Open AccessMetabolic changes during respiratory syncytial virus infection of epithelial cells
Author(s) -
María Martín-Vicente,
Carolina González-Riaño,
Coral Barbas,
María Ángeles Jiménez-Sousa,
Óscar Brochado-Kith,
Salvador Resino,
Isidoro Martı́nez
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0230844
Subject(s) - virus , metabolomics , biology , metabolite , pathogen , virology , cell culture , respiratory tract , microbiology and biotechnology , metabolic pathway , oxidative stress , viral replication , metabolism , respiratory system , biochemistry , bioinformatics , genetics , anatomy
Viral infections induce substantial metabolic changes in infected cells to optimize viral production while cells develop countermeasures to restrict that infection. Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) is an infectious pathogen that causes severe lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) in infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised adults for which no effective treatment or vaccine is currently available. In this study, variations in metabolite levels at different time points post-HRSV infection of epithelial cells were studied by untargeted metabolomics using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis of methanol cell extracts. Numerous metabolites were significantly upregulated after 18 hours post-infection, including nucleotides, amino acids, amino and nucleotide sugars, and metabolites of the central carbon pathway. In contrast, most lipid classes were downregulated. Additionally, increased levels of oxidized glutathione and polyamines were associated with oxidative stress in infected cells. These results show how HRSV infection influences cell metabolism to produce the energy and building blocks necessary for virus reproduction, suggesting potential therapeutic interventions against this virus.