Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 23, 2025
An Improved and High Throughput Respiratory Syncytial Virus RSV Micro-neutralization Assay
Published on: January 26, 2019
IFI27 may predict and evaluate the severity of respiratory syncytial virus infection in preterm infants
Junyan Gao1, Xueping Zhu2, Mingfu Wu1
1Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, NO.368 Hanjiang Middle Road, Yangzhou, 225000, Jiangsu, China.
Insights
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is a serious risk for preterm infants. The study identified IFI27 as a potential biomarker for predicting RSV infection severity in this vulnerable population.
Area of Science:
- Genomics and bioinformatics analysis of gene expression in preterm infants.
- Investigating host-pathogen interactions in respiratory viral infections.
Background:
- Preterm infants are highly susceptible to severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections.
- RSV lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) can be life-threatening in neonates.
Purpose of the Study:
- Identify candidate genes associated with susceptibility to RSV infection in preterm infants.
- Elucidate the underlying pathogenesis of RSV infection in this population.
Main Methods:
- Downloaded and analyzed three Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets (GSE77087, GSE69606, GSE41374) for differentially expressed genes (DEGs).
- Utilized DAVID for functional and pathway enrichment analysis, and STRING/Cytoscape for protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and hub gene identification.
- Conducted clinical verification of top hub genes, including IFI27, and performed gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) for IFI27.
Main Results:
- Identified 4028 DEGs, selected 131 significant DEGs, and identified 13 hub genes involved in viral response pathways.
- IFI27 was confirmed as the most significantly expressed gene in clinical verification.
- High IFI27 expression correlated with increased disease severity, mechanical ventilation needs, hospitalization frequency, and duration.
Conclusions:
- IFI27 shows potential as a predictive biomarker for RSV infection in preterm infants.
- IFI27 may also serve to evaluate the severity of RSV infection in this vulnerable group.
Background:
Preterm infants are a special population that vulnerable to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection and the lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) caused by RSV could be severe and even life-threating. The purpose of the present study was to identify candidate genes of preterm infants who are susceptible to RSV infection and provide a new insight into the pathogenesis of RSV infection.
Methods:
Three datasets (GSE77087, GSE69606 and GSE41374) containing 183 blood samples of RSV infected patients and 33 blood samples of healthy controls from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were downloaded and the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened out. The function and pathway enrichments were analyzed through Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) website. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network for DEGs was constructed through Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING). The module analysis was performed by Cytoscape software and hub genes were identified. Clinical verification was employed to verify the expression level of top five hub genes among 72 infants including 50 RSV infected patients and 22 non-RSV-infected patients hospitalized in our center. Further, the RSV infected infants with high-expression IFI27 and those with low-expression IFI27 were compared (defined as higher or lower than the median mRNA level). Finally, the gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) focusing on IFI27 was carried out.
Results:
Totally, 4028 DEGs were screened out and among which, 131 most significant DEGs were selected. Subsequently, 13 hub genes were identified, and function and pathway enrichments of hub genes mainly were: response to virus, defense response to virus, regulation of viral genome replication and regulation of viral life cycle. Furthermore, IFI27 was confirmed to be the most significantly expressed in clinical verification. Gene sets associated with calcium signaling pathway, arachidonic acid metabolism, extracellular matrix receptor interaction and so on were significantly enriched when IFI27 was highly expressed. Moreover, high-expression IFI27 was associated with more severe cases (p = 0.041), more requirements of mechanical ventilation (p = 0.034), more frequent hospitalization (p < 0.001) and longer cumulative hospital stay (p = 0.012).
Conclusion:
IFI27 might serve to predict RSV infection and evaluate the severity of RSV infection in preterm infants.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:20Assessment of Ventilation I: Respiratory Rate
A Ventilation assessment is critical for monitoring a patient's health status. Respiration, one of the most accessible vital signs, provides insights into the function of numerous body systems and can indicate serious health issues, such as brainstem injuries from head trauma.
Critical Guidelines for Assessing Ventilation:
01:21Acute Respiratory Failure-II
The underlying physiological abnormalities that contribute to hypoxemic respiratory failure include:
01:30Acute Respiratory Failure-III
01:19Respiratory Assessment: Purpose and Indications
Objectives and Importance:
The primary goal of respiratory assessment is to evaluate patients at early risk of clinical deterioration. Since respiratory distress often precedes other signs of declining health, breathing patterns and sounds become a...
01:21Acute Respiratory Failure-I
Definition: It is defined by specific criteria based on blood gas measurements. Hypoxemia happens when the partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) falls below 60 mmHg. At the same time,...
01:30Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment