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ABSTRACT Viruses have brought humanity many challenges: respiratory infection, cancer, neurological impairment and immunosuppression to name a few. Virology research over the last 60+ years has responded to reduce this disease burden with vaccines and antivirals. Despite this long history, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented attention to the field of virology. Some of this attention is focused on concern about the safe conduct of research with human pathogens. A small but vocal group of individuals has seized upon these concerns – conflating legitimate questions about safely conducting virus-related research with uncertainties over the origins of SARS-CoV-2. The result has fueled public confusion and, in many instances, ill-informed condemnation of virology. With this article, we seek to promote a return to rational discourse. We explain the use of gain-of-function approaches in science, discuss the possible origins of SARS-CoV-2 and outline current regulatory structures that provide oversight for virological research in the United States. By offering our expertise, we – a broad group of working virologists – seek to aid policy makers in navigating these controversial issues. Balanced, evidence-based discourse is essential to addressing public concern while maintaining and expanding much-needed research in virology.

Meeting Report on the 9th Annual Symposium of the Colorado Alphaherpesvirus Latency Society (CALS) held on May 8–11, 2019, in Vail, CO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meeting Report on the 8th Annual Symposium of the Colorado Alphaherpesvirus Latency Society (CALS), held on May 16-19, 2018, in Vail, Colorado. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TIA-1 positive stress granules (SG) represent the storage sites of stalled mRNAs and are often associated with the cellular antiviral response. In this report, we provide evidence that Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) overcomes the host antiviral response by inhibition of SG formation via a viral lytic protein ORF57. By immunofluorescence analysis, we found that B lymphocytes with KSHV lytic infection are refractory to SG induction. KSHV ORF57, an essential post-transcriptional regulator of viral gene expression and the production of new viral progeny, inhibits SG formation induced experimentally by arsenite and poly I:C, but not by heat stress. KSHV ORF37 (vSOX) bearing intrinsic endoribonuclease activity also inhibits arsenite-induced SG formation, but KSHV RTA, vIRF-2, ORF45, ORF59 and LANA exert no such function. ORF57 binds both PKR-activating protein (PACT) and protein kinase R (PKR) through their RNA-binding motifs and prevents PACT-PKR interaction in the PKR pathway which inhibits KSHV production. Consistently, knocking down PKR expression significantly promotes KSHV virion production. ORF57 interacts with PKR to inhibit PKR binding dsRNA and its autophosphorylation, leading to inhibition of eIF2α phosphorylation and SG formation. Homologous protein HSV-1 ICP27, but not EBV EB2, resembles KSHV ORF57 in the ability to block the PKR/eIF2α/SG pathway. In addition, KSHV ORF57 inhibits poly I:C-induced TLR3 phosphorylation. Altogether, our data provide the first evidence that KSHV ORF57 plays a role in modulating PKR/eIF2α/SG axis and enhances virus production during virus lytic infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After entry into the nucleus, herpes simplex virus (HSV) DNA is coated with repressive proteins and becomes the site of assembly of nuclear domain 10 (ND10) bodies. These small (0.1-1 μM) nuclear structures contain both constant [e.g., promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML), Sp100, death-domain associated protein (Daxx), and soforth] and variable proteins, depending on the function of the cells or the stress to which they are exposed. The amounts of PML and the number of ND10 structures increase in cells exposed to IFN-β. On initiation of HSV-1 gene expression, ICP0, a viral E3 ligase, degrades both PML and Sp100. The earlier report that IFN-β is significantly more effective in blocking viral replication in murine PML+/+ cells than in sibling PML-/- cells, reproduced here with human cells, suggests that PML acts as an effector of antiviral effects of IFN-β. To define more precisely the function of PML in HSV-1 replication, we constructed a PML-/- human cell line. We report that in PML-/- cells, Sp100 degradation is delayed, possibly because colocalization and merger of ICP0 with nuclear bodies containing Sp100 and Daxx is ineffective, and that HSV-1 replicates equally well in parental HEp-2 and PML-/- cells infected at 5 pfu wildtype virus per cell, but poorly in PML-/- cells exposed to 0.1 pfu per cell. Finally, ICP0 accumulation is reduced in PML-/- infected at low, but not high, multiplicities of infection. In essence, the very mechanism that serves to degrade an antiviral IFN-β effector is exploited by HSV-1 to establish an efficient replication domain in the nucleus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oncolytic herpes simplex virus (HSV) vectors have been