Chronic active Epstein-Barr virus (CAEBV) disease is a rare disorder in which persons are unable to control infection with the virus. The disease is progressive with markedly elevated levels of EBV ...DNA in the blood and infiltration of organs by EBV-positive lymphocytes. Patients often present with fever, lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, EBV hepatitis, or pancytopenia. Over time, these patients develop progressive immunodeficiency and if not treated, succumb to opportunistic infections, hemophagocytosis, multiorgan failure, or EBV-positive lymphomas. Patients with CAEBV in the United States most often present with disease involving B or T cells, while in Asia, the disease usually involves T or NK cells. The only proven effective treatment for the disease is hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Current studies to find a cause of this disease focus on immune defects and genetic abnormalities associated with the disease.
Herpes Zoster Vaccines Harbecke, Ruth; Cohen, Jeffrey I; Oxman, Michael N
The Journal of infectious diseases,
09/2021, Letnik:
224, Številka:
Supplement_4
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Abstract
Herpes zoster (HZ) affects approximately 1 in 3 persons in their lifetime, and the risk of HZ increases with increasing age. The most common, debilitating complication of HZ is the chronic ...neuropathic pain of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). Two herpes zoster vaccines, a live-attenuated varicella-zoster virus (VZV) vaccine (zoster vaccine live ZVL; ZOSTAVAX Merck) and an adjuvanted VZV glycoprotein E (gE) subunit vaccine (recombinant zoster vaccine RZV; SHINGRIX GlaxoSmithKline) are licensed for the prevention of HZ and PHN in healthy older adults. The safety and efficacy of both vaccines has been demonstrated in clinical trials in immunocompetent adults and in selected immunocompromised persons and persons with immune-mediated diseases. Numerous real-world effectiveness studies have confirmed the safety and effectiveness of both ZVL and RZV. Recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) is more effective for prevention of HZ than ZVL. Recombinant zoster vaccine is nonreplicating and is thus safe in immunocompromised persons. Additional zoster vaccines are in different stages of development. Wider distribution of safe and effective zoster vaccines will improve the health and well being of the rapidly growing population of older adults around the world.
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) represents a major global health problem. Though it is associated with infectious mononucleosis and ∼200,000 cancers annually worldwide, a vaccine is not available. The major ...target of immunity is EBV glycoprotein 350/220 (gp350) that mediates attachment to B cells through complement receptor 2 (CR2/CD21). Here, we created self-assembling nanoparticles that displayed different domains of gp350 in a symmetric array. By focusing presentation of the CR2-binding domain on nanoparticles, potent neutralizing antibodies were elicited in mice and non-human primates. The structurally designed nanoparticle vaccine increased neutralization 10- to 100-fold compared to soluble gp350 by targeting a functionally conserved site of vulnerability, improving vaccine-induced protection in a mouse model. This rational approach to EBV vaccine design elicited potent neutralizing antibody responses by arrayed presentation of a conserved viral entry domain, a strategy that can be applied to other viruses.
Display omitted
Display omitted
•Self-assembling nanoparticles present the conserved gp350 receptor-binding domain•The nanoparticles elicit more potent neutralizing antibodies than soluble gp350•These neutralizing antibodies predominantly target the CR2-binding site on gp350•The nanoparticles elicit potent neutralizing antibodies in mice and non-human primates
Structurally designed EBV vaccine candidates based on self-assembling nanoparticles elicit potent and durable virus-neutralizing antibodies that target the receptor-binding site on the viral envelope protein gp350, a site of vulnerability, serving as a template to develop an EBV vaccine and providing a basis for immunofocusing through rational vaccine design.
