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APOBR Is Downregulated in EBV+ Tonsils of Children with Obstructive Sleep-Disordered Breathing

Regie Lyn P Santos-Cortez1, Helen Z Gomez1, Christina L Elling1

  • 1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.

Genes
|October 26, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Researchers identified potential biomarkers for obstructive sleep-disordered breathing (oSDB) in children. Downregulation of the gene APOBR in tonsils, linked to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and CPAP treatment, may indicate oSDB severity.

Area of Science:

  • Genomics and Molecular Biology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Pediatric Research

Background:

  • Obstructive sleep-disordered breathing (oSDB) is a growing global health concern with significant comorbidities impacting quality of life.
  • Identifying reliable biomarkers for oSDB and its associated conditions is crucial for improving clinical management, especially in pediatric populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify potential biomarkers for obstructive sleep-disordered breathing (oSDB) in pediatric tonsillar tissue.
  • To investigate the association of gene expression with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and the need for continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment in children with oSDB.

Main Methods:

  • Bulk mRNA-sequencing and differential gene expression analysis were performed on tonsil RNA from children with oSDB.
  • Gene expression was analyzed based on the presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and the requirement for CPAP treatment.
  • Quantitative PCR (qPCR) was used to validate the expression of selected differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in an independent cohort.

Main Results:

  • Nineteen genes were found to be dysregulated in tonsils from EBV-positive or CPAP-requiring children with oSDB.
  • The gene *APOBR* was consistently downregulated in both EBV+ and CPAP+ tonsils, with this finding replicated by qPCR.
  • In adult oSDB patients, *APOBR* expression showed a positive correlation with age and potentially diastolic blood pressure.

Conclusions:

  • *APOBR* and other differentially expressed genes in tonsillar tissue show promise as biomarkers for oSDB severity and related comorbidities.
  • The expression levels of *APOBR* may be influenced by latent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection.
  • These findings suggest potential diagnostic and prognostic applications of tonsillar gene expression in oSDB across different age groups.

Keywords:
APOBRCPAPEBVEpstein–Barr virusRNA-seqbulk mRNA sequencingcontinuous positive airway pressureobstructive sleep-disordered breathingsleep apneatonsil

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