Identification of XMRV Infection-Associated microRNAs in Four Cell Types in Culture

INTRODUCTION: XMRV is a gammaretrovirus that was thought to be associated with prostate cancer (PC) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) in humans until recently. The virus is culturable in various cells of human origin like the lymphocytes, NK cells, neuronal cells, and prostate cell lines. MicroRNAs (miRNA), which regulate gene expression, were so far not identified in cells infected with XMRV in culture. METHODS: Two prostate cell lines (LNCaP and DU145) and two primary cells, Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes [PBL] and Monocyte-derived Macrophages [MDM] were infected with XMRV. Total mRNA was extracted from mock- and virus-infected cells at 6, 24 and 48 hours post infection and evaluated for microRNA profile in a microarray. RESULTS: MicroRNA expression profiles of XMRV-infected continuous prostate cancer cell lines differ from that of virus-infected primary cells (PBL and MDMs). miR-193a-3p and miRPlus-E1245 observed to be specific to XMRV infection in all 4 cell types. While miR-193a-3p levels were down regulated miRPlus-E1245 on the other hand exhibited varied expression profile between the 4 cell types. DISCUSSION: The present study clearly demonstrates that cellular microRNAs are expressed during XMRV infection of human cells and this is the first report demonstrating the regulation of miR193a-3p and miRPlus-E1245 during XMRV infection in four different human cell types

Absence of Detectable XMRV and Other MLV-Related Viruses in Healthy Blood Donors in the United States

BACKGROUND: Preliminary studies in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) patients and XMRV infected animals demonstrated plasma viremia and infection of blood cells with XMRV, indicating the potential risk for transfusion transmission. XMRV and MLV-related virus gene sequences have also been detected in 4-6% of healthy individuals including blood donors in the U.S. These results imply that millions of persons in the U.S. may be carrying the nucleic acid sequences of XMRV and/or MLV-related viruses, which is a serious public health and blood safety concern. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: To gain evidence of XMRV or MLV-related virus infection in the U.S. blood donors, 110 plasma samples and 71 PBMC samples from blood donors at the NIH blood bank were screened for XMRV and MLV-related virus infection. We employed highly sensitive assays, including nested PCR and real-time PCR, as well as co-culture of plasma with highly sensitive indicator DERSE cells. Using these assays, none of the samples were positive for XMRV or MLV-related virus. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our results are consistent with those from several other studies, and demonstrate the absence of XMRV or MLV-related viruses in the U.S. blood donors that we studied

XMRV: usage of receptors and potential co-receptors

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>XMRV is a gammaretrovirus first identified in prostate tissues of Prostate Cancer (PC) patients and later in the blood cells of patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). Although XMRV is thought to use XPR1 for cell entry, it infects A549 cells that do not express XPR1, suggesting usage of other receptors or co-receptors.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>To study the usage of different receptors and co- receptors that could play a role in XMRV infection of lymphoid cells and GHOST (GFP- Human osteosarcoma) cells expressing CD4 along with different chemokine receptors including CCR1, CCR2, etc., were infected with XMRV. Culture supernatants and cells were tested for XMRV replication using real time quantitative PCR.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Infection and replication of XMRV was seen in a variety of GHOST cells, LNCaP, DU145, A549 and Caski cell lines. The levels of XMRV replication varied in different cell lines showing differential replication in different cell lines. However, replication in A549 which lacks XPR1 expression was relatively higher than DU145 but lower than, LNCaP. XMRV replication varied in GHOST cell lines expressing CD4 and each of the co- receptors CCR1-CCR8 and bob. There was significant replication of XMRV in CCR3 and Bonzo although it is much lower when compared to DU145, A549 and LNCaP.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>XMRV replication was observed in GHOST cells that express CD4 and each of the chemokine receptors ranging from CCR1- CCR8 and BOB suggesting that infectivity in hematopoietic cells could be mediated by use of these receptors.</p

Promene kvaliteta soka šećerne trske pri pakovanju u različite materijale

Packaging materials selected were glass bottle, polyethylene (400 gauge) and polypropylene (350 gauge). Fresh sugarcane juice was pasteurized and processed at 80°C for 15 minutes and stored at 5°C and 30°C in the sterilized packaging materials. The biochemical and microbiological qualities analyzed were total sugars, reducing sugars, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, pH, bacteria, yeast and fungi. The fresh unpasteurized sugarcane juice without addition of preservative last for 4 days when stored at 5°C. Beyond that, the quality deteriorated, which was observed by the colour and flavour change. The juice stored at 30°C become spoilt within a day without any preservative. The quality loss due to biochemical and microbiological parameters were less in glass bottle followed by polyethylene and polypropylene with preservative. Microbial counts (bacteria, yeast, fungi) were increased, during storage of juice. The study revealed that apart from glass bottle, flexible polyethylene and polypropylene packaging materials could also be used to store sugarcane juices without much quality losses.Odabrani ambalažni materijali su bili staklena boca, polietilen (400) i polipropilen (350). Svež sok šećerne trske je pasterizovan, obrađen na 80°C tokom 15 minuta i upakovan na 5°C i 30°C u sterilne materijale za pakovanje. Biohemijske i mikrobiološke osobine koje su analizirane su: ukupni šećeri, redukujući šećeri, ukupne rastvorljive čvrste materije, titraciona kiselost, pH, bakterije, plesni i gljivice. Svež nepasterizovan sok šećerne trske bez dodatka konzervansa održao se 4 dana u skladištu na 5°C. Posle toga kvalitet se pogoršao, što je uočeno promenom boje i ukusa. Sok koji je čuvan na 30°C bez konzervansa pokvario se već prvog dana. Gubitak biohemijskog i mikrobiološkog kvaliteta bio je manji u staklenoj boci, a zatim u pakovanjima od polietilena i polipropilena sa konzervansom. Broj mikroorganizama (bakterije, plesni, gljivice) povećao se tokom skladištenja soka. Studija je pokazala da, pored staklene boce, fleksibilni polietilen i polipropilen takođe mogu da se koriste za pakovanje soka šećerne trske bez značajnog gubitaka kvaliteta

