Reovirus Double-stranded RNA Research Articles

Oncolytic reovirus induces ovarian cancer cell apoptosis in a TLR3-dependent manner

Globally, ovarian cancer is the seventh most common cancer and the eighth-most common cause of cancer death among women with a five-year survival rate of less than 45%. Although reovirus is known to be effective for treating ovarian cancer, some types of tumor cells still exhibit resistance to reovirus. In order to solve this resistance problem in the treatment of ovarian cancer, we selected the reovirus-resistant OV-90 ovarian cancer cells to study reovirus oncolytic effects. We found that the viability of OV-90 cells decreased after reovirus double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) genome transfection. Interestingly, we observed that chemical blockage of the Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3)-dsRNA binding complex in OV-90 cells and the inhibition of downstream TLR3 signaling disrupted OV-90 apoptosis triggered by reovirus dsRNA. Together, these results demonstrate that reovirus dsRNA induces reovirus-resistant tumor cell apoptosis through the TLR3 signaling pathway.

Reovirus double-stranded RNA genomes and polyI:C induce down-regulation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α

Reovirus has genomes consisting of 10-segmented double-stranded RNAs, and have received much attention as an oncolytic virus. A previous study reported that reovirus down-regulates hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) protein levels following infection in tumor cells, which contributes to the antitumor effects of reovirus; however, the mechanism remains to be elucidated. In this study, we examined which virus component was involved in reovirus-mediated down-regulation of HIF-1α. Reovirus induced significant down-regulation of HIF-1α protein levels in not only reovirus-permissive tumor cells but also reovirus–resistant tumor cells. UV-inactivated reovirus also induced a reduction in HIF-1α protein levels. These data indicate that reovirus induces HIF-1α down-regulation independently of virus replication. Furthermore, transfection with not only reovirus genomes but also polyI:C efficiently induced HIF-1α down-regulation in a manner similar to reovirus, indicating that double-stranded reovirus RNA genomes are a key component for HIF-1α down-regulation. Reovirus-mediated HIF-1α down-regulation was inhibited when tumor cells were pretreated with inhibitors of cathepsins B and L, which play a crucial role in endo-lysosomal escape of virions to the cytoplasm. These data suggest that endo-lysosomal escape of reovirus genome into the cytoplasm is crucial for HIF-1α down-regulation; however, the retinoic acid-inducible gene-I (RIG-I) or interferon-β promoter stimulator-1 (IPS-1), which are involved in reovirus genome-induced innate immunity in the cytoplasm, did not play a crucial role in reovirus-mediated HIF-1α reduction.

Nucleic Acid Affinity Chromatography: Preparation and Characterization of Double-Stranded RNA Agarose

An improved method for the preparation of a double-stranded RNA-coupled resin is described. Periodate-oxidized double-stranded RNA, in the form of either purified reovirus double-stranded RNA or poly(rl)·poly(rC), was covalently attached to agarose-adipic acid hydrazide. The resulting affinity resin had increased specificity for known double-stranded RNA binding proteins, as compared to a similar commercially available resin. The application of this resin in the purification and characterization of double-stranded RNA binding proteins is described.

Reovirus type 3 genome segment S4: nucleotide sequence of the gene encoding a major virion surface protein.

A full-length cDNA copy of reovirus double-stranded RNA genome segment S4 which codes for a major virion structural polypeptide, sigma 3, has been completely sequenced. The 1,196-nucleotide cDNA contains a single long open reading frame in the plus strand extending 1,095 nucleotides from the 5'-proximal A-T-G to a single stop codon. This corresponds to translation of 92% of the S4 gene. The inferred sigma 3 polypeptide is hydrophilic and consists of 365 amino acids, totalling 41,164 daltons.

Mechanism of interferon action. Effect of double-stranded RNA and the 5'-O-monophosphate form of 2',5'-oligoadenylate on the inhibition of reovirus mRNA translation in vitro.

The effect of reovirus double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) and 5'-O-monophosphate form of 2',5'-oligoadenylate (pA(2'p5'A)2) on the translation and degradation of reovirus messenger RNA and on protein phosphorylation was examined in extracts prepared from interferon-treated mouse L fibroblasts. The following results were obtained. 1) The enhanced degradation of reovirus [3H]mRNA observed in the presence of either dsRNA or the 5'-O-triphosphate form of 2',5'-oligoadenylate (pppA(2'p5'A)3) was completely blocked by pA(2'p5'A)2. 2) The dsRNA-dependent phosphorylation of protein P1 and the alpha subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF-2) depended in a similar manner upon the concentration of dsRNA and was optimal at low dsRNA concentrations (0.1 to 1 microgram/ml). However, high concentrations of dsRNA (greater than 100 micrograms/ml) drastically reduced the phosphorylation of both P1 and eIF-2 alpha. Neither P1 nor eIF-2 alpha phosphorylation was affected by either pA(2'p5'A)2 or pppA(2'p5'A)3. 3) The translation of reovirus mRNA in vitro was inhibited by the addition of either low concentrations of dsRNA or pppA(2'p5'A)3. Whereas pA(2'p5'A)2 completely reversed the pppA(2'p5'A)3-mediated inhibition of translation, the inhibition mediated by low concentrations of dsRNA was only partially reversed by pA(2'p5'A)2. Under conditions where the pppA-(2'p5'A)3mediated degradation of reovirus mRNA was blocked, the translation of reovirus mRNA was still inhibited by low but not by high concentrations of dsRNA in a manner that correlated with the activation of P1 and eIF-2 alpha phosphorylation. These results suggest that the pppA(2'p5'A)n-dependent ribonuclease is not required and that protein phosphorylation may indeed be sufficient for the dsRNA-dependent inhibition of reovirus mRNA translation in cell-free systems derived from interferon-treated mouse fibroblasts.

Synthesis of (2'-5')(A)n from ATP. Characteristics of the reaction catalyzed by (2'-5')(A)n synthetase purified from mouse Ehrlich ascites tumor cells treated with interferon.

The treatment of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells with mouse interferon increases the level of the latent enzyme (2'-5')(A)n synthetase. If activated by double-stranded RNA, this catalyzes the synthesis from ATP of a series of 2'-5'-oligoadenylates: (2'-5')(A)n where n extends from 2 to about 15. We isolated (2'-5')(A)n synthetase in a homogeneous state. In the presence of double-stranded RNA, the purified enzyme can convert the large majority (about 97%) of the ATP into (2'-5')(A)n and pyrophosphate, although it does not cleave the pyrophosphate. The stoichiometry of the reaction can be formulated as: (n + I) ATP leads to (2'-5') pppA(pA)n + n pyrophosphate. Added pyrophosphate does not inhibit the synthesis of (2'-5')(A)n. The extent of the reverse reaction, i.e. the pyrophosphorolysis of (2'-5')(A)n, was below the level of detection under our conditions. The affinity of the enzyme for ATP is low: the rate of the reaction increases by about 10% when the concentration of ATP is increased from 5 mM to 10 mM. The optimal concentration of double-stranded RNA increases with the concentration of the enzyme. As tested at 0.4, 2, and 10 micrograms/ml of enzyme concentrations, close to maximal (2'-5')(A)n synthesis can be obtained if reovirus double-stranded RNA or poly(I) . poly(C) are used at about half the concentration (in w/v) of the enzyme. The plot of the reaction rate versus enzyme concentration is sigmoidal. It remains to be seen if this reflects on a cooperative behavior of the enzyme.

The action of ribonuclease T 1 on reovirus double-stranded RNA

A small number of nucleotides are released from highly purified reovirus double-stranded RNA by ribonuclease T 1 in the presence of 0.3 m NaCl. These nucleotides include ppGp, which is quantitatively released from the RNA, and lesser amounts of ApUpGp, Gp, and ApGp. The same products are released from each of the three size classes of double-stranded RNA segments. In experiments involving specific labeling of termini, the only demonstrable sites of hydrolysis were at the 5′ termini of the minus strands. The limited extent of ribonuclease T 1 hydrolysis and localization of its action at the 5′ termini of the minus strands are compatible with a perfect duplex structure for the double-stranded RNA segments wherein the secondary structure of the termini is less stable than that of internal regions.

The kinetics of pancreatic ribonuclease reaction with alkaline and acidic forms of poly A

The RNase hydrolysis of random-coil (alkaline form) poly A follows biphasic kinetics at low salt concentrations. However, its resistance to RNase increases with the ionic strength. Helical (acidic form) poly A is alos susceptible to RNase but its hydrolysis follows first-order kinetics, and its resistance increases as the pH is lowered. These conformation-dependent kinetics of poly A hydrolysis are similar to those obtained in the hydrolysis of cellular RNA and reovirus double-stranded RNA.

Sensitive methods for the detection and characterization of double helical ribonucleic acid

We have evaluated three methods which respond specifically to stable RNA-RNA duplexes and have compared their utility for examining several sorts of nucleic acids. We find that these methods, stepwise chromatography on Whatman CF11-cellulose; digestion with Escherichia coli RNase III; and specific inhibition of globin synthesis in vitro in rabbit reticulocyte lysates, are able to distinguish between stable double-stranded RNA and single-stranded RNA in the expected manner. The most sensitive method, inhibition of globin synthesis, responds to double-stranded RNA concentrations below 0.1 ng per ml. We have used the predominantly single-stranded RNA from several RNA bacteriophages of E. coli to test both the sensitivity and selectivity of these methods. The three viral RNAs tested contain low levels of double-stranded RNA which can be readily removed, leaving RNA which is not recognized as double-stranded RNA, despite indications from physical and sequencing studies that secondary structure is present. In particular, a potential hairpir loop of known sequence has been isolated from phage f2 RNA. Its properties were found to depart significantly from those of RNA-RNA duplexes by those two of our three methods capable of testing RNA of this size. Analysis of two eukaryotic mRNA populations by these methods was complicated by the presence of poly(A). Synthetic poly(A) chromatographs like double-stranded RNA on cellulose CF11 columns, and we could distinguish it from reovirus double-stranded RNA only at elevated temperatures.

The 5'-terminal nucleotide sequences of the double-stranded RNA of human reovirus.

The 5'-terminal nucleotide sequences of human reovirus double-stranded RNA were determined after labeling the RNA with [(32)P]phosphate by polynucleotide kinase. The 5' terminal were labeled to only a limited extent prior to sequential oxidation, beta-elimination, and phosphomonoesterase treatment, indicating that the terminal phosphates were in a modified, blocked configuration. Each genome segment, after removing the blocking group, contained the same two 5'-terminal sequences: GpApUp in one chain and G(*)pCp in the other. G(*)p is a derivative of guanylic acid, probably 2'-O-methyl-Gp, which renders the 5'-terminal sequence resistant to hydrolysis by alkali. The results indicate that the transcription of reovirus double-stranded RNA strats from the 3' end complementary to the G(*)pCp-terminal, resulting in the synthesis of single-stranded mRNA carrying the same 5' sequence as the G(*)pCp-chain. The presence of a modified nucleotide at the 5' terminus of the strand complementary to the mRNA template is a feature common to another double-stranded RNA virus, cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus.

In vitro synthesis of reovirus genomic segments.

Using a method for labeling RNA with heavy nucleoside 5′-triphosphates, it was observed that the large particulate fraction isolated from reovirus-infected cells mediated iv vitro the synthesis of the three size classes of reovirus double-stranded RNA segments by elongating and terminating minus strand RNA whose synthesis had been initiated in the infected cells. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that each segment of reovirus plus strand template has an individual initiation site for the synthesis of minus strand RNA.

The effect of poly-L-lysine on the uptake of reovirus double-stranded RNA in macrophages in vitro.

The effect of polycations on cultured mouse peitoneal macrophages has been examined. Polycations, at concentrations greater than 5 microg/ml, are toxic for macrophages) as measured by failure of the cells to exclude vital dyes. At toxic concentrations polycations bind in large amounts to nuclei and endoplasmic reticulum, while at nontoxic levels polycations bind selectively to the cell surface. Nontoxic concentrations of polycations stimulate binding of reovirus double-stranded (ds) RNA to the macrophages by forming polycation-dsRNA complexes either in the medium or at the cell surface. These complexes enter the cell in endocytic vacuoles and are concentrated in secondary lysosomes. Despite exposure to the acid hydrolases within this cell compartment, the dsRNA and the polycation (poly-L-lysine) are conserved in a macromolecular form within the vacuolar system. The mechanism(s) by which the uptake of infectious nucleic acids and the induction of interferon by dsRNA are stimulated by polycations are discussed.

Synthesis of reovirus double-stranded RNA within virionlike particles

The enzyme responsible for the synthesis of reovirus double-stranded RNA (SS → DS RNA polymerase) and its double-stranded RNA product synthesized in vitro were investigated. They were studied by determining (1) the sedimentation pattern of SS → DS RNA polymerase in cesium chloride and sucrose density gradients; (2) the sedimentation pattern of the SS → DS RNA polymerase product under nondenaturing conditions in CsCl and sucrose density gradients and (3) the response of SS → DS RNA polymerase activity and its nondenatured product to treatment with chymotrypsin. SS → DS RNA polymerase activity is associated with particles which sediment in sucrose density gradients slightly slower than virions, have a density in CsCl of 1.34 g/ml as compared with 1.36 g/ml for virions and which are converted to particles with a density of 1.43 g/ml in CsCl after treatment with chymotrypsin. Double-stranded RNA synthesized by these particles in vitro is not released but remains associated with them. These results suggest that double-stranded RNA is synthesized in a viruslike particle consisting of a corelike structure to the outside of which additional protein molecules are attached.

IMMUNE CELL COOPERATION, VIRUSES, AND ANTIBODIES TO NUCLEIC ACIDS IN NEW ZEALAND MICE

The development of autoimmunity in New Zealand mice is related to genetic, immunologic, and viral factors. Evidence is presented to suggest that thymus-dependent immune functions may be depressed and bone marrow-dependent functions augmented in these mice. Antibodies to RNA and DNA appear spontaneously and can also be induced by treatment with rI·rC. Antibodies binding rI·rC-14C in human lupus sera, in NZB/NZW F1 (B/W) mice developing lupus, and in NZB, ALN, and ALN/NZB mice have greatest specificity for reovirus double-stranded RNA. Treatment of B/W mice with RNA and cyclophosphamide induces immunologic tolerance, and suppresses antibodies binding rI·rC-14C. During recovery, the specificity of the antibodies is unaltered. Induction of tolerance in this way prevents the accelerated formation of anti-RNA antibodies normally induced by MLV. This finding suggests that virus-accelerated and natural disease occur through a similar mechanism, and supports the hypothesis that viruses may act as antigenic stimuli for a genetically hyper-responsive antibody-producing system.

Immune Cell Function, Viruses and Autoimmunity in New Zealand Mice

Abstract The development of autoimmunity in New Zealand mice is related to genetic, immunologic and viral factors. Evidence was presented to suggest that thymus-dependent immune functions may be depressed and bone marrow-dependent functions augmented in these mice. Antibodies to RNA and DNA appear spontaneously and can also be induced by treatment with polyinosinic·polycytidylic acid (rI·rC). Antibodies binding 14C-rI·rC in human lupus sera and in New Zealand mice developing lupus have greatest specificity for reovirus double-stranded RNA. Treatment of New Zealand mice with RNA and cyclophosphamide induces immunologic tolerance and suppresses antibodies binding 14C-rI·rC. Induction of tolerance in this way prevents the accelerated formation of anti-RNA antibodies normally induced by Moloney leukemia virus. This finding suggests that virus-accelerated and natural disease occur through a similar mechanism, and supports the hypothesis that common viruses may act as an antigenic stimuli for a genetically hyper-responsive antibody-producing system.