Hypoxia induces lytic replication of Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus.

There is substantial evidence that Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of all forms of Kaposi sarcoma (KS). It has been noted that KS commonly occurs in locations, such as the feet, where tissue may be poorly oxygenated. On the basis of this observation, the potential role of hypoxia in the reactivation of KSHV replication was explored by studying 2 KSHV-infected primary effusion lymphoma B-cell lines (BC-3 and BCBL-1) latently infected with KSHV. Acute and chronic exposure of these cells to hypoxia (1% O(2)) induced KSHV lytic replication, as indicated by an increase in intracellular lytic protein expression and detection of virus in cell supernatants by Western immunoblotting. In addition, hypoxia increased the levels of secreted viral interleukin-6. Moreover, hypoxia enhanced the lytic replication initiated by the viral inducer 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate. Desferoxamine and cobalt chloride, 2 compounds that increase the intracellular levels of hypoxia-inducible factor 1, were also able to induce KSHV lytic replication. These studies suggest that hypoxia is an inducer of KSHV replication. This process may play an important role in the pathogenesis of KS.

Targeted inhibition of calcineurin signaling blocks calcium-dependent reactivation of Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus.

Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is associated with KS, primary effusion lymphoma (PEL), and multicentric Castleman disease. Reactivation of KSHV in latently infected cells and subsequent plasma viremia occur before the development of KS. Intracellular signaling pathways involved in KSHV reactivation were studied. In latently infected PEL cells (BCBL-1), KSHV reactivation in single cells was determined by quantitative flow cytometry. Viral particle production was determined by electron microscope analyses and detection of minor capsid protein in culture supernatants. Agents that mobilized intracellular calcium (ionomycin, thapsigargin) induced expression of KSHV lytic cycle-associated proteins and led to increased virus production. Calcium-mediated virus reactivation was blocked by specific inhibitors of calcineurin-dependent signal transduction (cyclosporine, FK506). Similarly, calcium-mediated virus reactivation in KSHV-infected dermal microvascular endothelial cells was blocked by cyclosporine. Furthermore, retroviral transduction with plasmid DNA encoding VIVIT, a peptide specifically blocking calcineurin-NFAT interactions, inhibited calcium-dependent KSHV reactivation. By contrast, chemical induction of lytic-phase infection by the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate was blocked by protein kinase C inhibitors, but not by calcineurin inhibitors. In summary, calcineurin-dependent signal transduction, an important signaling cascade in vivo, induces calcium-dependent KSHV replication, providing a possible target for the design of antiherpesvirus strategies in KSHV-infected patients.

Morphogenesis of HHV8 in primary human dermal microvascular endothelium and primary effusion lymphomas.

This study elucidates the morphology of HHV8 replication in human dermal endothelial cells and primary effusion lymphomas (PEL) and compares it to that seen in Kaposi sarcoma. Primary human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (DMVEC) exposed to the cell-filtered supernatant of the PEL JSC1 and PEL cell lines (KS-1, BCBL-1, BC-1, BC-3) were cultured in the presence or absence of 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) or butyrate. Cells were fixed in neutral-buffered glutaraldehyde, gelled in cooled agar, and processed for TEM. There was a quantitative, but not a qualitative difference in viral expression associated with no treatment or exposure to TPA or butyrate of H HV8 in DMVEC and PEL. Two types of viral-induced intranuclear inclusions (INI) were visible at the light and ultrastructural levels. The more common INI had lighter staining material filling the nucleus, except for a rim of dense chromatin, and could be seen even before viral nucleocapsids (NC) were visible. The second type of INI resembled a target formed by condensation of electron-dense material surrounded by a lighter halo and marginated heterochromatin and containing NC. Collections of coalescing electron-dense granules resembling starbursts were often present in nuclei containing either type of INI. Next to appear in productively infected cells were mature enveloped particles that formed mostly by the budding of NC into cytoplasmic vacuoles. Mature particles were also seen free on the plasma membrane. Tufts of electron-dense intermediate filaments were associated with maturing particles. Mature virions lacked an electron-dense tegument. Viral production was ultimately associated with cell lysis. It appears that HHV8 propagate in DMVEC, with and without stimulation, and have a similar morphogenesis to that seen in PEL cell lines and Kaposi sarcoma lesions. Several unique features characterize cells productively infected by HHV8.

Acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase inhibitor, avasimibe, stimulates bile acid synthesis and cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase in cultured rat hepatocytes and in vivo in the rat.

Acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) inhibitors are currently in clinical development as potential lipid-lowering and antiatherosclerotic agents. We investigated the effect of avasimibe (Cl- 1011), a novel ACAT inhibitor, on bile acid synthesis and cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase in cultured rat hepatocytes and rats fed different diets. Avasimibe dose-dependently decreased ACAT activity in rat hepatocytes in the presence and absence of beta-migrating very low-density lipoproteins (betaVLDL) (by 93% and 75% at 10 micromol/L) and reduced intracellular storage of cholesteryl esters. Avasimibe (3 micromol/L) increased bile acid synthesis (2.9-fold) after preincubation with betaVLDL and cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase activity (1.7- and 2.6-fold, with or without betaVLDL), the latter paralleled by a similar induction of its messenger RNA (mRNA). Hepatocytes treated with avasimibe showed a shift from storage and secretion of cholesteryl esters to conversion of cholesterol into bile acids. In rats fed diets containing different amounts of cholesterol and cholate, avasimibe reduced plasma cholesterol (by 52% to 71%) and triglyceride levels (by 28% to 62%). Avasimibe did not further increase cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase activity and mRNA in cholesterol-fed rats, but prevented down-regulation by cholate. Avasimibe did not affect sterol 27-hydroxylase and oxysterol 7alpha-hydroxylase, 2 enzymes in the alternative pathway in bile acid synthesis. No increase in the ratio of biliary excreted cholesterol to bile acids was found, indicating that ACAT inhibition does not result in a more lithogenic bile. Avasimibe increases bile acid synthesis in cultured hepatocytes by enhancing the supply of free cholesterol both as substrate and inducer of cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase. These effects may partially explain the potent cholesterol-lowering effects of avasimibe in the rat.

Identification and rapid quantification of early- and late-lytic human herpesvirus 8 infection in single cells by flow cytometric analysis: characterization of antiherpesvirus agents.

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) infection is associated with Kaposi's sarcoma, primary effusion lymphoma (PEL), and multicentric Castleman's disease. In this study, we used monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) directed against HHV-8 lytic cycle-associated proteins encoded by open reading frame (ORF) 59 (nuclear PF-8 protein) and ORF K8.1 (viral envelope glycoprotein K8.1 [gpK8.1]) to investigate HHV-8 lytic infection in single cells. Lytically infected cells were labeled with MAbs, stained with fluorescently conjugated secondary Abs, and analyzed by flow cytometry. A 3-day stimulation of HHV-8-positive PEL cell lines (BCBL-1 and BC-3) with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (30 nM) or n-butyric acid (0.3 mM) maximized the expression of lytic-phase viral proteins and minimized cell toxicity. The absolute number of expressing cells was inducer and cell line dependent. Expression of PF-8 occurred earlier and more frequently (in up to 20% of cells) than did expression of gpK8.1. A subset of PF-8 positive cells (25%) co-expressed gpK8.1, representing the majority of gpK8.1 expressing cells. Acyclovir, foscarnet, cidofovir, and PMEA reduced the number of cells expressing gpK8.1, but not the number expressing the nonstructural early lytic gene product PF-8. By contrast, alpha interferon (IFN-alpha) and IFN-beta reduced expression of both PF-8 and gpK8.1, implying an overall inhibitory effect on viral gene transcription or translation. In summary, we have characterized and quantified HHV-8 lytic infection in single cells by dual measurement of early- and late-lytic-cycle HHV-8 protein expression. This technique should prove useful for screening of possible antiherpesvirus agents and for detailed phenotypic characterization of HHV-8-infected cells in vitro and in patients with HHV-8-associated diseases.

Cytokines regulate expression and function of the HIV coreceptor CXCR4 on human mature dendritic cells.

HIV-infected dendritic cells (DC) efficiently transmit infection to CD4+ T cells during the process of T cell activation. To further understand interactions between DC and HIV, cytokine regulation of HIV coreceptors on cultured Langerhans cells (cLC, as prototypes of mature DC) was studied. Expression of cell surface CXCR4 on cLC was up-regulated by IL-4 and TGF-beta1 and inhibited by IFN-alpha, IFN-beta, and IFN-gamma, whereas cytokines did not appreciably regulate CCR5. Changes in cell surface CXCR4 expression on cLC correlated with T cell-tropic (X4)-HIV envelope-mediated syncytium formation and X4-HIV infection levels. A relative increase in the ratio of type 2/type 1 cytokine production, which can occur in HIV disease, may up-regulate CXCR4 expression on mature DC and promote infection by X4 viruses. Importantly, these findings suggest that cytokine dysregulation may be linked to the emergence of X4-HIV strains as HIV-infected individuals progress to AIDS.

