Simian virus 40 (SV40) is a monkey virus with tumorigenic potential in rodents and is associated with several types of human cancers, including lymphomas. A related Merkel cell polyomavirus causes carcinoma in humans by expressing truncated large tumor antigen (LT), with truncations caused by APOBEC family of cytidine deaminase-induced mutations. AID (activation-induced cytidine deaminase), a member of the APOBEC family, is the initiator of the antibody diversification process known as somatic hypermutation and its aberrant expression and targeting is a frequent source of lymphomagenesis. In this study, we investigated whether AID could cause mutations in SV40 LT. We demonstrate that the SV40 enhancer has strong somatic hypermutation targeting activity in several cell types and that AID-induced mutations accumulate in SV40 LT in B cells and kidney cells and cause truncated LT expression in B cells. Our results argue that the ability of the SV40 enhancer to target somatic hypermutation to LT is a potential source of LT truncation events that could contribute to tumorigenesis in various cell types, thereby linking SV40 infection with malignant development through a novel mutagenic pathway.

• Klíčová slova
• AID, Enhancer, Large tumor antigen, SV40, Somatic hypermutation, Tumorigenesis,
• MeSH
• AICDA (aktivací indukovaná cytidindeamináza) MeSH
• antigeny transformující polyomavirové genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• antigeny virové nádorové genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• B-lymfocyty virologie   metabolismus   imunologie   MeSH
• buněčné linie MeSH
• cytidindeaminasa * genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• infekce onkogenními viry genetika   virologie   MeSH
• karcinogeneze genetika   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mutace MeSH
• opičí virus SV40 * genetika   MeSH
• polyomavirové infekce genetika   virologie   MeSH
• somatická hypermutace imunoglobulinových genů genetika   MeSH
• zesilovače transkripce * genetika   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• AICDA (aktivací indukovaná cytidindeamináza) MeSH
• antigeny transformující polyomavirové MeSH
• antigeny virové nádorové MeSH
• cytidindeaminasa * MeSH

The nuclear lamina is a dense network of intermediate filaments beneath the inner nuclear membrane. Composed of A-type lamins (lamin A/C) and B-type lamins (lamins B1 and B2), the nuclear lamina provides a scaffold for the nuclear envelope and chromatin, thereby maintaining the structural integrity of the nucleus. A-type lamins are also found inside the nucleus where they interact with chromatin and participate in gene regulation. Viruses replicating in the cell nucleus have to overcome the nuclear envelope during the initial phase of infection and during the nuclear egress of viral progeny. Here, we focused on the role of lamins in the replication cycle of a dsDNA virus, mouse polyomavirus. We detected accumulation of the major capsid protein VP1 at the nuclear periphery, defects in nuclear lamina staining and different lamin A/C phosphorylation patterns in the late phase of mouse polyomavirus infection, but the nuclear envelope remained intact. An absence of lamin A/C did not affect the formation of replication complexes but did slow virus propagation. Based on our findings, we propose that the nuclear lamina is a scaffold for replication complex formation and that lamin A/C has a crucial role in the early phases of infection with mouse polyomavirus.

• Klíčová slova
• VP1, lamin A/C, lamin B, mouse polyomavirus, viral replication centres,
• MeSH
• buněčné jádro metabolismus   virologie   MeSH
• fosforylace MeSH
• infekce onkogenními viry virologie   patologie   metabolismus   genetika   MeSH
• jaderná lamina * metabolismus   virologie   MeSH
• jaderný obal metabolismus   virologie   MeSH
• lamin typ A * metabolismus   genetika   MeSH
• lamin typ B metabolismus   genetika   MeSH
• myši MeSH
• polyomavirové infekce * virologie   metabolismus   genetika   patologie   MeSH
• Polyomavirus * genetika   patogenita   fyziologie   MeSH
• replikace viru * MeSH
• virové plášťové proteiny metabolismus   genetika   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• myši MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• lamin typ A * MeSH
• lamin typ B MeSH
• virové plášťové proteiny MeSH
• VP1 protein, polyomavirus MeSH Prohlížeč

BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) infection in humans is usually asymptomatic but ultimately results in viral persistence. In immunocompromised hosts, virus reactivation can lead to nephropathy or hemorrhagic cystitis. The urinary tract serves as a silent reservoir for the virus. Recently, it has been demonstrated that human bladder microvascular endothelial cells (HBMVECs) serve as viral reservoirs, given their unique response to infection, which involves interferon (IFN) production. The aim of the present study was to better understand the life cycle of BKPyV in HBMVECs, uncover the molecular pathway leading to IFN production, and to identify the connection between the viral life cycle and the activation of the IFN response. Here, in the early stage of infection, BKPyV virions were found in internalized monopinocytic vesicles, while later they were detected in late endosomes, lysosomes, tubuloreticular structures, and vacuole-like vesicles. The production of viral progeny in these cells started at 36 h postinfection. Increased cell membrane permeability and peaks of virion release coincided with the leakage of viral and cellular DNA into the cytosol at approximately 60 h postinfection. Leaked DNA colocalized with and activated cGAS, leading to the activation of STING and the consequent transcription of IFNB and IFN-related genes; in contrast, the IFN response was attenuated by exposure to the cGAS inhibitor, G140. These findings highlight the importance of the cGAS-STING pathway in the innate immune response of HBMVECs to BKPyV.

• Klíčová slova
• BK polyomavirus, BKPyV reservoir cells, STING, cGAS, interferon response,
• MeSH
• endoteliální buňky * virologie   MeSH
• interferony metabolismus   MeSH
• kultivované buňky MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• membránové proteiny metabolismus   genetika   MeSH
• močový měchýř * virologie   MeSH
• nukleotidyltransferasy metabolismus   genetika   MeSH
• polyomavirové infekce virologie   imunologie   MeSH
• replikace viru MeSH
• signální transdukce * MeSH
• virion MeSH
• virus BK * fyziologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• cGAS protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• interferony MeSH
• membránové proteiny MeSH
• nukleotidyltransferasy MeSH
• STING1 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč

BK virus (BKPyV) is a causative agent of BKPyV-associated nephropathy and graft rejections in kidney transplant patients. It establishes persistent infection in the kidneys, which can lead to reactivation in an immunosuppressed state or transmission to kidney recipients. Complications in the case of donor-derived infections can be caused by differences between the four known BKPyV subtypes, as prior infection with one subtype does not guarantee protection against de novo infection with other subtypes. The recipient and donor pretransplant serotyping is not routinely performed since simple ELISA tests employing antigens derived from the major viral capsid protein 1 (VP1) are hindered by the high cross-reactivity of anti-VP1 antibodies against all subtypes. Identifying subtype-specific epitopes in VP1 could lead to the design of specific antigens and the improvement of serodiagnostics for kidney transplantation. We aimed to study the surface residues responsible for the interactions with the subtype-specific antibodies by focusing on the DE and EF loops of VP1, which have only a small number of distinct amino acid differences between the most common subtypes, BKPyV-I and BKPyV-IV. We designed two mutant virus-like particles (VLPs): we introduced BKPyV-I characteristic amino acid residues (either H139N in the DE loop or D175E and I178V changes in the EF loop) into the base sequence of a BKPyV-IV VP1. This way, we created BKPyV-IV mutant VLPs with the sequence of either the BKPyV-I DE loop or the BKPyV-I EF loop. These mutants were then used as competing antigens in an antigen competition assay with a panel of patient sera, and changes in antibody reactivity were assessed by ELISA. We found that the changes introduced into the BKPyV-IV VP1 EF loop restrict antibody recognition in most samples and that converting the BKPyV-IV DE loop into its BKPyV-I equivalent attracts anti-VP1 BKPyV-I antibodies. Although our results did not lead to the discovery of a subtype-specific epitope on the VP1, they suggested that the arrangement of the EF loop in VP1 might dictate the mode of interaction between virus and anti-VP1 antibodies in general and that the interactions between the antibodies and the viral capsid might be very complex. Consequently, an antigen competition assay as an assay to distinguish between BKPyV serotypes might prove difficult to interpret.

