TY - JOUR

T1 - Varicella zoster virus glycoprotein C increases chemokine-mediated leukocyte migration

AU - González-Motos, Víctor

AU - Jürgens, Carina

AU - Ritter, Birgit

AU - Kropp, Kai A.

AU - Durán, Verónica

AU - Larsen, Olav

AU - Binz, Anne

AU - Ouwendijk, Werner J.D.

AU - Lenac Rovis, Tihana

AU - Jonjic, Stipan

AU - Verjans, Georges M.G.M.

AU - Sodeik, Beate

AU - Krey, Thomas

AU - Bauerfeind, Rudolf

AU - Schulz, Thomas F.

AU - Kaufer, Benedikt B.

AU - Kalinke, Ulrich

AU - Proudfoot, Amanda E.I.

AU - Rosenkilde, Mette M.

AU - Viejo-Borbolla, Abel

PY - 2017/5

Y1 - 2017/5

N2 - Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is a highly prevalent human pathogen that establishes latency in neurons of the peripheral nervous system. Primary infection causes varicella whereas reactivation results in zoster, which is often followed by chronic pain in adults. Following infection of epithelial cells in the respiratory tract, VZV spreads within the host by hijacking leukocytes, including T cells, in the tonsils and other regional lymph nodes, and modifying their activity. In spite of its importance in pathogenesis, the mechanism of dissemination remains poorly understood. Here we addressed the influence of VZV on leukocyte migration and found that the purified recombinant soluble ectodomain of VZV glycoprotein C (rSgC) binds chemokines with high affinity. Functional experiments show that VZV rSgC potentiates chemokine activity, enhancing the migration of monocyte and T cell lines and, most importantly, human tonsillar leukocytes at low chemokine concentrations. Binding and potentiation of chemokine activity occurs through the C-terminal part of gC ectodomain, containing predicted immunoglobulin-like domains. The mechanism of action of VZV rSgC requires interaction with the chemokine and signalling through the chemokine receptor. Finally, we show that VZV viral particles enhance chemokine-dependent T cell migration and that gC is partially required for this activity. We propose that VZV gC activity facilitates the recruitment and subsequent infection of leukocytes and thereby enhances VZV systemic dissemination in humans.

AB - Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is a highly prevalent human pathogen that establishes latency in neurons of the peripheral nervous system. Primary infection causes varicella whereas reactivation results in zoster, which is often followed by chronic pain in adults. Following infection of epithelial cells in the respiratory tract, VZV spreads within the host by hijacking leukocytes, including T cells, in the tonsils and other regional lymph nodes, and modifying their activity. In spite of its importance in pathogenesis, the mechanism of dissemination remains poorly understood. Here we addressed the influence of VZV on leukocyte migration and found that the purified recombinant soluble ectodomain of VZV glycoprotein C (rSgC) binds chemokines with high affinity. Functional experiments show that VZV rSgC potentiates chemokine activity, enhancing the migration of monocyte and T cell lines and, most importantly, human tonsillar leukocytes at low chemokine concentrations. Binding and potentiation of chemokine activity occurs through the C-terminal part of gC ectodomain, containing predicted immunoglobulin-like domains. The mechanism of action of VZV rSgC requires interaction with the chemokine and signalling through the chemokine receptor. Finally, we show that VZV viral particles enhance chemokine-dependent T cell migration and that gC is partially required for this activity. We propose that VZV gC activity facilitates the recruitment and subsequent infection of leukocytes and thereby enhances VZV systemic dissemination in humans.

U2 - 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006346

DO - 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006346

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 28542541

AN - SCOPUS:85020218084

VL - 13

JO - P L o S Pathogens

JF - P L o S Pathogens

SN - 1553-7366

IS - 5

M1 - e1006346

ER -