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Rotavirus (RV) is the primary cause of severe gastroenteritis in young children, yet the long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) regulatory landscape governing the host response remains largely unmapped. To address this gap, the present study performed an integrated transcriptomic analysis of mRNA and lncRNA expression profiles in RV-infected MA104 cells at 24 h post-infection. Deep sequencing identified 11,919 high-confidence lncRNAs, revealing a massive transcriptional shift: 3651 mRNAs and 4655 lncRNAs were differentially expressed, with both populations predominantly upregulated. Functional enrichment analysis confirmed the strong activation of key innate immunity pathways, including the RIG-I-like receptor, Toll-like receptor, and TNF signaling pathways. Conversely, fundamental metabolic pathways were found to be suppressed. Crucially, the analysis of lncRNA targets highlighted their involvement in coordinating the host antiviral defense, particularly through transregulation. Experimental validation confirmed the significant upregulation of key immune-related mRNAs (OASL and C3) as well as two novel lncRNAs (lncRNA-6479 and lncRNA-4290) by qRT-PCR. The significant upregulation of OASL and C3 was validated at the protein level, confirming the biological relevance of the transcriptomic data. This study provides a foundational, genome-wide resource, identifying novel lncRNA targets for future mechanistic investigation into host–RV interactions.

20 January 2026

Characterization of RV Infection Kinetics and Pathology in MA104 Cells. (A) Phase-contrast images showing the cytopathic effects (CPE) induced by Rotavirus (RV) infection (MOI of 0.1) in MA104 cells at 24 hpi. (B) Immunofluorescence (IF) analysis of RV antigen expression (green) in MA104 cells at 24 hpi (MOI of 0.1). Cell nuclei are counterstained with DAPI (blue). (C) Western blot analysis of protein lysates from MA104 cells at 24 hpi (MOI of 0.1). (D) Time course of RV NSP3 RNA replication kinetics (MOI of 0.1). Data are presented from three independent experiments.

Viral RNA structure plays a critical regulatory role in viral replication, serving as a dual-purpose mechanism for encoding genetic information and controlling biological processes. However, these structural elements also serve as pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), which are recognized by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) of the host innate immune system. This review discusses the complex and poorly understood relationship between viral RNA structure and recognition of RNA by PRRs, specifically focusing on Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) and Retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I). While current interaction models rely upon data generated from use of synthetic ligands such as poly(I:C) or perfectly base-paired double-stranded RNA stems, this review highlights significant gaps in our understanding of how PRRs recognize naturally occurring viral RNAs that fold into highly complex three-dimensional structures. Furthermore, we explore how viral evolution and nucleotide variations, such as those observed in influenza viruses, can drastically alter local and distal RNA structure, potentially impacting immune detection. We conclude that moving beyond synthetic models to understand natural RNA structural dynamics is essential for elucidating the mechanisms of viral immune evasion and pathogenesis.

20 January 2026

Aquatic ecosystems host the planet’s greatest animal diversity, and with it, a remarkably varied virosphere [...]

20 January 2026

  • Systematic Review
  • Open Access

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is among leading global causes of lower respiratory tract infections, yet data from Russia and other states of the Former Soviet Union (FSU) remain fragmented and structurally inconsistent. This systematic review aims to map and synthesize existing evidence on RSV epidemiology and genotypic distribution across the FSU. Published studies from eLIBRARY and PubMed databases queried for RSV prevalence data, together with public health surveillance datasets, were used to summarize RSV prevalence research across eight FSU countries. Random-effects meta-analysis across age strata showed high prevalence in children before 6 (21%) and a progressive decline with age, which is in agreement with global data. Prevalence estimates showed a high degree of variability partially explained by study scope and clinical presentation. We observed COVID-19-related seasonal disruptions of RSV seasonality, followed by gradual post-pandemic stabilization. Genotypic data reflects global trends with two cosmopolitan clades, A.D and B.D, and their descendants, dominating in the region. The review is limited by uneven geographical and temporal coverage, and scarce data on adults. The review provides the first integrated summary of RSV epidemiology across the FSU and underscores the need for expanded regional surveillance and genomic reporting.

19 January 2026

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Viruses - ISSN 1999-4915