Time-Resolved Transcriptomic Profiling of Chandipura Virus Infection Reveals Dynamic Host Responses and Host-Directed...

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Molecular Biology
• Immunology

Background:

• Chandipura virus (CHPV) causes acute encephalitis with high mortality, particularly in India.
• The host molecular mechanisms underlying CHPV infection are not well understood.
• There is a need to identify host-directed therapeutic targets for CHPV.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the temporal host response to CHPV infection using transcriptomics.
• To identify host pathways that can be pharmacologically targeted for antiviral development.

Main Methods:

• Human HEK293T cells were infected with CHPV.
• Time-resolved RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed at 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours post-infection.
• Host-directed compounds were evaluated for antiviral activity in vitro.

Main Results:

• CHPV infection induced a temporal cascade of host responses, starting with innate immunity and inflammation.
• Metabolic reprogramming, particularly lipid metabolism, was observed by 18 hours post-infection.
• Global transcriptional shutdown occurred by 24 hours post-infection, associated with cytopathic effects.
• Host-directed compounds demonstrated antiviral activity against CHPV in neuronal cells.

Conclusions:

• This study provides the first time-resolved transcriptomic landscape of CHPV infection in human cells.
• Identified host pathways and compounds offer potential strategies for CHPV antiviral development.