Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0014070 (encephalomyelitis)
13,017 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The RNA genome of Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis viruses, a picornavirus belonging to the genus Cardiovirus, is translated in infected cells to a polyprotein. Unlike cellular messages, the 5' end of the RNA is not capped, and the untranslated region (UTR) is quite long (1,064 nucleotides in size). In poliovirus and encephalomyocarditis virus, the 5'UTR is thought to mediate cap-independent translation. We report here experiments to determine the role of the Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus 5'UTR in translation. Recombinant DNAs were constructed that were transcribed into bicistronic mRNAs encoding 5' chloramphenicol acetyltransferase intercistronic sequences linked to luciferase and a poly(A) 3' tail. The sequences of the 5'UTR, either complete or with sequential 5' deletions, were inserted into the intercistronic region. Bicistronic RNA transcripts were translated in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate or used to transfect BHK-21 cells, and chloramphenicol acetyltransferase and luciferase synthesis was quantitated. The results strongly suggest that the Theiler's virus 5'UTR promotes cap-independent translation and that the 5' boundary of the relevant signals resides 3' to nucleotide 500. Monocistronic mRNAs were synthesized by using an expression vector in which the 5'UTR containing deletions at the 3' terminus was inserted 5' to the coding sequences for luciferase. Analysis of luciferase translation in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate suggests that the 3' end of the translation initiation signal lies between nucleotides 1043 and 1053.
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PMID:Cap-independent translation by the 5' untranslated region of Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus. 140 91

The highly structured 5' untranslated region (5' UTR) of Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus is involved in cap-independent translation of the viral RNA. Previously, we reported that the bicistronic mRNA chloramphenicol acetyltransferase-5' UTR-luciferase (Luc) efficiently expressed Luc both in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate and when transfected into BHK-21 cells. Insertion of 3 nucleotides at position 665 in the 5' UTR of this bicistronic mRNA resulted in greatly reduced Luc expression in BHK-21 cells but had little effect on expression of Luc in rabbit reticulocyte lysate. This mutation was also introduced into a virulent Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus chimera, Chi-VL. The kinetics of viral RNA and protein synthesis and virus production in BHK-21 cells were slower for the mutant chimera [Chi-VL(IN668)] than for Chi-VL; however, the final virus yields were comparable. Intracerebral inoculation of mice with the chimeras revealed that Chi-VL(IN668) was completely attenuated in neurovirulence. The reduced neurovirulence of Chi-VL(IN668) may be ascribed to its reduced growth in the central nervous system, most likely due to an impaired ability to synthesize viral proteins.
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PMID:A three-nucleotide insertion in the H stem-loop of the 5' untranslated region of Theiler's virus attenuates neurovirulence. 768 72

The 5' noncoding regions of the genomes of picornaviruses form a complex structure that directs cap-independent initiation of translation. This structure has been termed the internal ribosome entry site (IRES). The efficiency of translation initiation was shown, in vitro, to be influenced by the binding of cellular factors to the IRES. Hence, we hypothesized that the IRES might control picornavirus tropism. In order to test this possibility, we made a bicistronic construct in which translation of the luciferase gene is controlled by the IRES of Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus. In vitro, we observed that the IRES functions in various cell types and in macrophages, irrespective of their activation state. In vivo, we observed that the IRES is functional in different tissues of transgenic mice. Thus, it seems that the IRES is not an essential determinant of Theiler's virus tropism. On the other hand, the age of the mouse could be critical for IRES function. Indeed, the IRES was found to be more efficient in young mice. Picornavirus IRESs are becoming popular tools in transgenesis technology, since they allow the expression of two genes from the same transcription unit. Our results show that the Theiler's virus IRES is functional in cells of different origins and that it is thus a broad-spectrum tool. The possible age dependency of the IRES function, however, could be a drawback for gene expression in adult mice.
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PMID:Absence of internal ribosome entry site-mediated tissue specificity in the translation of a bicistronic transgene. 1007 19

CD4+ T cells are believed to play a central role in the initiation and perpetuation of autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis. In the murine model for multiple sclerosis, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, pathogenic T cells exhibit a Th1-like phenotype characterized by heightened expression of proinflammatory cytokines. Systemic administration of "regulatory" cytokines, which serve to counter Th1 effects, has been shown to ameliorate autoimmune responses. However, the inherent problems of nonspecific toxicity limit the usefulness of systemic cytokine delivery as a potential therapy. Therefore, we used the site-specific trafficking properties of autoantigen-reactive CD4+ T cells to develop an adoptive immunotherapy protocol that provided local delivery of a Th1 cytokine antagonist, the p40 subunit of IL-12. In vitro analysis demonstrated that IL-12 p40 suppressed IFN-gamma production in developing and effector Th1 populations, indicating its potential to modulate Th1-promoted inflammation. We have previously demonstrated that transduction of myelin basic protein-specific CD4+ T cells with pGC retroviral vectors can result in efficient and stable transgene expression. Therefore, we adoptively transferred myelin basic protein-specific CD4+ T cells transduced to express IL-12 p40 into mice immunized to develop experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and demonstrated a significant reduction in clinical disease. In vivo tracking of bioluminescent lymphocytes, transduced to express luciferase, using low-light imaging cameras demonstrated that transduced CD4+ T cells trafficked to the central nervous system, where histological analysis confirmed long-term transgene expression. These studies have demonstrated that retrovirally transduced autoantigen-specific CD4+ T cells inhibited inflammation and promoted immunotherapy of autoimmune disorders.
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PMID:Adoptive immunotherapy of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis via T cell delivery of the IL-12 p40 subunit. 1149 28

The CD154 molecule is important for experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) which is mediated by autoimmune CD4(+) T-cells. Post-transcriptional instabilization/stabilization of mRNAs, which contain an adenylate uridylate rich element (ARE) in their 3' untranslated region (3'UTR), is regulated in part by binding of ARE-binding proteins to the element. We have investigated the protein which binds to the nonameric ARE in the 3'UTR of CD154 mRNA. A protein which binds to the CD154 ARE was found to exist in a extract prepared from murine autoimmune T-cells activated with myelin basic protein (MBP), and turned out to be mHuR which is a ubiquitous ELAV-like protein. It was found that mHuR was upregulated upon stimulation of the T-cells with a MBP antigen. The CD154 ARE and the ARE in the 3'UTR of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) mRNA were competed in binding to mHuR, indicating that both AREs bind to the same site on mHuR. The presence of the CD154 ARE downstream of the luciferase cDNA in a reporter plasmid decreased the translational efficiency, and co-expression of the mHuR slightly increased the translation. These results suggest the possibility that the ELAV-like protein participates in the regulation of the expression of CD154 on the autoimmune T-cells. Modification of the expression of CD154 on autoimmune T-cells by regulating the ELAV-like protein may provide effective therapy for EAE and human multiple sclerosis.
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PMID:Binding of the ELAV-like protein in murine autoimmune T-cells to the nonameric AU-rich element in the 3' untranslated region of CD154 mRNA. 1268 4

The identification of viral determinants of virulence and host determinants of susceptibility to virus-induced disease is essential for understanding the pathogenesis of infection. Obtaining this information requires infecting large numbers of animals to assay amounts of virus in a variety of organs and to observe the onset and progression of disease. As an alternative approach, we have used a murine model of viral encephalitis and an in vivo imaging system that can detect light generated by luciferase to monitor over time the extent and location of virus replication in intact, living mice. Sindbis virus causes encephalomyelitis in mice, and the outcome of infection is determined both by the strain of virus used for infection and by the strain of mouse infected. The mode of entry into the nervous system is not known. Virulent and avirulent strains of Sindbis virus were engineered to express firefly luciferase, and the Xenogen IVIS system was used to monitor the location and extent of virus replication in susceptible and resistant mice. The amount of light generated directly reflected the amount of infectious virus in the brain. This system could distinguish virulent and avirulent strains of virus and susceptible and resistant strains of mice and suggested that virus entry into the nervous system could occur by retrograde axonal transport either from neurons innervating the initial site of replication or from the olfactory epithelium after viremic spread.
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PMID:Luciferase imaging of a neurotropic viral infection in intact animals. 1269 35

Rolipram suppresses experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and diminishes cell infiltration of the central nervous system (CNS). In Lewis rats with EAE, rolipram reduced matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) gene expression in lymph node cells (LNCs) and spinal cord, decreased basal levels of nuclear (p50/p65) NF-kappaB in LNCs from treated rats, and impaired CD3 mediated NF-kappaB translocation. Rolipram reduced the luciferase activity directed by the NF-kappaB binding site of the MMP-9 gene in lymphocytes. It also diminished NF-kappaB activity and the ability of a myelin basic protein (MBP) specific cell line to migrate across artificial basement membranes. IL-2 induced MMP-9 proteolytic activity was only slightly reduced indicating that additional factors contribute to inhibit cell migration mediated by rolipram.
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PMID:Rolipram impairs NF-kappaB activity and MMP-9 expression in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. 1618 79

Cytokine immunomodulation of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a model for multiple sclerosis, has remained a formidable treatment option, but access into the CNS is hampered due to the impermeability of the blood-brain barrier. In this report, we describe the construction and characterization of CNS-homing gene delivery/therapy vectors based on avirulent Semliki Forest virus (SFV) expressing either native or mutant transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta1). Biological activity of the expressed inserts was demonstrated by PAI-1 promoter driven luciferase production in mink cells and TGF-beta1 mRNA was demonstrated in the CNS of virus treated mice by in situ hybridization and RT-PCR. Both vectors, when given intraperitoneally to EAE mice significantly reduced disease severity compared to untreated mice. Our results imply that immunomodulation by neurotropic viral vectors may offer a promising treatment strategy for autoimmune CNS disorders.
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PMID:Semliki Forest virus vectors expressing transforming growth factor beta inhibit experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in Balb/c mice. 1731 67

LFA-1 (CD11a/CD18) is a member of the beta(2)-integrin family of adhesion molecules important in leukocyte trafficking and activation. Although LFA-1 is thought to contribute to the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) primarily through its functions on effector T cells, its importance on other leukocyte populations remains unexplored. To address this question, we performed both adoptive transfer EAE experiments involving CD11a(-/-) mice and trafficking studies using bioluminescent T cells expressing luciferase under the control of a CD2 promoter (T-lux cells). Transfer of encephalitogenic CD11a(-/-) T cells to wild type mice resulted in a significant reduction in overall EAE severity compared to control transfers. We also observed, using in vivo imaging techniques, that CD11a(-/-) T-lux cells readily infiltrated lymph nodes and the CNS of wild type recipients with kinetics comparable to CD11a(+/+) transfers, although their overall numbers in these organs were reduced. Surprisingly, transfer of encephalitogenic wild type T cells to CD11a(-/-) mice induced a severe and sometimes fatal EAE disease course, associated with massive T cell infiltration and proliferation in the CNS. These data indicate that LFA-1 expression on leukocytes in recipient mice plays an important immunomodulatory role in EAE. Thus, LFA-1 acts as a key regulatory adhesion molecule during the development of EAE, serving both pro- and anti-inflammatory roles in disease pathogenesis.
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PMID:Effector and suppressor roles for LFA-1 during the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. 1901 May 54

Interleukin-12 (IL-12) p70 (p40:p35) is a bioactive cytokine and its biological functions are becoming clear. On the other hand, the IL-12 p40 homodimer (p40(2)) was considered an inactive or inhibitory molecule and its functions are poorly understood. It has been reported that increased expression of lymphotoxin-alpha (Lt-alpha) in the central nervous system as well as in peripheral immune cells is associated with multiple sclerosis and experimental allergic encephalomyelitis. Here we describe that p40(2) induces the expression of Lt-alpha in primary mouse and human microglia, BV-2 microglial cells, splenic macrophages, RAW 264.7 cells and splenic T cells. Interestingly, IL-12 p70 was either unable to induce Lt-alpha or was a very weak inducer of Lt-alpha in these cell types. Consistently, p40(2), but not p70, induced Lt-alpha promoter-driven luciferase activity in microglial cells. Among various stimuli tested, p40(2) emerged as the most potent followed by IL-16, lipopolyaccharide and double-stranded RNA in inducing the activation of Lt-alpha promoter in microglial cells. Furthermore, an increase in Lt-alpha messenger RNA expression by overexpression of p40, but not p35, complementary DNA and induction of Lt-alpha expression by p40(2) in microglia isolated from IL-12p35(-/-) mice confirm that p40, but not p35, is responsible for the induction of Lt-alpha. Finally, by using primary microglia from IUL-12 receptor beta1 deficient (IL-12Rbeta1(-/-)) and IL-12Rbeta2(-/-) mice, we demonstrate that p40(2) induced the expression of Lt-alpha in microglia and macrophages via IL-12Rbeta1, but not IL-12Rbeta2. These studies delineate a novel biological function of p40(2) that is absent in IL-12.
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PMID:Induction of lymphotoxin-alpha by interleukin-12 p40 homodimer, the so-called biologically inactive molecule, but not IL-12 p70. 1901 87


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