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An In vitro Model to Study Immune Responses of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells to Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection
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Epigenetic Mechanisms in Early Life Viral Respiratory Infections

Juliana Poppe1, Katarzyna Placek2, Ana Paula Duarte de Souza1,3,4

  • 1Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Healthy and Life Science School, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre 90619-900, RS, Brazil.

Viruses
|March 28, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Early-life respiratory viral infections impact infant immunity. Epigenetic changes in immune cells after infection may offer new ways to prevent chronic respiratory diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Epigenetics
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Early-life respiratory viral infections are a significant global health issue.
  • Neonatal immune system immaturity increases infection severity and susceptibility to chronic respiratory diseases.
  • Innate immune cells show potential for immune memory, crucial for early-life protection.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review epigenetic modifications in immune cells during and after childhood respiratory infections.
  • To explore how epigenetic programming influences immune cell function in early life.
  • To identify potential preventive strategies against respiratory viral infections and their long-term effects.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature review of studies on epigenetic modifications (DNA methylation, histone modifications, non-coding RNAs).
  • Analysis of evidence before and after respiratory viral infections in children.
  • Focus on modulation of immune cells by epigenetic mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • Respiratory infections in early life induce changes in epigenetic modifications within immune cells.
  • Epigenetic mechanisms play a role in both innate and adaptive immune memory formation.
  • Evidence suggests a link between early-life infection, epigenetic programming, and long-term respiratory health.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding epigenetic changes post-infection is key to developing novel interventions.
  • Targeting epigenetic modifications could enhance infant antiviral defense.
  • Preventive strategies may reduce the long-term burden of childhood respiratory infections.

Keywords:
early lifeepigeneticrespiratory virus

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