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Influenza viruses

Apod Mediates Age-Associated Increase in Vulnerability to Influenza Virus Infection

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Fresh data on RNA Viruses - Influenza A Virus reveals a significant correlation between age and increased severity of influenza infection. Research from China Agricultural University found that Apolipoprotein D (ApoD) plays a crucial role in mediating the increased vulnerability to influenza virus infection in older individuals. The study highlights the importance of understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the aging process in severe influenza infection.

Key Takeaways:

  • The research found that increased severity in influenza A virus (IAV) infection and reduced innate immune response correlated with extensive mitophagy in senescent human cells and in the lung of aged mice.
  • Apolipoprotein D (ApoD) was identified as strongly elevated in the lungs and sera of aged human and mouse, and was able to localize to mitochondria and interact with the virus, promoting virus replication.
  • ApoD deficiency protected older mice from severe influenza and improved survival.
  • The study concluded that ApoD is a promising target for inhibition to improve disease outcome in older patients.
  • The research involved funding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), Postdoctoral Fellowship Program of the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, and the Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) ecology and evolution of infectious diseases project.
  • The study involved authors from China Agricultural University, including Jinhua Liu, Zhimin Jiang, Wenliang Pan, Yu Chen, Dongliang Zhou, Shuning Ren, Qi Tong, Litao Liu, Honglei Sun, Yipeng Sun, Juan Pu, Yuhai Bi, Dayan Wang, and Kin-Chow Chang.

Statistics:

  • The study involved a sample size of mice aged 21 months (equivalent to approximately 65 years).
  • The study found that ApoD expression was significantly elevated in the lungs and sera of aged human and mouse.
  • The study showed that ApoD deficiency reduced the severity of influenza infection and improved survival in older mice.
  • The research was funded by multiple sources, including the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), Postdoctoral Fellowship Program of the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, and the Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) ecology and evolution of infectious diseases project.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Findings from China Agricultural University in the Area of Influenza A Virus Described (Apod Mediates Age-Associated Increase In Vulnerability To Influenza Virus Infection). Virus Weekly. October 21, 2025; p 585.
  • Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Apod Mediates Age-Associated Increase In Vulnerability To Influenza Virus Infection. 2025;122(37).
  • National Academy of Sciences. www.nasonline.org/
  • Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. www.nasonline.org/publications/pnas/
  • China Agricultural University. Key Lab Prevent & Control Avian Influenza & Other, Natl Key Lab Vet Publ Hlth & Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100193, People's Republic of China.

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