• Klíčová slova
• BKPyV, BKPyV serostatus, BKPyV virus serology, Kidney transplantation, Polyomavirus BK, Virus-like particles,
• MeSH
• ELISA MeSH
• ledviny MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nemoci ledvin * MeSH
• sérotypizace MeSH
• transplantace ledvin * MeSH
• virus BK * MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

BACKGROUND: The proportion of Merkel cell carcinomas (MCCs) in solid-organ transplant recipients (SOTR) harbouring Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) is unknown, as are factors affecting their outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To describe clinicopathological features of MCC in SOTR, investigate the tumoral MCPyV-status and identify factors associated with tumour outcomes. METHODS: Retrospective, international, cohort-study. MCPyV-status was investigated by immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: A total of 30 SOTR and 44 consecutive immunocompetent patients with MCC were enrolled. SOTR were younger at diagnosis (69 vs. 78 years, P < 0.001). Thirty-three percent of SOTR MCCs were MCPyV-positive vs. 91% of immunocompetent MCCs (P = 0.001). Solid-organ transplantation was associated with an increased cumulative incidence of progression (SHR: 3.35 [1.57-7.14], P = 0.002), MCC-specific mortality (SHR: 2.55 [1.07-6.06], P = 0.034) and overall mortality (HR: 3.26 [1.54-6.9], P = 0.002). MCPyV-positivity and switching to an mTOR inhibitor (mTORi) after MCC diagnosis were associated with an increased incidence of progression (SHR: 4.3 [1.5-13], P = 0.008 and SHR: 3.6 [1.1-12], P = 0.032 respectively) in SOTR. LIMITATIONS: Retrospective design and heterogeneity of SOTR cohort. CONCLUSIONS: MCPyV appears to play a less prominent role in the aetiopathogenesis of MCC in SOTR. SOTR have a worse prognosis than their immunocompetent counterparts and switching to an mTORi after the diagnosis of MCC does not improve progression.

• MeSH
• infekce onkogenními viry * komplikace   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• Merkelův nádor * patologie   MeSH
• Merkelův polyomavirus * MeSH
• nádory kůže * patologie   MeSH
• polyomavirové infekce * MeSH
• retrospektivní studie MeSH
• TOR serin-threoninkinasy MeSH
• transplantace orgánů * škodlivé účinky   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• multicentrická studie MeSH
• Názvy látek
• TOR serin-threoninkinasy MeSH

BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) often reactivates after kidney transplantation, causing BKPyV-associated nephropathy (BKPyVAN) in 1%-10% of cases with a potential detrimental effect on allograft survival. Kidney transplant recipients are regularly screened for BKPyV DNA in plasma. As this strategy may not always reduce the risk of BKPyVAN, other predictive markers are needed. To evaluate the role of pretransplant BKPyV-specific antibody, 210 kidney transplant recipients and 130 donors were screened for BKPyV DNA and BKPyV-specific antibodies. We found that the donor BKPyV immunoglobulin G (IgG) seroprevalence and antibody level were strongly associated with BKPyV-DNAemia and BKPyVAN, although multivariant analysis found the presence of anti-BKPyV-specific antibodies as a predictive factor only for BKPyV-DNAemia. The pretransplant recipient status had no effect on posttransplant BKPyV-DNAemia and BKVAN. BKPyV IgG levels remained stable in BKPyV-negative recipients during 1-year follow-up, while a considerable increase was observed in BKPyV-positive patients. The presence of anti-BKPyV-specific antibodies in kidney allograft donors is a good and reliable predictive marker for posttransplant BKPyV replication with relevance to risk stratification in transplant recipients.

