Stephanie Oliere

Nuclear Accumulation of cRel following C-Terminal phosphorylation by TBK1/IKKε

The NF-κB transcription factors are key regulators of immunomodulatory, cell cycle, and developmental gene regulation. NF-κB activity is mainly regulated through the phosphorylation of IκB by the IκB kinase (IKK) complex IKKαβγ, leading to proteasome-mediated degradation of IκB, nuclear translocation of NF-κB dimers, DNA binding, and gene induction. Additionally, direct posttranslational modifications of NF-κB p65 and cRel subunits involving C-terminal phosphorylation has been demonstrated. The noncanonical IKK-related homologs, TNFR-associated factor family member-associated NF-κB activator (TANK)-binding kinase (TBK)1 and IKKε, are also thought to play a role in NF-κB regulation, but their functions remain unclear. TBK1 and IKKε were recently described as essential regulators of IFN gene activation through direct phosphorylation of the IFN regulatory factor-3 and -7 transcription factors. In the present study, we sought to determine whether IKKε and TBK1 could modulate cRel activity via phosphorylation. TBK1 and IKKε directly phosphorylate the C-terminal domain of cRel in vitro and in vivo and regulate nuclear accumulation of cRel, independently of the classical IκB/IKK pathway. IκBα degradation is not affected, but rather IKKε-mediated phosphorylation of cRel leads to dissociation of the IκBα-cRel complex. These results illustrate a previously unrecognized aspect of cRel regulation, controlled by direct IKKε/TBK1 phosphorylation.

Human T Lymphotropic Virus Type I (HTLV-I) Proviral Load in Cerebrospinal Fluid: A New Criterion for the Diagnosis of HTLV-I–Associated Myelopathy/Tropical Spastic Paraparesis?

Human T lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I)-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) is associated with accumulation of HTLV-I-infected T cells in the central nervous system (CNS). However, data on HTLV-I proviral load in the CNS at the asymptomatic stage are still lacking. We measured HTLV-I proviral load in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cells from 17 patients with HAM/TSP and 25 asymptomatic carriers. The percentage of HTLV-I-infected cells in CSF cells and the CSF cell : peripheral blood mononuclear cell HTLV-I proviral load ratio were always >10% and >1, respectively, in the patients with HAM/TSP but were always <10% and <1, respectively, in the asymptomatic carriers. We propose that determination of HTLV-I proviral load in CSF cells should be included as a new parameter for the diagnosis of HAM/TSP.

HTLV-1 evades type i interferon antiviral signaling by inducing the suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1).

Human T cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is the etiologic agent of Adult T cell Leukemia (ATL) and the neurological disorder HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). Although the majority of HTLV-1–infected individuals remain asymptomatic carriers (AC) during their lifetime, 2–5% will develop either ATL or HAM/TSP, but never both. To better understand the gene expression changes in HTLV-1-associated diseases, we examined the mRNA profiles of CD4+ T cells isolated from 7 ATL, 12 HAM/TSP, 11 AC and 8 non-infected controls. Using genomic approaches followed by bioinformatic analysis, we identified gene expression pattern characteristic of HTLV-1 infected individuals and particular disease states. Of particular interest, the suppressor of cytokine signaling 1—SOCS1—was upregulated in HAM/TSP and AC patients but not in ATL. Moreover, SOCS1 was positively correlated with the expression of HTLV-1 mRNA in HAM/TSP patient samples. In primary PBMCs transfected with a HTLV-1 proviral clone and in HTLV-1-transformed MT-2 cells, HTLV-1 replication correlated with induction of SOCS1 and inhibition of IFN-α/β and IFN-stimulated gene expression. Targeting SOCS1 with siRNA restored type I IFN production and reduced HTLV-1 replication in MT-2 cells. Conversely, exogenous expression of SOCS1 resulted in enhanced HTLV-1 mRNA synthesis. In addition to inhibiting signaling downstream of the IFN receptor, SOCS1 inhibited IFN-β production by targeting IRF3 for ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. These observations identify a novel SOCS1 driven mechanism of evasion of the type I IFN antiviral response against HTLV-1.

