Bidirectional transcription regulation in Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1

Le génome des rétrovirus existe sous deux formes différentes : sous forme d'ARN simple brin, qui est traduit ou encapsidé, ou sous forme d'ADN double brin intégré dans le génome de la cellule hôte infectée. Cette dernière forme, l'ADN proviral, est indispensable à la production de tous les ARNm viraux nécessaires à la synthèse des protéines virales, qui en retour agissent sur la région promotrice située au niveau du LTR 5'. Cependant, l'ADN proviral possède un second LTR à son extrémité 3', capable de réguler une transcription antisens, orientée dans la direction opposée à celle contrôlée par le LTR 5'. L'ADN proviral a donc deux brins codants, ce qui offre au virus un plus grand potentiel de synthèse protéique. Dans le cas du Virus de l'immunodéficience Humaine de type 1 (VIH-1), la transcription antisens permet la production d'une protéine, appelée ASP (Antisense Protein). Dans ce manuscrit, nous démontrons que cette activité transcriptionnelle antisens s'exprime préférentiellement dans les cellules d'origine monocytaire, en particulier les cellules dendritiques ; une localisation membranaire de la protéine ASP a par ailleurs été mise en évidence dans ce type cellulaire. Nos résultats suggèrent également que la transcription antisens du VIH-1 est indépendante de la protéine Tat, et que par ailleurs les deux types de transcriptions ne sont pas exprimés simultanément au sein d'une même cellule. En outre, nos données soulignent que la séquence codante de la protéine ASP est très fortement conservée parmi les différents isolats viraux. Sur la base de l'ensemble de ces résultats, notre hypothèse est que la protéine ASP du VIH-1 possède des fonctions cruciales dans le cycle réplicatif des rétrovirus, indépendantes de la production virale.Genome of retroviruses exists in two different forms: as single-stranded RNA that is translated or packaged, or as double-stranded DNA integrated into the genome of the infected host cell. The latter form, the proviral DNA, is essential for the production of all viral mRNAs required for the synthesis of viral proteins, which in turn act on the promoter region located at the 5 '-LTR. However, the proviral DNA has a second LTR at its 3 '-end, capable of regulating antisense transcription oriented in the opposite direction to that controlled by the 5'-LTR. The proviral DNA has then two coding strands, which gives the virus a greater potential for protein synthesis. In the case of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1), antisense transcription allows the production of a protein called ASP (Antisense Protein). In this manuscript, we demonstrate that this antisense transcriptional activity is preferentially expressed in cells of the monocyte lineage, in particular dendritic cells; a membrane localization of the ASP protein was also observed in this cell type. Our results also suggest that the antisense transcription of HIV-1 is Tat-independent, and what's more that the two types of transcription are not expressed simultaneously within the same cell. In addition, our data highlight that the ASP protein coding sequence is highly conserved among different viral isolates. Based on these results, our hypothesis is that the ASP protein of HIV-1 has critical functions in the replicative cycle of retroviruses, distinct from viral production

Régulation de la transcription bidirectionnelle chez le Virus de l'Immunodéficience Humaine de type 1

Le génome des rétrovirus existe sous deux formes différentes : sous forme d'ARN simple brin, qui est traduit ou encapsidé, ou sous forme d'ADN double brin intégré dans le génome de la cellule hôte infectée. Cette dernière forme, l'ADN proviral, est indispensable à la production de tous les ARNm viraux nécessaires à la synthèse des protéines virales, qui en retour agissent sur la région promotrice située au niveau du LTR 5'. Cependant, l'ADN proviral possède un second LTR à son extrémité 3', capable de réguler une transcription antisens, orientée dans la direction opposée à celle contrôlée par le LTR 5'. L'ADN proviral a donc deux brins codants, ce qui offre au virus un plus grand potentiel de synthèse protéique. Dans le cas du Virus de l'immunodéficience Humaine de type 1 (VIH-1), la transcription antisens permet la production d'une protéine, appelée ASP (Antisense Protein). Dans ce manuscrit, nous démontrons que cette activité transcriptionnelle antisens s'exprime préférentiellement dans les cellules d'origine monocytaire, en particulier les cellules dendritiques ; une localisation membranaire de la protéine ASP a par ailleurs été mise en évidence dans ce type cellulaire. Nos résultats suggèrent également que la transcription antisens du VIH-1 est indépendante de la protéine Tat, et que par ailleurs les deux types de transcriptions ne sont pas exprimés simultanément au sein d'une même cellule. En outre, nos données soulignent que la séquence codante de la protéine ASP est très fortement conservée parmi les différents isolats viraux. Sur la base de l'ensemble de ces résultats, notre hypothèse est que la protéine ASP du VIH-1 possède des fonctions cruciales dans le cycle réplicatif des rétrovirus, indépendantes de la production virale.Genome of retroviruses exists in two different forms: as single-stranded RNA that is translated or packaged, or as double-stranded DNA integrated into the genome of the infected host cell. The latter form, the proviral DNA, is essential for the production of all viral mRNAs required for the synthesis of viral proteins, which in turn act on the promoter region located at the 5 '-LTR. However, the proviral DNA has a second LTR at its 3 '-end, capable of regulating antisense transcription oriented in the opposite direction to that controlled by the 5'-LTR. The proviral DNA has then two coding strands, which gives the virus a greater potential for protein synthesis. In the case of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1), antisense transcription allows the production of a protein called ASP (Antisense Protein). In this manuscript, we demonstrate that this antisense transcriptional activity is preferentially expressed in cells of the monocyte lineage, in particular dendritic cells; a membrane localization of the ASP protein was also observed in this cell type. Our results also suggest that the antisense transcription of HIV-1 is Tat-independent, and what's more that the two types of transcription are not expressed simultaneously within the same cell. In addition, our data highlight that the ASP protein coding sequence is highly conserved among different viral isolates. Based on these results, our hypothesis is that the ASP protein of HIV-1 has critical functions in the replicative cycle of retroviruses, distinct from viral production.MONTPELLIER-BU Pharmacie (341722105) / SudocSudocFranceF

