Integration of ATAC-seq and RNA-seq analysis identifies host genes related with PRRSV infection

The porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is a highly contagious pathogen. Viral infections often enhance their replication by modulating the structure and expression of host genes. However, it remains unclear whether PRRSV employs a similar mechanism to achieve self-replication. To address this question, the current study combined assay for transposase accessible chromatin sequencing (ATAC-seq) and ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequencing (RNA-seq) to identify accessible chromatin regions and key host genes associated with PRRSV infection. By comparing the PRRSV-infected group with the control group, we initially detected 8664 differentially accessible chromatin regions and 4037 differentially expressed genes. Motif analysis of these differential chromatin regions revealed several potential cis-regulatory elements containing binding sites for transcription factors. Further integration of ATAC-seq and RNA-seq results identified 1352 overlapping genes between the PRRSV-infected and control groups. A significant positive correlation between differential gene expression and chromatin accessibility signals suggests that chromatin remodeling may drive transcriptional changes during infection. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis highlighted candidate genes potentially associated with PRRSV infection in hosts, such as IL1B, CCL20, CXCL10, CSF3, etc. Given their potential association with the infection mechanism, these genes could serve as candidate targets for the future development of prophylactic vaccines and therapeutic strategies. Additionally, several signaling pathways that may regulate immune and inflammatory responses were significantly enriched in our ATAC-seq and RNA-seq analyses. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying PRRSV infection and pave the way for developing more effective preventive and treatment measures.