used in early phase human clinical trials as a therapy for recurrent malignant glioblastoma. This treatment proved safe but limited improvements in patient survival were observed. The potency of these vectors might be enhanced by targeting vector infectivity to tumor cells. Glioma tumors often express a mutant form (vIII) of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) resulting in the presence of a novel epitope on the cell surface. This epitope is specifically recognized by a single-chain antibody designated MR1-1. HSV-1 infection involves initial binding to heparan sulfate (HS) on the cell surface mediated primarily by the viral envelope, glycoprotein C (gC). Here we joined the MR1-1 single-chain antibody (scFv) to the gC sequence deleted for the HS-binding domain as a means of targeting viral attachment to EGFRvIII on glial tumor cells. Virions bearing MR1-1-modified gC had fivefold increased infectivity for EGFRvIII-bearing human glioma U87 cells compared to mutant receptor-deficient cells. Further, MR1-1/EGFRvIII-mediated infection was more efficient for EGFRvIII-positive cells than was wild-type virus for either positive or negative cells. Sustained infection of EGFRvIII+ glioma cells by MR1-1-modified gC-bearing oncolytic virus, as compared to wild-type gC oncolytic virus, was also shown in subcutaneous tumors in vivo using firefly luciferase as a reporter of infection. These data show that HSV tropism can be manipulated so that virions recognize a cell-specific binding site with increased infectivity for the target cell. The retargeting of HSV infection to tumor cells should enhance vector specificity, tumor cell killing and vector safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study we compared side-by-side the anti-neoplastic activity of the oncolytic herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) vector G47Δ with that of a conditionally replicative adenoviral vector for the treatment of glioblastoma. We analyzed the transduction efficiency of permanent glioblastoma cell lines and short-term cultures of glioblastoma cells with HSV.Luc and four adenovirus type 5 (Ad5)-based vectors that differed only in their fiber gene (Ad5.Luc, AdlucRGD, and the fiber chimeric vectors Ad5/3.Luc and Ad5/35.Luc). In the tested short-term cultures of glioblastoma cells the vectors Ad5/35.Luc and HSV.Luc had an equal transduction efficiency which was ∼70% higher than that of Ad5.Luc. In a subcutaneous xenograft glioblastoma model in nude mice we observed a significantly higher local tumor control with the G47Δ vector compared to the conditionally replicative Ad5/35 adenovirus. We confirmed in glioblastoma that the intratumoral expression of measles virus fusogenic membrane glycoproteins (FMG) encoded by replication-defective Ad5/35 or HSV-1 amplicon vectors synergistically enhances chemotherapy with temozolomide. The anti-neoplastic effect was superior when the replication-defective FMG encoding vectors were trans-complemented for replication with the respective oncolytic vector. This approach was necessary due to packaging constraints of adenovirus. At day 100, of 6 treated animals 1 was alive that received the Ad5/35- and 3 that received the HSV-1-based triple therapy. In an intracranial glioblastoma xenograft model we demonstrated the applicability of this strategy. Due to the higher oncolytic efficacy and packaging capacity of the HSV-1 vectors compared to adenovirus, these vectors are promising for the treatment of glioblastoma.Cancer Gene Therapy (2007) 14, 627–639; doi:10.1038/sj.cgt.7701055; published online 4 May 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using Chou–Talalay median effect analysis, we demonstrated in permanent and short-term cultures of colorectal cancer cells that the expression of measles virus fusogenic membrane glycoproteins (FMGs) in combination with chemotherapy often causes over most of the cytotoxic dose range synergistic cell killing. In this combined treatment, we observed strongly enhanced annexin V binding and caspase-3/7 activity when compared to single-agent treatment. Furthermore, we showed increased expression of heat-shock protein (Hsp)70 and Hsp90α, but not of Hsp60. In a subcutaneous HT-29 colorectal xenograft model, we demonstrated that the administration of a replication-defective adenoviral or herpes simplex virus (HSV) amplicon vector (Ad.H/F or HSV.H/F) encoding tumor-restricted FMG in combination with FOLFOX significantly enhanced treatment outcome when compared to treatment with each compound individually. To increase the fraction of tumor cells expressing the FMG, we trans-complemented the Ad.H/F and HSV.H/F vector with the respective oncolytic replication-restricted adenovirus Ad.COXΔMK or HSV-1 G47Δ vector. At the end of the observation period (day 100), eight out of 10 animals that received G47Δ, HSV.H/F and FOLFOX were alive and tumor free. Administration of the analogous adenovirus-based regimen resulted in four out of 10 long-term survivors. We demonstrated that the expression of FMG in combination with chemotherapy can significantly enhance treatment outcome, which is further enhanced by combination with trans-complementing oncolytic vectors.Gene Therapy (2006) 13, 1534–1544. doi:10.1038/sj.gt.3302806; published online 22 June 2006 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Firefly luciferase (Fluc) has routinely been used to quantitate and analyze gene expression in vitro by measuring the photons emitted after the addition of ATP and luciferin to a test sample. It is now possible to replace luminometer-based analysis of luciferase activity and measure luciferase activity delivered by viral vectors directly in live animals over time using digital imaging techniques. Methods An HSV amplicon vector expressing Fluc cDNA from an inducible promoter was delivered to cells in culture and into the mouse brain. In culture, expression of Fluc was measured after induction in a dose-dependent manner by a biochemical assay, and then confirmed by Western blot analysis and digital imaging. The vectors were then stereotactically injected into the mouse brain and Fluc expression measured non-invasively using bioluminescence imaging. Results Rapamycin-mediated induction of Fluc from an HSV amplicon vector in culture resulted in dose-dependent expression of Fluc when measured using a luminometer and by digital analysis. In mouse cortex, a single injection of an HSV amplicon vector (2 µl, 1 × 108 transducing units (t.u.)/ml) expressing Fluc from a viral promoter (CMV) was sufficient to detect robust luciferase activity for at least 1 week. Similarly, an HSV amplicon vector expressing Fluc under an inducible promoter was also detectable in the mouse cortex after a single dose (2 µl, 1 × 108 t.u./ml) for up to 5 days, with no detectable signal in the uninduced state. Conclusions This HSV amplicon vector-based system allows for fast, non-invasive, semi-quantitative analysis of gene expression in the brain. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by neurodegeneration, immunodefi-ciency, cancer predisposition, genome instability, and radiation sensitivity. Previous research has shown that it is possible to correct the hereditary deficiency A-T by DNA transfection in cell culture, but the large size of the ATM cDNA (9 kb) limits the use of many vector types for gene replacement. HSV-1 amplicon vectors provide a means to deliver large genes to cells efficiently and without toxicity. In this study, the FLAG-tagged cDNA for human ATM was inserted into an HSV-1 amplicon under control of the CMV promoter (designated as HGC-ATM). FLAG-ATM expression was confirmed in 293T/17 cells and human A-T fibroblasts (GM9607) after transduction, by immunoprecipitation, Western analysis, and immunocytochemistry. Functional recovery was assessed by two independent assays. First, in vitro kinase assay showed that vector-derived ATM in GM9607 cells could successfully phosphorylate wt p53 using recombinant GST-p53[SUB1-101]. Second, in A-T cells infected with the HGC-ATM vector, the extent of accumulation in G[SUB2]/M phase at 24 h postirradiation was similar to that observed in cells with wild-type endogenous ATM and lower than that observed in A-T cells infected with a control vector. Thus, these vectors provide a tool to test the feasibility of HSV-amplicons as gene therapy vectors for A-T. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although antifolates are popular agents for use in chemotherapy, they display minimal toxicity against slow-growing tumors and are toxic to actively replicating cells in normal tissues. These drugs are converted intracellularly into polyglutamate derivatives by the enzyme folylpolyglutamyl synthetase (FPGS). Because tumors with high expression of FPGS often respond to nontoxic antifolate doses, we investigated whether augmenting tumoral FPGS activity by gene delivery would enhance tumoral antifolate sensitivity.Methods: 9L rat gliosarcoma cells were stably transfected with a human FPGS complementary DNA (cDNA), producing 9L/FPGS cells. The sensitivity of these cells to the antifolates methotrexate and edatrexate was measured in culture and in subcutaneous tumors, as was their ability to increase the chemosensitivity of nearby nontransfected cells, i.e., a bystander effect. The antifolate sensitivity of nonselected cells transduced with a hybrid amplicon vector that expressed FPGS was also ascertained.Results: In comparison with 9L cells, 9L/FPGS cells displayed enhanced sensitivity to 4-hour pulses of antifolate. Subcutaneous 9L/FPGS tumors responded as well to methotrexate given every third day as 9L tumors did to daily treatment. A modest bystander effect was observed with edatrexate treatment in culture and in vivo. The observed bystander effect appeared to result from the release of antifolates by transfected cells after the removal of extracellular drug. In culture, enhanced antifolate sensitivity was also seen in other stably transfected rodent and human glioma cell lines, including one with high pre-existing FPGS activity, and in canine and human glioblastoma cell lines transduced with a vector bearing FPGS cDNA.Conclusions: FPGS gene delivery enhances the antifolate sensitivity of several glioma cell lines and merits further evaluation as a therapeutic strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]