Virus-specific and shared gene expression signatures in immune cells after vaccination in response to influenza and vaccinia stimulation.

Our results provide insights into virus-host interactions in different immune cells, as well as host defense mechanisms against viral stimulation. Our data also highlights the role of monocytes as a major cell population driving gene expression in PBMCs in response to viral stimulation. The immune response signaling pathways identified in this study may provide specific targets for the development of novel virus-specific therapeutics and improved vaccines for vaccinia and influenza. Although influenza and vaccinia viruses have been selected in this study as pathogen models, this approach could be applicable to other pathogens.