1. |
- Reinert, Line S, et al.
(author)
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Brain immune cells undergo cGAS-STING-dependent apoptosis during herpes simplex virus type 1 infection.
- 2020
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In: The Journal of clinical investigation. - 1558-8238. ; 131:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Protection of the brain from viral infections involves the type I interferon (IFN-I) system, defects in which renders humans susceptible to herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE). However, excessive cerebral IFN-I levels leads to pathologies, suggesting the need for tight regulation of responses. Based on data from mouse models, human HSE cases, and primary cell culture systems, we here show that microglia and other immune cells undergo apoptosis in the HSV-1-infected brain through a mechanism dependent on the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) - stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway, but independent of IFN-I. HSV-1 infection of microglia induced cGAS-dependent apoptosis at high viral doses, while lower viral doses led to IFN-I responses. Importantly, inhibition of caspase activity prevented microglial cell death and augmented IFN-I responses. Accordingly, HSV-1-infected organotypic brain slices, or mice treated with caspase inhibitor, exhibited lower viral load and improved outcome of infection. Collectively, we identify an activation-induced apoptosis program in brain immune cells which down-modulates local immune responses.
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2. |
- Ren, Fanghui, et al.
(author)
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ER stress induces caspase-2-tBID-GSDMEdependent cell death in neurons lytically infected with herpes simplex virus type 2
- 2023
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In: EMBO JOURNAL. - 0261-4189 .- 1460-2075. ; 42:19
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Neurotropic viruses, including herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1 and 2, have the capacity to infect neurons and can cause severe diseases. This is associated with neuronal cell death, which may contribute to morbidity or even mortality if the infection is not controlled. However, the mechanistic details of HSV-induced neuronal cell death remain enigmatic. Here, we report that lytic HSV-2 infection of human neuron-like SH-SY5Y cells and primary human and murine brain cells leads to cell death mediated by gasdermin E (GSDME). HSV-2-induced GSDME-mediated cell death occurs downstream of replication-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress driven by inositol-requiring kinase 1 alpha (IRE1 alpha), leading to activation of caspase-2, cleavage of the pro-apoptotic protein BH3interacting domain death agonist (BID), and mitochondriadependent activation of caspase-3. Finally, necrotic neurons released alarmins, which activated inflammatory responses in human iPSC-derived microglia. In conclusion, lytic HSV infection in neurons activates an ER stress-driven pathway to execute GSDMEmediated cell death and promote inflammation.
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3. |
- Dai, Yao, et al.
(author)
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TMEFF1 is a neuron-specific restriction factor for herpes simplex virus
- 2024
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In: NATURE. - 0028-0836 .- 1476-4687. ; 632, s. 383-389
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The brain is highly sensitive to damage caused by infection and inflammation1,2. Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) is a neurotropic virus and the cause of herpes simplex encephalitis3. It is unknown whether neuron-specific antiviral factors control virus replication to prevent infection and excessive inflammatory responses, hence protecting the brain. Here we identify TMEFF1 as an HSV-1 restriction factor using genome-wide CRISPR screening. TMEFF1 is expressed specifically in neurons of the central nervous system and is not regulated by type I interferon, the best-known innate antiviral system controlling virus infections. Depletion of TMEFF1 in stem-cell-derived human neurons led to elevated viral replication and neuronal death following HSV-1 infection. TMEFF1 blocked the HSV-1 replication cycle at the level of viral entry through interactions with nectin-1 and non-muscle myosin heavy chains IIA and IIB, which are core proteins in virus-cell binding and virus-cell fusion, respectively4-6. Notably, Tmeff1-/- mice exhibited increased susceptibility to HSV-1 infection in the brain but not in the periphery. Within the brain, elevated viral load was observed specifically in neurons. Our study identifies TMEFF1 as a neuron-specific restriction factor essential for prevention of HSV-1 replication in the central nervous system. A study identifies TMEFF1 as a neuron-specific restriction factor essential for prevention of replication of herpes simplex virus type 1 in the central nervous system.
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