Limited nasal IFN production contributes to delayed respiratory virus clearance and suboptimal vaccine responses.

ABSTRACT: Acute lower respiratory infections are the primary cause of global mortality in postneonatal children. Most respiratory viruses primarily involve upper airway infection and inflammation, yet nasal responses are poorly characterized. Using a mouse model of human metapneumovirus (HMPV), we found viral burden was higher in nasal airways and exhibited delayed clearance. Despite high burden, there was low nasal expression of type I and III interferon (IFN). Single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-Seq) from HMPV-infected mice showed lower nasal IFN-stimulated gene (ISG) expression and nasal enrichment of genes negatively regulating IFN. scRNA-Seq of patients with COVID-19 verified lower ISG expression in upper airways. HMPV infection downregulated nasal expression of IFN regulatory factor 3, suggestin

SUBMITTER: Sojati J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12581673 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature