Transcription Profiling Signatures Distinguishing RSV Infection in Humans

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major global health threat, causing severe respiratory illness in young children, the elderly, and individuals with chronic lung conditions.Despite its high morbidity and mortality, effective treatments remain lacking.RSV infection initiates in the respiratory tract, primarily targeting airway epithelial cells (AECs), which act as the first line of defense against pathogens.Upon entering the nasal passages, the virus spreads to the lower respiratory tract, where it replicates, leading to inflammation and epithelial damage, including cell shedding, mucus overproduction, and impaired ciliary function.RSV replication in both upper and lower airway epithelial cells exacerbates disease severity.A better understanding of AECs' role during viral infection is crucial for advancing RSV research, especially given their function as a barrier to severe disease progression.Studies using upper and lower airway epithelial cell systems have revealed key insights into antiviral mechanisms.Moreover, systems biology approaches, such as transcriptional profiling, provide valuable insights into virus-specific molecular pathways and immune responses to RSV infection.In particular, the transcriptional analysis of age-specific patient samples is increasingly recognized as essential for understanding the pathogenesis of RSV, as gene expression and signaling responses can differ across age groups.Here, we present a comprehensive summary of the current state of knowledge regarding the available publicly accessible data from transcriptional profiling studies related to RSV infection, aiming to better understand the transcriptional changes and cellular responses triggered by RSV infection.