It has been reported that crocodile blood contains potent antibacterial and antiviral properties. However, its effects on HIV-1 infection remain unknown.
We obtained blood from saltwater crocodiles ...to examine whether serum or plasma could inhibit HIV-1 infection. We purified plasma fractions then used liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to identify the inhibitory protein factor(s). We then analyzed the ability of recombinant proteins to recapitulate HIV-1 inhibition and determine their mechanism of action.
Crocodylus porosus plasma was tested for inhibition of Jurkat T-cell HIV-1 infection. Inhibitor(s) were purified by reverse-phase chromatography then identified by protein liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Anti-HIV-1 activity of purified plasma or recombinant proteins were measured by p24 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and luciferase readouts, and mechanism of action was determined by measuring HIV-1 RNA, cDNA and transcription (using 1G5 cells).
Crocodile plasma contains potent inhibitors of HIV-1IIIB infection, which were identified as histones. Recombinant human histones H1 and H2A significantly reduced HIV-1JR-FL infection (IC50 of 0.79 and 0.45 μmol/l, respectively), whereas H4 enhanced JR-FL luciferase activity. The inhibitory effects of crocodile plasma, recombinant H1 or recombinant H2A on HIV-1 infection were during or post-viral transcription.
Circulating histones in crocodile blood, possibly released by neutrophil extracellular traps, are significant inhibitors of HIV-1 infection in-vitro. Extracellular recombinant histones have different effects on HIV-1 transcription and protein expression and are downregulated in HIV-1 patients. Circulating histones may be a novel resistance factor during HIV-1 infection, and peptide versions should be explored as future HIV-1 therapeutics that modulate viral transcription.
BACKGROUND
Human immunoglobulin G (hIgG) includes four different subtypes (IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, and IgG4). Due to genetic variations, each IgG subtype contains different isoallotypes. It was previously ...shown that a Food and Drug Administration–approved monoclonal anti‐IgG failed to recognize 2 of 15 recombinant, human IgG3 anti‐Kell (K1) isoallotypes (rIgG3‐03 and rIgG3‐13) by indirect antiglobulin test (IAT).
STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS
We expressed and purified 15 recombinant human rIgG3 anti‐K1 isoallotypes and investigated their antigen binding and ability to induce phagocytosis using homozygous (KK) and heterozygous (Kk) K1‐positive red blood cells (RBCs) by gel IAT, flow cytometry, and a monocyte monolayer assay (MMA) with peripheral blood monocytes and cultured inflammatory (M1) and anti‐inflammatory (M2) macrophages.
RESULTS
MMA results showed that differences in the Fc region of rIgG3 anti‐K1 led to distinctive phagocytic activity with both monocytes and M1 macrophages. rIgG3‐18 and rIgG3‐19 showed an enhanced ability to induce phagocytosis. Differences in Fc regions also led to variations in the number of antibodies bound to KK RBCs. Despite the differences in phagocytic activity, all 15 rIgG3 clones are predicted to induce clinically significant hemolysis if K1‐positive blood was transfused into patients.
CONCLUSION
These results argue that antiglobulin reagents that fail to detect isoallotype rIgG3‐03 or rIgG3‐13 could present a transfusion risk or lack of detection of a potentially clinically significant anti‐K1 in hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn.
Multiple ligand co-recognition of 3′-sulfogalactosylceramide (SGC) and sulfotyrosine initiated the comparison of SGC and sulfotyrosine and, subsequently, phosphotyrosine (pY) binding. SGC is a ...receptor for ligands involved in cell adhesion/microbial pathology. pY forms a Src homology domain 2 recognition motif in intracellular signaling. Using hsp70, anti-SGC, and anti-pY antibodies, ligand binding is retained following phosphate/sulfate and tyrosine/galactose substitution in SGC and sulfate/phosphate exchange in pY. Remarkable lipid-dependent binding to phosphatidylethanolamine-conjugated sulfotyrosine suggests “microenvironmental” modulation of sulfotyrosine-containing receptors, similar to glycosphingolipids. Based on an aryl substrate-bound co-crystal of arylsulfatase A, a sulfogalactose and phosphotyrosine esterase, modeling provides a solvation basis for co-recognition. c-Src/Src homology domain 2:SGC/phosphogalactosylceramide binding confirms our hypothesis, heralding a carbohydrate-based approach to regulation of phosphotyrosine-mediated recognition.
BACKGROUND
Monocyte monolayer assay (MMA) is a compatibility testing method for evaluating the clinical significance of red blood cell (RBC) alloantibodies. Time‐consuming monocyte isolation ...procedures and requirement for fresh monocytes have limited application of the MMA. The aim of this study was to develop and assess the utility and efficacy of cryopreserved buffy coat (BC)‐derived monocytes for MMA application.
STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS
Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) were isolated from BC or peripheral blood (PB) and pooled and BC PBMNCs were cryopreserved. Monocytes from pooled PBMNCs were incubated with anti‐D–sensitized, anti‐Scianna2 (Sc2)–sensitized, anti‐AnWj–sensitized, or anti‐Jra–sensitized RBCs or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). MMA phagocytic index (PI) and membrane integrity were determined microscopically, and cytokine release was measured by Luminex technology.
RESULTS
PBMNC isolation rates from fresh BC and PB were not comparable (67.4 ± 6.3 and 75.8 ± 7.7% respectively, p = 0.024). There was no significant difference in PBMNC membrane integrity (fresh PB, 100%; fresh BC, 100%; cryopreserved BC, 95.2 ± 1.2%), postwash recovery (fresh PB, 85.9 ± 3.1; fresh BC, 86.9 ± 6.7; cryopreserved BC, 84.8 ± 5.1), or monocyte PI (fresh PB, 82 ± 10; fresh BC, 77 ± 11; cryopreserved BC = 80 ± 6). Monocytes from pooled cryopreserved BC PBMNCs reacted with RBCs sensitized with anti‐D and RBC alloantibodies, including anti‐Sc2, anti‐Jra, and anti‐AnWj.
CONCLUSIONS
Monocytes from pooled cryopreserved BC PBMNCs can be used reliably to evaluate phagocytic responses of sensitized RBCs and to assess clinical significance of RBC alloantibodies.
The verotoxin (VT) (Shiga toxin) receptor globotriaosyl ceramide (Gb3), mediates VT1/VT2 retrograde transport to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) for cytosolic A subunit access to inhibit protein ...synthesis. Adamantyl Gb3 is an amphipathic competitive inhibitor of VT1/VT2 Gb3 binding. However, Gb3-negative VT-resistant CHO/Jurkat cells incorporate adaGb3 to become VT1/VT2-sensitive. CarboxyadaGb3, urea-adaGb3, and hydroxyethyl adaGb3, preferentially bound by VT2, also mediate VT1/VT2 cytotoxicity. VT1/VT2 internalize to early endosomes but not to Golgi/ER. AdabisGb3 (two deacyl Gb3s linked to adamantane) protects against VT1/VT2 more effectively than adaGb3 without incorporating into Gb3-negative cells. AdaGb3 (but not hydroxyethyl adaGb3) incorporation into Gb3-positive Vero cells rendered punctate cell surface VT1/VT2 binding uniform and subverted subsequent Gb3-dependent retrograde transport to Golgi/ER to render cytotoxicity (reduced for VT1 but not VT2) brefeldin A-resistant. VT2-induced vacuolation was maintained in adaGb3-treated Vero cells, but vacuolar membrane VT2 was lost. AdaGb3 destabilized membrane cholesterol and reduced Gb3 cholesterol stabilization in phospholipid liposomes. Cholera toxin GM1-mediated Golgi/ER targeting was unaffected by adaGb3. We demonstrate the novel, lipid-dependent, pseudoreceptor function of Gb3 mimics and their structure-dependent modulation of endogenous intracellular Gb3 vesicular traffic.
Verotoxin internalization and retrograde transport to the Golgi/ER is mediated by Gb3 glycolipid.
Amphipathic Gb3 mimics can alter binding, trafficking, and cytotoxicity of verotoxins.
The lipid moiety of Gb3 analogues determines the trafficking of verotoxins.
Synthetic glycolipid analogues can function as membrane receptors to internalize bound ligand and subvert endogenous GSL traffic.
