Nishioka K, Daidoji T, Nakaya T. Demethylation around the transcriptional start site of the IFN-β gene induces IFN-β production and protection against influenza virus infection. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2019 Oct 5.
Seasonal influenza is related to lifestyle-associated risk factors and it has been suggested that the epigenetic state of the individual plays an important role in the severity of infection. It is well known that epigenetics stringently regulate gene expression in each tissue and that aberrant epigenetic states can influence disease development. Despite some studies, limited information is available on changes in epigenetic states before and after influenza virus infection; in particular, it is unknown whether the epigenetic state at specific sites affects subsequent infection. Here, we analyzed CpG methylation states in clones derived from human primary small airway epithelial cells with the same genetic background but different viral replication rates. Our study revealed that demethylating CpGs downstream of the IFN-β transcription start site using a CRISPR/dCas9 system suppressed viral replication during subsequent influenza virus infection. Thus, our observations suggest that epigenome editing might provide adequate protection against the influenza virus.
See Also:
Latest articles in those days:
- Risk of infection of dairy cattle in the EU with highly pathogenic avian influenza virus affecting dairy cows in the United States of America (H5N1, Eurasian lineage goose/Guangdong clade 2.3.4.4b. ge 17 hours ago
- Avian influenza overview September - November 2025 17 hours ago
- [preprint]Airway organoids reveal patterns of Influenza A tropism and adaptation in wildlife species 17 hours ago
- Cats are more susceptible to the prevalent H3 subtype influenza viruses than dogs 19 hours ago
- Overview of high pathogenicity avian influenza H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b in wildlife from Central and South America, October 2022-September 2025 20 hours ago
[Go Top] [Close Window]


