Chronic Exposure to the Food Additive tBHQ Modulates Expression of Genes Related to SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza Viruses.

ABSTRACT:

Background

tert-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ) is an antioxidant commonly used as a food additive. Studies suggest that tBHQ could modulate immune responses to influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infection. In our transcriptomic analysis we explored the molecular mechanisms behind tBHQ's modulatory properties and the relationships to respiratory viral infections.

Methods

tBHQ was administered per os to BALB/c mice (1.5% [w/w]) for 20 days. Splenic T cells were isolated with magnetic separation and subjected to transcriptomic analysis. Gene-set enrichment analysis and g:Profiler was conducted to provide a functional interpretation of significantly changed genes. Further analysis for AHR/NRF2 binding sites was performed with GeneHancer.

Results

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SUBMITTER: Nemeth K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9147452 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature