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Strain differences and some serological observations on several isolates of human polyomaviruses.

Six new strains of BK polyomavirus are described and compared by serological reactions and restriction endonuclease digest patterns of their DNA to BKV (prototype) and BKV (GS). One strain (PG) had a restriction endonuclease pattern similar to BKV (prototype) but with two EcoRI cleavage sites. Four strains were similar to BKV (GS) and one strain (SB) appeared to be a variant of BKV, having a smaller defective genome. Two mixed polyomavirus infections have been identified and a new human polyomavirus (ASV), distinct from BKV and JCV, has been described.

BK Virus↗

Human polyomavirus in pregnancy. A model for the study of defence mechanisms to virus reactivation.

We have carried out a longitudinal study of human polyomavirus infection in 71 pregnant women and correlated the virological findings with changes in the defence system in the same patients. As reactivation of human polyomaviruses generally occurred late in the second trimester it was possible to distinguish between the immunological changes which preceded the onset of reactivation and those which were secondary to the infection. Evidence of reactivation was detected in 26 women; all had high or rising antibody titres against BK or JC virus, but only five of these developed viruria. A positive correlation was observed between a high monocyte count in early pregnancy and subsequent virus reactivation. The virus excretors had significantly lower neutrophil counts than the women who had no evidence of virus reactivation. In contrast, women with serological evidence of virus activity but no viruria has significantly higher neutrophil counts than the non-activators. They also had stronger lymphocyte responses to PHA than the virus excretors. Virus activators were found to have a significant lymphopenia in the third trimester compared to the non-activators. High antibody levels did not appear to inhibit virus excretion. These findings suggest that monocytosis may predispose to reactivation of human polyomaviruses in pregnancy. On the other hand, ability to contain the virus once it has been activated, was associated with neutrophilia, and relatively vigorous in vitro reactivity of lymphocytes to PHA. Persistent lymphopenia was probably secondary to virus reactivation. The model on which this study is based could be adapted to investigate the causes of reactivation of other viruses. It may also help to identify risk factors in patients who are particularly susceptible to infection with opportunistic viruses.

Animals↗

Persistence of polyomavirus in adult SCID C.B-17 mice.

C.B-17 mice with the Severe Combined Immune Deficiency (SCID) mutation were infected with the naturally occurring murine polyomavirus. Using the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique, persistence of polyomavirus was followed in different tissues of the mice between 24 hours and 2 months post infection (p.i.). Viral DNA appeared by 3-5 days and was detected in all studied organs by 3 weeks p.i. From 4 weeks to 2 months p.i. viral DNA was present at high levels in all studied organs in all of the animals. As controls normal C.B-17 and A/Sn mice were used. Viral DNA appeared by 2-4 days. The infection reached a peak around 1 week p.i. This was followed by a clearing stage and viral DNA was no longer detectable by 4-5 weeks p.i. Most organs studied with PCR were also examined histologically, but no lesions were observed. Consequently persistence and organ distribution of polyomavirus in adult SCID mice differs greatly from that in normal adult mice.

Animals↗

Retinoblastoma antioncogene is involved in the inhibition of myogenesis by polyomavirus large T antigen.

The expression of polyomavirus large T antigen in stably transfected C2 myoblast cells inhibits terminal differentiation without inducing a transformed phenotype. In the present work, we report on the lifting of this inhibition by a mutation that prevents polyomavirus large T antigen from binding to the product of the retinoblastoma susceptibility gene (p105 RB). In contrast with cells containing wild-type large T, those with the Rb binding site mutant large T showed the same up-regulation of myosine heavy chain and myogenin mRNA expression as control cells. Furthermore, we correlate the cell cycle alteration induced by polyomavirus large T antigen expression with the inability of the cells to undergo terminal differentiation.

Animals↗

Disseminated BK type polyomavirus infection in an AIDS patient associated with central nervous system disease.

