Exosomal microRNA expression profiles derived from A549 human lung cells in response to influenza A/H1N1pdm09 infection
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Updated: Sep 3, 2025
High-throughput Detection Method for Influenza Virus
Published on: February 4, 2012
Yiyue Ge1, Kang Liu2, Ying Chi1
1Institute of Pathogenic Microbiology, NHC Key Laboratories of Enteric Pathogenic Microbiology, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Health Emergency, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, 210009, China.
Abstract:
Exosomes participate in intercellular communication by shuttling various small molecules from donor to recipient cells. We aimed to examine the role of exosomes and exosomal miRNAs in influenza virus infection. The results showed that influenza A/H1N1pdm09 infection could promote A549 cells to secrete exosomes, while blocking the generation of exosomes reduced viral RNA production. A total of 97 exosomal miRNAs with significantly altered expression were identified during influenza infection. Of 12 candidate miRNAs chosen for further validation, ten were confirmed by qRT-PCR. Among 5978 predicted target genes，we found 37 interferon pathway-related genes to be the potential targets of 29 differentially expressed miRNAs. Many target genes were annotated to various KEGG signaling pathways, some of which played important roles in influenza infection. These data will help to further understand the mechanism of influenza virus-host interactions, which is important for the development of preventative and therapeutic strategies against influenza virus.
Insights
Influenza infection promotes exosome release from cells, impacting viral RNA production. Exosomes carry microRNAs that target host interferon pathways, revealing new insights into influenza virus-host interactions.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Exosomes mediate intercellular communication by transferring molecules between cells.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) within exosomes play crucial roles in regulating gene expression.
- Understanding virus-host interactions is vital for developing effective influenza treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of exosomes and exosomal miRNAs in influenza A virus infection.
- To identify specific exosomal miRNAs altered during influenza infection.
- To explore the functional targets of these miRNAs in host cells.
Main Methods:
- Influenza A/H1N1pdm09 infection of A549 cells.
- Exosome isolation and characterization.
- Quantification of viral RNA and exosome production.
- Next-generation sequencing for exosomal miRNA profiling.
- Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) for miRNA validation.
- Bioinformatic analysis to predict miRNA targets and associated pathways (KEGG).
Main Results:
- Influenza infection increased exosome secretion from A549 cells.
- Inhibition of exosome generation reduced viral RNA production.
- 97 exosomal miRNAs showed significantly altered expression during infection.
- 10 out of 12 candidate miRNAs were validated.
- 37 interferon pathway-related genes were identified as potential targets of 29 differentially expressed miRNAs.
- Target genes were linked to various KEGG pathways relevant to influenza infection.
Conclusions:
- Exosomes and their miRNA cargo are involved in regulating influenza virus replication.
- Differentially expressed exosomal miRNAs target host interferon pathways.
- These findings enhance understanding of influenza virus-host interactions.
- The study provides potential targets for novel antiviral strategies.
