Medical Specialties Commons^™

Head Impact Exposure In Male And Female Collegiate Ice Hockey Players, Bethany J. Wilcox, Jonathan G. Beckwith, Richard M. Greenwald, Jeffrey J. Chu, Thomas W. Mcallister, Laura A. Flashman, Arthur C. Maerlender, Ann-Christine Duhaime, Joseph J. Crisco

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to quantify head impact exposure (frequency, location and magnitude of head impacts) for individual male and female collegiate ice hockey players and to investigate differences in exposure by sex, player position, session type, and team. Ninety-nine (41 male, 58 female) players were enrolled and 37,411 impacts were recorded over three seasons. Frequency of impacts varied significantly by sex (males: 287 per season, females: 170, p < 0.001) and helmet impact location (p < 0.001) but not by player position (p = 0.088). Head impact frequency also varied by session type; both male and female players sustained more impacts in games than in practices (p < 0.001), however the magnitude of impacts did not differ between session types. There was no difference in 95th percentile peak linear acceleration between sexes (males: 41.6 g, females: 40.8 g), but 95th percentile peak rotational acceleration and HITsp (a composite severity measure) were greater for males than females (4424, 3409 rad/s2, and 25.6, 22.3, respectively). Impacts to the back of the helmet resulted in the greatest 95th percentile peak linear accelerations for males (45.2 g) and females (50.4 g), while impacts to the side and back of the head were associated with the greatest 95th percentile peak rotational accelerations (males: 4719, 4256 rad/sec², females: 3567, 3784 rad/sec², respectively). It has been proposed that reducing an individual’s head impact exposure is a practical approach for reducing the risk of …

High Prevalence Of Early Childhood Infection By Kshv In A Minority Population In China, Yifei Cao, Veenu Minhas, Xiaohua Tan, Jin Huang, Baodong Wang, Meiyi Zhu, Yuan Gao, Tingting Zhao, Lei Yang, Charles Wood

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

In China, KSHV seroprevalence varies considerably among different regions and ethnicities. But in Xinjiang province, located in the northwestern China, there is a very high seroprevalence of KSHV in adults of Kazak and Ughur ethnicities. However, KSHV prevalence in children and the risk factors associated with the acquisition of infection are currently not known. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of KSHV infection, identify associated socio-economic or behavioral risk factors and the humoral immune response among children in this population. This is a cross-sectional study (N=178) to screen children and their caregivers from Xinjiang for total …

Global Analysis Of Chlorella Variabilis Nc64a Mrna Profiles During The Early Phase Of Paramecium Bursaria Chlorella Virus-1 Infection, Janet M. Rowe, Adrien Jeanniard, James R. Gurnon, Yuannan Xia, David D. Dunigan, James L. Van Etten, Guillaume Blanc

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

The PBCV-1/Chlorella variabilis NC64A system is a model for studies on interactions between viruses and algae. Here we present the first global analyses of algal host transcripts during the early stages of infection, prior to virus replication. During the course of the experiment stretching over 1 hour, about a third of the host genes displayed significant changes in normalized mRNA abundance that either increased or decreased compared to uninfected levels. The population of genes with significant transcriptional changes gradually increased until stabilizing at 40 minutes post infection. Functional categories including cytoplasmic ribosomal proteins, jasmonic acid biosynthesis and anaphase promoting …

Dynamic Attachment Of Chlorovirus Pbcv-1 To Chlorella Variabilis, Irina Agarkova, Brigitte Hertel, Xinzheng Zhang, Les Lane, Alexander Tchourbanov, David D. Dunigan, Gerhard Thiel, Michael G. Rossmann, James L. Van Etten

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

Chloroviruses infect their hosts by specifically binding to and degrading the cell wall of their algal hosts at the site of attachment, using an intrinsic digesting enzyme(s). Chlorovirus PBCV-1 stored as a lysate survived longer than virus alone, suggesting virus attachment to cellular debris may be reversible. Ghost cells (algal cells extracted with methanol) were used as a model to study reversibility of PBCV-1 attachment because ghost cells are as susceptible to attachment and wall digestion as are live cells. Reversibility of attachment to ghost cells was examined by releasing attached virions with a cell wall degrading enzyme extract. The …

