Role of La autoantigen and polypyrimidine tract-binding protein in HCV replication

To determine if the cellular factors La autoantigen (La) and polypyrimidine tract-binding protein (PTB) are required for hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication, we used siRNAs to silence these factors and then monitored their effect on HCV replication using quantitative RT-PCR. In addition, we determined the influence of PTB on the activity of the 3' noncoding region (NCR) of HCV and investigated its interaction with the components of the HCV replicase complex. We found that La is essential for efficient HCV replication while PTB appears to partially repress replication. PTB does, however, block the binding of HCV RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp, NS5B) to the 3'NCR. Indirect immunofluorescence microscopy showed co-localization of cytoplasmic PTB with the HCV RdRp in hepatoma cells (Huh-7) expressing HCV proteins, while in vitro translation of viral proteins from the HCV replicon revealed the interaction of PTB isoforms with NS5B polymerase and NS3.     

登革病毒Ⅱ型NS1基因在小鼠体内诱导的DNA免疫

目的　研究含有登革病毒Ⅱ型NS1基因的重组质粒肌内注射小鼠后在其体内诱导的细胞和体液免疫。方法　用含有登革病毒NS1基因的真核表达质粒pCNX2 NS1于小鼠胫前肌注射并加强免疫 2次。然后定期处死 ,采集血液标本以及小鼠脾细胞 ,检测小鼠的体液和细胞免疫。结果　在末次免疫后 4周检测到小鼠抗NS1抗体 ,并且检测到小鼠CD4 、CD8 亚群的变化。结论　含有登革病毒NS1基因的真核表达质粒pCNX2-NS1免疫小鼠后 ,可以诱导小鼠产生针对NS1的稳定特异性体液、细胞免疫     

Separate molecules of West Nile virus methyltransferase can independently catalyze the N7 and 2'-O methylations of viral RNA cap

West Nile virus methyltransferase catalyzes N7 and 2'-O methylations of the viral RNA cap (GpppA-RNA-->m(7)GpppAm-RNA). The two methylation events are independent, as evidenced by efficient N7 methylation of GpppA-RNA-->m(7)GpppA-RNA and GpppAm-RNA-->m(7)GpppAm-RNA, and by the 2'-O methylation of GpppA-RNA-->GpppAm-RNA and m(7)GpppA-RNA-->m(7)GpppAm-RNA. However, the 2'-O methylation activity prefers substrate m(7)GpppA-RNA to GpppA-RNA, thereby determining the dominant methylation pathway as GpppA-RNA-->m(7)GpppA-RNA-->m(7)GpppAm-RNA. Mutant enzymes with different methylation defects can trans complement one another in vitro. Furthermore, sequential treatment of GpppA-RNA with distinct methyltransferase mutants generates fully methylated m(7)GpppAm-RNA, demonstrating that separate molecules of the enzyme can independently catalyze the two cap methylations in vitro.     

An updated meta-analysis to assess the effectiveness of psychological interventions delivered by psychological specialists and generalist clinicians on glycaemic control and on psychological status

Objective

To update a meta-analysis and determine the effectiveness of psychological interventions on glycaemic control measured by HbA_1c and psychological status in type 2 diabetes and to compare effects when interventions are delivered by generalist clinicians compared to psychological specialists.

Methods

We used the original review protocol and searched the Cochrane central register of controlled trials, Medline, Embase, PsychLIT, and Google Scholar from February 2003 (end of previous review) to March 2007. We extracted data on the participants, interventions, delivery methods, comparison groups and outcome measures.

Results

35 trials were reviewed and meta-analysis of 19 trials (n = 1431), reporting HbA_1c found a reduction in HbA_1c by 0.54% (−0.32; 95% CI: −0.47 to −0.16). In nine trials (n = 832) interventions were delivered by diabetes or general clinicians reducing HbA_1c by 0.51% (−0.27; 95% CI: −0.50 to 0.04). In nine trials, interventions (n = 561) were delivered by psychological specialists reducing HbA_1c by 0.57% (−0.36; 95% CI: −0.61 to 0.12). Meta-analysis of 13 trials reporting psychological status found psychological status to be lower in the intervention groups −0.56 (95% CI: 1.00 to −0.13). Trial quality for the majority of studies remained poor.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that psychological and general clinicians are similarly effective in delivering psychological interventions, however, effect sizes for all clinicians have reduced since the earlier review.

Practice implications

Psychological training opportunities for generalist clinicians could lead to wider availability of effective psychological care.     

The RNA helicase, nucleotide 5'-triphosphatase, and RNA 5'-triphosphatase activities of Dengue virus protein NS3 are Mg2+-dependent and require a functional Walker B motif in the helicase catalytic core

The nonstructural protein 3 (NS3) of Dengue virus (DV) is a multifunctional enzyme carrying activities involved in viral RNA replication and capping: helicase, nucleoside 5'-triphosphatase (NTPase), and RNA 5'-triphosphatase (RTPase). Here, a 54-kDa C-terminal domain of NS3 (DeltaNS3) bearing all three activities was expressed as a recombinant protein. Structure-based sequence analysis in comparison with Hepatitis C virus (HCV) helicase indicates the presence of a HCV-helicase-like catalytic core domain in the N-terminal part of DeltaNS3, whereas the C-terminal part seems to be different. In this report, we show that the RTPase activity of DeltaNS3 is Mg2+-dependent as are both helicase and NTPase activities. Mutational analysis shows that the RTPase activity requires an intact NTPase/helicase Walker B motif in the helicase core, consistent with the fact that such motifs are involved in the coordination of Mg2+. The R513A substitution in the C-terminal domain of DeltaNS3 abrogates helicase activity and strongly diminishes RTPase activity, indicating that both activities are functionally coupled. DV RTPase seems to belong to a new class of Mg2+-dependent RTPases, which use the active center of the helicase/NTPase catalytic core in conjunction with elements in the C-terminal domain.     