Targeting the Apoptotic Pathway with BCL-2 Inhibitors Sensitizes Primary Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Cells to Vesicular Stomatitis Virus-Induced Oncolysis

ABSTRACT Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is characterized by clonal accumulation of CD5+ CD19+ B lymphocytes that are arrested in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle and fail to undergo apoptosis because of overexpression of the antiapoptotic B-cell CLL/lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) protein. Oncolytic viruses, such as vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), have emerged as potential anticancer agents that selectively target and kill malignant cells via the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway. Although primary CLL cells are largely resistant to VSV oncolysis, we postulated that targeting the apoptotic pathway via inhibition of BCL-2 may sensitize CLL cells to VSV oncolysis. In the present study, we examined the capacity of EM20-25—a small-molecule antagonist of the BCL-2 protein—to overcome CLL resistance to VSV oncolysis. We demonstrate a synergistic effect of the two agents in primary ex vivo CLL cells (combination index of 0.5; P < 0.0001). In a direct comparison of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy volunteers with primary CLL, the two agents combined showed a therapeutic index of 19-fold; furthermore, the combination of VSV and EM20-25 increased apoptotic cell death in Karpas-422 and Granta-519 B-lymphoma cell lines (P < 0.005) via the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway. Mechanistically, EM20-25 blocked the ability of the BCL-2 protein to dimerize with proapoptotic BAX protein, thus sensitizing CLL to VSV oncolytic stress. Together, these data indicate that the use of BCL-2 inhibitors may improve VSV oncolysis in treatment-resistant hematological malignancies, such as CLL, with characterized defects in the apoptotic response.

Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Oncolysis of T Lymphocytes Requires Cell Cycle Entry and Translation Initiation

ABSTRACT Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) is a candidate oncolytic virus that replicates and induces cell death in cancer cells while sparing normal cells. Although defects in the interferon antiviral response facilitate VSV oncolysis, other host factors, including translational and growth regulatory mechanisms, also appear to influence oncolytic virus activity. We previously demonstrated that VSV infection induces apoptosis in proliferating CD4+ T lymphocytes from adult T-cell leukemia samples but not in resting T lymphocytes or primary chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells that remain arrested in G0. Activation of primary CD4+ T lymphocytes with anti-CD3/CD28 is sufficient to induce VSV replication and cell death in a manner dependent on activation of the MEK1/2, c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase, or phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway but not p38. VSV replication is specifically impaired by the cell cycle inhibitor olomoucine or rapamycin, which induces early G1 arrest, but not by aphidicolin or Taxol, which blocks at the G11S or G21M phase, respectively; this result suggests a requirement for cell cycle entry for efficient VSV replication. The relationship between increased protein translation following G0/G1 transition and VSV permissiveness is highlighted by the absence of mTOR and/or eIF4E phosphorylation whenever VSV replication is impaired. Furthermore, VSV protein production in activated T cells is diminished by small interfering RNA-mediated eIF4E knockdown. These results demonstrate that VSV replication in primary T lymphocytes relies on cell cycle transition from the G0 phase to the G1 phase, which is characterized by a sharp increase in ribogenesis and protein synthesis.

VSV Oncolysis in Combination With the BCL-2 Inhibitor Obatoclax Overcomes Apoptosis Resistance in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

In chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), overexpression of antiapoptotic B-cell leukemia/lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) family members contributes to leukemogenesis by interfering with apoptosis; BCL-2 expression also impairs vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV)-mediated oncolysis of primary CLL cells. In the effort to reverse resistance to VSV-mediated oncolysis, we combined VSV with obatoclax (GX15-070)-a small-molecule BCL-2 inhibitor currently in phase 2 clinical trials-and examined the molecular mechanisms governing the in vitro and in vivo antitumor efficiency of combining the two agents. In combination with VSV, obatoclax synergistically induced cell death in primary CLL samples and reduced tumor growth in severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice-bearing A20 lymphoma tumors. Mechanistically, the combination stimulated the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, as reflected by caspase-3 and -9 cleavage, cytochrome c release and BAX translocation. Combination treatment triggered the release of BAX from BCL-2 and myeloid cell leukemia-1 (MCL-1) from BAK, whereas VSV infection induced NOXA expression and increased the formation of a novel BAX-NOXA heterodimer. Finally, NOXA was identified as an important inducer of VSV-obatoclax driven apoptosis via knockdown and overexpression of NOXA. These studies offer insight into the synergy between small-molecule BCL-2 inhibitors such as obatoclax and VSV as a combination strategy to overcome apoptosis resistance in CLL.

Modulation of innate immune responses during human T-cell leukemia virus (HTLV-1) pathogenesis.

Infection with the Human T-cell Leukemia virus type I (HTLV-1) retrovirus results in a number of diverse pathologies, including the aggressive, fatal T-cell malignancy adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) and the chronic, progressive neurologic disorder termed HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). Worldwide, it is estimated there are 15-20 million HTLV-1-infected individuals; although the majority of HTLV-1-infected individuals remain asymptomatic carriers (AC) during their lifetime, 2-5% of AC develops either ATL or HAM/TSP, but never both. Regardless of asymptomatic status or clinical outcome, HTLV-1 carriers are at high risk of opportunistic infection. The progression to pathological HTLV-1 disease is in part attributed to the failure of the innate and adaptive immune system to control virus spread. The innate immune response against retroviral infection requires recognition of viral pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) through pattern-recognition receptors (PRR) dependent pathways, leading to the induction of host antiviral and inflammatory responses. Recent studies have begun to characterize the interplay between HTLV-1 infection and the innate immune response and have identified distinct gene expression profiles in patients with ATL or HAM/TSP--upregulation of growth regulatory pathways in ATL and constitutive activation of antiviral and inflammatory pathways in HAM/STP. In this review, we provide an overview of the replicative lifecycle of HTLV-1 and the distinct pathologies associated with HTLV-1 infection. We also explore the innate immune mechanisms that respond to HTLV-1 infection, the strategies used by HTLV-1 to subvert these defenses and their contribution to HTLV-1-associated diseases.

HTLV-1 HBZ protein inhibits IRF3-mediated innate immune responses

The bZIP factor (HBZ) is an HTLV-1 regulatory protein encoded by anti-sense transcription of the HTLV-1 genome. HBZ mRNA expression correlates with clinical disability in HAM/TSP patients – and can be reversed by interferon (IFN) therapy. Sporadic evidence suggests that HBZ may have a negative role on interferon signalling. Activation of IRF3-dependent IFN signalling – either direct induction of IFNβ, viral restriction factors or interferon stimulated genes (ISGs) – is crucial for TLR and RLR mediated antiviral response. Thus, we sought to determine whether HBZ can impair IRF3-mediated innate immune responses. Over-expression of active forms of RIG-I, MAVS, TBK1, IKKe or IRF3 alone drive an antiviral response – however, in the presence of an HBZ expression vector, IFNβ responses were abrogated by 50-70%. In contrast, HBZ enhanced IRF7-dependent responses. In confirmation, both PBMC and human astrocytes transfected with HBZ and subsequently stimulated with IFN-triggering ligands (LPS, PolyI:C, VSV, Sendai virus and HTLV-1 virions), exhibited impaired IRF3-dependent signalling as compared with controls. As IRF3 is known to bind other bZIP proteins, further studies are underway to delineate the nature of IRF-HBZ interactions. Identifying such a mechanism may explain an enhanced risk of neurologic infection, as we show that chronically HTLV-1 infected astrocytes gradually increase and maintain long-term HBZ expression. Defining the immunomodulatory properties of HTLV-1 HBZ protein will provide a vital contribution toward understanding clinical outcome and risk of opportunistic infection associated with HTLV-1 infection.