The adapter protein c-Cbl-associated protein (CAP) protects from acute CVB3-mediated myocarditis through stabilization of type I interferon production and reduced cytotoxicity

Basic Res Cardiol. 2014 May;109(3):411. doi: 10.1007/s00395-014-0411-3. Epub 2014 Apr 24.

Abstract

c-Cbl-associated protein (CAP), also called Sorbs1 or ponsin, has been described as an essential adapter protein in the insulin-signalling pathway. Here, we describe for the first time a unique protective role for CAP in viral myocarditis. Mortality and heart failure development were increased in CAP(-/-) mice compared to CAP(+/+) littermates after Coxsackievirus (CVB3) infection. Mechanistically, CAP protected from tissue apoptosis because of reduced CD8(+) T and natural killer cell cytotoxicity. Despite reduced cytotoxic elimination of CVB3-infected cells in CAP(+/+) hearts, however, CAP enhanced interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3)-dependent antiviral type I interferon production and decreased viral proliferation in vitro by binding to the cytoplasmic RIG-I-like receptor melanoma differentiation-associated protein 5 (MDA5). Taken together, these findings reveal a novel modulatory role for CAP in the heart as a key protein stabilizing antiviral type I interferon production, while protecting from excessive cytotoxic responses. Our study will help to define future strategies to develop treatments to limit detrimental responses during viral heart inflammation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis*
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / virology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Coxsackievirus Infections / genetics
  • Coxsackievirus Infections / immunology
  • Coxsackievirus Infections / metabolism
  • Coxsackievirus Infections / pathology
  • Coxsackievirus Infections / prevention & control*
  • Coxsackievirus Infections / virology
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases / metabolism
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Enterovirus B, Human / genetics
  • Enterovirus B, Human / growth & development
  • Enterovirus B, Human / immunology*
  • Enterovirus B, Human / pathogenicity
  • Interferon Regulatory Factor-3 / metabolism
  • Interferon Type I / metabolism*
  • Interferon-Induced Helicase, IFIH1
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology
  • Killer Cells, Natural / metabolism
  • Killer Cells, Natural / virology
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Microfilament Proteins / deficiency
  • Microfilament Proteins / genetics
  • Microfilament Proteins / metabolism*
  • Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88 / metabolism
  • Myocarditis / genetics
  • Myocarditis / immunology
  • Myocarditis / metabolism
  • Myocarditis / pathology
  • Myocarditis / prevention & control*
  • Myocarditis / virology
  • Myocardium / immunology
  • Myocardium / metabolism*
  • Myocardium / pathology
  • Time Factors
  • Virus Replication

Substances

  • Interferon Regulatory Factor-3
  • Interferon Type I
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • Myd88 protein, mouse
  • Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88
  • ponsin
  • Ifih1 protein, mouse
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases
  • Interferon-Induced Helicase, IFIH1