Genetic Variation And Possible Mechanisms Driving The Evolution Of Worldwide Fig Mosaic Virus Isolates, Jeewan Jyot Walia, Anouk Willemsen, Eminur Elci, Kadriye Caglayan, Bryce W. Falk, Luis Rubio

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

Fig mosaic virus (FMV) is a multipartite negative-sense RNA virus infecting fig trees worldwide. FMV is transmitted by vegetative propagation and grafting of plant materials, and by the eriophyid mite Aceria ficus. In this work, the genetic variation and evolutionary mechanisms shaping FMV populations were characterized. Nucleotide sequences from four genomic regions (each within the genomic RNAs 1, 2, 3, and 4) from FMV isolates from different countries were determined and analyzed. FMV genetic variation was low, as is seen for many other plant viruses. Phylogenetic analysis showed some geographically distant FMV isolates which clustered together, suggesting long-distance migration. …

Risk Factors For Early Childhood Infection Of Human Herpesvirus-8 In Zambian Children: The Role Of Early Childhood Feeding Practices, Kay L. Crabtree, Janet M. Wojcicki, Veenu Minhas, David R. Smith, Chipepo Kankasa, Charles D. Mitchell, Charles Wood

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

Background—Human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) infection in early childhood is common throughout sub-Saharan Africa with prevalence increasing throughout childhood. Specific routes of transmission have not been clearly delineated, though HHV-8 is present in high concentrations in saliva.

Methods—To understand the horizontal transmission of HHV-8 within households to children we enrolled for cross-sectional analysis, 251 households including 254 children, age two and under, in Lusaka, Zambia. For all children, plasma was screened for HHV-8 and HIV-1 and health and behavioral questionnaires were completed. Multi-level logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess independent factors for HHV-8 infection in children.

Results—Risk factors for HHV-8 infection …

Turnip Crinkle Virus Coat Protein Inhibits The Basal Immune Response To Virus Invasion In Arabidopsis By Binding To The Nac Transcription Factor Tip, Teresa Donze, Feng Qu, Paul Twigg, T. Jack Morris

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

Turnip crinkle virus (TCV) has been shown to interact with a NAC transcription factor, TIP, of Arabidopsis thaliana, via its coat protein (CP). This interaction correlates with the resistance response manifested in TCV-resistant Arabidopsis ecotype Di-17. We report that failure of a mutated CP to interact with TIP triggered the corresponding TCV mutant (R6A) to cause more severe symptoms in the TCV-susceptible ecotype Col-0. We hypothesized that TCV regulates antiviral basal immunity through TIP-CP interaction. Consistent with this hypothesis, we found that the rate of accumulation of R6A was measurably slower than wild-type TCV over the course of an …

The Effects Of Heart Disease, Teresa Wallace

Nebraska College Preparatory Academy: Senior Capstone Projects

• Physical: The physical risks and complications for contracting cardiovascular disease and how to prevent it.

• Social: Being social with the patient is a good way to lead the patient to the right path of recovery whereas if the patient had some family problems and had no family to comfort them.

• Emotional: The family is affected as well as the patient and I will be discussing how they act and feel before the surgeries of their child/family members and after the surgery.

Update Of The Who/Iuis Allergen Nomenclature Database Based On Analysis Of Allergen Sequences, C. Radauer, A. Nandy, F. Ferreira, Richard E. Goodman, J. N. Larsen, J. Lidholm, A. Pomés, M. Raulf-Heimsoth, P. Rozynek, W. R. Thomas, Heimo Breiteneder

Department of Food Science and Technology: Faculty Publications

The IUIS Allergen Nomenclature Sub-Committee, under the auspices of the World Health Organization and the International Union of Immunological Societies, maintains the systematic nomenclature of allergenic proteins and publishes a database of approved allergen names on its Web site, www.allergen.org. In this paper, we summarize updates of allergen names approved at the meetings of the committee in 2011 through 2013. These changes reflect recent progress in identification, cloning, and sequencing of allergens. The goals of this update were to increase consistency in the classification of allergens, isoallergens, and variants and in the incorporation of the evolutionary classification of proteins into …

A Prospective Study Of Periodontal Disease And Risk Of Gastric And Duodenal Ulcer In Male Health Professionals, Matthew R. Boylan, Hamed Khalili, Edward S. Huang, Dominique S. Michaud, Jacques Izard, Kaumudi J. Joshipura, Andrew T. Chan

