune responses through its N-terminal portion, we focus on the role of the N terminus of ROP18 in the subversion of host cellular functions. The N-terminal extension of ROP18 contributes to ATF6β-dependent pathogenicity by interacting with ATF6β and destabilizing it. The kinase activity of ROP18 is essential for proteasome-dependent degradation of ATF6β and for parasite virulence. Consistent with a key role for ATF6β in resistance against this intracellular pathogen, ATF6β-deficient mice exhibit a high susceptibility to infection by ROP18-deficient parasites. The results reveal that interference with ATF6β-dependent immune responses is a novel pathogenic mechanism induced by ROP18.

Parasitology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 147 (9) ◽  
pp. 940-948
Author(s):  
Famin Zhang ◽  
Rui Su ◽  
Chengjian Han ◽  
Yang Wang ◽  
Jingyang Li ◽  
...  

AbstractThe rhoptry kinase 18 of Toxoplasma gondii (TgROP18) has been identified as a key virulence factor that allows the parasite to escape from host immune defences and promotes its proliferation in host cells. Although much research is focused on the interaction between host cells and TgROP18, the development of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against TgROP18 has not been reported till date. To produce mAbs targeting TgROP18, two hybridomas secreting mAbs against TgROP18, designated as A1 and T2, were generated using cell fusion technology. The subtypes of the A1 and T2 mAbs were identified as IgG3 λ and IgM κ, and peptide scanning revealed that the core sequences of the antigenic epitopes were 180LRAQRRRSELVFE192 and 351NYFLLMMRAEADM363, respectively. The T2 mAb specifically reacted with both T. gondii type I and Chinese I, but not with T. gondii type II, Plasmodium falciparum or Schistosoma japonicum. Finally, the sequences of heavy chain and light chain complementarity-determining regions of T2 were amplified, cloned and characterized, making the modification of the mAb feasible in the future. The development of mAbs against TgROP18 would aid the investigation of the molecular mechanisms underlying the modulation of host cellular functions by TgROP18, and in the development of strategies to diagnose and treat Toxoplasmosis.


2013 ◽  
Vol 94 (6) ◽  
pp. 1151-1160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gavan Holloway ◽  
Barbara S. Coulson

Rotavirus is a leading cause of severe dehydrating diarrhoea in infants and young children. Following rotavirus infection in the intestine an innate immune response is rapidly triggered. This response leads to the induction of type I and type III interferons (IFNs) and other cytokines, resulting in a reduction in viral replication. Here we review the current literature describing the detection of rotavirus infection by pattern recognition receptors within host cells, the subsequent molecular mechanisms leading to IFN and cytokine production, and the processes leading to reduced rotavirus replication and the development of protective immunity. Rotavirus countermeasures against innate responses, and their roles in modulating rotavirus replication in mice, also are discussed. By linking these different aspects of innate immunity, we provide a comprehensive overview of the host’s first line of defence against rotavirus infection. Understanding these processes is expected to be of benefit in improving strategies to combat rotavirus disease.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yingtong Feng ◽  
Xuyang Guo ◽  
Hong Tian ◽  
Yuan He ◽  
Yang Li ◽  
...  

Type I interferons (IFN-I) play a key role in the host defense against virus infection, but porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) infection does not effectively activate IFN-I response, and the underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly characterized. In this study, a novel transcription factor of the heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) gene, homeobox A3 (HOXA3), was screened and identified. Here, we found that HOXA3 was significantly increased during PRRSV infection. We demonstrated that HOXA3 promotes PRRSV replication by negatively regulating the HO-1 gene transcription, which is achieved by regulating type I interferons (IFN-I) production. A detailed analysis showed that PRRSV exploits HOXA3 to suppress beta interferon (IFN-β) and IFN-stimulated gene (ISG) expression in host cells. We also provide direct evidence that the activation of IFN-I by HO-1 depends on its interaction with IRF3. Then we further proved that deficiency of HOXA3 promoted the HO-1-IRF3 interaction, and subsequently enhanced IRF3 phosphorylation and nuclear translocation in PRRSV-infected cells. These data suggest that PRRSV uses HOXA3 to negatively regulate the transcription of the HO-1 gene to suppress the IFN-I response for immune evasion. IMPORTANCE Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), caused by PRRSV, leads the pork industry worldwide to significant economic losses. HOXA3 is generally considered to be an important molecule in the process of body development and cell differentiation. Here, we found a novel transcription factor of the HO-1 gene, HOXA3, can negatively regulate the transcription of the HO-1 gene and play an important role in the suppression of IFN-I response by PRRSV. PRRSV induces the upregulation of HOXA3, which can negatively regulate HO-1 gene transcription, thereby weakening the interaction between HO-1 and IRF3 for inhibiting the type I IFN response. This study extends the function of HOXA3 to the virus field for the first time and provides new insights into PRRSV immune evasion mechanism.


Vaccines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 530
Author(s):  
Rosa C. Coldbeck-Shackley ◽  
Nicholas S. Eyre ◽  
Michael R. Beard

Zika Virus (ZIKV) and Dengue Virus (DENV) are related viruses of the Flavivirus genus that cause significant disease in humans. Existing control measures have been ineffective at curbing the increasing global incidence of infection for both viruses and they are therefore prime targets for new vaccination strategies. Type-I interferon (IFN) responses are important in clearing viral infection and for generating efficient adaptive immune responses towards infection and vaccination. However, ZIKV and DENV have evolved multiple molecular mechanisms to evade type-I IFN production. This review covers the molecular interactions, from detection to evasion, of these viruses with the type-I IFN response. Additionally, we discuss how this knowledge can be exploited to improve the design of new vaccine strategies.


Author(s):  
Jie-Xi Li ◽  
Jun-Jun He ◽  
Hany M. Elsheikha ◽  
Jun Ma ◽  
Xiao-Pei Xu ◽  
...  

Toxoplasma gondii secretes a number of virulence-related effector proteins, such as the rhoptry protein 18 (ROP18). To further broaden our understanding of the molecular functions of ROP18, we examined the transcriptional response of human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293T) to ROP18 of type I T. gondii RH strain. Using RNA-sequencing, we compared the transcriptome of ROP18-expressing HEK293T cells to control HEK293T cells. Our analysis revealed that ROP18 altered the expression of 750 genes (467 upregulated genes and 283 downregulated genes) in HEK293T cells. Gene ontology (GO) and pathway enrichment analyses showed that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were significantly enriched in extracellular matrix– and immune–related GO terms and pathways. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed that DEGs were involved in several disease-related pathways, such as nervous system diseases and eye disease. ROP18 significantly increased the alternative splicing pattern “retained intron” and altered the expression of 144 transcription factors (TFs). These results provide new insight into how ROP18 may influence biological processes in the host cells via altering the expression of genes, TFs, and pathways. More in vitro and in vivo studies are required to substantiate these findings.


2017 ◽  
Vol 114 (42) ◽  
pp. 11205-11210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Landry Blanc ◽  
Martine Gilleron ◽  
Jacques Prandi ◽  
Ok-ryul Song ◽  
Mi-Seon Jang ◽  
...  

Mycobacterium tuberculosisis a major human pathogen that is able to survive inside host cells and resist immune clearance. Most particularly, it inhibits several arms of the innate immune response, including phagosome maturation or cytokine production. To better understand the molecular mechanisms by whichM. tuberculosiscircumvents host immune defenses, we used a transposon mutant library generated in a virulent clinical isolate ofM. tuberculosisof the W/Beijing family to infect human macrophages, utilizing a cell line derivative of THP-1 cells expressing a reporter system for activation of the transcription factor NF-κB, a key regulator of innate immunity. We identified severalM. tuberculosismutants inducing a NF-κB activation stronger than that of the wild-type strain. One of these mutants was found to be deficient for the synthesis of cell envelope glycolipids, namely sulfoglycolipids, suggesting that the latter can interfere with innate immune responses. Using natural and synthetic molecular variants, we determined that sulfoglycolipids inhibit NF-κB activation and subsequent cytokine production or costimulatory molecule expression by acting as competitive antagonists of Toll-like receptor 2, thereby inhibiting the recognition ofM. tuberculosisby this receptor. Our study reveals that producing glycolipid antagonists of pattern recognition receptors is a strategy used byM. tuberculosisto undermine innate immune defense. Sulfoglycolipids are major and specific lipids ofM. tuberculosis, considered for decades as virulence factors of the bacilli. Our study uncovers a mechanism by which they may contribute toM. tuberculosisvirulence.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Longzhen He ◽  
Baocheng Wang ◽  
Yuanyuan Li ◽  
Leqing Zhu ◽  
Peiling Li ◽  
...  

The innate immune response is the first line defense against viral infections. Novel genes involved in this system are continuing to emerge. SLC15A3, a proton-coupled histidine and di-tripeptide transporter that was previously found in lysosomes, has been reported to inhibit chikungunya viral replication in host cells. In this study, we found that SLC15A3 was significantly induced by DNA virus herpes simplex virus-1(HSV-1) in monocytes from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Aside from monocytes, it can also be induced by HSV-1 in 293T, HeLa cells, and HaCaT cells. Overexpression of SLC15A3 in 293T cells inhibits HSV-1 replication and enhances type I and type III interferon (IFN) responses, while silencing SLC15A3 leads to enhanced HSV-1 replication with reduced IFN production. Moreover, we found that SLC15A3 interacted with MAVS and STING and potentiated MAVS- and STING-mediated IFN production. These results demonstrate that SLC15A3 participates in anti-HSV-1 innate immune responses by regulating MAVS- and STING-mediated signaling pathways.


