Pathogenicity and transcriptomic profiling reveals immunology molecular hallmarks after CA10 virus infection

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Immunology
• Pathology

Background:

• Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common viral illness.
• Enteroviruses, including coxsackievirus A 10 (CA10), are causative agents.
• CA10 prevalence has increased recently.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the pathogenicity of CA10.
• To identify host gene responses to CA10 infection.
• To compare CA10 with other HFMD-associated enteroviruses.

Main Methods:

• Established CA10 infection model in ICR mice.
• Utilized RNA sequencing to screen differentially expressed genes (DEGs).
• Compared CA10 with Coxsackievirus A 16 (CA16) and Enterovirus 71 (EV71) infections.

Main Results:

• CA10 infection led to hind limb paralysis and weight loss in mice.
• Viral replication and inflammation were observed in skeletal muscle.
• DEGs in blood, muscle, thymus, and spleen showed heterogeneity; muscle DEGs were enriched in immune pathways.
• CA10 infection may inhibit T helper cell differentiation and growth compared to CA16 and EV71.
• Common DEGs across all three viruses were linked to immune responses, including Toll-like receptor and NOD-like pathways.

Conclusions:

• Identified key genes involved in the host response to CA10 infection.
• Provided insights into the molecular mechanisms of CA10-induced HFMD pathology.