Skip to main content
European Commission logo
English English
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS
CORDIS Web 30th anniversary CORDIS Web 30th anniversary

RNA regulation during viral infection

Periodic Reporting for period 3 - VIRUSES AND RNA (RNA regulation during viral infection)

Reporting period: 2022-07-01 to 2023-12-31

Viral infections are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality and frequency and impact of epidemics are expected to increase. This is evidenced by the current SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 pandemic. Thorough understanding of basic virology is critical for informed development of prevention and control. Most systematic studies of virus-host interactions have focused on proteins, however, with recent methodological advances the intersecting fields of viral infection and RNA biology hold great promise for basic and therapeutic exploration. The goal of this application therefore is to discover and dissect RNA-based virus-host interactions and related regulatory mechanisms of gene expression.
Micro-RNAs (miRNAs) fine-tune gene expression by repressing messenger RNA (mRNA) targets. However, cellular miRNAs increase translation and replication of certain viruses. Thus, hepatitis C virus (HCV) critically depends on the liver specific miR-122, which emerged as a therapeutic target. Further, HCV sequesters enough miR-122 to indirectly regulate cellular gene expression. I hypothesize that this RNA-based mechanism contributes to virus induced liver cancer, and aim to address this using our recently developed rodent model for HCV infection (Aim 1). Better understanding of viral RNA (vRNA) interactions could significantly contribute to basic infection biology and novel therapeutics. I therefore aim to systematically identify vRNA interactions with other cellular RNAs and proteins (Aim 2). I expect to identify interactions of value for functional regulation and therapeutic targeting. I finally hypothesize that translation of certain cellular mRNAs – similarly to viruses – increase upon miRNA binding, and aim to systematically screen for such virus-like alternative regulation, with potential to change understanding of post-transcriptional regulation (Aim 3).
In conclusion, this high-risk high-gain project has potential to shape novel dogmas for virus and RNA biology and to identify novel RNA-based therapeutic targets; a promising upcoming field of discovery.
The over-arching objective of this grant is to discover and understand RNA level virus-host interactions and related regulatory mechanisms of gene expression.
In Aim 1, we aim to characterize indirect cellular gene regulation through viral miRNA “sponging” in vivo. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) directly binds, and critically depends on, the cellular micro-RNA, miR-122. In addition to its direct use of this host factor during viral replication, we hypothesize that HCV sequesters or “sponges” miR-122 away from its normal targets. This is particularly interesting, given that miR-122 knock-out mice spontaneously develop liver diseases, including cancer, similarly to HCV patients. Thus, virus induced miR-122 sponging may be an RNA-based mechanism providing an environment fertile for liver cancer. However, this is not easily addressed in patients, since all HCV isolates bind miR-122. To enable studies of causative links, we therefore employ a rat/mouse model of rodent hepacivirus (RHV); a virus that is similar to HCV. Here, we have developed in vitro and in vivo models for RHV and performed a number of studies in vitro and in vivo to improve characterization and understanding of the RHV model. These have been crucial in order to establish a rodent model, in which we can study persistent hepacivirus infection and liver pathology. We further have used our in vitro systems to devleop miR-122 independent RHV, which will enable direct comparison of the role of miR-122 sponging on gene regulation and pathogenesis in vivo. Finally, we have used experimental infection with equine hepacivirus in horses to demonstrate that a miR-122 sponge effect indeed is observable by RNA-seq of liver biopsies in vivo. In vivo experiments comparing wild-type and miR-122 independent RHV in respect to cellular gene expression and pathology are currently ongoing.
In Aim 2, we aim to discover novel virus-host interactions at the RNA level. Here, we have successfully established and improved several state-of-the-art RNA interaction assays in the lab. We have applied these to identify RNA interactors for HCV, SARS-CoV-2 (the cause of COVID-19), tick-borne encephalitis virus and yellow fever virus. For SARS-CoV-2, we completed a study to globally map miRNA interactions across the viral genome and identified six major miRNA binding sites. We further mapped specific cellular miRNA regulation upon SARS-CoV-2 infection and how this translated to cellular gene regulation. We are currently exploring novel interactors identified for other viruses.
In Aim 3, we are exploring interactions between cellular RNA and RNA-binding proteins, including the structural conditions of RNA molecules, which may govern how viruses or cellular genes can take advantage of alternative miRNA regulation. This has led us to identify a completely novel type of cap structure on RNA, which could serve as protection for the RNA molecule, and which may just be the beginning of a new understanding of RNA cap structures and of viral protection against host responses. We in addition have screened for novel RNA binding proteins (RBPs) and have validated a number of such candidates. We specifically studied the role of Rbm5 in regulation of mRNA splicing, including its potential role in Huntington’s disease.
- Given the current COVID-19 pandemic, we have included the causative virus, SARS-CoV-2, in our studies. We have already successfully mapped its miRNA interactions and are currently also mapping other types of RNA interactions for this virus. This has the potential to reveal novel RNA-based therapeutic avenues for COVID-19 disease.

- Studies of experimental equine hepacivirus (EqHV) infection in horses, the closest relative to HCV, support our hypothesis of virus induced miRNA sponging. In gene expression analysis performed on liver biopsies during infection, we see that cellular genes normally specifically repressed by miR-122 are now upregulated. This points to functional action of a virus induced miR-122 sponge effect. Although the equine model was not originally thought to contribute to Aim 1, this finding lends strong support to our idea and therefore strengthen our belief that this concept can be explored using the rodent model. Perhaps even in a more straight-forward bulk analysis instead of the more technically demanding single-cell analysis.

- Studies of the RNA termini led us to identify a completely novel type of cap structure on RNA, which could serve as protection for the RNA molecule, and which may just be the beginning of a new understanding of RNA cap structures and of viral protection against host responses.
Graphical summary of the approach to discover and understand RNA level virus-host interactions.