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Updated: Jul 29, 2025
07:07
Evaluation of T Follicular Helper Cells and Germinal Center Response During Influenza A Virus Infection in Mice
Published on: June 27, 2020
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Transposable elements are associated with the variable response to influenza infection.
Xun Chen1, Alain Pacis2, Katherine A Aracena3
1Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (WPI-ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.
Cell Genomics
|May 25, 2023
Summary
Transposable elements (TEs) influence immune responses to Influenza A virus (IAV). Specific TEs and host factors, like KRAB-ZNF proteins, predict viral load and immune variation in individuals.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Genomics
- Virology
Background:
- Influenza A virus (IAV) infections cause varied disease severity annually.
- The human immune system exhibits significant inter-individual variability in response to IAV.
- The role of transposable elements (TEs) in this immune variability is largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the contribution of transposable elements (TEs) to inter-individual variation in immune responses to IAV.
- To identify specific TE families and host factors associated with differential immune responses and viral load.
Main Methods:
- Transcriptome profiling of monocyte-derived macrophages from 39 individuals post-IAV infection.
- ATAC-seq (transposase-accessible chromatin using sequencing) to assess TE accessibility.
- Motif analysis to identify associated immune regulatory factors.
Main Results:
- Significant inter-individual variation in viral load was observed post-IAV infection.
- Specific TE families showed altered accessibility upon infection, with 15 highly variable families exhibiting distinct epigenetic profiles.
- Motif analysis revealed associations between TEs, immune regulators (e.g., IRFs, STATs, NFkB), and KRAB-ZNF proteins.
- TEs and host factors regulating them predicted viral load post-infection.
Conclusions:
- Transposable elements and host factors, including KRAB-ZNFs, play a role in the variable immune response to Influenza A virus.
- These findings offer insights into the genetic underpinnings of differential susceptibility and immunity to IAV infections.
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