2007 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 31-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann M. O'Hara ◽  
Fergus Shanahan

Intestinal microbiota is a positive health asset that exerts a conditioning effect on intestinal homeostasis. Resident bacteria deliver regulatory signals to the epithelium and instruct mucosal immune responses. Recent research has revealed a potential therapeutic role for the manipulation of the microbiota and exploitation of host-microbial signalling pathways in the maintenance of human health and treatment of various mucosal disorders. A variety of pharmabiotic strategies, such as the use of specific members of the microbiota, their surface components, or metabolites, as well as genetically modified commensal bacteria, are being investigated for their ability to enhance the beneficial components of the microbiota. It is clear that engagement with host cells is central to pharmabiotic action, and several strain-specific mechanisms of action have been elucidated. However, the molecular details underpinning these mechanisms remain almost entirely unknown. Understanding how pharmabiotics exert their beneficial effects is critical for the establishment of definitive selection criteria for certain pharmabiotic strategies for specific clinical conditions. Scientifically accredited evidence of efficacy and studies to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of host-microbiota interactions are needed to lend credence to the use of pharmabiotic strategies in clinical medicine.


2013 ◽  
Vol 81 (10) ◽  
pp. 3609-3619 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sachi Tanaka ◽  
Maki Nishimura ◽  
Fumiaki Ihara ◽  
Junya Yamagishi ◽  
Yutaka Suzuki ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTToxoplasma gondiiis an obligate intracellular parasite that invades a wide range of vertebrate host cells. Chronic infections withT. gondiibecome established in the tissues of the central nervous system, where the parasites may directly or indirectly modulate neuronal function. However, the mechanisms underlying parasite-induced neuronal disorder in the brain remain unclear. This study evaluated host gene expression in mouse brain following infection withT. gondii. BALB/c mice were infected with the PLK strain, and after 32 days of infection, histopathological lesions in the frontal lobe were found to be more severe than in other areas of the brain. Total RNA extracted from infected and uninfected mouse brain samples was subjected to transcriptome analysis using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). In theT. gondii-infected mice, 935 mouse brain genes were upregulated, whereas 12 genes were downregulated. GOstat analysis predicted that the upregulated genes were primarily involved in host immune responses and cell activation. Positive correlations were found between the numbers of parasites in the infected mouse brains and the expression levels of genes involved in host immune responses. In contrast, genes that had a negative correlation with parasite numbers were predicted to be involved in neurological functions, such as small-GTPase-mediated signal transduction and vesicle-mediated transport. Furthermore, differential gene expression was observed between mice exhibiting the clinical signs of toxoplasmosis and those that did not. Our findings may provide insights into the mechanisms underlying neurological changes duringT. gondiiinfection.


Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 74
Author(s):  
Erika S. Guimarães ◽  
Fabio V. Marinho ◽  
Nina M. G. P. de Queiroz ◽  
Maísa M. Antunes ◽  
Sergio C. Oliveira

The early detection of bacterial pathogens through immune sensors is an essential step in innate immunity. STING (Stimulator of Interferon Genes) has emerged as a key mediator of inflammation in the setting of infection by connecting pathogen cytosolic recognition with immune responses. STING detects bacteria by directly recognizing cyclic dinucleotides or indirectly by bacterial genomic DNA sensing through the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS). Upon activation, STING triggers a plethora of powerful signaling pathways, including the production of type I interferons and proinflammatory cytokines. STING activation has also been associated with the induction of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and the associated inflammatory responses. Recent reports indicate that STING-dependent pathways participate in the metabolic reprogramming of macrophages and contribute to the establishment and maintenance of a robust inflammatory profile. The induction of this inflammatory state is typically antimicrobial and related to pathogen clearance. However, depending on the infection, STING-mediated immune responses can be detrimental to the host, facilitating bacterial survival, indicating an intricate balance between immune signaling and inflammation during bacterial infections. In this paper, we review recent insights regarding the role of STING in inducing an inflammatory profile upon intracellular bacterial entry in host cells and discuss the impact of STING signaling on the outcome of infection. Unraveling the STING-mediated inflammatory responses can enable a better understanding of the pathogenesis of certain bacterial diseases and reveal the potential of new antimicrobial therapy.


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