The human nasal epithelium is the primary site of exposure to influenza virus, the initiator of host responses to
influenza and the resultant pathologies. Influenza virus may cause serious respiratory
infection resulting in major complications, as well as severe impairment of the airways. Here, we elucidated the global transcriptomic changes during H3N2
infection of human nasal epithelial cells from multiple individuals. Using
RNA sequencing, we characterized the differentially-expressed genes and pathways associated with changes occurring at the nasal epithelium following
infection. We used in vitro differentiated human nasal epithelial cell culture model derived from seven different donors who had no concurrent history of
viral infections. Statistical analysis highlighted strong transcriptomic signatures significantly associated with 24 and 48 h after
infection, but not at the earlier 8-h time point. In particular, we found that the
influenza infection induced in the nasal epithelium early and altered responses in
interferon gamma signaling, B-cell signaling, apoptosis,
necrosis, smooth muscle proliferation, and metabolic alterations. These molecular events initiated at the infected nasal epithelium may potentially adversely impact the airway, and thus the genes we identified could serve as potential diagnostic
biomarkers or therapeutic targets for
influenza infection and associated disease management.