Single-Cell RNA-Seq Profiling of Transposable Element Expression in Human Peripheral Blood Cells During Viral...

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Genomics
• Virology

Background:

• Transposable elements (TEs) are crucial for immune regulation, with increased activity during viral infections.
• Non-LTR TEs (LINE, SINE, SVA) show altered expression correlating with antiviral responses.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate non-LTR TE transcriptomic signatures in human PBMCs during influenza A, HIV, and SARS-CoV-2 infections.
• Identify cell-specific TE patterns for disease severity assessment, progression prediction, and therapy evaluation.
• Analyze TE co-expression networks in cytotoxic T cells to find diagnostic and therapeutic targets.

Main Methods:

• Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) on 98 patient samples.
• Bioinformatic analysis of transcriptomic data.
• Co-expression network analysis of TEs and transcription factors.

Main Results:

• Unique cell-specific non-LTR TE expression patterns identified in HIV and SARS-CoV-2 cohorts.
• TE expression linked to disease severity, progression, and treatment efficacy.
• Precursor cytotoxic T cells showed the most variable TE expression, dependent on virus and disease severity.
• Key regulatory players in TE networks identified as potential biomarkers.

Conclusions:

• Non-LTR TEs are involved in mediating antiviral responses.
• Cell-specific TE signatures can differentiate disease severity and predict progression.
• Identified TE-associated networks and transcription factors offer potential diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for viral infections.