Human parvovirus B19 infection leads to downregulation of thyroid, estrogen, and retinoid hormone receptor expression

•B19V infection coincides with downregulation of THRα, RXRA, and ERα expression.•B19V NS1 is sufficient for downregulation of THRα expression.•B19V NS1 possibly interacts with THRα.•B19V leads to changes in THRα-related genes PPARG and Cyclin D1 expression.•B19V leads to changes in expression of other cancer- and cardiac-related genes.

Erythrovirus B19 (B19V) is a member of the family Parvoviridae. Infection with B19V has been linked to a variety of diseases including erythroid, thyroid, neurological and autoimmune diseases. Here we show that infection of primary CD36+ cells with B19V coincides with downregulation of thyroid, retinoid, and estrogen hormone receptors. In addition we show changes in expression of a variety of related downstream signaling genes participating in cancer and cardiac-related diseases in B19V-infected erythroid primary cells.