Airborne fine particles drive H1N1 viruses deep into the lower respiratory tract and distant organs

Zheng Dong, Juan Ma, Jiahuang Qiu, Quanzhong Ren, Qing'e Shan, Xuefeng Duan, Guangle Li, Yi Y Zuo, Yu Qi, Yajun Liu, Guoliang Liu, Iseult Lynch, Min Fang*, Sijin Liu*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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Abstract

Mounting data suggest that environmental pollution due to airborne fine particles (AFPs) increases the occurrence and severity of respiratory virus infection in humans. However, it is unclear whether and how interactions with AFPs alter viral infection and distribution. We report synergetic effects between various AFPs and the H1N1 virus, regulated by physicochemical properties of the AFPs. Unlike infection caused by virus alone, AFPs facilitated the internalization of virus through a receptor-independent pathway. Moreover, AFPs promoted the budding and dispersal of progeny virions, likely mediated by lipid rafts in the host plasma membrane. Infected animal models demonstrated that AFPs favored penetration of the H1N1 virus into the distal lung, and its translocation into extrapulmonary organs including the liver, spleen, and kidney, thus causing severe local and systemic disorders. Our findings revealed a key role of AFPs in driving viral infection throughout the respiratory tract and beyond. These insights entail stronger air quality management and air pollution reduction policies.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbereadf2165
Number of pages16
JournalScience Advances
Volume9
Issue number23
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 9 Jun 2023

Keywords

  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype
  • Lung
  • Air Pollution
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Models, Animal

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