The transcriptomic profile of rabiës virus (RABV) exposed human monocyte-derived macrophages.

Macrophages are amongst the first immune cells that encounter rabies virus (RABV) at injured sites, but insights into if and how RABV affects macrophage activation are scarce. We undertook this study to characterize the transcriptional profile of human monocyte-derived macrophages that were exposed to RABV in vitro, to examine the antiviral response and potential RABV-induced immunosuppression mechanisms in these cells. RNA-seq was performed on RNA extracted from three individual blood donors. For each donor, M0 (non-polarized macrophages, control), M1, M2a, and M2c polarized macrophages, as well as RABV-exposed macrophages were sequenced.