Host-pathogen Interactions in Ebola, Chikungunya, and Zika Viruses

A special issue of Diseases (ISSN 2079-9721). This special issue belongs to the section "Infectious Disease".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2019) | Viewed by 15824

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Guest Editor
Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of Medicine and University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, NE, USA
Interests: host-pathogen interactions; alphaviruses; filoviruses; innate immunity; host-based antivirals
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The interaction between an invading pathogen and the host factors they engage will determine the outcome of an infection. Broadly speaking, a host factor can play either of two roles during the course of an infection: (1) A given factor can be used by the pathogen to support a productive infection, or (2) A given factor can serve as a countermeasure that is in place to impair the infection process. The precise understanding of the interplay between the function of these factors aids our understanding of the molecular pathogenesis underlying infections. This topic collection focuses on host interaction with three key pathogens: Ebola virus (EBOV), Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), and Zika virus (ZIKV). All three pathogens have emerged recently, with devastating effects globally.

The purpose of this open access topic collection is to assemble a collection of research papers and reviews to enable further communication among scientists in the field. The topic can include any aspect of host interactions with EBOV, CHIKV, and ZIKV.

Dr. St Patrick Reid
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • Ebola virus
  • Chikungunya virus
  • Zika virus
  • Host Interactions
  • Antiviral
  • Therapeutics
  • Pathogenesis
  • Viral life cycle

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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7 pages, 712 KiB  
Article
The Cytokine Profile in Acute Chikungunya Infection is Predictive of Chronic Arthritis 20 Months Post Infection
by Aileen Y. Chang, Sarah Tritsch, St. Patrick Reid, Karen Martins, Liliana Encinales, Nelly Pacheco, Richard L. Amdur, Alexandra Porras-Ramirez, Alejandro Rico-Mendoza, Guangzhao Li, Jin Peng, Gary S. Firestein, Gary L. Simon and Jeff M. Bethony
Diseases 2018, 6(4), 95; https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases6040095 - 20 Oct 2018
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3533
Abstract
The cytokine profile during acute chikungunya infection that predicts future chronic arthritis has not yet been investigated. We conducted a nested case-control study comparing serum cytokine concentrations during acute chikungunya infection in cases (n = 121) that reported the presence of chronic [...] Read more.
The cytokine profile during acute chikungunya infection that predicts future chronic arthritis has not yet been investigated. We conducted a nested case-control study comparing serum cytokine concentrations during acute chikungunya infection in cases (n = 121) that reported the presence of chronic joint pain versus age- and gender-matched controls (n = 121) who reported recovery at 20 months post infection. We observed that a robust cytokine response during acute infection was correlated with a decreased incidence of chronic joint pain and that low TNFα, IL-13, IL-2, and IL-4 during acute infection was predictive of chronic joint pain. These data suggest that a robust cytokine response is necessary for viral clearance and cytokines that are related to immune tolerance during acute infection may be protective for chronic arthritis pathogenesis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Host-pathogen Interactions in Ebola, Chikungunya, and Zika Viruses)
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12 pages, 3049 KiB  
Article
Host Protein BAG3 is a Negative Regulator of Lassa VLP Egress
by Ziying Han, Michael P. Schwoerer, Philip Hicks, Jingjing Liang, Gordon Ruthel, Corbett T. Berry, Bruce D. Freedman, Cari A. Sagum, Mark T. Bedford, Sachdev S. Sidhu, Marius Sudol and Ronald N. Harty
Diseases 2018, 6(3), 64; https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases6030064 - 13 Jul 2018
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4090
Abstract
Lassa fever virus (LFV) belongs to the Arenaviridae family and can cause acute hemorrhagic fever in humans. The LFV Z protein plays a central role in virion assembly and egress, such that independent expression of LFV Z leads to the production of virus-like [...] Read more.
Lassa fever virus (LFV) belongs to the Arenaviridae family and can cause acute hemorrhagic fever in humans. The LFV Z protein plays a central role in virion assembly and egress, such that independent expression of LFV Z leads to the production of virus-like particles (VLPs) that mimic egress of infectious virus. LFV Z contains both PTAP and PPPY L-domain motifs that are known to recruit host proteins that are important for mediating efficient virus egress and spread. The viral PPPY motif is known to interact with specific host WW-domain bearing proteins. Here we identified host WW-domain bearing protein BCL2 Associated Athanogene 3 (BAG3) as a LFV Z PPPY interactor using our proline-rich reading array of WW-domain containing mammalian proteins. BAG3 is a stress-induced molecular co-chaperone that functions to regulate cellular protein homeostasis and cell survival via Chaperone-Assisted Selective Autophagy (CASA). Similar to our previously published findings for the VP40 proteins of Ebola and Marburg viruses, our results using VLP budding assays, BAG3 knockout cells, and confocal microscopy indicate that BAG3 is a WW-domain interactor that negatively regulates egress of LFV Z VLPs, rather than promoting VLP release. Our results suggest that CASA and specifically BAG3 may represent a novel host defense mechanism, whereby BAG3 may dampen egress of several hemorrhagic fever viruses by interacting and interfering with the budding function of viral PPxY-containing matrix proteins. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Host-pathogen Interactions in Ebola, Chikungunya, and Zika Viruses)
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Review

