Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Background
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children under 1 y of age in the USA. The host immune response is believed to contribute to RSV-induced disease. We hypothesize that severe RSV infection in infants is mediated by insufficient regulation of the host immune response of regulatory T cells (Tregs) resulting in immunopathology.Methods
Blood and nasal aspirates from 23 RSV-infected and 17 control infants under 1 y of age were collected. Treg frequencies were determined by flow cytometry from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Analysis of 24 cytokines was measured by multiplex assay on nasal aspirates.Results
We demonstrate that the frequency of activated Tregs is significantly reduced in the peripheral blood of RSV-infected infants compared with age-matched controls. Surprisingly, T helper (Th)17 related cytokines including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-17A, and IL-23 were associated with a reduction in clinical symptoms of respiratory distress. In addition, the amount of IL-33 protein in nasal washes, a cytokine important in maintaining Treg homeostasis in mucosal tissues, was decreased in RSV-infected children.Conclusion
These results suggest that decreased Treg numbers and an inability to properly control the host inflammatory response results in severe RSV infection.
SUBMITTER: Christiaansen AF
PROVIDER: S-EPMC6215710 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Nov
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Christiaansen Allison F AF Syed Muhammad A MA Ten Eyck Patrick P PP Hartwig Stacey M SM Durairaj Lakshmi L Kamath Sameer S SS Varga Steven M SM
Pediatric research 20160621 5
<h4>Background</h4>Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children under 1 y of age in the USA. The host immune response is believed to contribute to RSV-induced disease. We hypothesize that severe RSV infection in infants is mediated by insufficient regulation of the host immune response of regulatory T cells (Tregs) resulting in immunopathology.<h4>Methods</h4>Blood and nasal aspirates from 23 RSV-infected and 17 control infants under 1 y of ag ...[more]