HIV-Dendritic cell interactions promote efficient viral infection of T cells.

Dendritic cells (DC) are bone marrow-derived leukocytes that act as powerful stimulators of primary and secondary immune responses. Langerhans cells (LC), which are immature DC in epidermis and genital mucosa, are generally believed to be the initial cells infected with HIV following mucosal exposure to virus. Interestingly, freshly isolated LC express the HIV coreceptor CCR5, but not CXCR4, on their cell surfaces. This expression pattern would theoretically allow only macrophage-tropic [and not T cell (TC)-tropic] HIV to be transmitted across intact mucosal epithelium. In vitro, it is known that HIV infects LC (and other DC) in a CD4- and HIV coreceptor-dependent manner. In addition, HIV can be captured by prominent stellate processes on the surface of LC/DC. HIV-infected DC, as well as DC that have captured HIV, efficiently transmit virus to TC during antigen-specific TC activation. Thus, DC may be involved in HIV plasma viremia increases observed following antigenic exposure, e.g. immunizations, in chronically HIV-infected individuals by (1) activating latently infected TC or (2) activating and transmitting virus to new target TC. In summary, DC most likely play a major role in primary HIV infection by allowing virus to breach mucosal surfaces, and can act during both initial and chronic phases of HIV disease by facilitating infection and depletion of TC.

Alkylation-induced oxidative cell injury of renal proximal tubular cells: involvement of glutathione redox-cycle inhibition.

The nephrotoxicant S-(1,2-dichlorovinyl)-L-cysteine (DCVC) is an alkylating agent that causes oxidative stress and subsequently death of renal proximal tubular cells (PTC). In this paper the role of inhibition of the glutathione redox cycle (GSH-reductase (GRd) and -peroxidase (GPx) in the development of DCVC-induced oxidative cell injury is described. DCVC inhibited both GRd and GPx activity in PTC. Inhibition occurred already after 10 min incubation while at that time point lipid peroxidation and cell death had not started yet; the antioxidant N,N-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine did not prevent inhibition of GRd and Gpx- inhibition of L-cysteine S-conjugate beta-lyase-mediated formation of reactive metabolites using aminooxyacetic acid, which prevented covalent binding to cellular macromolecules, was associated with prevention of the DCVC-induced inhibition of both enzymes. Covalent binding of reactive metabolites of [35S]DCVC to several cellular proteins was found, including proteins which had molecular weights identical to subunits of GPx and GRd. An inhibitor of GRd, 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU), potentiated the oxidative cell injury caused by DCVC, whereas BCNU itself did not use oxidative stress and cell death. The thiol-reducing compound dithiothreitol prevented the oxidative cell injury whereas oxidation of cellular thiols with diamide potentiated the DCVC-induced oxidative stress and cell death. Moreover, incubation with (R,S)-3-hydroxy-4-pentenoic acid (HPA), which depletes mitochondrial GSH, potentiated the DCVC-induced oxidative cell injury. Neither diamide nor HPA affected the covalent binding and inhibition of the GSH-redox cycle. Together, the data suggest that the inhibition of GRd and GPx, presumably caused by binding of reactive metabolites of DCVC, impairs the cellular antioxidant system, which seems causally related to DCVC-induced oxidative cell injury.

Inhibition of succinate:ubiquinone reductase and decrease of ubiquinol in nephrotoxic cysteine S-conjugate-induced oxidative cell injury.

The role of complex II in the cellular protection against oxidative stress was investigated in freshly isolated rat renal proximal tubular cells (PTC) with the use of the nephrotoxin S-(1,2-dichlorovinyl)-L-cysteine (DCVC). DCVC caused oxidative stress in PTC as determined by flow cytometry with dihydrorhodamine-123; this fluorescent probe is readily oxidized by primary hydroperoxides such as those formed during lipid peroxidation. The oxidative stress could be prevented by inhibition of the beta-lyase-mediated formation and covalent binding to cellular macromolecules of reactive DCVC metabolites, with amino oxyacetic acid (AOA), or by the antioxidant N,N'-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine. Both AOA and DPPD also prevented cell death. The DCVC-induced oxidative stress was associated with a decrease in the succinate:ubiquinone reductase (SQR) activity of complex II, whereas NADH:ubiquinone reductase activity of complex I remained unaffected. AOA prevented the effect on SQR activity, whereas N,N'-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine did not. Inhibition of SQR activity with thenoyl trifluoracetone (TTFA) potentiated the DCVC-induced oxidative cell injury, suggesting the involvement of SQR activity in an antioxidant pathway. To investigate this in greater detail, PTC were treated with an inhibitor of cytochrome-c-oxidase, KCN, in a buffer containing glycine, which prevents cell death by KCN. Glycine did not affect cell death by DCVC. KCN prevented the DCVC-induced oxidative stress and cell death. KCN cytoprotection could be prevented by inhibition of SQR activity with oxaloacetate or TTFA, whereas inhibition of either complex I or III with rotenone and antimycin, respectively, did not prevent it. The effect of DCVC on complex II was associated with a decrease in the cellular amount of reduced ubiquinone (QH2); the KCN-mediated cytoprotection was related to a 60% increase of cellular QH2. Rotenone almost completely inhibited ubiquinone reduction even in the presence of KCN, whereas oxaloacetate in combination with KCN resulted in QH2 levels comparable to control. This suggests that the SQR activity by complex II rather than the cellular content of reduced ubiquinone (QH2) is important as a part of the cellular antioxidant machinery in the cyto-protection against oxidative stress.

Role of mitochondrial Ca2+ in the oxidative stress-induced dissipation of the mitochondrial membrane potential. Studies in isolated proximal tubular cells using the nephrotoxin 1,2-dichlorovinyl-L-cysteine.

The relationship between mitochondrial Ca2+, oxidative stress, and a dissipation of the mitochondrial membrane potential (delta psi) was investigated in proximal tubular kidney cells. Freshly isolated proximal tubular cells from rat kidney were exposed to the nephrotoxin 1,2-dichlorovinyl-L-cysteine (DCVC). DCVC stimulated the formation of hydroperoxides as determined by flow cytometry using the hydroperoxide-sensitive compound dichlorofluorescein. This was prevented by the antioxidant diphenylphenylenediamine (DPPD) and the iron chelator desferrioxamine. Studies in individual cells with video-intensified fluorescence microscopy showed that a DCVC-induced increase in the intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) was accompanied by an increase in the mitochondrial free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]m). The latter increase was selectively prevented by an inhibitor of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter, ruthenium red (RR). Chelation of cellular Ca2+ with EGTA acetoxymethyl ester (EGTA/AM) completely prevented the formation of hydroperoxides, whereas inhibition of the uptake of Ca2+ by the mitochondria with RR reduced it. This indicates that the increase in [Ca2+]m is important for the induction of oxidative stress by DCVC. DPPD and desferrioxamine did not protect against a DCVC-induced increase in [Ca2+]i and [Ca2+]m, indicating that oxidative stress is the consequence rather than the cause of the cellular calcium perturbations. DCVC decreased delta psi and caused cell death; both effects were clearly delayed by EGTA/AM and RR, although they could not prevent a decrease in delta psi. The latter decrease was completely prevented by inhibition of the beta-lyase-mediated metabolism of DCVC with aminooxyacetic acid. Like EGTA/AM, inhibition of oxidative stress with DPPD and desferrioxamine delayed the decrease in delta psi. This strongly suggests that the decrease in delta psi caused by metabolites of DCVC directly is potentiated by Ca(2+)-dependent DCVC-induced hydroperoxide formation. The importance of both hydroperoxide formation and mitochondrial damage in DCVC-induced cell killing is discussed.

Mitochondrial K+ as modulator of Ca(2+)-dependent cytotoxicity in hepatocytes. Novel application of the K(+)-sensitive dye PBFI (K(+)-binding benzofuran isophthalate) to assess free mitochondrial K+ concentrations.

In isolated rat hepatocytes a sustained high increase in intracellular free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i), induced by extracellular ATP, is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death. The Ca(2+)-induced effects are Pi-dependent and less severe when the intracellular K+ content is low. In this study, the involvement of mitochondrial K+ processing in Ca(2+)-induced loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and viability was investigated. The recently introduced K(+)-sensitive dye PBFI (K(+)-binding benzofuran isophthalate) has been used in combination with video-microscopy to assess intramitochondrial free K+ concentration ([K+]mito) in rat liver mitochondria in situ. After rapid permeabilization of the plasma membrane to remove cytosolic PBFI, the remaining PBFI was localized in mitochondria, and a 'resting' [K+]mito of approx. 15 mM could be measured. Increased [K+]mito levels were measured after induction of a prolonged increase in [Ca2+]i by ATP. Much lower [K+]mito, more comparable with control levels, were observed when intracellular K+ was depleted by omission of extracellular K+. In permeabilized cells the Ca(2+)-induced, Pi-dependent, dissipation of the MMP was markedly delayed in the absence of K+. These observations suggest involvement of [K+]mito as modulating agent in Ca(2+)-induced cytotoxicity in hepatocytes.

Calcium-induced cytotoxicity in hepatocytes after exposure to extracellular ATP is dependent on inorganic phosphate. Effects on mitochondrial calcium.

In isolated mitochondria extensive uptake of Ca2+ in the presence of an "inducing agent," e.g. inorganic phosphate (Pi), causes permeabilization of the mitochondrial inner membrane and a collapse of the mitochondrial membrane potential. In this study we tested whether the effect of phosphate occurs in intact hepatocytes. Rat hepatocytes were incubated with ATP to induce a sustained increase in intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i), dissipation of the mitochondrial membrane potential, and cell death (Zoeteweij, J. P., van de Water, B., de Bont, H. J. G. M., Mulder, G. J., and Nagelkerke, J. F. (1992) Biochem. J. 288, 207-213). Omission of Pi from the incubation medium delayed the loss of viability. The nonhydrolyzable ATP analog adenosine 5'-O-(thiotriphosphate) (ATP gamma S) had similar effects on [Ca2+]i and viability, but now omission of extracellular Pi completely protected against cytotoxicity. Exposure to ATP or ATP gamma S induced a large cellular uptake of Pi. With the use of video-microscopy a significant increase in mitochondrial free calcium was observed before the onset of cell death. Accumulation of mitochondrial calcium was reduced when extracellular Pi was omitted. These results suggest that, after induction of high [Ca2+]i by ATP in hepatocytes, 1) mitochondria accumulate calcium which is associated with cell toxicity and 2) intracellular Pi increases which stimulates mitochondrial calcium uptake. These observations support a calcium-dependent mitochondrial dysfunction, induced by phosphate, as a valid model for ATP-induced cytotoxicity in hepatocytes.

Involvement of intracellular Ca2+ and K+ in dissipation of the mitochondrial membrane potential and cell death induced by extracellular ATP in hepatocytes.

Isolated rat hepatocytes were incubated with extracellular ATP to induce a prolonged increase in intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) and a loss of viability within 2 h. By using video-intensified fluorescence microscopy, the effects of exposure to extracellular ATP on [Ca2+]i, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and cell viability were determined simultaneously in individual living hepatocytes. The increase in [Ca2+]i on exposure to ATP was followed by a decreasing MMP; there were big differences between individual cells. Complete loss of the MMP occurred before cell death was observed. Omission of K+ from the incubation medium decreased the cytotoxicity of ATP; under these conditions, intracellular K+ was decreased by more than 80%. Treatment with nigericin also depleted intracellular K+ and decreased ATP-induced toxicity. Protection against loss of viability by means of a decrease in intracellular [K+] was reflected by maintenance of the MMP. These observations suggest that ATP-induced cell death may be caused by a mechanism that has been described for isolated mitochondria: after an increase in Ca2+ levels, a K+ influx into mitochondria is induced, which finally disrupts the MMP and leads to cell death.

Primary culture of proximal tubular cells from normal rat kidney as an in vitro model to study mechanisms of nephrotoxicity. Toxicity of nephrotoxicants at low concentrations during prolonged exposure.

The aim of this study was to set up an in vitro system to study nephrotoxicity of xenobiotics which allows exposure at low concentrations for long periods (1-5 days). A very pure preparation of isolated proximal tubular cells (PTC) from rat kidney (Boogaard et al., Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 101: 135-143, 1989) was brought into primary culture. Cells grew to confluence in 3 days and could be maintained up to 8 days in a modification of Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium Ham F12 nutrient mixture supplemented with fetal calf serum. Fibroblast growth was completely suppressed by replacement of L-valine by D-valine and of L-arginine by L-ornithine. Polarity was retained: in cells grown on filters organic anions were transported at the basolateral membrane while D-glucose transport was located at the apical membrane. Inhibition of the latter was used to assess the functional integrity of the cells after exposure to nephrotoxins. The newly grown cells expressed gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase activity since incubation with the glutathione-conjugate of 1,1-dichloro-2,2-difluoroethylene (DCDFE) induced cytotoxicity. Both beta-lyase and acylase activities were expressed because the cysteine-S-conjugate and the corresponding mercapturate of DCDFE showed cytotoxicity. Cultured cells showed toxicity on prolonged exposure to very low concentrations of gentamicin, cephaloridine, cisplatin and the cysteine-S-conjugate of chlorotrifluoroethylene. The lowest concentrations at which toxicity can be observed are 1-3 orders of magnitude lower in primary cultures than in freshly isolated PTC in suspension. This indicates that this cell model is suitable to investigate mechanisms of nephrotoxicity in vitro, at prolonged exposure to the low concentrations that are relevant in vivo levels.