Frontiers in Immunology (Jul 2024)

Inhibition of B cell receptor signaling induced by the human adenovirus species D E3/49K protein

  • Andreas Hildenbrand,
  • Precious Cramer,
  • Precious Cramer,
  • Milena Bertolotti,
  • Milena Bertolotti,
  • Nathalie Sophia Kaiser,
  • Kathrin Kläsener,
  • Clara Muriel Nickel,
  • Michael Reth,
  • Michael Reth,
  • Albert Heim,
  • Hartmut Hengel,
  • Hans-Gerhard Burgert,
  • Zsolt Ruzsics

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2024.1432226
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 15

Abstract

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IntroductionThe early transcription unit 3 (E3) of human adenoviruses (HAdVs) encodes several immunoevasins, including the E3/49K protein, which is unique for species D of HAdVs. It is expressed as surface transmembrane protein and shed. E3/49K of HAdV-D64 binds to the protein tyrosine phosphatase surface receptor CD45, thereby modulating activation of T and NK cells.MethodsConsidering that E3/49K represents the most polymorphic viral protein among species D HAdVs, we demonstrate here that all tested E3/49K orthologs bind to the immunologically important regulator CD45. Thus, this feature is conserved regardless of the pathological associations of the respective HAdV types.ResultsIt appeared that modulation of CD45 is a unique property restricted to HAdVs of species D. Moreover, E3/49K treatment inhibited B cell receptor (BCR) signaling and impaired BCR signal phenotypes. The latter were highly comparable to B cells having defects in the expression of CD45, suggesting E3/49K as a potential tool to investigate CD45 specific functions.ConclusionWe identified B cells as new direct target of E3/49K-mediated immune modulation, representing a novel viral immunosubversive mechanism.

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