登革3型病毒prM-E和NS1多基因重组质粒DNA免疫原性增强效果观察

目的　观察登革 3型病毒的prM E和NS1基因重组质粒DNA混合免疫对免疫原性的增强作用 ,为登革DNA疫苗混合免疫提供实验依据。方法　将登革 3型病毒的prM E和NS1基因重组质粒DNA分别混合及单独免疫BALB/c小鼠 ,采用中和试验及MTT法检测免疫小鼠血清中和抗体及脾细胞特异性CTL(cytotoxicT lymphocytes)杀伤率。结果　混合重组质粒DNA免疫组与单一prM E基因重组质粒DNA免疫组均在末次免疫后第 14天检测到中和抗体 ,在第 33天达到高峰 ,为 1∶32。在末次免疫后第 4 1天 ,当效靶比为 4 0∶1时 ,混合重组质粒DNA免疫组的特异性CTL杀伤率为 15 % ,而 2个单质粒DNA组分别为 10 .9%和 12 .4 %。结论　重组质粒DNA混合免疫可同时诱发小鼠产生体液免疫和细胞免疫 ,而且细胞免疫应答具有一定的增强作用 ,但没有出现特异性CTL杀伤率的协同增强效果。     

A specific and sensitive antigen capture assay for NS1 protein quantitation in Japanese encephalitis virus infection

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a human pathogenic, mosquito-borne flavivirus that is endemic/epidemic in Asia. JEV is rarely detected or isolated from blood or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and detection of IgM is generally diagnostic of the infection. The flavivirus nonstructural glycoprotein NS1 is released transiently during flavivirus replication. The aim of this study was to set up a quantitative JEV NS1 antigen capture assay. A soluble hexameric form of JEV NS1 protein was produced in a stable Drosophila S2 cell clone and purified from supernatant fluids. Two IgG1 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) with high affinity against two different epitopes of JEV NS1 antigen were used to develop an antigen-capture assay with a limit of detection of 0.2 ng ml⁻¹ NS1. Up to 1 μg ml⁻¹ JEV NS1 protein was released in supernatants of mammalian cells infected with JEV but <10 ng ml⁻¹ was released in sera of virus-infected mice before the onset of encephalitis and death. Moreover, NS1 protein was detected at low levels (<10 ng ml⁻¹) in 23.8% of sera and in 10.5% of CSF of patients diagnosed as IgM-positive for JEV. This quantitative test of NS1 protein is proposed for highly specific diagnosis of acute infection with JEV genotypes I to IV.     

Hepatitis C virus: The role of molecular mimicry in response to interferon treatment

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the major causes of chronic liver disease worldwide. In order for HCV to persist, the virus must escape immune recognition or inhibit the host immune response. The NS5A protein contains the interferon sensitivity‐determining region (ISDR) and is able to repress dsRNA‐dependent protein kinase (PKR) thus influencing the response to interferon (IFN) therapy. Patients who respond to IFN therapy have stronger antibody reactivity against the NS5A compared to IFN non‐responders. Therefore, given the possible role for the ISDR in IFN resistance and differential antibody reactivity, it is possible that variation in ISDR may be involved in viral immune escape and development of persistent HCV infection employing aspects of host mimicry. In this study, pre‐treatment samples obtained from HCV infected patients were used to investigate the effect of different NS5A ISDR variants on the IFN antiviral response and their involvement in immune evasion. The NS5A was identified as a homologue of the variable region of immunoglobulins (Ig). The IFN resistant genotypes had higher levels of similarity to Ig compared to IFN sensitive genotypes. Expression of NS5A‐6003 (HCV genotype 1b) and NS5A‐6074 (HCV genotype 2a) was able to rescue vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) from IFN inhibition and restore luciferase activity. A correlation between Ig‐like NS5A structure and also antibody response with the outcome of IFN treatment was observed. J. Med. Virol. 84:1571–1585, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Nonstructural protein NS1 immunodominant epitope detected specifically in dengue virus infected material by a SELDI-TOF/MS based assay

Dengue virus (DV) infection is the most common mosquito-born viral disease of public health significance. Though most patients only suffer from flu-like symptoms, a small group of patients experiences more severe forms of the disease. The viral nonstructural protein 1 (NS1), a secreted protein correlating with viremia, is a key element used for dengue diagnosis with potential implications in severe dengue prognosis. Capture-ELISAs for the early detection of the NS1 protein in the sera during the acute febrile stage are commonly used in routine by diagnostic laboratories. In this study, the detection of NS1 protein in DV-infected material was assessed by an alternative method combining a single NS1-directed monoclonal antibody and the SELDI-TOF/MS technology. According to the epitope mapping, the antibodies used are mainly directed against an immuno-dominant peptide located on the C-terminal part of the protein. The NS1 SELDI-TOF assay is specific, has a sensitivity level close to capture-ELISAs and is potentially useful for a coupled serotyping/detection assay or for the detection of subtle post-translational modifications on the protein.