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Mapping transcriptional patterns of MPXV in human epithelial cells
Ludovica Picarone1, Daniele Pietrucci1, Davide Mariotti2
1Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-Food and Forest Systems (DIBAF), University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy.
Emerging Microbes & Infections
|February 20, 2026
Summary
Monkeypox virus (MPXV) transcription varies by host cell origin. Vaginal and intestinal cells showed higher viral production, while ectocervical and renal cells favored host-virus interactions, impacting MPXV antiviral strategies.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Genomics
- Cell Biology
Background:
- The 2022 monkeypox virus (MPXV) outbreak revealed altered transmission and clinical features.
- The influence of host cell type on MPXV transcription remains largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of host epithelial cell origin on MPXV clade IIb transcription.
- To identify cell-type-specific viral gene expression patterns and host-virus interactions.
Main Methods:
- Comparative transcriptomic profiling of MPXV clade IIb across human vaginal, intestinal, ectocervical, and renal epithelial cell lines.
- Temporal gene expression analysis in vaginal cells.
- Single-time point comparisons across different cell types.
Main Results:
- Two distinct transcriptional clusters were identified in vaginal cells: early genes involved in host-virus interactions and intermediate-late genes for viral replication and morphogenesis.
- Vaginal and intestinal cells exhibited higher viral particle production linked to intermediate-late gene expression.
- Ectocervical and renal cells favored host-virus interaction transcripts.
- Specific genes modulating signal transduction and inflammation were consistently expressed across cell types.
Conclusions:
- MPXV transcription is modulated by host cell type, influencing viral replication and host response.
- Conserved and variable viral gene expression patterns across cell types offer insights for developing targeted antiviral therapies.
