Herpes simplex virus type (HSV-2) is a common causative agent of genital tract infections. Moreover, HSV-2 and HIV infection can mutually increase the risk of acquiring another virus infection. Due to the high GC content and highly repetitive regions in HSV-2 genomes, only the genomes of four strains have been completely sequenced (HG52, 333, SD90e, and MS).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFS100A8 and S100A9 are members of the Alarmin family; these proteins are abundantly expressed in neutrophils, form a heterodimer complex, and are secreted in plasma on pathogen infection or acute inflammatory diseases. Recently, both proteins were identified as novel biomarkers of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and were shown to play key roles in inducing an aggressive inflammatory response by mediating the release of large amounts of pro-inflammatory cytokines, called the "cytokine storm." Although co-infection with SARS-CoV-2 in people living with HIV-1 may result in an immunocompromised status, the role of the S100A8/A9 complex in HIV-1 replication in primary T cells and macrophages is still unclear.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWe have recently reported that a recombinant HIV-1NL4.3 containing Met-to-Ile change at codon 50 of integrase (IN) (IN:M50I) exhibits suppression of the virus release below 0.5% of WT HIV, and the released viral particles are replication-incompetent due to defects in Gag/GagPol processing by inhibition of the initiation of autoprocessing of GagPol polyproteins in the virions and leads to replication-incompetent viruses.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFS100A8 and S100A9 are members of the Alarmin family; these proteins are abundantly expressed in neutrophils and form a heterodimer complex. Recently, both proteins were identified as novel biomarkers of SARS-CoV-2 infection and were shown to play key roles in inducing an aggressive inflammatory response by mediating the release of large amounts of pro-inflammatory cytokines, called the "cytokine storm." Although co-infection with SARS-CoV-2 in people living with HIV-1 may result in an immunocompromised status, the role of the S100A8/A9 complex in HIV-1 replication in primary T cells and macrophages is still unclear.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInterleukin-27 (IL-27) is a pleiotropic cytokine that influences the innate and adaptive immune systems. It inhibits viral infection and regulates the expression of microRNAs (miRNAs). We recently reported that macrophages differentiated from human primary monocytes in the presence of IL-27 and human AB serum resisted human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and showed significant autophagy induction.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Acquir Immune Defic Syndr
March 2021
Objectives: Interleukin-27 (IL-27) is known as an anti-HIV cytokine. We have recently demonstrated that IL-27-pretreatment promotes phytohemagglutinin-stimulated CD4(+) T cells into HIV-1-resistant cells by inhibiting an uncoating step.
Purpose: To further characterize the function of the HIV resistant T cells, we investigated profiles of microRNA in the cells using microRNA sequencing (miRNA-seq) and assessed anti-HIV effect of the microRNAs.
Objectives: IL-27 is known as an antiviral cytokine that inhibits HIV, hepatitis C virus, and other viruses. We have previously demonstrated that, IL-27 posttreatment after HIV-infection inhibits viral replication in primary CD4 T cells.
Design: Here, we evaluated the anti-HIV effect of IL-27 pretreatment in CD4 T cells from healthy donors prior to HIV infection with HIVNL4.
Four isoforms of serine/threonine phosphatase type I, PP1α, PP1β, PP1γ1, and PP1γ2, are derived from three genes. The PP1γ1 and PP1γ2 isoforms are alternately spliced transcripts of the protein phosphatase 1 catalytic subunit gamma gene (Ppp1cc). While PP1γ1 is ubiquitous in somatic cells, PP1γ2 is expressed exclusively in testicular germ cells and sperm.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe serine/threonine protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) inhibitors PPP1R2, PPP1R7, and PPP1R11 are evolutionarily ancient and highly conserved proteins. Four PP1 isoforms, PP1α, PP1β, PP1γ1, and PP1γ2, exist; three of them except PP1γ2 are ubiquitous. The fact that PP1γ2 isoform is present only in mammalian testis and sperm led to the notion that isoform-specific regulators for PP1γ2 in sperm may be responsible for its function.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe multifaceted glycogen synthase kinase (GSK3) has an essential role in sperm and male fertility. Since cyclic AMP (cAMP) plays an important role in sperm function, we investigated whether GSK3 and cAMP pathways may be interrelated. We used GSK3 and soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC) knockout mice and pharmacological modulators to examine this relationship.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGlycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) is a highly conserved protein kinase regulating key cellular functions. Its two isoforms, GSK3α and GSK3β, are encoded by distinct genes. In most tissues the two isoforms are functionally interchangeable, except in the developing embryo where GSK3β is essential.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe signaling enzyme glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) exists as two isoforms-GSK3A and GSK3B. Protein phosphorylation by GSK3 has important signaling roles in several cells. In our past work, we found that both isoforms of GSK3 are present in mouse sperm and that catalytic GSK3 activity correlates with motility of sperm from several species.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInorganic copper, such as that in drinking water and copper supplements, largely bypasses the liver and enters the free copper pool of the blood directly and that promote immunosuppression. Nevertheless, the signaling pathways underlying copper-induced immune cell death remains largely unclear. According to our previous in vivo report, to evaluate the further details of the apoptotic mechanism, we have investigated how copper regulates apoptotic pathways in spleen and thymus.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCopper is an essential trace element for human physiological processes. To evaluate the potential adverse health impact/immunotoxicological effects of this metal in situ due to over exposure, Swiss albino mice were treated (via intraperitoneal injections) with copper (II) chloride (copper chloride) at doses of 0, 5, or 7.5 mg copper chloride/kg body weight (b.
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