• Klíčová slova
• BK polyomavirus (BKPyV), BKPyV-associated nephropathy, kidney transplantation, seroprevalence, seroreactivity,
• MeSH
• imunoglobulin G MeSH
• intersticiální nefritida * komplikace   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• polyomavirové infekce * MeSH
• séroepidemiologické studie MeSH
• transplantace ledvin * škodlivé účinky   MeSH
• virus BK * MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• imunoglobulin G MeSH

DNA virus infections are often lifelong and can cause serious diseases in their hosts. Their recognition by the sensors of the innate immune system represents the front line of host defence. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of innate immunity responses is an important prerequisite for the design of effective antivirotics. This review focuses on the present state of knowledge surrounding the mechanisms of viral DNA genome sensing and the main induced pathways of innate immunity responses. The studies that have been performed to date indicate that herpesviruses, adenoviruses, and polyomaviruses are sensed by various DNA sensors. In non-immune cells, STING pathways have been shown to be activated by cGAS, IFI16, DDX41, or DNA-PK. The activation of TLR9 has mainly been described in pDCs and in other immune cells. Importantly, studies on herpesviruses have unveiled novel participants (BRCA1, H2B, or DNA-PK) in the IFI16 sensing pathway. Polyomavirus studies have revealed that, in addition to viral DNA, micronuclei are released into the cytosol due to genotoxic stress. Papillomaviruses, HBV, and HIV have been shown to evade DNA sensing by sophisticated intracellular trafficking, unique cell tropism, and viral or cellular protein actions that prevent or block DNA sensing. Further research is required to fully understand the interplay between viruses and DNA sensors.

• Klíčová slova
• DNA sensing, DNA viruses, IFI16, IFN, STING, TLR9, cGAS, inflammasome, innate immunity, p204/Ifi-204,
• MeSH
• DNA virů metabolismus   MeSH
• Herpesviridae * genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• infekce DNA virem * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• Polyomavirus * genetika   MeSH
• přirozená imunita MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• DNA virů MeSH

All renal transplant recipients should undergo a regular screening for BK viral (BKV) viremia. Gradual reduction of immunosuppression is recommended in patients with persistent plasma BKV viremia for 3 weeks after the first detection, reflecting the presence of probable or suspected BKV-associated nephropathy. Reduction of immunosuppression is also a primary intervention in biopsy proven nephropathy associated with BKV (BKVN). Thus, allograft biopsy is not required to treat patients with BKV viremia with stabilized graft function. There is a lack of proper randomised clinical trials recommending treatment in the form of switching from tacrolimus to cyclosporin-A, from mycophenolate to mTOR inhibitors or leflunomide, or the additive use of intravenous immunoglobulins, leflunomide or cidofovir. Fluoroquinolones are not recommended for prophylaxis or therapy. There are on-going studies to evaluate the possibility of using a multi-epitope anti-BKV vaccine, administration of BKV-specific T cell immunotherapy, BKV-specific human monoclonal antibody and RNA antisense oligonucleotides. Retransplantation after allograft loss due to BKVN can be successful if BKV viremia is definitively removed, regardless of allograft nephrectomy.

• Klíčová slova
• BK virus nephropathy, BK virus vaccine, BK virus-specific T-cell immunotherapy, RNA antisense oligonucleotides, immunosuppressive therapy, kidney transplantation, monoclonal anti-BK virus antibodies,
• MeSH
• imunosupresiva terapeutické užití   MeSH
• leflunomid terapeutické užití   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nemoci ledvin * farmakoterapie   MeSH
• polyomavirové infekce * diagnóza   farmakoterapie   MeSH
• transplantace ledvin * MeSH
• viremie diagnóza   farmakoterapie   MeSH
• virus BK * genetika   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• imunosupresiva MeSH
• leflunomid MeSH

BACKGROUND: BK nephropathy (BKN) in kidney transplants diagnosed by histology is challenging because it involves damage from both virus activity and cognate T cell-mediated inflammation, directed against alloantigens (rejection) or viral antigens. The present study of indication biopsies from the Integrated Diagnostic System in the International Collaborative Microarray Study Extension study measured major capsid viral protein 2 (VP2) mRNA to assess virus activity and a T cell-mediated rejection (TCMR) classifier to assess cognate T cell-mediated inflammation. METHODS: Biopsies were assessed by local standard-of-care histology and by genome-wide microarrays and Molecular Microscope Diagnostic System (MMDx) algorithms to detect rejection and injury. In a subset of 102 biopsies (50 BKN and 52 BKN-negative biopsies with various abnormalities), we measured VP2 transcripts by real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: BKN was diagnosed in 55 of 1679 biopsies; 30 had cognate T cell-mediated activity assessed by by MMDx and TCMR lesions, but only 3 of 30 were histologically diagnosed as TCMR. We developed a BKN probability classifier that predicted histologic BKN (area under the curve = 0.82). Virus activity (VP2 expression) was highly selective for BKN (area under the curve = 0.94) and correlated with acute injury, atrophy-fibrosis, macrophage activation, and the BKN classifier, but not with the TCMR classifier. BKN with molecular TCMR had more tubulitis and inflammation than BKN without molecular TCMR. In 5 BKN cases with second biopsies, VP2 mRNA decreased in second biopsies, whereas in 4 of 5 TCMR classifiers, scores increased. Genes and pathways associated with BKN and VP2 mRNA were similar, reflecting injury, inflammation, and macrophage activation but none was selective for BKN. CONCLUSIONS: Risk-benefit decisions in BKN may be assisted by quantitative assessment of the 2 major pathologic processes, virus activity and cognate T cell-mediated inflammation.

• MeSH
• biopsie MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• Polyomavirus * MeSH
• rejekce štěpu MeSH
• T-lymfocyty MeSH
• transplantace ledvin * škodlivé účinky   MeSH
• zánět diagnóza   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

The mechanism by which DNA viruses interact with different DNA sensors and their connection with the activation of interferon (IFN) type I pathway are poorly understood. We investigated the roles of protein 204 (p204) and cyclic guanosine-adenosine synthetase (cGAS) sensors during infection with mouse polyomavirus (MPyV). The phosphorylation of IFN regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) and the stimulator of IFN genes (STING) proteins and the upregulation of IFN beta (IFN-β) and MX Dynamin Like GTPase 1 (MX-1) genes were detected at the time of replication of MPyV genomes in the nucleus. STING knockout abolished the IFN response. Infection with a mutant virus that exhibits defective nuclear entry via nucleopores and that accumulates in the cytoplasm confirmed that replication of viral genomes in the nucleus is required for IFN induction. The importance of both DNA sensors, p204 and cGAS, in MPyV-induced IFN response was demonstrated by downregulation of the IFN pathway observed in p204-knockdown and cGAS-knockout cells. Confocal microscopy revealed the colocalization of p204 with MPyV genomes in the nucleus. cGAS was found in the cytoplasm, colocalizing with viral DNA leaked from the nucleus and with DNA within micronucleus-like bodies, but also with the MPyV genomes in the nucleus. However, 2'3'-Cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate synthesized by cGAS was detected exclusively in the cytoplasm. Biochemical assays revealed no evidence of functional interaction between cGAS and p204 in the nucleus. Our results provide evidence for the complex interactions of MPyV and DNA sensors including the sensing of viral genomes in the nucleus by p204 and of leaked viral DNA and micronucleus-like bodies in the cytoplasm by cGAS.

• Klíčová slova
• cGAS sensor, immune sensing of DNA, mouse polyomavirus, p204 sensor, pattern recognition receptors,
• MeSH
• DNA virů genetika   imunologie   MeSH
• fosfoproteiny antagonisté a inhibitory   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• fosforylace MeSH
• infekce onkogenními viry imunologie   virologie   MeSH
• interakce hostitele a patogenu MeSH
• interferon beta metabolismus   MeSH
• jaderné proteiny antagonisté a inhibitory   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• membránové proteiny antagonisté a inhibitory   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• myši MeSH
• nukleotidyltransferasy antagonisté a inhibitory   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• polyomavirové infekce imunologie   virologie   MeSH
• Polyomavirus genetika   imunologie   MeSH
• přirozená imunita imunologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• myši MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• cGAS protein, mouse MeSH Prohlížeč
• DNA virů MeSH
• fosfoproteiny MeSH
• Ifi16 protein, mouse MeSH Prohlížeč
• interferon beta MeSH
• jaderné proteiny MeSH
• membránové proteiny MeSH
• nukleotidyltransferasy MeSH
• Sting1 protein, mouse MeSH Prohlížeč