A 27-year-old man with hemophilia type A and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome developed a subacute meningoencephalitis, associated with a normotensive internal hydrocephalus, 14 weeks before his death. From cerebrospinal fluid and brain autopsy material, a virus could be isolated and was classified by Southern blot analysis and restriction endonuclease reactions as the human polyomavirus BK. The postmortem findings of polyomavirus antigen and BK virus DNA in various cell types of the kidneys, lungs, and central nervous system strongly suggest that BK virus was the causative agent of a tubulointerstitial nephropathy, an interstitial desquamative pneumonitis, and a subacute meningoencephalitis with accentuation of the ventricular and meningeal surfaces of the brain. Besides distinctive cytopathic effects, the presence of intranuclear inclusions was a prominent histopathological feature. Therefore, the human polyomavirus BK should be regarded as a new candidate on the still growing list of opportunistic pathogens in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Presence of human polyomavirus DNA in the peripheral circulation of bone marrow transplant patients with and without hemorrhagic cystitis.

In BMT patients, shedding of BK virus (BKV) in the urine has been strongly but not absolutely correlated to hemorrhagic cystitis (HC). The possible presence of human polyomaviruses in peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs), plasma, serum and urine in BMT patients and an association with HC was investigated by a nested PCR assay. Samples from allogeneic BMT patients with and without HC as well as from autologous BMT patients were analyzed. Human polyomaviruses were detected in urine and blood samples of both allogeneic and autologous BMT patients with and without HC. An association between the presence of a specific human polyomavirus in blood and HC was thus not observed.

Adolescent↗

Mutants of polyomavirus middle-T antigen.

Polyomavirus middle-T antigen induces the transformation of established cell lines in culture and is known to interact with and/or modulate the activity of several enzymes (pp60c.src, protein kinase C and phosphatidylinositol kinase) in vitro. This review is a compilation of the reported mutants of middle-T antigen and their biochemical and biological properties as they relate to the transformation event. The mutants of polyomavirus middle-T antigen have been previously classified phenotypically. Given the now large number of mutants, the classification presented here is based upon the position within the molecule. A model of middle-T is presented in which the protein is considered as consisting of three domains: a hydrophobic domain (the putative membrane-binding domain), the amino-terminal half of the molecule (the putative pp60c.src-binding domain) and the intervening amino acids (the putative modulatory domain). A current model for the induction of transformation by polyomavirus middle-T is presented.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Specific and quantitative detection of human polyomaviruses BKV, JCV, and SV40 by real time PCR.

BACKGROUND: The polyomaviruses that infect humans, BK virus (BKV), JC virus (JCV), and simian virus 40 (SV40), typically establish subclinical persistent infections. However, reactivation of these viruses in immunocompromised hosts is associated with renal nephropathy and hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) caused by BKV and with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) caused by JCV. Additionally, SV40 is associated with several types of human cancers including primary brain and bone cancers, mesotheliomas, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Advancements in detection of these viruses may contribute to improved diagnosis and treatment of affected patients. OBJECTIVE: To develop sensitive and specific real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RQ-PCR) assays for the detection of T-antigen DNA sequences of the human polyomaviruses BKV, JCV, and SV40 using the ABI Prism 7000 Sequence Detection System. STUDY DESIGN: Assays for absolute quantification of the viral T-ag sequences were designed and the sensitivity and specificity were evaluated. A quantitative assay to measure the single copy human RNAse P gene was also developed and evaluated in order to normalize viral gene copy numbers to cell numbers. RESULTS: Quantification of the target genes is sensitive and specific over a 7 log dynamic range. Ten copies each of the viral and cellular genes are reproducibly and accurately detected. The sensitivity of detection of the RQ-PCR assays is increased 10- to 100-fold compared to conventional PCR and agarose gel protocols. The primers and probes used to detect the viral genes are specific for each virus and there is no cross reactivity within the dynamic range of the standard dilutions. The sensitivity of detection for these assays is not reduced in human cellular extracts; however, different DNA extraction protocols may affect quantification. CONCLUSION: These assays provide a technique for rapid and specific quantification of polyomavirus genomes per cell in human samples.