Epstein–barr virus vaccines Cohen, Jeffrey I
Clinical & translational immunology,
January 2015, Letnik:
4, Številka:
1
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is the primary cause of infectious mononucleosis (IM) and is associated with epithelial cell malignancies such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma and gastric carcinoma, as well as ...lymphoid malignancies including Hodgkin lymphoma, Burkitt lymphoma, non‐Hodgkin lymphoma and post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorder. EBV vaccines to prevent primary infection or disease, or therapeutic vaccines to treat EBV malignancies have not been licensed. Most efforts to develop prophylactic vaccines have focused on EBV gp350, which is the major target of neutralizing antibody. A single phase 2 trial of an EBV gp350 vaccine has been reported; the vaccine reduced the rate of IM but not virus infection. The observation that infusion of EBV‐specific T cells can reduce disease due to Hodgkin lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma provides a proof of principle that a therapeutic vaccine for these and other EBV‐associated malignancies might be effective. Most therapeutic vaccines have targeted EBV LMP2 and EBV nuclear antigen‐1. As EBV is associated with nearly 200 000 new malignancies each year worldwide, an EBV vaccine to prevent these diseases is needed.
Mitochondrial stress releases mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) into the cytosol, thereby triggering the type Ι interferon (IFN) response. Mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization, which is required for ...mtDNA release, has been extensively studied in apoptotic cells, but little is known about its role in live cells. We found that oxidatively stressed mitochondria release short mtDNA fragments via pores formed by the voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) oligomers in the mitochondrial outer membrane. Furthermore, the positively charged residues in the N-terminal domain of VDAC1 interact with mtDNA, promoting VDAC1 oligomerization. The VDAC oligomerization inhibitor VBIT-4 decreases mtDNA release, IFN signaling, neutrophil extracellular traps, and disease severity in a mouse model of systemic lupus erythematosus. Thus, inhibiting VDAC oligomerization is a potential therapeutic approach for diseases associated with mtDNA release.
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a ubiquitous gammaherpesvirus associated with both B cell and epithelial cell malignancies. EBV infection of B cells triggers activation of several signaling pathways that ...are critical for cell survival, virus latency, and growth transformation. To identify EBV proteins important for regulating cell signaling, we used a proteomic approach to screen viral proteins for AP-1 and NF-κB promoter activity in AP-1- and NF-κB-luciferase reporter assays. We found that EBV BGLF2 activated AP-1 but not NF-κB reporter activity. Expression of EBV BGLF2 in cells activated p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), both of which are important for mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling. Deletion of the carboxyl-terminal 66 amino acids of BGLF2 reduced the ability of BGLF2 to activate JNK and p38. Expression of BGLF2 enhanced BZLF1 expression in latently EBV-infected lymphoblastoid cell lines, and knockdown of BGLF2 reduced EBV reactivation induced by IgG cross-linking. Expression of BGLF2 induced BZLF1 expression and virus production in EBV-infected gastric carcinoma cells. BGLF2 enhanced BZLF1 expression and EBV production by activating p38; chemical inhibition of p38 and MAPK/ERK kinases 1 and 2 (MEK1/2) reduced expression of BZLF1 and virus production induced by BGLF2. In summary, the EBV tegument protein BGLF2, which is delivered to the cell at the onset of virus infection, activates the AP-1 pathway and enhances EBV reactivation and virus production.
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with both B cell and epithelial cell malignancies, and the virus activates multiple signaling pathways important for its persistence in latently infected cells. We identified a viral tegument protein, BGLF2, which activates members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway. Expression of BGLF2 increased expression of EBV BZLF1, which activates a switch from latent to lytic virus infection, and increased production of EBV. Inhibition of BGFL2 expression or inhibition of p38/MAPK, which is activated by BGLF2, reduced virus reactivation from latency. These results indicate that a viral tegument protein which is delivered to cells upon infection activates signaling pathways to enhance virus production and facilitate virus reactivation from latency.
Herpes Zoster Cohen, Jeffrey I
The New England journal of medicine,
07/2013, Letnik:
369, Številka:
3
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
The incidence of herpes zoster increases with age. Management includes antiviral therapy (recommended in persons with or at increased risk for complications, immunocompromised persons, those ≥50 ...years of age, and those with severe pain or severe rash) and pain medications.
Foreword
This
Journal
feature begins with a case vignette highlighting a common clinical problem. Evidence supporting various strategies is then presented, followed by a review of formal guidelines, when they exist. The article ends with the author's clinical recommendations.
Stage
A 65-year-old man presents with a rash of 2 days' duration over the right forehead with vesicles and pustules, a few lesions on the right side and tip of the nose, and slight blurring of vision in the right eye. The rash was preceded by tingling in the area and is now associated with aching pain. How should this patient be evaluated and treated?
The Clinical Problem
Primary infection with varicella–zoster virus (VZV) results in chickenpox, characterized by viremia with a diffuse rash and seeding of multiple sensory ganglia, where the virus establishes lifelong latency. Herpes zoster is caused . . .
Interferon alpha (IFN-α) and IFN-β are type I IFNs that are induced by virus infection and are important in the host's innate antiviral response. EBV infection activates multiple cell signaling ...pathways, resulting in the production of type I IFN which inhibits EBV infection and virus-induced B-cell transformation. We reported previously that EBV tegument protein BGLF2 activates p38 and enhances EBV reactivation. To further understand the role of BGLF2 in EBV infection, we used mass spectrometry to identify cellular proteins that interact with BGLF2. We found that BGLF2 binds to Tyk2 and confirmed this interaction by coimmunoprecipitation. BGLF2 blocked type I IFN-induced Tyk2, STAT1, and STAT3 phosphorylation and the expression of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) IRF1, IRF7, and MxA. In contrast, BGLF2 did not inhibit STAT1 phosphorylation induced by IFN-γ. Deletion of the carboxyl-terminal 66 amino acids of BGLF2 reduced the ability of the protein to repress type I IFN signaling. Treatment of gastric carcinoma and Raji cells with IFN-α blocked BZLF1 expression and EBV reactivation; however, expression of BGLF2 reduced the ability of IFN-α to inhibit BZLF1 expression and enhanced EBV reactivation. In summary, EBV BGLF2 interacts with Tyk2, inhibiting Tyk2, STAT1, and STAT3 phosphorylation and impairs type I IFN signaling; BGLF2 also counteracts the ability of IFN-α to suppress EBV reactivation.
Type I interferons are important for controlling virus infection. We have found that the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) BGLF2 tegument protein binds to a protein in the type I interferon signaling pathway Tyk2 and inhibits the expression of genes induced by type I interferons. Treatment of EBV-infected cells with type I interferon inhibits reactivation of the virus, while expression of EBV BGLF2 reduces the ability of type I interferon to inhibit virus reactivation. Thus, a tegument protein delivered to cells during virus infection inhibits the host's antiviral response and promotes virus reactivation of latently infected cells. Therefore, EBV BGLF2 might protect virus-infected cells from the type I interferon response in cells undergoing lytic virus replication.
The phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway is important for multiple stages of herpesvirus replication including virus entry, replication, latency, and reactivation. Recently, patients with ...gain-of-function mutations in the p110δ-catalytic subunit of PI3K or in the p85-regulatory subunit of PI3K have been reported. These patients have constitutively active PI3K with hyperactivation of Akt. They present with lymphoproliferation and often have infections, particularly recurrent respiratory infections and/or severe virus infections. The most frequent virus infections are due to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV); patients often present with persistent EBV and/or CMV viremia, EBV lymphoproliferative disease, or CMV lymphadenitis. No patients have been reported with CMV pneumonia, colitis, or retinitis. Other herpesvirus infections have included herpes simplex pneumonia, recurrent zoster, and varicella after vaccination with the varicella vaccine. Additional viral infections have included adenovirus viremia, severe warts, and extensive Molluscum contagiosum virus infection. The increased susceptibility to virus infections in these patients is likely due to a reduced number of long-lived memory CD8 T cells and an increased number of terminally differentiated effector CD8 T cells.
Participants at the February 2011 meeting at the U.S. National Institutes of Health on Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) vaccine research recommend that future clinical trials have two goals: prevention of ...infectious mononucleosis and EBV-associated cancers, facilitated by identification of disease-predictive surrogate markers.