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Updated: Jun 23, 2026
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
Differential proteomic analysis of children infected with respiratory syncytial virus
Gen-Quan Yin1,2, Hui-Xuan Zeng3, Zi-Long Li4
1Chronic Airways Diseases Laboratory, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Insights
Researchers identified four key proteins (BPGM, TPI1, PRDX2, and CFL1) that are upregulated during respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. These findings offer potential new biomarkers and therapeutic targets for treating this common childhood illness.
Area of Science:
- * Virology and Immunology
- * Proteomics and Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- * Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a primary cause of lower respiratory tract infections in children.
- * Currently, no effective treatments exist for RSV infections, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To identify potential protein biomarkers for aiding in the treatment of RSV infection.
- * To investigate the proteomic alterations associated with RSV infection in children.
Main Methods:
- * Proteomic analysis was conducted on children during acute and convalescent phases of RSV infection.
- * Differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified, followed by functional enrichment and protein-protein interaction network analysis.
- * Candidate proteins were validated using Western blot in clinical samples and a mouse model.
Main Results:
- * Seventy-nine DEPs were identified in RSV patient samples.
- * Four proteins—BPGM, TPI1, PRDX2, and CFL1—were confirmed to be significantly upregulated during RSV infection.
- * BPGM and TPI1 were found to be involved in glycolysis, suggesting a link between RSV and this metabolic pathway.
Conclusions:
- * The study provides insights into the proteomic landscape of RSV infection.
- * BPGM, TPI1, PRDX2, and CFL1 are identified as potential therapeutic biomarkers or targets for RSV treatment.
Abstract:
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is the main cause of lower respiratory tract infection in children. However, there is no effective treatment for RSV infection. Here, we aimed to identify potential biomarkers to aid in the treatment of RSV infection. Children in the acute and convalescence phases of RSV infection were recruited and proteomic analysis was performed to identify differentially expressed proteins (DEPs). Subsequently, promising candidate proteins were determined by functional enrichment and protein-protein interaction network analysis, and underwent further validation by western blot both in clinical and mouse model samples. Among the 79 DEPs identified in RSV patient samples, 4 proteins (BPGM, TPI1, PRDX2, and CFL1) were confirmed to be significantly upregulated during RSV infection. Functional analysis showed that BPGM and TPI1 were mainly involved in glycolysis, indicating an association between RSV infection and the glycolysis metabolic pathway. Our findings provide insights into the proteomic profile during RSV infection and indicated that BPGM, TPI1, PRDX2, and CFL1 may be potential therapeutic biomarkers or targets for the treatment of RSV infection.