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10 pages, 204 KiB  
Review
The Neglect and Fast Spread of Some Arboviruses: A Note for Healthcare Providers in Nigeria
by Olatunji M. Kolawole, Adebimpe A. Seriki, Ahmad A. Irekeola and Jeremiah I. Ogah
Diseases 2018, 6(4), 99; https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases6040099 - 05 Nov 2018
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3708
Abstract
Arboviruses are distributed worldwide and constitute significant health burden globally. Outbreaks of arboviruses have been reported in Africa and beyond. In Nigeria, like in many other countries, arbovirus infections are more often than not neglected. As the early clinical features of arbovirus infections [...] Read more.
Arboviruses are distributed worldwide and constitute significant health burden globally. Outbreaks of arboviruses have been reported in Africa and beyond. In Nigeria, like in many other countries, arbovirus infections are more often than not neglected. As the early clinical features of arbovirus infections are generally nonspecific, most healthcare providers mistake them for other diseases. Outbreaks have been reported in Africa and beyond. The consequence of missed diagnosis of diseases cannot be overstated. In this review, some epidemiological data, classical syndromes, and risk factors for five human arboviruses (yellow fever YF, dengue DENV, chikungunya CHIKV, Rift Valley fever RVF, and West Nile virus WNV) found in Nigeria are presented. Health practitioners should ensure in-depth analysis rather than a superficial diagnosis of diseases before declaring a course of treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Host-pathogen Interactions in Ebola, Chikungunya, and Zika Viruses)

Other

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7 pages, 841 KiB  
Case Report
Fatal Human Case of Zika and Chikungunya Virus Co-Infection with Prolonged Viremia and Viruria
by Kelly R. Silva, Blanca E. R. G. Bica, Eduardo S. Pimenta, Rodrigo B. Serafim, Mirhelen M. Abreu, Jorge L. S. Gonçalves, Larissa De S. Santana, Mauro J. Cabral-Castro, José M. Peralta and Marta G. Cavalcanti
Diseases 2018, 6(3), 53; https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases6030053 - 21 Jun 2018
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3875
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) infection usually presents as a mild and self-limited illness, but it may be associated with severe outcomes. We describe a case of a 30-year-old man with systemic erythematous lupus and common variable immunodeficiency who became infected with both Zika (ZIKV) [...] Read more.
Zika virus (ZIKV) infection usually presents as a mild and self-limited illness, but it may be associated with severe outcomes. We describe a case of a 30-year-old man with systemic erythematous lupus and common variable immunodeficiency who became infected with both Zika (ZIKV) and Chikungunya (CHIKV) virus during the 2016 outbreak in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The patient presented with intense wrist and right ankle arthritis, and ZIKV RNA and virus particles were detected in synovial tissue, blood and urine, and CHIKV RNA in serum sample, at the time of the diagnosis. During the follow up, ZIKV RNA persisted for 275 days post symptoms onset. The patient evolved with severe arthralgia/arthritis and progressive deterioration of renal function. Fatal outcome occurred after 310 days post ZIKV and CHIKV co-infection onset. The results show the development of severe disease and fatal outcome of ZIKV infection in an immunosuppressed adult. The data suggests a correlation between immunodeficiency and prolonged ZIKV RNA shedding in both blood and urine with progressive disease. The results also indicate a possible role for arbovirus co-infections as risk factors for severe and fatal outcomes from ZIKV infection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Host-pathogen Interactions in Ebola, Chikungunya, and Zika Viruses)
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