Transcriptomic Profiling in Childhood H1N1/09 Influenza Reveals Reduced Expression of Protein Synthesis Genes

Herberg, Jethro A.; Kaforou, Myrsini; Gormley, Stuart; Sumner, Edward R.; Patel, Sanjay; Jones, Kelsey D. J.; Paulus, Stéphane; Fink, Colin; Martinon-Torres, Federico; Montana, Giovanni; Wright, Victoria J.; Levin, Michael

We compared the blood RNA transcriptome of children hospitalized with influenza A H1N1/09, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) or bacterial infection, and healthy controls. Compared to controls, H1N1/09 patients showed increased expression of inflammatory pathway genes and reduced expression of adaptive immune pathway genes. This was validated on an independent cohort. The most significant function distinguishing H1N1/09 patients from controls was protein synthesis, with reduced gene expression. Reduced expression of protein synthesis genes also characterized the H1N1/09 expression profile compared to children with RSV and bacterial infection, suggesting that this is a key component of the pathophysiological response in children hospitalized with H1N1/09 infection.