Heatr9 is an infection responsive gene that affects cytokine production in alveolar epithelial cells

During infection, viruses enter susceptible host cells in order to replicate their components for production of new virions. In the process of infection, the gene expression of infected cells undergoes changes because of the production of viral components and due to the host response from detection of viral products. In the advent of RNA sequencing, the discovery of new genes and their functions in the host response generates new avenues for interventions in the host-pathogen interaction. We have identified a novel gene, Heatr9, as a virus and cytokine inducible viral responsive gene. We confirm Heatr9’s expression in vitro and in vivo during virus infection and correlate it with viral burden. Heatr9 is induced by influenza virus and RSV. Heatr9 knockdown during viral infection was shown to affect chemokine expression. Our studies identify Heatr9 as a novel inflammatory and virus infection induced gene that can regulate the induction of specific cytokines.