Linear Lepidopteran ambidensovirus 1 sequences drive random integration of a reporter gene in transfected Spodoptera frugiperda cells

Background The Lepidopteran ambidensovirus 1 isolated from Junonia coenia (hereafter JcDV) is an invertebrate parvovirus considered as a viral transduction vector as well as a potential tool for the biological control of insect pests. Previous works showed that JcDV-based circular plasmids experimentally integrate into insect cells genomic DNA. Methods In order to approach the natural conditions of infection and possible integration, we generated linear JcDV-gfp based molecules which were transfected into non permissive Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cultured cells. Cells were monitored for the expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP) and DNA was analyzed for integration of transduced viral sequences. Non-structural protein modulation of the VP-gene cassette promoter activity was additionally assayed. Results We show that linear JcDV-derived molecules are capable of long term genomic integration and sustained transgene expression in Sf9 cells. As expected, only the deletion of both inverted terminal repeats (ITR) or the polyadenylation signals of NS and VP genes dramatically impairs the global transduction/expression efficiency. However, all the integrated viral sequences we characterized appear “scrambled” whatever the viral content of the transfected vector. Despite a strong GFP expression, we were unable to recover any full sequence of the original constructs and found rearranged viral and non-viral sequences as well. Cellular flanking sequences were identified as non-coding ones. On the other hand, the kinetics of GFP expression over time led us to investigate the apparent down-regulation by non-structural proteins of the VP-gene cassette promoter. Conclusion Altogether, our results show that JcDV-derived sequences included in linear DNA molecules are able to drive efficiently the integration and expression of a foreign gene into the genome of insect cells, whatever their composition, provided that at least one ITR is present. However, the transfected sequences were extensively rearranged with cellular DNA during or after random integration in the host cell genome. Lastly, the non-structural proteins seem to participate in the regulation of p9 promoter activity rather than to the integration of viral sequences

Construction of a reporter vector for analysis of bidirectional transcriptional activity of retrovirus LTR

International audienceTo study the transcriptional activity of the HIV-1 LTR, we constructed a vector containing Renilla and Firefly luciferase genes under the control of the LTR (wild-type or mutated version) and oriented in a manner that allowed them to be transcribed in opposite directions. We found that the HIV-1 LTR acted as a bidirectional promoter, which activity was controlled by NF-κB- and Sp1-binding sites in both orientations. We next analyzed with this reporter vector the bidirectional promoter activity of the HTLV-1 LTR and showed that this LTR also possessed a bidirectional transcriptional activity. Interestingly, Sp1-binding elements were also involved in the control of HTLV-1 bidirectional transcription. Moreover, both retroviral trans-activators, Tat and Tax, could preferentially activate sense transcription with no or limited effect on the extent of antisense transcription. We also cloned into this plasmid the MLV LTR and found that the LTR of a simple retrovirus also possessed bidirectional transcriptional activity. This reporter vector represents a powerful tool to analyze the bidirectional transcriptional activity of retrovirus LTRs

Profiles of Long Non-Coding RNAs and mRNA Expression in Human Macrophages Regulated by Interleukin-27

Macrophages play an essential role in the immune system. Recent studies have shown that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) can regulate genes encoding products involved in the immune response. Interleukin (IL)-27 is a member of the IL-6/IL-12 family of cytokines with broad anti-viral effects that inhibits human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type-1 and herpes simplex virus (HSV). However, little is known about the role of lncRNAs in macrophages affected by IL-27. Therefore, we investigated the expression profiles of mRNA and lncRNA in human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) regulated by IL-27. Monocytes were differentiated in the presence of macrophage-colony stimulatory factor (M-CSF)- or human AB serum with or without IL-27, and these cells were the subject for the profile analysis using RNA-Seq. We identified 146 lncRNAs (including 88 novel ones) and 434 coding genes were differentially regulated by IL-27 in both M-CSF- and AB serum-induced macrophages. Using weighted gene co-expression network analysis, we obtained four modules. The immune system, cell cycle, and regulation of complement cascade pathways were enriched in different modules. The network of mRNAs and lncRNAs in the pathways suggest that lncRNAs might regulate immune activity in macrophages. This study provides potential insight into the roles of lncRNA in macrophages regulated by IL-27

Correction: Hu et al. Profiles of Long Non-Coding RNAs and mRNA Expression in Human Macrophages Regulated by Interleukin-27. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20, 6207

The authors wish to make the following corrections to this paper [...

HIV-1 Antisense Transcription Is Preferentially Activated in Primary Monocyte-Derived Cells

International audienceIn this study, an antisense luciferase-expressing human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) molecular clone was used to infect primary cells. We found that antisense transcription activity from the 3' long terminal repeat (LTR) was significantly more abundant in monocyte-derived cells than in activated T lymphocytes. Moreover, by analyzing antisense transcription in infected monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MDDCs), we observed that the majority of HIV-1-infected MDDCs with significant antisense transcription activity did not produce Gag. We also confirmed that the negative-strand-encoded antisense protein (ASP) was expressed in monocyte-derived cells

MicroRNA Profiles in Monocyte-Derived Macrophages Generated by Interleukin-27 and Human Serum: Identification of a Novel HIV-Inhibiting and Autophagy-Inducing MicroRNA

Interleukin-27 (IL-27) is a pleiotropic cytokine that influences the innate and adaptive immune systems. It inhibits viral infection and regulates the expression of microRNAs (miRNAs). We recently reported that macrophages differentiated from human primary monocytes in the presence of IL-27 and human AB serum resisted human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and showed significant autophagy induction. In the current study, the miRNA profiles in these cells were investigated, especially focusing on the identification of novel miRNAs regulated by IL-27-treatment. The miRNA sequencing analysis detected 38 novel miRNAs. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis confirmed that IL-27 differentially regulated the expression of 16 of the 38 miRNAs. Overexpression of the synthesized miRNA mimics by transfection revealed that miRAB40 had potent HIV-inhibiting and autophagy-inducing properties. B18R, an interferon (IFN)-neutralization protein, partially suppressed both activities, indicating that the two functions were induced via IFN-dependent and -independent pathways. Although the target mRNA(s) of miRAB40 involving in the induction of both functions was unable to identify in this study, the discovery of miRAB40, a potential HIV-inhibiting and autophagy inducing miRNA, may provide novel insights into the miRNA (small none-coding RNA)-mediated regulation of HIV inhibition and autophagy induction as an innate immune response

Interleukin-27-induced HIV-resistant dendritic cells suppress reveres transcription following virus entry in an SPTBN1, autophagy, and YB-1 independent manner.

Interleukin (IL)-27, a member of the IL-12 family of cytokines, induces human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-resistant monocyte-derived macrophages and T cells. This resistance is mediated via the downregulation of spectrin beta, non-erythrocytic 1 (SPTBN1), induction of autophagy, or suppression of the acetylation of Y-box binding protein-1 (YB-1); however, the role of IL-27 administration during the induction of immature monocyte-derived dendritic cells (iDC) is poorly investigated. In the current study, we investigated the function of IL-27-induced iDC (27DC) on HIV infection. 27DC inhibited HIV infection by 95 ± 3% without significant changes in the expression of CD4, CCR5, and SPTBN1 expression, autophagy induction and acetylation of YB-1 compared to iDC. An HIV proviral DNA copy number assay displayed that 27DC suppressed reverse transcriptase (RT) reaction without influencing the virus entry. A DNA microarray analysis was performed to identify the differentially expressed genes between 27DC and iDC. Compared to iDC, 51 genes were differentially expressed in 27DC, with more than 3-fold changes in four independent donors. Cross-reference analysis with the reported 2,214 HIV regulatory host genes identified nine genes as potential interests: Ankyrin repeat domain 22, Guanylate binding protein (GBP)-1, -2, -4, -5, Stabilin 1, Serpin family G member 1 (SERPING1), Interferon alpha inducible protein 6, and Interferon-induced protein with tetratricopeptide repeats 3. A knock-down study using si-RNA failed to determine a key factor associated with the anti-HIV activity due to the induction of robust amounts of off-target effects. Overexpression of each protein in cells had no impact on HIV infection. Thus, we could not define the mechanism of the anti-HIV effect in 27DC. However, our findings indicated that IL-27 differentiates monocytes into HIV-resistant DC, and the inhibitory mechanism differs from IL-27-induced HIV-resistant macrophages and T cells