Beta-hydroxybutyrate augments airway epithelial cell anti-viral responses
Conference Year
2024
Abstract
Respiratory viral infections are the most frequent cause of asthma exacerbations. While nutritional ketosis has been reported to promote anti-viral adaptive immune responses to lung infection, little is known about the effects of ketosis on pulmonary innate immune responses. We hypothesized that ketone supplementation augments anti-viral responses of airway epithelial cells. Human bronchial epithelial cells were exposed to the ketone body, beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), before or during stimulation with the double-stranded viral RNA mimetic, poly(I:C). BHB augmented anti-viral type I interferon responses to poly(I:C) in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting a direct effect of ketosis on airway epithelium during respiratory viral infections.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Matthew Poynter
Status
Graduate
Student College
Larner College of Medicine
Program/Major
Cellular, Molecular and Biomedical Sciences
Primary Research Category
Life Sciences
Beta-hydroxybutyrate augments airway epithelial cell anti-viral responses
Respiratory viral infections are the most frequent cause of asthma exacerbations. While nutritional ketosis has been reported to promote anti-viral adaptive immune responses to lung infection, little is known about the effects of ketosis on pulmonary innate immune responses. We hypothesized that ketone supplementation augments anti-viral responses of airway epithelial cells. Human bronchial epithelial cells were exposed to the ketone body, beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), before or during stimulation with the double-stranded viral RNA mimetic, poly(I:C). BHB augmented anti-viral type I interferon responses to poly(I:C) in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting a direct effect of ketosis on airway epithelium during respiratory viral infections.