Activation of STAT3-mediated ciliated cell survival protects against severe infection by respiratory syncytial virus.

ABSTRACT: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) selectively targets ciliated cells in human bronchial epithelium and can cause bronchiolitis and pneumonia, mostly in infants. To identify molecular targets of intervention during RSV infection in infants, we investigated how age regulates RSV interaction with the bronchial epithelium barrier. Employing precision-cut lung slices and air-liquid interface cultures generated from infant and adult human donors, we found robust RSV virus spread and extensive apoptotic cell death only in infant bronchial epithelium. In contrast, adult bronchial epithelium showed no barrier damage and limited RSV infection. Single nuclear RNA-Seq revealed age-related insufficiency of an antiapoptotic STAT3 activation response to RSV infection in infant ciliated cells, which was e

SUBMITTER: Zhao C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11527452 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature