ReSViNET Conference 2024
In February 2024, ReSViNET Foundation hosted its 8th conference RSVVW’24 – A Global Conference on Novel RSV Preventive and Therapeutic Interventions in Mumbai, India. The aim of the conference was to learn and share knowledge on current research, and to connect worldwide the leading researchers, scientists, physicians, industry, academic scientists, scholars, decision-makers, and representatives from regulatory, global health, and governmental organisations.
Single-Cell Sequencing Analysis of RSV Infected Pediatric & Adult Human Nose Organoids: Insights from Dr. Anubama Rajan, ReSViNET Conference 2024
Dr. Anubama Rajan presented pivotal research on the severity of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infections in children. Utilizing human nose organoids, her study delved into cellular differences between pediatric and adult patients to understand RSV’s behavior which revealed age differences, proliferative diversity, identified novel tropism, & antiviral response.
1. Are there differences in RSV infection/tropism between an adult and a pediatric HNO?
2. What happens to the apical ciliated cells during RSV infection and are they the only cell type susceptible to RSV infection?
Key Findings:
• Model System: Human Nose Organoids, retaining individual genetic backgrounds, were used to mimic the respiratory epithelium, allowing detailed study of RSV infection through single-cell RNA sequencing.
• Cellular Differences: Pediatric nasal epithelium exhibits more cell clusters and a higher proportion of proliferative basal stem cells than adults, indicating a more active growth phase and potentially explaining increased RSV severity in children.
• Target Cells: RSV primarily infects primary ciliary cells in both adults and children. However, in children, RSV also targets basal cells and ionocytes, unlike in adults.
• Novel Discoveries: New RSV tropism for activated basal cells and ionocytes in pediatric samples was identified, highlighting the complex nature of RSV infection.
Conclusion:
Dr. Rajan’s research provided valuable insights into the cellular mechanisms underlying RSV infection severity in children. By using advanced organoid models and single-cell sequencing, her team has uncovered critical differences in RSV tropism and cellular responses between adults and pediatric patients. These findings pave the way for developing targeted therapeutic strategies to combat RSV in children, potentially leading to more effective treatments and better clinical outcomes.
Posters Presented
Poster 1: Decoding age-specific RSV tropism using single-cell RNA sequencing in human nose organoids.
Poster 2: Epithelial cell remodeling of adult and pediatric human nose organoids during infection with RSV.
Poster 3: The host transcriptional profile of RSV infection in adult and pediatric human nose organoids.
Poster 4: Stability of RSV neutralizing and fusion-site specific antibody levels in adults during the COVID19 Pandemic.
Watch Presentation by Dr. Rajan