Journal: Emerging Microbes & Infections
Article Title: TOR3A represses type I interferon production and limits viral clearance during respiratory syncytial virus infection
doi: 10.1080/22221751.2026.2637961
Figure Lengend Snippet: The upregulation of TOR3A during RSV infection is facilitated by STAT1. ( A ) Flowchart overview of the infection of RAW264.7 cells with RSV followed by mass spectrometry analysis. RAW264.7 cells were infected with RSV (MOI = 1) for 12 h, with 2% DMEM (RSV solvent) as control. ( B ) Whole protein profiles of RAW264.7 cells after 12-hour RSV infection were analyzed. Cluster analysis identified differentially expressed interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) proteins between RSV-infected and control groups. ( C ) KEGG analysis demonstrated activation of multiple infection-related signalling pathways following RSV infection. ( D ) GO enrichment analysis showing significant activation of cellular functions in response to RSV infection. ( E - F ) RT-qPCR analysis of Ifnb and Tor3a mRNA levels in RAW264.7 cells at 0, 6, 12, and 24 h post-RSV infection. ( G ) Western blot analysis of TOR3A protein expression in RAW264.7 cells at indicated time points (0, 12, 24 h) post-RSV infection. ( H ) RT-qPCR analysis of TOR3A mRNA levels in PBMCs from hospitalized RSV-bronchiolitis patients (n = 70) and controls (n = 40). ( I ) RT-qPCR analysis of TOR3A expression in PBMCs from RSV-infected children with mild (n = 48) or moderate to severe (n = 22) disease. ( J ) Analysis of the correlation between TOR3A mRNA levels and RSV viral copy number. ( K ) ROC analysis was performed to evaluate the predictive value of TOR3A expression for bronchiolitis in RSV-infected children. ( L ) Analysis of TOR3A mRNA levels from peripheral blood transcriptomic data ( GSE188424 ) in hospitalized RSV-infected children (n = 24) versus age-matched healthy controls (n = 24). ( M ) ROC curve analysis of the predictive value of TOR3A for RSV infection. ( N-O ) RAW264.7 cells were stimulated with IFN-β at a working concentration of 1000 U/ml. The mRNA and protein levels of TOR3A were measured by RT-qPCR and Western blot, respectively. ( P-Q ) RAW264.7 cells were pre-incubated with an IFNAR1-specific blocking antibody (100 ng/mL) for 2 h prior to RSV infection (12 h). The mRNA and protein levels of TOR3A were then measured by RT-qPCR and Western blot, respectively. ( R ) ChIP analysis revealed that STAT1 binds to the Tor3a promoter. ( S ) HEK293 T cells were co-transfected for 24 h with a luciferase reporter plasmid driven by the TOR3A promoter, a STAT1 expression plasmid, and empty vector, followed by a dual-luciferase reporter assay. Data are representative of three independent experiments and presented as mean ± SD. Statistical significance was determined by Student's t-test (H, I, L, and S), one-way ANOVA followed by Dunett's multiple comparisons test (E, F, N, and P). ns: no significance, *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001, ****P < 0.0001.
Article Snippet: Innate immune stimuli included poly(I:C) (Merck), 5′-ppp hairpin RNA, and the STING agonist DMXAA (both from InvivoGen); recombinant mouse IFN-β and IFN-λ2 was from R&D Systems.
Techniques: Infection, Mass Spectrometry, Solvent, Control, Activation Assay, Quantitative RT-PCR, Western Blot, Expressing, Concentration Assay, Incubation, Blocking Assay, Transfection, Luciferase, Plasmid Preparation, Reporter Assay