Department of Food Science and Technology: Faculty Publications

Periodontal disease is characterized by microbial shifts within the oral cavity and chronic inflammation of the gingival tissue, and can lead to tooth loss. Several studies support an association between periodontal disease and risk of chronic systemic conditions, including vascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes mellitus, and cancer, including gastric adenocarcinoma. These associations may be mediated by systemic inflammation, the immune response to periodontal infection, or direct invasion by pathogens. Previous studies of periodontal disease and risk of peptic ulcer have been limited by cross-sectional design, diagnoses that were not confirmed by medical record review, and a lack of …

Development And Evolution Of Risk Assessment For Food Allergens, Rene W. R. Crevel, Joseph Baumert, Athanasia Baka, Geert Houben, André C. Knulst, Astrid Kruizinga, Stefano Luccioli, Stephen L. Taylor, Charlotte B. Madsen

Department of Food Science and Technology: Faculty Publications

The need to assess the risk from food allergens derives directly from the need to manage effectively this food safety hazard. Work spanning the last two decades dispelled the initial thinking that food allergens were so unique that the risk they posed was not amenable to established risk assessment approaches and methodologies. Food allergens possess some unique characteristics, which make a simple safety assessment approach based on the establishment of absolute population thresholds inadequate. Dose distribution modelling of MEDs permitted the quantification of the risk of reaction at the population level and has been readily integrated with consumption and contamination …

Translating Reference Doses Into Allergen Management Practice: Challenges For Stakeholders, René W. R. Crevel, Joseph Baumert, Stefano Luccioli, Athanasia Baka, Sue Hattersley, Jonathan O.B. Hourihane, Stefan Ronsmans, Frans Timmermans, Rachel Ward, Yong-Joo Chung

Department of Food Science and Technology: Faculty Publications

Risk assessment describes the impact of a particular hazard as a function of dose and exposure. It forms the foundation of risk management and contributes to the overall decision-making process, but is not its endpoint. This paper outlines a risk analysis framework to underpin decision-making in the area of allergen cross-contact. Specifically, it identifies challenges relevant to each component of the risk analysis: risk assessment (data gaps and output interpretation); risk management (clear and realistic objectives); and risk communication (clear articulation of risk and benefit). Translation of the outputs from risk assessment models into risk management measures must be informed …

Cell- And Virus-Mediated Regulation Of The Barrier-To-Autointegration Factor’S Phosphorylation State Controls Its Dna Binding, Dimerization, Subcellular Localization, And Antipoxviral Activity, Augusta Jamin, April Wicklund, Matthew S. Wiebe

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

Barrier-to-autointegration factor (BAF) is a DNA binding protein with multiple cellular functions, including the ability to act as a potent defense against vaccinia virus infection. This antiviral function involves BAF’s ability to condense double-stranded DNA and subsequently prevent viral DNA replication. In recent years, it has become increasingly evident that dynamic phosphorylation involving the vaccinia virus B1 kinase and cellular enzymes is likely a key regulator of multiple BAF functions; however, the precise mechanisms are poorly understood. Here we analyzed how phosphorylation impacts BAF’s DNA binding, subcellular localization, dimerization, and antipoxviral activity through the characterization of BAF phosphomimetic and unphosphorylatable …

Characterization Of A Dual-Tropic Human Immunodeficiency Virus (Hiv-1) Strain Derived From The Prototypical X4 Isolate Hxbc2, Shi-Hua Xiang, Beatriz Pacheco, Dane Bowder, Wen Yuan, Joseph Sodroski

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) coreceptor usage and tropism can be modulated by the V3 loop sequence of the gp120 exterior envelope glycoprotein. For coreceptors, R5 viruses use CCR5, X4 viruses use CXCR4, and dual-tropic (R5X4) viruses use either CCR5 or CXCR4. To understand the requirements for dual tropism, we derived and analyzed a dual-tropic variant of an X4 virus. Changes in the V3 base, which allow gp120 to interact with the tyrosine-sulfated CCR5 N-terminus, and deletion of residues 310/311 in the V3 tip were necessary for efficient CCR5 binding and utilization. Thus, both sets of V3 changes allowed …

Live Siv Vaccine Correlate Of Protection: Immune Complex-Inhibitory Fc Receptor Interactions That Reduce Target Cell Availability, Anthony J. Smith, Stephen W. Wietgrefe, Liang Shang, Cavan S. Reilly, Peter J. Southern, Katherine E. Perkey, Lijie Duan, Heinz Kohler, Sybille Muller, James Robinson, John V. Carlis, Qingsheng Li, R. Paul Johnson, Ashley T. Haase

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

Principles to guide design of an effective vaccine against HIV are greatly needed, particularly to

protect women in the pandemic’s epicentre in Africa. We have been seeking these principles by

identifying correlates of the robust protection associated with SIV_mac239Δnef vaccination in the

SIV-rhesus macaque animal model of HIV-1 transmission to women. We have identified one

correlate of SIV_mac239Δnef protection against vaginal challenge as a resident mucosal system for

SIV-gp41 trimer antibody production and neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn)-mediated concentration of

these antibodies on the path of virus entry to inhibit establishment of infected founder populations

at the …

Review Of Epidemiology And Transmission Of Kaposi’S Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus, Veenu Minhas, Charles Wood

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

This review summarizes the current knowledge pertaining to Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) epidemiology and transmission. Since the identification of KSHV twenty years ago, it is now known to be associated with Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS), primary effusion lymphoma, and multicentric Castleman’s disease. Many studies have been conducted to understand its epidemiology and pathogenesis and their results clearly show that the worldwide distribution of KSHV is uneven. Some geographical areas, such as sub-Saharan Africa, the Mediterranean region and the Xinjiang region of China, are endemic areas, but Western Europe and United States have a low prevalence in the general population. This makes …

Seroprevalence Of Human Herpesvirus 8 And Hepatitis C Virus Among Drug Users In Shanghai, China, Tiejun Zhang, Ying Liu, Yuyan Zhang, Jun Wang, Veenu Minhas, Charles Wood, Na He

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

To elucidate and compare the seroprevalence of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) among Chinese drug users, a cross-sectional study of 441 participants, was conducted in Shanghai, China, from 2012 through 2013. Seventy-seven (17.5%) participants were found to be positive for HHV8 antibodies, while 271 (61.5%) participants were positive for HCV. No significant association between HHV8 seropositivity and drug use characteristics, sexual behaviors, HCV, or syphilis was observed. In contrast, a statistically significant association between HCV seropositivity and injected drug history (OR, 2.18, 95% CI 1.41–3.37) was detected, whereas no statistically significant association between HCV seropositivity and …

Vaccines Within Vaccines: The Use Of Adenovirus Types 4 And 7 As Influenza Vaccine Vectors, Eric A. Weaver

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

adenovirus Types 4 and 7 (ad4 and ad7) are associated with acute respiratory distress (aRD). In order to prevent wide- spread ad-associated aRD (ad-aRD) the United states military immunizes new recruits using a safe and effective lyophi- lized wildtype ad4 and ad7 delivered orally in an enteric-coated capsule. We cloned ad4 and ad7 and modified them to express either a GFP-Luciferase (GFPLuc) fusion gene or a centralized influenza H1 hemagglutinin (Ha1-con). BaLB/c mice were injected with GFPLuc expressing viruses intramuscularly (i.m.) and intranasally (i.n.). ad4 induced significantly higher luciferase expression levels as compared with ad7 by both routes. ad7 transduction …

Sulfites, Steve L. Taylor, Robert K. Bush, Julie A. Nordlee

Department of Food Science and Technology: Faculty Publications

Key Concepts

Sulfites are frequently used food and drug additives.

Ingestion of sulfite residues has been documented to trigger asthmatic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Sulfite-induced asthma occurs in less than 5% of asthmatic individuals, and those with severe, persistent asthma are at greatest risk.

The diagnosis of sulfite-induced asthma is best made by blinded oral challenge with assessment of lung function.

Labeling regulations in the United States alert sulfite-sensitive individuals to the presence of sulfites in foods, which must then be avoided.

Investigation Of Commercial Milk Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (Elisa) Kits: Specificity And Utility For Residues Of Foods Subjected To Proteolysis During Processing, Katherine O. Ivens

Department of Food Science and Technology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Analytical methods, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), are used to detect and quantify residues from allergenic sources in food products. However, ELISAs have not been validated for use in foods that have been exposed to proteolysis. This thesis explores the specificities, sensitivities, and capabilities of commercially-available milk ELISA kits for detecting milk residues in cheeses that have undergone varying degrees of proteolysis.

The specificity, accuracy, and consistency of twelve commercially-available milk ELISA kits for individual milk proteins and commonly used milk-derived ingredients, including α-,β-, and κ-casein, β-lactoglobulin, α-lactalbumin, non-fat dry milk, sodium caseinate, and whey protein concentrate were evaluated. …

Prenatal Development: Annotated Bibliography, Victoria J. Molfese, Amanda Prokasky, Kathleen Moritz Rudasill, Ibrahim H. Acar, Xiaoqing Tu, Kate Sirota, Brian Keiser

Department of Child, Youth, and Family Studies: Faculty Publications

For decades, researchers have investigated how events in the prenatal period impact women and their infants. These studies, particularly by researchers in the medical, neuroscience, and behavioral science fields, led to discoveries of important information regarding the prenatal events that were strongly associated with mortality (or death) and morbidity (or incidences of injury, pathology and abnormalities/anomalies, and neurobehavioral sequelae) in the neonatal and infancy periods. Among the many common findings from early research studies, two are particularly noteworthy. First, maternal and fetal risk conditions arising in the prenatal period do not do so in isolation. Sameroff and Chandler characterized this …

Recruitment Of Tlr Adapter Trif To Tlr4 Signaling Complex Is Mediated By The Second Helical Region Of Trif Tir Domain, Wenji Piao, Lisa W. Ru, Kurt H. Piepenbrink, Eric J. Sundberg, Stefanie N. Vogel, Vladimir Y. Toshchakov

Food for Health: Publications

Toll/IL-1R resistance (TIR) domain–containing adapter-inducing IFN-β (TRIF) is a Toll-like receptor (TLR) adapter that mediates MyD88-independent induction of type I interferons through activation of IFN regulatory factor 3 and NFκB. We have examined peptides derived from the TRIF TIR domain for ability to inhibit TLR4. In addition to a previously identified BB loop peptide (TF4), a peptide derived from putative helix B of TRIF TIR (TF5) strongly inhibits LPS-induced cytokine and MAPK activation in wild-type cells. TF5 failed to inhibit LPS-induced cytokine and kinase activation in TRIF-deficient immortalized bone-marrow–derived macrophage, but was fully inhibitory in MyD88 knockout cells. TF5 does …

Methods For Quantifying T Cell Receptor Binding Affinities And Thermodynamics, Kurt H. Piepenbrink, Brian E. Gloor, Kathryn M. Armstrong, Brian M. Baker

Food for Health: Publications

αβ T cell receptors (TCRs) recognize peptide antigens bound and presented by class I or class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins. Recognition of a peptide/MHC complex is required for initiation and propagation of a cellular immune response, as well as the development and maintenance of the T cell repertoire. Here we discuss methods to quantify the affinities and thermodynamics of interactions between soluble ectodomains of TCRs and their peptide/MHC ligands, focusing on titration calorimetry, surface plasmon resonance, and fluorescence anisotropy. As TCRs typically bind ligand with weak-to-moderate affinities, we focus the discussion on means to enhance the accuracy and …

Holobiont Nutrition: Considering The Role Of The Gastrointestinal Microbiota In The Health Benefits Of Whole Grains, Jens Walter, Ines Martinez, Devin J. Rose

Food for Health: Publications

Intake of whole grains and other food products high in dietary fiber have long been linked to the prevention of chronic diseases associated with inflammation. A contribution of the gastrointestinal microbiota to these effects has been suggested, but little is known on how whole grains interact with gut bacteria. We have recently published the first human trial that made use of next-generation sequencing to determine the effect of whole grains (whole grain barley, brown rice or a mixture of the two) on fecal microbiota structure and tested for associations between the gut microbiota and blood markers of inflammation, glucose and …

Data Mining The Functional Characterizations Of Proteins To Predict Their Cancer-Relatedness, Peter Revesz, Christopher Assi

School of Computing: Faculty Publications

This paper considers two types of protein data. First, data about protein function described in a number of ways, such as, GO terms and PFAM families. Second, data about whether individual proteins are experimentally associated with cancer by an anomalous elevation or lowering of their expressions within cancerous cells. We combine these two types of protein data and test whether the first type of data, that is, the functional descriptors, can predict the second type of data, that is, cancer-relatedness. By using data mining and machine learning, we derive a classifier algorithm that using only GO term and PFAM family …

Challenges In Testing Genetically Modified Crops For Potential Increases In Endogenous Allergen Expression For Safety, Rakhi Panda, H. Ariyarathna, Plaimein Amnuaycheewa, Afua O. Tetteh, S. N. Pramod, Steve Taylor, B. K. Ballmer-Weber, Richard E. Goodman

Department of Food Science and Technology: Faculty Publications

Premarket, genetically modified (GM) plants are assessed for potential risks of food allergy. The major risk would be transfer of a gene encoding an allergen or protein nearly identical to an allergen into a different food source, which can be assessed by specific serum testing. The potential that a newly expressed protein might become an allergen is evaluated based on resistance to digestion in pepsin and abundance in food fractions. If the modified plant is a common allergenic source (e.g. soybean), regulatory guidelines suggest testing for increases in the expression of endogenous allergens. Some regulators request evaluating endogenous allergens for …

Threshold Dose For Shrimp: A Risk Characterization Based On Objective Reactions In Clinical Studies, Julie A. Nordlee, Benjamin C. Remington, Barbara K. Ballmer-Weber, Samuel B. Lehrer, Joe L. Baumert, Steve L. Taylor

Department of Food Science and Technology: Faculty Publications

A DBPCFC [double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge] of shrimp-allergic adults was conducted to obtain individual threshold doses. Results of this study and published research were combined and a population threshold for shrimp was determined from dose-distribution modeling. The shrimp-allergic population seems to have a higher threshold compared to other populations for other food allergens. Additional shrimp challenges should be done to confirm these initial results.

Molecular Architecture Of The Uncleaved Hiv-1 Envelope Glycoprotein Trimer, Youdong Mao, Luis Castillo-Menendez, Liping Wang, Christopher Gu, Alon Herschhorn, Anik Désormeaux, Andrés Finzi, Shi-Hua Xiang, Joseph Sodroski

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) envelope glycoprotein (Env) trimer, a membrane-fusing machine, mediates virus entry into host cells and is the sole virusspecific target for neutralizing antibodies. Binding the receptors, CD4 and CCR5/CXCR4, triggers Env conformational changes from the metastable unliganded state to the fusion-active state. We used cryo-electron microscopy to obtain a 6-Å structure of the membranebound, heavily glycosylated HIV-1 Env trimer in its uncleaved and unliganded state. The spatial organization of secondary structure elements reveals that the unliganded conformations of both gp120 and gp41 subunits differ from those induced by receptor binding. The gp120 trimer association domains, which …

Variations In The Biological Functions Of Hiv-1 Clade C Envelope In A Shiv-Infected Rhesus Macaque During Disease Progression, For Yue Tso, Levon Abrahamyan, Shiu-Lok Hu, Ruth M. Ruprecht, Charles Wood

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

A better understanding of how the biological functions of the HIV-1 envelope (Env) changes during disease progression may aid the design of an efficacious anti-HIV-1 vaccine. Although studies from patient had provided some insights on this issue, the differences in the study cohorts and methodology had make it difficult to reach a consensus of the variations in the HIV-1 Env functions during disease progression. To this end, an animal model that can be infected under controlled environment and reflect the disease course of HIV-1 infection in human will be beneficial. Such an animal model was previously demonstrated by the infection …

Kaposi’S Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Transactivator Rta Induces Cell Cycle Arrest In G0/G1 Phase By Stabilizing And Promoting Nuclear Localization Of P27Kip, Pankaj Kumar, Charles Wood

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

The Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) immediate-early gene, replication, and transcription activator (KRta) is a key viral protein that serves as the master regulator for viral lytic replication. In this study, we investigated the role of K-Rta in cell cycle regulation and found that the expression of K-Rta in doxycycline (Dox)-inducible BJAB cells induced cell cycle arrest in G₀/G₁ phase. Western blot analysis of key cell cycle regulators revealed that K-Rta-mediated cell cycle arrest was associated with a decrease in cyclin A and phosphorylated Rb (pS807/pS811) protein levels, both markers of S phase progression, and an increase in …