Host response to Merkel cell polyomavirus oncogenes in neonatal human dermal fibroblast

Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) early region (ER) and vector control inducible vectors were introduced into neonatal human dermal fibroblasts (nHDFs). Total RNA was then extracted and sequenced in triplicate at 0, 48 and 96 hours post-induction with doxycycline treatment. The purpose of this experiment was to identify the host response to MCPyV ER at the transcriptomic level, using both differential expression analysis and transcriptional network reconstruction. Together with our previous IMR90 model, we aim to systematically understand the initial steps toward Merkel cell carcinoma in different potential precursor cell types. Expression of MCPyV early region (extracted from MCCL21) or an empty control was induced in nHDFs, and triplicate RNA samples were exectaed and sequenced at 0, 48 and 96 hours.