Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 8, 2026

An In vitro Model to Study Immune Responses of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells to Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection
09:01

An In vitro Model to Study Immune Responses of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells to Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection

Published on: December 10, 2013

IFITM3 and susceptibility to respiratory viral infections in the community

Tara C Mills1, Anna Rautanen, Katherine S Elliott

  • 1Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, and.

The Journal of Infectious Diseases
|September 3, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Interferon-inducible transmembrane proteins (IFITM) are key in fighting viruses. This study found a link between an IFITM3 gene variant and mild flu susceptibility, but not severe H1N1 infection.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Genetics
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Interferon-inducible transmembrane proteins (IFITM) 1, 2, and 3 are known viral restriction factors.
  • These proteins play a role in cellular resistance against various viral infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association of a specific single-nucleotide polymorphism (rs12252) in the IFITM3 gene with influenza susceptibility.
  • To examine the role of IFITM3 rs12252 in both mild and severe H1N1 influenza cases.

Main Methods:

  • Genotyping of the IFITM3 rs12252 single-nucleotide polymorphism.
  • Study population included 34 patients with severe H1N1 influenza and over 5000 individuals with mild respiratory tract infections and controls of Caucasian ancestry.

Main Results:

  • Evidence suggests an association between rare allele homozygotes of rs12252 and susceptibility to mild influenza.
  • A previously reported association between rs12252 and severe H1N1 infection susceptibility could not be confirmed in this cohort.

Conclusions:

  • The IFITM3 rs12252 polymorphism may influence susceptibility to mild influenza.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the role of IFITM3 genetic variations in severe influenza pathogenesis.
Keywords:
H1N1IFITM3InfluenzaLRTIVirusassociation studygeneticsinfectious disease

More Related Videos

Assessing Respiratory Immune Responses to Haemophilus Influenzae06:32

Assessing Respiratory Immune Responses to Haemophilus Influenzae

Published on: June 29, 2021

Contact-Free Co-Culture Model for the Study of Innate Immune Cell Activation During Respiratory Virus Infection07:36

Contact-Free Co-Culture Model for the Study of Innate Immune Cell Activation During Respiratory Virus Infection

Published on: February 28, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Asthma I: Introduction01:28

Asthma I: Introduction

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways characterized by variable airflow obstruction and heightened bronchial responsiveness to a wide range of triggers. The underlying inflammation leads to airway swelling, mucus hypersecretion, and smooth muscle constriction, all of which narrow the airway lumen and impede airflow. Clinically, asthma presents with recurrent episodes of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, symptoms that typically vary in intensity and...
Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract01:29

Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract

The human respiratory tract, comprising the upper and lower segments, serves as a critical interface with the external environment. The upper respiratory tract (URT)—including the nostrils, sinuses, pharynx, and oropharynx—is heavily colonized by microbes, while the lower respiratory tract (LRT), composed of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs, was long thought to be sterile. However, recent molecular studies have revealed that the lungs are not devoid of microbes but act more like...
Influenza01:27

Influenza

Influenza is an acute, highly communicable viral disease that affects the respiratory tract and is responsible for seasonal epidemics worldwide. Influenza A is the most prevalent type associated with widespread outbreaks and is subtyped based on two surface glycoproteins: hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N), as in H1N1. These glycoproteins are essential for viral infectivity, transmission, and immune recognition. Transmission occurs primarily through respiratory droplets and contaminated...
Common Respiratory Disorders01:31

Common Respiratory Disorders

Respiratory disorders, a prevalent health concern globally, are generally divided into two primary categories: upper and lower respiratory tract disorders. The categorization is based on the area of the respiratory system they affect.
Upper respiratory disorders impact the airways above the vocal cords, encompassing areas like the nose, sinuses, and throat. Various conditions fall under this category, including the common cold and allergic rhinitis. These disorders can stem from several causes,...
Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection01:26

Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection

The hosts' susceptibility to infection depends on several factors. The integrity of the skin and mucous membranes helps protect the body against microbial attacks. When the skin is altered, the chance of infection, limb loss, and even death increases.
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin create...
Asthma III: Clinical Manifestations01:13

Asthma III: Clinical Manifestations

Asthma presents with a characteristic pattern of episodic respiratory symptoms that reflect underlying airway inflammation, bronchoconstriction, and mucus hypersecretion. Although severity varies among individuals, certain clinical manifestations are considered hallmarks of the disorder and often guide diagnosis and assessment.Respiratory SymptomsA persistent cough is one of the most common early features of asthma. It is frequently dry and tends to worsen at night or in the early morning,...