Modulation of cytokeratin and cytokine/chemokine expression following influenza virus infection of differentiated human tonsillar epithelial cells
To develop effective interventions against influenza, it is important to identify host factors affecting pathogenesis and immune responses. Tonsils are lymphoepithelial organs characterized by infiltration of B and T lymphocytes into the squamous epithelium of tonsillar crypts, beneath which germinal centers play key roles in antigen processing and the immune response. Influenza virus tropism in the human upper respiratory tract is a key determinant of host-range, pathogenesis, and transmission. Accordingly, experimental models using primary cells from the human respiratory tract are relevant for assessing virus tropism and replication competence. Our study addresses the dynamics of influenza virus replication in HTECs, including cellular tropism, infectivity, and cytokeratin and cytokine expression. The results of this study highlight the complex interplay between structural proteins and immune signaling pathways, all of which provide valuable insights into host-virus interactions.
Authors
- Richard J. Webby (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4397-7132)
- Lisa Kercher (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6300-0452)
- Jeremy C. Jones (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9980-2112)
- Mohamed A. Ghonim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9404-2698)
- Jennifer DeBeauchamp
- Hossam A. Abdelsamed (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5448-6056)
- Faten A. Okda (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6245-5391)
- Jeremy Chase Crawford (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4096-6048)
- Scott Perry (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-1646-8579)
- Deanna Langfitt (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0941-5360)
- David C. Brice (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0294-9987)
- Ahmed Kandeil (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3253-6961)
- Lance A. Miller (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8497-5571)
- Kasi Vegesana (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8847-3774)
- Robert G. Webster (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1899-1856)
- Paul G. Thomas (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7955-0256)
- Ahmed Sakr
Institutions
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (US)
- Cornell University (US)
- Augusta University (US)
- National Water Research Center (EG)
- New York State College of Veterinary Medicine (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Virology
- Published
- 2025-01-10
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1128/jvi.01460-24
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Immune Cell Function and Interaction
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.80