BK Virus↗

Dissociation of heterochromatin protein 1 from lamin B receptor induced by human polyomavirus agnoprotein: role in nuclear egress of viral particles.

The nuclear envelope is one of the chief obstacles to the translocation of macromolecules that are larger than the diameter of nuclear pores. Heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1) bound to the lamin B receptor (LBR) is thought to contribute to reassembly of the nuclear envelope after cell division. Human polyomavirus agnoprotein (Agno) has been shown to bind to HP1alpha and to induce its dissociation from LBR, resulting in destabilization of the nuclear envelope. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching showed that Agno increased the lateral mobility of LBR in the inner nuclear membrane. Biochemical and immunofluorescence analyses showed that Agno is targeted to the nuclear envelope and facilitates the nuclear egress of polyomavirus-like particles. These results indicate that dissociation of HP1alpha from LBR and consequent perturbation of the nuclear envelope induced by polyomavirus Agno promote the translocation of virions out of the nucleus.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

Molecular analyses of anti-DNA antibodies induced by polyomavirus BK in BALB/c mice.

In the present experiments, two groups of BALB/c mice (five individuals in each group) were hyperimmunized through four consecutive immunizations with either BK virus (Group 1) or BK dsDNA complexed with methylated BSA (Group 2). All immune sera taken after the fourth immunization from both groups reacted strongly with polyomavirus BK dsDNA as well as with calf thymus dsDNA, and all sera contained antibodies that bound in the Crithidia luciliae assay. This indicates that polyomavirus BK was able to induce antibodies with binding characteristics similar to SLE anti-DNA antibodies. To further characterize these induced anti-DNA responses, 10 monoclonal anti-DNA antibodies (four from Group 1, and six from Group 2) were generated and selected for reactivity with S1-nuclease digested CT dsDNA. Their specificity for BK and CT dsDNA molecules, as well as their light and heavy chain variable region cDNA nucleotide sequences were analysed to compare them with known SLE derived anti-DNA antibodies. All of the 10 antibodies bound strongly to BK dsDNA, while seven also bound to CT dsDNA in competitive ELISA experiments. V-region analysis revealed that the induced antibodies resembled anti-DNA antibodies characteristic for murine SLE, and all but one contained arginine in the VH CDR3 region. The arginines present in the monoclonal antibodies originated either from an RF shift from RF1-->RF3 of the D-genes or from N-sequence additions. Taken together, the data demonstrate that anti-DNA antibodies in response to hyperimmunization with polyomavirus BK have the same characteristics as of those occurring spontaneously in SLE. As virus infection/replication in vivo implies expression of immunogenic (non-self) DNA-binding proteins that may render DNA immunogenic, the present results may therefore suggest one physiological mechanism for production of SLE-related anti-DNA antibodies.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Experimental inoculation of avian polyomavirus in chemically and virally immunosuppressed chickens.

The purpose of this series of experiments was to determine the effect of various types of immunosuppressive treatments (cyclophosphamide, infectious bursal disease virus [IBDV], chicken anemia virus [CAV], and combination infection with IBDV and CAV) on susceptibility of chickens to challenge with avian polyomavirus. In the first experiment, chickens were chemically bursectomized with intraperitoneal injections of cyclophosphamide; in the second study, chickens were orally inoculated with IBDV; in the third study, birds were intramuscularly inoculated with CAV; and in the final study, birds were inoculated with both IBDV and CAV. In all experiments, chickens were challenged with 10(4.7) tissue culture infective doses of polyomavirus intraperitoneally. Only chemically bursectomized chickens developed lesions similar to those found in the naturally occurring multisystemic fatal form of polyomavirus infection seen in psittacine nestlings, including hepatic necrosis and large pale intranuclear inclusions.