Mammalian glycosphingolipid (GSL) precursor monohexosylceramides are either glucosyl- or galactosylceramide (GlcCer or GalCer). Most GSLs derive from GlcCer. Substitution of the GSL fatty acid with ...adamantane generates amphipathic mimics of increased water solubility, retaining receptor function. We have synthesized adamantyl GlcCer (adaGlcCer) and adamantyl GalCer (adaGalCer). AdaGlcCer and adaGalCer partition into cells to alter GSL metabolism. At low dose, adaGlcCer increased cellular GSLs by inhibition of glucocerebrosidase (GCC). Recombinant GCC was inhibited at pH 7 but not pH 5. In contrast, adaGalCer stimulated GCC at pH 5 but not pH 7 and, like adaGlcCer, corrected N370S mutant GCC traffic from the endoplasmic reticulum to lysosomes. AdaGalCer reduced GlcCer levels in normal and lysosomal storage disease (LSD) cells. At 40 μm adaGlcCer, lactosylceramide (LacCer) synthase inhibition depleted LacCer (and more complex GSLs), such that only GlcCer remained. In Vero cell microsomes, 40 μm adaGlcCer was converted to adaLacCer, and LacCer synthesis was inhibited. AdaGlcCer is the first cell LacCer synthase inhibitor. At 40 μm adaGalCer, cell synthesis of only Gb3 and Gb4 was significantly reduced, and a novel product, adamantyl digalactosylceramide (adaGb2), was generated, indicating substrate competition for Gb3 synthase. AdaGalCer also inhibited cell sulfatide synthesis. Microsomal Gb3 synthesis was inhibited by adaGalCer. Metabolic labeling of Gb3 in Fabry LSD cells was selectively reduced by adaGalCer, and adaGb2 was produced. AdaGb2 in cells was 10-fold more effectively shed into the medium than the more polar Gb3, providing an easily eliminated “safety valve” alternative to Gb3 accumulation. Adamantyl monohexosyl ceramides thus provide new tools to selectively manipulate normal cellular GSL metabolism and reduce GSL accumulation in cells from LSD patients.
Several human histo-blood groups are glycosphingolipids, including P/P1/P(k). Glycosphingolipids are implicated in HIV-host-cell-fusion and some bind to HIV-gp120 in vitro. Based on our previous ...studies on Fabry disease, where P(k) accumulates and reduces infection, and a soluble P(k) analog that inhibits infection, we investigated cell surface-expressed P(k) in HIV infection. HIV-1 infection of peripheral blood-derived mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from otherwise healthy persons, with blood group P(1)(k), where P(k) is overexpressed, or blood group p, that completely lacks P(k), were compared with draw date-matched controls. Fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis and/or thin layer chromatography were used to verify P(k) levels. P(1)(k) PBMCs were highly resistant to R5 and X4 HIV-1 infection. In contrast, p PBMCs showed 10- to 1000-fold increased susceptibility to HIV-1 infection. Surface and total cell expression of P(k), but not CD4 or chemokine coreceptor expression, correlated with infection. P(k) liposome-fused cells and CD4(+) HeLa cells manipulated to express high or low P(k) levels confirmed a protective effect of P(k). We conclude that P(k) expression strongly influences susceptibility to HIV-1 infection, which implicates P(k) as a new endogenous cell-surface factor that may provide protection against HIV-1 infection.
Several human histo-blood groups are glycosphingolipids, including P/P1/Pk. Glycosphingolipids are implicated in HIV-host-cell-fusion and some bind to HIV-gp120 in vitro. Based on our previous ...studies on Fabry disease, where Pk accumulates and reduces infection, and a soluble Pk analog that inhibits infection, we investigated cell surface–expressed Pk in HIV infection. HIV-1 infection of peripheral blood–derived mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from otherwise healthy persons, with blood group P1k, where Pk is overexpressed, or blood group p, that completely lacks Pk, were compared with draw date–matched controls. Fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis and/or thin layer chromatography were used to verify Pk levels. P1k PBMCs were highly resistant to R5 and X4 HIV-1 infection. In contrast, p PBMCs showed 10- to 1000-fold increased susceptibility to HIV-1 infection. Surface and total cell expression of Pk, but not CD4 or chemokine coreceptor expression, correlated with infection. Pk liposome–fused cells and CD4+ HeLa cells manipulated to express high or low Pk levels confirmed a protective effect of Pk. We conclude that Pk expression strongly influences susceptibility to HIV-1 infection, which implicates Pk as a new endogenous cell-surface factor that may provide protection against HIV-1 infection.