Elevated Levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-α) in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1-Transgenic Mice: Prevention of Death by Antibody to TNF-α

Homozygous human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-transgenic mice (Tg26) appear normal at birth but die within 3 to 4 weeks. The skin of these animals shows diffuse scaling and high-level expression of both HIV-1 mRNA and gp120. Previous experiments showed that treatment with human chorionic gonadatropin (hCG) prevented death and the expression of HIV-1 mRNA and gp120. The present experiments were initiated to study the role of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in HIV-1-induced pathology. Examination of the sera of Tg26 mice revealed a 50-fold increase in TNF-α levels compared to those in nontransgenic mice. Treatment with antibody to TNF-α prevented death, resulted in near normal growth, and produced a marked decrease in skin lesions and a profound reduction in the expression of HIV-1 mRNA and gp120. Both TNF-α antibody and hCG reduced TNF-α levels in sera by approximately 75%. We conclude that TNF-α contributes in a major way to HIV-1-induced pathology in transgenic mice and that both hCG and antibody to TNF-α prevent the development of pathology by suppressing the level of TNF-α

HIV-1 Immunology

This chapter serves as a bridge between the molecular and structural biology of the human immunodeficiency virus type one (HIV1) and the immunological consequences that viral infection produces. The innate and adaptive immune system and their responses play a critical role in the control of HIV replication. Unfortunately, immune dysfunction is common in HIVinfected individuals and the virus as well is capable of developing strategies to evade host defenses. Thus, in most untreated individuals, if viral replication is not fully contained, persistent viremia is sustained eventually resulting in progressive disease and the development of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

Comparison of miRNA Expression Profiles between HIV-1 and HIV-2 Infected Monocyte-Derived Macrophages (MDMs) and Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs)

During the progression of HIV-1 infection, macrophage tropic HIV-1 that use the CCR5 co-receptor undergoes a change in co-receptor use to CXCR4 that is predominately T cell tropic. This change in co-receptor preference makes the virus able to infect T cells. HIV-2 is known to infect MDMs and T cells and is dual tropic. The aim of this study was to elucidate the differential expression profiles of host miRNAs and their role in cells infected with HIV-1/HIV-2. To achieve this goal, a comparative global miRNA expression profile was determined in human PBMCs and MDMs infected with HIV-1/HIV-2. Differentially expressed miRNAs were identified in HIV-1/HIV-2 infected PBMCs and MDMs using the next-generation sequencing (NGS) technique. A comparative global miRNA expression profile in infected MDMs and PBMCs with HIV-1 and HIV-2 identified differential expression of several host miRNAs. These differentially expressed miRNAs are likely to be involved in many signaling pathways, like the p53 signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathways, MAPK signaling pathways, FoxO signaling pathway, and viral carcinogenesis. Thus, a comparative study of the differential expression of host miRNAs in MDMs and T cell in response to HIV-1 and HIV-2 infection will help us to identify unique biomarkers that can differentiate HIV-1 and HIV-2 infection

Modulation of HIV Replication in Monocyte-Derived Macrophages (MDM) by Host Antiviral Factors Secretory Leukocyte Protease Inhibitor and Serpin Family C Member 1 Induced by Steroid Hormones

The impact of steroid hormones estrogen and progesterone on human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication is well documented. However, the exact mechanism involved in the regulation of HIV-1 replication by estrogen and progesterone is still unclear. In the present study, we wanted to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the modulation of HIV-1 replication by estrogen and progesterone. To achieve this goal, we used real-time quantitative PCR arrays (PCR arrays) to identify differentially expressed host genes in response to hormone treatments that are involved in antiviral responses. Our in vitro results suggest that treatment with high doses of estrogen and progesterone promotes the expression of host antiviral factors Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) and Serpin family C member 1 (SERPIN C1) among others produced in response to HIV-1 infection. SLPI is an enzyme that inhibits human leukocyte elastase, human cathepsin G, human trypsin, neutrophil elastase, and mast cell chymase. SERPIN C1 is a plasma protease inhibitor that regulates the blood coagulation cascade by the inhibition of thrombin and other activated serine proteases of the coagulation system. A dose dependent downmodulation of HIV-1 replication was observed in monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) pre-treated with the two proteins SLPI and SERPIN C1. Further investigations suggests that the host antiviral factors, SLPI and SERPIN C1 act at the pre-integration stage, inhibiting HIV-1 viral entry and leading to the observed downmodulation of HIV-1 replication. Our studies would help identify molecular mechanisms and pathways involved in HIV-1 pathogenesis