Animals↗

Polyomavirus large T can support DNA replication in human cells.

Human cells are generally thought to be nonpermissive for polyomavirus (Py) DNA replication. Using transient transfection, we show that Py large T-antigen (LT) was able to support replication of a Py origin-containing plasmid in two human cell lines. Replication supported by LT in human cells was specific for the Py origin and required its enhancer sequences, as well as the previously reported critical phosphorylation sites within LT. Py replication efficiency was comparable to that of papillomavirus E1 and E2 activated DNA replication in transient assays performed in human 293 and C-33A cells. Previous analysis of DNA replication in vitro has pointed to polymerase alpha-primase as a specificity determinant for polyomavirus. The data presented here imply that in certain cellular environments, Py LT must functionally interact with human polymerase alpha-primase to permit DNA replication.

3T3 Cells↗

Latent and productive polyomavirus infections of renal allografts: morphological, clinical, and pathophysiological aspects.

Polyomavirus allograft nephropathy, also termed BK virus nephropathy (BKN) after the main causative agent, the polyoma-BK-virus strain, is a major complication following kidney transplantation. BKN is the most common viral infection affecting the renal allograft with a reported prevalence of 1% up to 10%. It often leads to chronic allograft dysfunction and graft loss. BKN is most likely caused by the reactivation of latent BK viruses which, under sustained and intensive immunosuppression, enter a replicative/productive cycle. Viral disease, i.e., BKN, is typically limited to the kidney transplant. It is histologically defined by the presence of intranuclear viral inclusion bodies in epithelial cells and severe tubular injury. Virally induced tubular damage is the morphological correlate for allograft dysfunction. In this chapter, different variants of polyomavirus intranuclear inclusion bodies [types 1 through 4] and adjunct techniques [immunohistochemistry, in-situ hybridization, electron microscopy and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)] that are used for proper characterization of disease are described. Special emphasis is placed on the clinical and pathophysiological significance of different histological stages of BKN.

Graft Rejection↗

Mammary tumors induced by polyomavirus.

The first known member of the Polyomavirus family, murine Polyomavirus (MPyV), was discovered because of its oncogenic properties. The genetic simplicity of MPyV (shared with all members of the Py family), the wide spectrum of tumors induced by MPyV, and the convenient properties of its natural host, the mouse, make it a particularly interesting model system to study oncogenesis. This paper briefly reviews the virus infectious cycle and our current understanding of the viral proteins that are involved in oncogenesis, and focuses on recent studies on oncogenesis of the mammary gland. Mammary gland ductal adenocarcinomas develop at high frequency and with short latency in infected immunoincompetent adult female or normal neonatal mice or in transgenic mice expressing the viral oncogene, middle T. These tumors provide excellent model systems for the study of human breast cancer.

Animals↗

Recent progress in studies of polyomavirus tumour antigens.

The polyomavirus tumour (T) antigens were originally identified by their reactivity with antisera from tumour-bearing animals. The primary structure of the three T-antigens has been established by combining the information from the nucleotide sequencing of DNA, RNA analysis, and peptide mapping. The functions of the T-antigens in productive infection and cellular transformation have largely been analysed by using virus mutants. The large T-antigen binds specifically to polyomavirus DNA. This binding is probably linked to the activity of the protein in the control of viral DNA and RNA synthesis. In addition, the large T-antigen has the ability to confer an unlimited growth potential to cells in culture. The middle T-antigen is a primary inducer of cellular transformation. The part of this protein that is located in the plasma membrane, is associated with a tyrosine kinase activity. The small T-antigen, finally, has not yet been studied extensively. However, small T-antigen has to be expressed to allow a complete productive infection cycle in mouse cells.

Amino Acids↗

A viable mouse polyomavirus mutant without immortalizing or transforming activities.

