Vanin-1 deficiency enhances host tolerance to influenza infection by modulating cellular redox status

Although resistance pathways are well-characterized, the molecular determinants of host tolerance remain poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that vanin-1, an ectoenzyme known for its role in vitamin B5 metabolism, unexpectedly regulates host tolerance during influenza infection through modulation of cellular redox status.

Mice lacking vanin-1 showed enhanced survival following lethal influenza infection without alterations in viral burden, immune responses, or tissue pathology. While vanin-1 deficiency impairs vitamin B5 metabolism, neither vitamin B5 supplementation nor deficiency affected survival during infection, indicating a vitamin B5- independent mechanism. RNA sequencing analysis revealed enhanced expression of antioxidant pathway genes in vanin-1-deficient mice, with Nrf2 serving as a key upstream regulator.