Differentially expressed ncRNAs as key regulators in infection of human bronchial epithelial cells by the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant.

ABSTRACT: SARS-CoV-2 infection initiates complex interactions at mucosal barriers. In primary human bronchial epithelial cells, we investigated changes in the small RNA transcriptome induced by Delta variant infection. Thereby, we uncovered differential expression of a specific set of microRNAs (miRNAs), PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs), vault RNAs, Y RNAs, and long intergenic non-coding RNAs (lincRNAs), which inhibit apoptosis while promoting cell proliferation and viral infection. Conversely, differential expression of 7SL, U2, and RPPH1 RNAs, as well as miR-155-5p and miR-27a-5p, was found to be involved in antiviral signaling. In addition, expression of the protein-coding genes CXCL10, IFIT1, NCOA7, IFIT2, SIX3, and RPSA was

SUBMITTER: Ranches G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12162024 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature