IMMUNOLOGY2026™ Conference Recordings For Attendees-Protective Role of Interferon Omega in Human Airway Epithelium During Human Metapneumovirus Infection

Protective Role of Interferon Omega in Human Airway Epithelium During Human Metapneumovirus Infection

Video Transcription

Video Summary

This talk examined how interferon omega affects human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infection in primary human airway epithelium. HMPV is a major respiratory virus with no approved vaccine or antiviral. Pediatric epithelial cells produced less of most interferons than adult cells, but uniquely induced more interferon omega. Interferon omega was triggered by HMPV through RIG-I and peaked at 48 hours. Recombinant interferon omega strongly reduced HMPV replication in pediatric airway cultures, but not RSV. RNA-seq showed activation of antiviral ISGs and STAT signaling without major inflammatory cytokine induction, suggesting interferon omega may be a promising, non-inflammatory host-directed therapy for HMPV.

Meta Tag

Date April 17, 2026 8:30 AM - 8:45 AM

Room 104AB

Session Cytokines and Inflammation in Antiviral Immunity

Speaker PIUS BABAWALE

Track Viral Immunology (VIR)

Year 2026

Keywords

interferon omega

human metapneumovirus

airway epithelium

antiviral therapy

RIG-I signaling

April 17, 2026 8:30 AM - 8:45 AM

104AB

Cytokines and Inflammation in Antiviral Immunity

PIUS BABAWALE

Viral Immunology (VIR)

2026