The polyomavirus mutant, dl1041, has a 375-base pair deletion. It removes most of the sequences that are unique to rodent polyomaviruses and encodes part of the large and middle T-antigens. The mutant was conditionally viable, although both the immortalizing and transforming functions of the T-antigens produced by this mutant were found to be defective. However, the dl1041 mutant was found to be capable of DNA replication in rapidly growing mouse 3T6 cells. In contrast, dl1041 DNA synthesis could not be detected in serum-deprived mouse 3T3 cells. In these cells, the low efficiency of dl1041 DNA replication could be attributed to deficiencies in both large and middle T-antigen, suggesting a link between the mitogenic and oncogenic activities of these proteins. Transfection of growing mouse 3T6 cells with dl1041 DNA resulted in the formation of infectious virus, demonstrating that the dl1041 mutant is able to complete an infection cycle. The ability to activate the viral late promoter in trans was retained by the dl1041 mutant large T-antigen, suggesting that immortalization and trans-activation of the late promoter represent two distinct activities of the protein. An essential element of the immortalizing activity in the large T-antigen polypeptide chain appeared to be in a segment consisting of amino acid residues 136-184, since the dl1041 deletion abolished the activity and the 184 amino acid residue N-terminal dl1354 fragment of large T-antigen retained the activity.

Animals↗

Expression of p53 in virally infected tubular cells in renal transplant patients with polyomavirus nephropathy.

Polyomavirus (PV) infection is associated with ureteral stenosis, hemorrhagic cystitis, and interstitial nephritis in renal transplant patients. The 3 PVs detected in human beings-BK virus, JC virus, and simian virus 40-each encode highly homologous forms of a large T antigen, a transcriptional and replicational regulatory protein. We describe immunohistochemical findings in 5 renal transplant patients who developed PV nephropathy (PVN) and a sixth patient with both PVN and PV infection of the bladder mucosa. Polyomavirus infection was confirmed by immunohistochemical detection of T antigen in kidney and bladder biopsies. We report on the expression of p53 specific to virally infected cells in all biopsies positive for T antigen. Examination of posttransplant biopsies obtained from these 6 patients before they were diagnosed with PVN revealed no expression of T antigen or p53. Accumulation of p53 in PV-infected cells may occur in response to binding of p53 by T antigen, resulting in stabilization of p53. These results provide the first evidence for intracellular actions of PV T antigen in the context of nonneoplastic diseases.

Antigens, Viral, Tumor↗

Polymerase chain reaction for the diagnosis of human polyomavirus-associated nephropathy in renal transplant recipients.

Human polyomavirus type BK may be related to interstitial nephropathy or renal-allograft dysfunction. Patients with nephropathy due to infection with human polyomavirus may be identified early using the polymerase chain reaction(PCR). We attempted to evaluate whether the positive response in the PCR test of BK virus DNA in the plasma of renal transplant recipients affects the function of the renal allograft. Seventy-seven patients were prospectively analyzed according to the operative sex, age, sources of allograft, serum creatinine levels during PCR test for BK virus, postoperative type of immunosuppressant, and presence of graft rejection. Two groups were distinguished according to the PCR result for BK virus: group 1 (n = 12) positive PCR reaction and group 2 (n = 65) negative reaction. The mean follow-up was 32.6 weeks. The incidence of positive PCR tests for BK virus replication after renal transplantation was 15.6%. Decoy cells in the urine were detected in 20.7%. The incidence of BK virus nephropathy was 1.3%. The mean serum creatinine levels of group 1 and 2 at the time of the PCR tests were 1.34 and 1.22, respectively. The rejection rates in group 1 and 2 were 8% and 4.5%, respectively (P > .05). We consider that a PCR assay to detect BK virus in renal recipients blood may be useful to identify patients at risk for nephropathy. It may serve as a noninvasive indicator of BK virus replication, although this study is limited by the short follow-up and small numbers.

Adolescent↗