Hypoxia inducible factors regulate pneumovirus replication by enhancing innate immune sensing

J Jiyeon Ha (CAMS Oxford Institute, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford) P Parul Sharma (Department of Chemistry) S Sammi Ta (Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford) S Senko Tsukuda (Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford) J James M. Harris (Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford) R Rebekah Penrice-Randal (Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool) E Eleanor Bentley (Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool) A Adam Kirby (Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool) D Daniele F. Mega (Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool) D David A. Matthews (School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bristol) P Peter Balfe (Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford) J Jan Rehwinkel A Anja Kipar (Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool) J James P. Stewart (Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool) J Jane A. McKeating (CAMS Oxford Institute, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford) P Peter A. C. Wing (CAMS Oxford Institute, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford)

Abstract

The immune mechanisms responsible for protection and pathogenesis in pneumoviral infection are not well defined. We demonstrated that pharmacological activation of the hypoxic inducible factor (HIF) signaling axis using daprodustat limited viral replication through enhanced immune signaling. Transcriptomic analysis revealed HIF augmented activation of innate immune response genes, including interferon-stimulated gene 15 ( Isg15 ), in the lung and spleen of mice infected with pneumonia virus of mice (PVM). In human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV)-infected airway epithelial cells, daprodustat inhibited viral replication and enhanced ISG15 expression in a HIF-dependent manner. Importantly, inhibition of type I interferon signaling or the RIG-I sensing pathway abrogated the antiviral activity of HIF. Moreover, daprodustat increased interferon signaling in response to viral RNA, suggesting that HIF inhibits pneumovirus replication through enhancing viral RNA sensing. Mechanistically, daprodustat reduced N 6 -methyladenosine modification of viral RNA through upregulation of RNA demethylases, promoting detection by innate immune sensors. This study highlights the intricate interplay between hypoxia and antiviral immunity and offers valuable insights into pneumovirus–host interactions and potential therapeutic interventions.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 123, Issue 15
Published April 14, 2026
ISSN 0027-8424
Publisher National Academy of Sciences

Authors (16)

J

Jiyeon Ha

CAMS Oxford Institute, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford

P

Parul Sharma

Department of Chemistry

S

Sammi Ta

Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford

S

Senko Tsukuda

Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford

J

James M. Harris

Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford

R

Rebekah Penrice-Randal

Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool

E

Eleanor Bentley

Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool

A

Adam Kirby

Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool

D

Daniele F. Mega

Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool

D

David A. Matthews

School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bristol

P

Peter Balfe

Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford

J

Jan Rehwinkel

A

Anja Kipar

Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool

J

James P. Stewart

Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool

J

Jane A. McKeating

CAMS Oxford Institute, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford

P

Peter A. C. Wing

CAMS Oxford Institute, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford