muramidase and cytidylyl-3--5--guanosine

The possible role of DNA methylation changes during several commitment steps of immature myeloid precursor cells toward functional, terminally differentiated phagocyte cells has previously been examined in the human myeloperoxidase (MPO) and macrophage colony-stimulating factor/c-fms genes using normal and transformed myeloid precursor cells. The human lysozyme (LZM) gene also provides a very useful model, because its protein synthesis is continuously increased during myelopoiesis and thus most abundant in mature phagocytes. Several shifts toward LZM gene demethylation coincide with upregulation of expression: activation of expression in myeloid precursor cells and in primary cells of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) was associated with demethylation at a CpG dinucleotide within the 5' flanking region; high-level expression in different types of normal mature phagocytic cells was associated with complete demethylation at two additional, intragenic CpG sites. Methylation changes occurring within the lysozyme gene could reflect transcriptional control of gene expression or maintenance of distinct maturation stages during phagocyte development. They correlate with maturational arrest and lysozyme gene expression in acute myeloid leukemias and may thus provide a genetic marker for the blocked differentiation of these neoplastic cells. Similar observations have been made for the MPO and c-fms genes.

Topics: Cytosine; Dinucleoside Phosphates; DNA Methylation; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Hematopoiesis; Hematopoietic Stem Cells; Humans; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute; Muramidase; Peroxidase; Phagocytes; Transcription, Genetic

CpG dinucleotides are suppressed in the genomes of many vertebrate RNA viruses, including HIV-1. The cellular antiviral protein ZAP (zinc finger antiviral protein) binds CpGs and inhibits HIV-1 replication when CpGs are introduced into the viral genome. However, it is not known if ZAP-mediated restriction is the only mechanism driving CpG suppression. To determine how CpG dinucleotides affect HIV-1 replication, we increased their abundance in multiple regions of the viral genome and analyzed the effect on RNA expression, protein abundance, and infectious-virus production. We found that the antiviral effect of CpGs was not correlated with their abundance. Interestingly, CpGs inserted into some regions of the genome sensitize the virus to ZAP antiviral activity more efficiently than insertions into other regions, and this sensitivity can be modulated by interferon treatment or ZAP overexpression. Furthermore, the sensitivity of the virus to endogenous ZAP was correlated with its sensitivity to the ZAP cofactor KHNYN. Finally, we show that CpGs in some contexts can also inhibit HIV-1 replication by ZAP-independent mechanisms, and one of these is the activation of a cryptic splice site at the expense of a canonical splice site. Overall, we show that the location and sequence context of the CpG in the viral genome determines its antiviral activity.

Topics: Dinucleoside Phosphates; Gene Expression Regulation, Viral; HEK293 Cells; HIV-1; Humans; Muramidase; Peptide Fragments; RNA-Binding Proteins; RNA, Viral; Virus Replication

Memory T cells survive throughout the lifetime of an individual and are protective upon recall. It is not clear how memory T cells can live so long. Here, we demonstrate that at the resolution of a viral infection, low levels of antigen are captured by B cells and presented to specific CD4(+) memory T cells to render a state of unresponsiveness. We demonstrate in two systems that this process occurs naturally during the fall of antigen and is associated with a global gene expression program initiated with the clearance of antigen. Our study suggests that in the absence of antigen, a state of dormancy associated with low-energy utilization and proliferation can help memory CD4(+) T cells to survive nearly throughout the lifetime of mice. The dormant CD4(+) memory T cells become activated by stimulatory signals generated by a subsequent infection. We propose that quiescence might be a mechanism necessary to regulate long-term survival of CD4 memory T cells and to prevent cross-reactivity to self, hence autoimmunity.

Topics: Animals; Antigen Presentation; B-Lymphocytes; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Cell Survival; Dinucleoside Phosphates; Gene Expression Profiling; Homeostasis; Immunologic Memory; Lymphocyte Activation; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, Transgenic; Muramidase; Ovalbumin; T-Lymphocyte Subsets; Vaccinia virus

Immunostimulatory CpG-DNA targeting TLR9 is one of the most extensively evaluated vaccine adjuvants. Previously, we found that a particular form of natural phosphodiester bond CpG-DNA (PO-ODN) encapsulated in a phosphatidyl-Β-oleoyl- γ-palmitoyl ethanolamine (DOPE) : cholesterol hemisuccinate (CHEMS) (1 : 1 ratio) complex (Lipoplex(O)) is a potent adjuvant. Complexes containing peptide and Lipoplex(O) are extremely useful for B cell epitope screening and antibody production without carriers. Here, we showed that IL-12 production was increased in bone marrow derived dendritic cells in a CpG sequence-dependent manner when PO-ODN was encapsulated in Lipoplex(O), DOTAP or lipofectamine. However, the effects of Lipoplex(O) surpassed those of PO-ODN encapsulated in DOTAP or lipofectamine and also other various forms of liposome-encapsulated CpG-DNA in terms of potency for protein antigen-specific IgG production and Th1- associated IgG2a production. Therefore, Lipoplex(O) may have a unique potent immunoadjuvant activity which can be useful for various applications involving protein antigens as well as peptides.

Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Animals; Cations; Dendritic Cells; Dinucleoside Phosphates; DNA; Esters; Immunoglobulin G; Interleukin-12; Liposomes; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Muramidase; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides; Ovalbumin; Th1 Cells

The mouse M-lysozyme downstream enhancer has been previously characterized on several levels of gene regulation. The enhancer was co-localized with a DNase I hypersensitive site in the chromatin of mature macrophages, the in vivo interaction of transcription factor GABP with the enhancer core (MLDE) demonstrated binding being restricted to mature macrophage cells, and analysis of the MLDE methylation state revealed a correlation between demethylation of CpG dinucleotides and the in vivo GABP binding. Here, we analyzed in detail the full-length enhancer in addition to the core element. We identified a total of nine binding sites for nuclear factors. Most of these factors are found ubiquitously in all cell types tested. These factors include several unknown proteins as well as the transcription factor NF-Y. In addition, three binding sites for a new single-stranded DNA binding protein were found. The presence of this factor in mature macrophages correlates with the in vivo DNA melting of one of the binding sites and with the enhancer strength.

Topics: Animals; Base Sequence; Chromatin; Deoxyribonuclease I; Dinucleoside Phosphates; DNA Footprinting; DNA-Binding Proteins; DNA, Single-Stranded; Enhancer Elements, Genetic; GA-Binding Protein Transcription Factor; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; Isoenzymes; Macrophages; Mice; Molecular Sequence Data; Muramidase; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides; Recombinant Proteins; Sequence Deletion; Transcription Factors; Transfection