Persistent (chronic) viral infections of humans afflict more than 500 million people. A diminished role for dendritic cell (DC) function in generating antiviral T and B lymphocytes, coupled with a functional loss (exhaustion, hyporesponsiveness) in antiviral T cells observed in persistent infections results in the inability of the host to remoe infected cells the factories harboring and producing virus. Although each virus has its own unique signature, the premiere experimental model for study, analysis and obtaining strategies to control persistent viral infections is lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection in it murine host. Use of this in vivo model provided the initial evidence that generation of negative regulators of the immune response like IL-10 and PD-1 that were responsible for suppressing the antiviral immune response leading to T cell exhaustion, events that were later and quickly extended to persistent human viral infections like HIV, HCV, and HBV. Our laboratory, with funds from this grant, provided the evidence for IL-10 and its production by DCs. IL- 10 is a key player in the establishment and maintenance of viral persistence as antibody neutralization of IL-10 receptor in vivo restores T cell function leading to purging of virus and elimination of the persistent infection. Utilizing reverse genetics we documented that only two amino acids in the LCMV variant Clone 13 decided if a persistent infection would occur in immunocompetent adult hosts compared to the original cloned LCMV source ARM 53b that does not persist. In the viral spike glycoprotein residue 260 (Cl 13/ARM: leu/phe) determines virus binding to its receptor, alpha-dystroglycan (?-DG) which is prominently displayed on DCs and is essential for viral entry. The second mutation in the polymerase gene (residue 1079 Cl 13/ARM: glu/lys) favors a 1.5 to 2 log higher replication in DCs, but not fibroblasts or other cells for LCMV possessing the Cl 13 polymerase gene. This grant proposes to uncover the molecular basis of how virus alters DC function and define how IL-10 causes persistence. Further, the grant also explores the exciting prospect of discovery and utilizing small molecule(s) that block both IL-10 and PD-1 as well as other negative regulators of the immune system induced by persisting viruses. We approach the problem of persistent infection by understanding the molecular and biologic mechanisms underlying virus/DC interactions and T cell exhaustion using the wealth of information, reagents and viruses we and others have generated. We plan to assay for potent, specific small molecules that can reverse the suppression of the virus-specific T cell response caused by both IL-10 and PD-1 thereby restoring antiviral immunity. We hypothesize that therapies for the treatment of viral persistence will result from the basic mechanistic and chemical discovery efforts currently underway. This proposal provides an integrated, multidisciplinary approach to evaluate the role of the virus, immune response and DC that already has proven its capabilities by defining novel mechanisms in viral pathogenesis and persistent viral infections.

Public Health Relevance

Persistent viral infections of humans (like HIV, HCV, and HBV) afflict more than 500 million people worldwide. A common thread in persistent viral infections is the functional loss (exhaustion/hypo- responsiveness) in activity of antiviral T and cells responsible for controlling and eliminating the infecting virus. Here we molecularly dissect the cause for the loss of antiviral T and B cell function and utilize a high output screen to obtai molecule(s) that will restore T and B cell function and hence terminate the persistent viral infection.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AI009484-45
Application #
8662124
Study Section
Virology - B Study Section (VIRB)
Program Officer
Park, Eun-Chung
Project Start
1977-09-01
Project End
2017-04-30
Budget Start
2014-05-01
Budget End
2015-04-30
Support Year
45
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Scripps Research Institute
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
La Jolla
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
92037
Oldstone, Michael B A; Ware, Brian C; Horton, Lucy E et al. (2018) Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus Clone 13 infection causes either persistence or acute death dependent on IFN-1, cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), and host genetics. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 115:E7814-E7823
Marro, Brett S; Ware, Brian C; Zak, Jaroslav et al. (2017) Progression of type 1 diabetes from the prediabetic stage is controlled by interferon-? signaling. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 114:3708-3713
Hastie, Kathryn M; Igonet, Sébastien; Sullivan, Brian M et al. (2016) Crystal structure of the prefusion surface glycoprotein of the prototypic arenavirus LCMV. Nat Struct Mol Biol 23:513-521
Teijaro, John R; Studer, Sean; Leaf, Nora et al. (2016) S1PR1-mediated IFNAR1 degradation modulates plasmacytoid dendritic cell interferon-? autoamplification. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 113:1351-6
Ng, Cherie T; Mendoza, Juan L; Garcia, K Christopher et al. (2016) Alpha and Beta Type 1 Interferon Signaling: Passage for Diverse Biologic Outcomes. Cell 164:349-52
Oldstone, Michael B A (2015) A Jekyll and Hyde Profile: Type 1 Interferon Signaling Plays a Prominent Role in the Initiation and Maintenance of a Persistent Virus Infection. J Infect Dis 212 Suppl 1:S31-6
Sullivan, Brian M; Teijaro, John R; de la Torre, Juan Carlos et al. (2015) Early virus-host interactions dictate the course of a persistent infection. PLoS Pathog 11:e1004588
Ng, Cherie T; Sullivan, Brian M; Teijaro, John R et al. (2015) Blockade of interferon Beta, but not interferon alpha, signaling controls persistent viral infection. Cell Host Microbe 17:653-61
Teijaro, John R; Walsh, Kevin B; Long, James P et al. (2014) Protection of ferrets from pulmonary injury due to H1N1 2009 influenza virus infection: immunopathology tractable by sphingosine-1-phosphate 1 receptor agonist therapy. Virology 452-453:152-7
Oldstone, Michael B A (2014) Molecular mimicry: its evolution from concept to mechanism as a cause of autoimmune diseases. Monoclon Antib Immunodiagn Immunother 33:158-65

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