Lack of Truncated IFITM3 Transcripts in Cells Homozygous for the rs12252-C Variant That is Associated With Severe Influenza Infection

J Infect Dis. 2018 Jan 4;217(2):257-262. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jix512.

Abstract

Interferon-induced transmembrane 3 (IFITM3) is known to restrict the entry of a range of enveloped viruses. The single nucleotide polymorphism rs12252-C within IFITM3 has been shown to be associated with severe influenza A virus infection. It has been suggested that rs12252-C results in expression of a truncated IFITM3 protein lacking the first 21 amino acids. By performing high-throughput RNA sequencing on primary dendritic cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from pandemic H1N1 influenza and human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infected patients we show that full-length IFITM3 mRNA is dominantly expressed (>99%) across all rs12252 genotypes. Full-length IFITM3 protein can be detected in all genotypes.

Keywords: IFITM3; influenza A virus; rs12252.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Humans
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / isolation & purification
  • Influenza, Human / genetics*
  • Influenza, Human / pathology*
  • Influenza, Human / virology
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics*
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics*
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • Sequence Analysis, RNA
  • United Kingdom

Substances

  • IFITM3 protein, human
  • Membrane Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA-Binding Proteins