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Biomedical subjects

B H Hahn

Publications and source records attributed to B H Hahn.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Targeting foreign proteins to human immunodeficiency virus particles via fusion with Vpr and Vpx.

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and HIV-2 Vpr and Vpx proteins are packaged into virions through virus type-specific interactions with the Gag polyprotein precursor. To examine whether HIV-1 Vpr (Vpr1) and HIV-2 Vpx (Vpx2) could be used to target foreign proteins to the HIV particle, their open reading frames were fused in frame with genes encoding the bacterial staphylococcal nuclease (SN), an enzymatically inactive mutant of SN (SN*), and chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT). Transient expression in a T7-based vaccinia virus system demonstrated the synthesis of appropriately sized Vpr1-SN/SN* and Vpx2-SN/SN* fusion proteins which, when coexpressed with their cognate p55Gag protein, were efficiently incorporated into virus-like particles. Packaging of the fusion proteins was dependent on virus type-specific determinants, as previously seen with wild-type Vpr and Vpx proteins. Particle-associated Vpr1-SN and Vpx2-SN fusion proteins were enzymatically active, as determined by in vitro digestion of lambda phage DNA. To determine whether functional Vpr1 and Vpx2 fusion proteins could be targeted to HIV particles, the gene fusions were cloned into an HIV-2 long terminal repeat/Rev response element-regulated expression vector and cotransfected with wild-type HIV-1 and HIV-2 proviruses. Western blot (immunoblot) analysis of sucrose gradient-purified virions revealed that both Vpr1 and Vpx2 fusion proteins were efficiently packaged regardless of whether SN, SN*, or CAT was used as the C-terminal fusion partner. Moreover, the fusion proteins remained enzymatically active and were packaged in the presence of wild-type Vpr and Vpx proteins. Interestingly, virions also contained smaller proteins that reacted with antibodies specific for the accessory proteins as well as SN and CAT fusion partners. Since similar proteins were absent from Gag-derived virus-like particles and from virions propagated in the presence of an HIV protease inhibitor, they must represent cleavage products produced by the viral protease. Taken together, these results demonstrate that Vpr and Vpx can be used to target functional proteins, including potentially deleterious enzymes, to the human or simian immunodeficiency virus particle. These properties may be exploitable for studies of HIV particle assembly and maturation and for the development of novel antiviral strategies.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Immune tolerance to autoantibody-derived peptides delays development of autoimmunity in murine lupus.

Mechanisms that initiate and maintain autoantibody (autoAb) production in individuals with autoimmune diseases like SLE are poorly understood. Inadequate suppression of autoreactive T cells and/or unusual activation of T and B cells may underlie the persistence of pathogenic autoAbs in lupus. Here, we examine the possibility that in mice with lupus, autoAb molecules may be upregulating their own production by activating self-reactive T cells via their own processed peptides; downregulation of this circuit may decrease autoAb production and delay the development of lupus. We found that before the onset of clinical disease, lupus-prone (NZB/NZW) F1 [BWF1] (but not MHC-matched nonautoimmune mice) developed spontaneous T cell autoimmunity to peptides from variable regions of heavy chains (VH) of syngeneic anti-DNA mAbs but not to peptides from the VH region of an mAb to an exogenous antigen. Tolerizing young BWF1 mice with intravenous injections of autoAb-derived determinants substantially delayed development of anti-DNA antibodies and nephritis and prolonged survival. Thus, in such an autoAb-mediated disease, the presence of autoreactive T cells against VH region determinants of autoAbs may represent an important mechanism involved in the regulation of autoimmunity. Our findings show that tolerizing such autoreactive T cells can postpone the development of an autoimmune disease like SLE.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a disease with both genetic and environmental pathogenesis. It has protean manifestations and can mimic most other clinical entities. Its severity varies widely among patients and its course commonly fluctuates from mild to severe in a single patient as the disease waxes and wanes. Since disease presentation is variable its treatment requires individualization. Some patients can be managed with NSAIDs and antimalarials without steroids. Patients with involvement of the nervous system, kidney and hematologic system usually require steroids--often in high doses. Immunosuppressants such as cyclophosphamide are useful in managing lupus emergencies and in maintaining control of disease in others.

Humans↗
PubMed1994

Mosaic genome structure of simian immunodeficiency virus from west African green monkeys.

Elucidation of the phylogenetic origins of simian and human immunodeficiency viruses (SIV and HIV) is fundamental to the understanding of HIV pathogenesis and the spread of AIDS worldwide. In this study, we molecularly characterized multiple SIVAGM isolates from four different African green monkey species (vervet, grivet, sabaeus and tantalus monkeys). Phylogenetic analysis of partial (1 kb) env sequences indicated that all SIVAGM strains cluster together, and that they fall into four distinct sequence sub-groups according to their species of origin. However, alignment of long terminal repeat sequences revealed that SIVs from West African sabaeus monkeys contain a structural feature (a duplication of the transactivation response element) thus far only found in otherwise highly divergent lentiviruses infecting sooty mangabeys (SIVSM) and humans (HIV-2). To determine whether there were additional similarities with the SIVSM/HIV-2 group, a full-length replication competent sabaeus provirus was cloned and sequenced. In phylogenetic trees derived from the central and 3' coding regions, the sabaeus virus clustered with SIVAGM isolates from other African green monkey species. However, in trees derived from the 3' half of gag and the adjacent 5' region of pol, the sabaeus virus grouped with the SIVSM/HIV-2 lineage. These results indicated that the sabaeus virus comprised a mosaic genome which must have resulted from recombination of divergent lentiviruses in the distant past. A second, independent sabaeus isolate exhibited similar phylogenetic relationships, suggesting that all West African green monkey viruses share this complex evolutionary history. Taken together, these results indicate that African green monkeys have been infected with SIVAGM for very long periods of time, and that recombination and cross-species transmission in the wild have contributed to the genetic complexity of primate lentiviruses.

Africa, Western↗
PubMed1994

Cytokines and HIV envelope glycoprotein gp120 stimulate Na+/H+ exchange in astrocytes.

The pathogenesis of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated cognitive/motor complex, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) dementia complex, is unknown, but it afflicts over 50% of all patients infected with HIV-1. Because neurons are not directly infected with HIV-1, the causes of neuronal dysfunction are undoubtedly indirect. We investigated the role of the astrocyte in the development of AIDS dementia complex, focusing on cytokine and HIV-1 gp120 stimulation of Na+/H+ exchange (NHE) activity of primary rat astrocytes. Our results show that the cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interferon (IFN)-gamma, and interleukin (IL)-1 beta (all found to be elevated in the central nervous system of AIDS patients), can stimulate Na+/H+ exchange, but that transforming growth factor-beta, IL-2, and IL-6 do not. IFN-gamma and gp120-induced activation of Na+/H+ exchange appears to be mediated through activation of tyrosine kinase (TK), because TK inhibitors block the action of IFN-gamma and gp120. Additionally, gp120 induces tyrosine phosphorylation of two proteins (approximately 90 and 130 kDa), which is also inhibited by TK inhibitors. The predominant NHE isoform present in rat astrocytes is NHE-1; however, other isoforms are also present. We conclude that Na+/H+ exchange of rat astrocytes can be differentially stimulated by cytokines and HIV-1 gp120. We hypothesize that the resultant increase in intracellular pH with its concomitant changes in astrocyte membrane permeability properties produces an imbalance in the K+ and glutamate microenvironment of the neurons, leading to a rise in intraneuronal Ca2+ and eventual neuronal dysfunction and/or demise.

Amiloride↗
PubMed1994

Envelope glycoprotein gp120 of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 alters ion transport in astrocytes: implications for AIDS dementia complex.

Infection by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is often complicated by a variety of neurological abnormalities. The most common clinical syndrome, termed acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) dementia complex, presents as a subcortical dementia with cognitive, motor, and behavioral disturbances and is unique to HIV-1 infection. The pathogenesis of this syndrome is poorly understood but is believed to involve interactions among virally infected macrophages/microglia, astrocytes, and neurons. In this study, we show that exposure of primary rat and human astrocytes to heat-activated HIV-1 virions, or to eukaryotically expressed HIV-1 and HIV-2 envelope glycoproteins (gp120) stimulates amiloride-sensitive Na+/H+ antiport, potassium conductance, and glutamate efflux. These effects are blocked specifically by amiloride, an inhibitor of Na+/H+ antiport and by the selective removal of gp120 with immobilized monoclonal antibody. As a result of modulation of astrocytic function by gp120, the ensuing neuronal depolarization and glutamate exposure could activate both voltage-gated and N-methyl-D-aspartate-regulated Ca2+ channels, leading to increases in intraneuronal Ca2+ and neuronal death. These findings implicate the astrocyte directly in the pathogenesis of AIDS dementia complex.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗
PubMed1994

gp120-mediated alterations in astrocyte ion transport.

The pathogenesis of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) dementia complex (ADC) is unknown. However, recent work indicates that neurons and astrocytes are functionally compromised by exposure to viral components or cellular factors released from HIV-1-infected macrophages/microglia. We show that exposure of primary cultured rat astrocytes to the major HIV envelope glycoprotein gp120 results in alterations of ion and solute transport that may contribute to neuronal cell injury.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗
PubMed1994

Genetic variation of HIV type 1 in four World Health Organization-sponsored vaccine evaluation sites: generation of functional envelope (glycoprotein 160) clones representative of sequence subtypes A, B, C, and E. WHO Network for HIV Isolation and Characterization.

As part of the WHO Network for HIV Isolation and Characterization, we PCR amplified, cloned, and sequenced gp120 and gp160 genes from 12 HIV-1 isolates collected in four WHO-sponsored vaccine evaluation sites (Brazil, Rwanda, Thailand, Uganda). Envelope clones were derived from PBMC-grown isolates obtained from asymptomatic individuals within 2 years of seroconversion. Analysis of their deduced amino acid sequences identified all but one to contain an uninterrupted open reading frame. Transient expression and biological characterization of selected gp160 constructs identified six clones to encode full length and functional envelope glycoproteins. Phylogenetic analysis of their nucleotide sequences revealed that they represent HIV-1 subtypes A, B, C, and E. Since current knowledge of HIV-1 envelope immunobiology is almost exclusively derived from subtype B viruses, these reagents should facilitate future envelope structure, function and antigenicity studies on a broader spectrum of viruses. This should assist in the design and evaluation of effective vaccines against HIV-1.

AIDS Vaccines↗
PubMed1994

Comparison of pathogenic and non-pathogenic murine antibodies to DNA: antigen binding and structural characteristics.

Three pathogenic and two non-pathogenic NZB/NZW F1 mAbs to DNA were compared. Pathogenicity was defined as the ability to induce nephritis in BALB/c mice. All mAbs were IgG2a or 2b, had high avidity for double-stranded DNA and fixed complement well. All three pathogens expressed idiotype IdGN2. Mice receiving pathogenic mAbs (compared with non-pathogenic) had more glomerular IgG deposits. The unique properties of two of the pathogens were: strong homogeneous staining of Hep-2 nuclei and the ability to bind (i) nucleosomes, (ii) histone (after mAb complexed with DNA), (iii) heparan sulfate in renal basement membranes (after complexing with DNA/histone) and (iv) nuclei in vivo. Comparison of nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the V regions of heavy and light Ig chains showed use of multiple VHDJH and V kappa J kappa gene families, with representation of several anti-DNA 'families' described by others. Arginine (R) occurred in the CDR2 or CDR3 of VH chains in all pathogens; R was absent in the CDRs of VH chains of non-pathogens. Positively and negatively charged AA were more frequent in VH CDR of pathogens than of non-pathogens. We hypothesize that the tertiary structure of mAbs determined by VH CDR regions permits stronger binding to negatively charged antigens (DNA and heparan sulfate) and to positively charged molecules (histone) in pathogens compared with non-pathogens.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Infection of a yellow baboon with simian immunodeficiency virus from African green monkeys: evidence for cross-species transmission in the wild.

Many African primates are known to be naturally infected with simian immunodeficiency viruses (SIVs), but only a fraction of these viruses has been molecularly characterized. One primate species for which only serological evidence of SIV infection has been reported is the yellow baboon (Papio hamadryas cynocephalus). Two wild-living baboons with strong SIVAGM seroreactivity were previously identified in a Tanzanian national park where baboons and African green monkeys shared the same habitat (T. Kodama, D. P. Silva, M. D. Daniel, J. E. Phillips-Conroy, C. J. Jolly, J. Rogers, and R. C. Desrosiers, AIDS Res. Hum. Retroviruses 5:337-343, 1989). To determine the genetic identity of the viruses infecting these animals, we used PCR to examine SIV sequences directly in uncultured leukocyte DNA. Targeting two different, nonoverlapping genomic regions, we amplified and sequenced a 673-bp gag gene fragment and a 908-bp env gene fragment from one of the two baboons. Phylo-genetic analyses revealed that this baboon was infected with an SIVAGM strain of the vervet subtype. These results provide the first direct evidence for simian-to-simian cross-species transmission of SIV in the wild.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Virus-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T-lymphocyte activity associated with control of viremia in primary human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Env-, Gag-, Pol-, Nef-, and Tat-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) activities were quantitated temporally in five patients with symptomatic primary HIV-1 infection. A dominant CD8(+)-mediated, major histocompatibility complex class I-restricted CTL response to the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein, gp160, was noted in four of the five patients studied. The level of HIV-1-specific CTL activity in the five patients paralleled the efficiency of control of primary viremia. Patients who mounted strong gp160-specific CTL responses showed rapid reduction of acute plasma viremia and antigenemia, while in contrast, primary viremia and antigenemia were poorly controlled in patients in whom virus-specific CTL activity was low or undetectable. These results suggest that HIV-1-specific CTL activity is a major component of the host immune response associated with the control of virus replication following primary HIV-1 infection and have important implications for the design of antiviral vaccines.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Lupus autoantibodies to native DNA cross-react with the A and D SnRNP polypeptides.

Antibodies to native DNA (nDNA) in sera from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus have been found to frequently correlate with antibodies to the A and D SnRNP proteins measured in Western blot assays. 40 of 54 SLE (74.1%) sera with anti-nDNA bound to A and D proteins, while 9 of 113 sera (8%) without anti-nDNA bound the A and D proteins, P < 10(-8) by Fisher's exact test. Antibodies to nDNA correlated closely with anti-A and anti-D in seven of eight patients followed sequentially, r = 0.7865. Nine human polyclonal anti-nDNA populations were isolated from DNA cellulose columns. Seven reacted equally with A and D, and two reacted predominantly with D. Two of three murine monoclonal anti-DNA antibodies isolated from NZB/NZW F1 hybrid mice bound A and D equally in Western blot with a titer > 1/40,000. These reactions were directed to the unfolded A and D proteins measurable in Western blot since these monoclonals (and several of the human anti-nDNA populations) failed to react with native U1RNP in ELISA or in RNA immunoprecipitation experiments. These newly recognized cross reactions of anti-nDNA may amplify the immune response to DNA and be part of the original immunogenic drive.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

High levels of HIV-1 in plasma during all stages of infection determined by competitive PCR.

Quantitative competitive polymerase chain reaction (QC-PCR) methods were used to quantify virion-associated human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) RNA in plasma from 66 patients with Centers for Disease Control stage I to IVC1 infection. HIV-1 RNA, ranging from 100 to nearly 22,000,000 copies per milliliter of plasma (corresponding to 50 to 11,000,000 virions per milliliter), was readily quantified in all subjects, was significantly associated with disease stage and CD4+ T cell counts, and decreased by as much as 235-fold with resolution of primary infection or institution of antiretroviral therapy. Plasma virus levels determined by QC-PCR correlated with, but exceeded by an average of 60,000-fold, virus titers measured by endpoint dilution culture. Quantitation of HIV-1 in plasma by QC-PCR may be useful in assessing the efficacy of antiretroviral agents, especially in early stage disease when conventional viral markers are often negative.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1993

A peptide derived from an autoantibody can stimulate T cells in the (NZB x NZW)F1 mouse model of systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the ability of peptides derived from anti-DNA to stimulate syngeneic T lymphocytes and influence lupus in (NZB x NZW)F1 (NZB/W) mice. METHODS: We synthesized (by Geysen pin method) overlapping 12-mer peptides recapitulating the amino acid sequence of the VH region of a nephritogenic monoclonal IgG2a anti-DNA antibody (A6.1) from an NZB/W mouse. Splenic T cells were cultured with the peptides; multiple experiments assayed 12-mer and 16-mer peptides which contained a triple-base motif (KFKGK). We immunized 20-week-old NZB/W mice with the 12-mer and evaluated them for evidence of nephritis and for quantities of antibodies in plasma and glomeruli. RESULTS: Three clusters of peptides caused proliferation of spleen cells from young, nonimmunized mice. Both the 12-mer FYNQKFKGKATL and the 16-mer GDTFYNQKFKGKATLT peptides stimulated purified T cells. The KXKXK motif occurs in 15% of murine Ig VH (NBRF protein database), compared with 100% (6 of 6) of NZB/W anti-DNA monoclonal antibody. Immunization with the 12-mer peptide increased plasma levels of IgG, anti-DNA, and immune complexes, and levels of anti-DNA in glomeruli; nephritis was accelerated. CONCLUSION: NZB/W anti-DNA contain peptide sequences in their VH regions that stimulate self-T cells. At least one motif is frequent in NZB/W anti-DNA. If some activated T cells provide help, this mechanism may contribute to sustained up-regulation of autoantibodies in murine lupus.

Amino Acid Sequence↗